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🇨🇱 Arica y Parinacota High Andean Passes (Chile – Bolivia Border)

Real-time border status, altiplanic weather reports, road conditions, and mountain pass updates for Paso Chungará – Tambo Quemado, Paso Visviri, Paso Ancomarca, and Paso Colchane. Sourced live from Pasos Fronterizos Chile.

Pasos Fronterizos Chile & U.S.T. / MOP • Updated Today • 4 Border Passes Monitored
Arica y Parinacota Chile Mountain Passes Atlas Map
Arica y Parinacota Mountain Pass Atlas: Paso Chungará – Tambo Quemado, Visviri, Ancomarca & Colchane. Elevation range: 3,715 m – 4,700 m (High Andes / Altiplano)

Arica y Parinacota Passes Live Status

Select any pass below for detailed road conditions, border customs hours, and altiplanic weather alerts.

Paso Chungará – Tambo Quemado

Ruta CH-11 • Arica to La Paz / Oruro
• OPEN
Elevation: 4,520 m • Border: Chile – Bolivia

Premier high-altitude international corridor connecting Arica with Tambo Quemado (Bolivia) through Lauca National Park near Chungará Lake & Parinacota Volcano. Open daily subject to altiplanic storms.

Paso Visviri

Ruta CH-11 Extension • Visviri Border
• OPEN
Elevation: 4,175 m • Border: Chile – Bolivia

Northernmost international pass of Chile located near the tripartite border point of Chile, Peru, and Bolivia. Open daily for passenger traffic and local trade.

Paso Ancomarca

Unpaved Secondary Road • General Lagos
• CAUTION / SEASONAL
Elevation: 4,700 m • Border: Chile – Bolivia

Extremely remote high Andean crossing at 4,700 m altitude. Unpaved secondary gravel road; generally closed or restricted during winter snowpack and heavy summer rains.

Paso Colchane – Pisiga

Ruta CH-15 • Colchane to Oruro / Pisiga
• OPEN
Elevation: 3,715 m • Border: Chile – Bolivia

Major international commercial border pass connecting Iquique and Colchane with Pisiga and Oruro (Bolivia) across the high altiplano near Salar de Surire, Cariquima, and Volcán Isluga.

Cariquima & Volcán Isluga Route

Ruta A-55 / CH-15 • Cariquima to Isluga & Border
• OPEN
Elevation: 3,850 m • Border: Chile – Bolivia Access

Highland mountain pass route connecting the indigenous Aymara village of Cariquima and Parque Nacional Volcán Isluga with the Colchane – Pisiga international border corridor.

Arica y Parinacota Passes Overview Table

Quick reference for elevation, highway route, border crossing, and status.

Pass / Route Name Highway Elevation Border Crossing Status Road Surface & Restrictions
Paso Ancomarca Secondary Road 4,700 m Chile – Bolivia SEASONAL Unpaved 4x4 gravel; closed in winter
Paso Chungará – Tambo Quemado Ruta CH-11 4,520 m Chile – Bolivia OPEN Paved highway; high altitude weather warnings
Paso Visviri CH-11 Ext. 4,175 m Chile – Bolivia OPEN Northernmost pass of Chile; open daily
Cariquima & Volcán Isluga Route Ruta A-55 / CH-15 3,850 m Chile – Bolivia Access OPEN Highland altiplano road; open with weather caution
Paso Colchane – Pisiga Ruta CH-15 3,715 m Chile – Bolivia OPEN Paved commercial border corridor; open 24/7

Frequently Asked Questions — Arica y Parinacota Passes

Invierno Altiplánico (Bolivian Winter) occurs between January and March, bringing heavy convective rain, thunderstorms, and high-altitude snowfall to the high Andes above 4,000 meters. Paso Chungará (4,520 m) may experience temporary closures or mandatory tire chain enforcement during these sudden storms.
Yes, Paso Colchane – Pisiga (3,715 m) on Ruta CH-15 operates 24 hours a day for commercial freight and cargo, with standard customs and immigration hours for passenger vehicles (typically 08:00 to 20:00).
The main access road via Ruta A-55 and Ruta CH-15 connecting Huara, Cariquima, Isluga, and Colchane is paved and well-maintained. Off-road tracks leading deeper into Parque Nacional Volcán Isluga require high-clearance 4x4 vehicles due to loose gravel, sand, and high altitude (3,800m+).
Travelers require a valid passport or national ID (for Mercosur citizens), vehicle ownership registration (Padrón), international SAG agriculture declaration form, and international vehicle insurance (SOAPEX for entry into Chile / RCI for Bolivia).