Driving the wild 100km road to Portezuelo Maricunga in the Atacama Desert

Portezuelo Maricunga: buckle up for an epic Andean adventure! This high mountain pass punches through the heart of Chile's Atacama Desert at a staggering 4,133m (13,559ft). Nestled inside the stunning Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, get ready for some seriously dramatic and remote scenery.

The environment here is WILD. Think scorching daytime temps hitting 30°C, then plummeting below freezing at night, especially in winter. And hold onto your hat because the wind HOWLS across the salt flats and volcanic peaks, making an already tough journey even more challenging.

Getting to the top is a desert expedition in itself. From La Puerta, you've got a grueling 100 km (62 miles) ahead of you on Route C-601. It's mostly loose gravel and deep sand, so get ready to work for it! As you climb higher, the road gets gnarlier with eight super-tight hairpin turns that'll test your skills (and your vehicle) in the thin air. You're totally on your own out here, so be prepared to be self-sufficient!

Now, let's be real – driving to Portezuelo Maricunga isn't a walk in the park. Those rare desert rains can turn the sandy surface into a muddy, slippery mess, making traction a nightmare. After a storm, the road can become impassable, even for 4x4s. Plus, the high altitude can cause altitude sickness and zap your engine's power. Bottom line? Pack extra fuel, tons of water, and a reliable satellite phone – this is one of northern Chile's most remote "high roads"!