Ruta de los Seismiles

The Ruta de los Seismiles is the name given to the stretch of RN60 that climbs west from Fiambalá to the Paso San Francisco at around 4,750 metres, and it takes its name from the wall of six-thousand-metre volcanoes it passes: Incahuasi, El Fraile, San Francisco, Nacimientos and others, with Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on Earth, straddling the border just south of the pass. The road climbs through desert and lava into a landscape of coloured mineral slopes, salt flats, and lagoons where vicuñas graze and flamingos feed, notably the Laguna Verde near the pass. There is no settlement, no fuel and no signal for hundreds of kilometres, and the weather at the top is severe in any season, which is why the drive counts as an expedition rather than an outing.

What to look for

• The six-thousanders - a line of volcanoes over 6,000 metres along the route.
• Laguna Verde - the high lagoon near the pass with flamingos and vicuñas.
• The mineral slopes - coloured rock and salt flats on the altiplano.
• Paso San Francisco - the border crossing at around 4,750 metres.

When to go

The pass is most reliable from December to March; in winter snow closes it for long spells. Even in summer, storms arrive fast. Always check the crossing status before leaving Fiambalá, and never drive it in the dark.

Things to know

There is no fuel between Fiambalá and Copiapó in Chile, a distance that exceeds many vehicles' range, so extra fuel is essential. Altitude at the pass affects nearly everyone, and vehicles lose power. Breakdowns here are dangerous, and traffic is very light.

Nearby

Fiambalá is the last base; the Chilean side descends toward Copiapó and the Atacama.