Located in Chile’s Atacama Desert lies the highest motorable road in the world, climbing to an incredible 5,800 metres, or just over 19,000 feet above sea level.

Refugio Tejos serves as a critical rest point on the route to Ojos del Salado, the Andes’ highest peak and the world’s highest active volcano.

Located in the Copiapo Province, within the Chilean region of Atacama, close to the Argentinian border, this road traverses a desolate, high-altitude environment marked by loose gravel, sharp inclines and unpredictable weather.

For those brave enough to drive the route, the refuge itself is a rudimentary shelter for climbers preparing to summit the volcano. The L-shaped hut provides six beds and a gear room.

Left behind by a Chilean mining company, it serves as a tribute to a helicopter pilot who died here.

Due to the road’s poor condition - being entirely unpaved - and extreme elevation, a four-by-four vehicle and acclimatisation to altitude are essential.

Set high in the Andes, Refugio Tejos experiences harsh and unpredictable weather, with sudden snowstorms and temperature drops even in summer.

According to Wikiloc, the hike to Ojos del Salado’s summit takes over four and a half hours and covers 3.15 miles. During this trip, hikers climb an incredible 1,962 feet (just under 600 metres) to a maximum of 19,135 feet (5,832 metres).

The surrounding area features geothermal springs, turquoise lagoons, and views of neighbouring peaks like Tres Cruces.

Travelers may encounter flamingos in nearby saline lakes or explore the Mars-like valleys of the Puna de Atacama plateau.

Lying in a dormant state, the Nevado Ojos del Salado volcano consists of several overlapping lava domes, lava flows and volcanic craters with sparse ice cover. Being close to the Arid Diagonal of South America, the mountain has extremely dry conditions, which prevent the formation of substantial glaciers and a permanent snow cover.

Despite the arid climate, there is a permanent 100-metre crater lake at an elevation of around 6,500 metres (21,300 ft) within the summit crater. This is the highest lake of any kind in the world.

The last eruption occurred around 750 AD, though steam emissions observed in November 1993 may have constituted another eruptive event.

India also has one of the highest motorable roads in the world. At 5,602 metres (18,379 ft), the Khardung La connects Leh, Ladakh’s capital, to the Nubra Valley. The pass is also a formidable challenge, featuring narrow lanes, hairpin bends and frequent landslides. Travelers must obtain permits and monitor weather conditions as the road closes during winter.