Bolivia’s Lagunas Route — Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama via the Southwest Circuit
Flamingos, geysers, and 16,000-ft passes.
The Lagunas Route punches from the edge of the Salar de Uyuni south through Bolivia’s Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa to the Chilean border at Hito Cajón, dropping you into San Pedro de Atacama. This is among the most visually violent landscapes on Earth — the Laguna Colorada burns red from algae and minerals at 14,035 ft, flocks of three flamingo species wade the shallows, and the Sol de Mañana geothermal field at nearly 16,000 ft belches steam and sulfur into the thin air. The track crosses the massive Siloli Desert, passes the iconic Árbol de Piedra wind-eroded rock formation, and climbs through volcanic passes where the altitude will humble any driver not acclimatized.
Difficulty is Difficult to Expert depending on season and condition — wet season (January to March) turns sections to deep mud and can close the route entirely. The dry season window of May to October is the standard run. A capable, properly equipped 4WD is mandatory; a lift kit and all-terrain tires are strongly recommended. There is no fuel between Uyuni and San Pedro, so carry enough. Temperatures drop brutally below freezing at night year-round at this altitude. Bolivian and Chilean border crossing paperwork must be in order, and the Eduardo Avaroa reserve charges an entry fee. Altitude sickness is a real danger — acclimatize in Uyuni or Potosí first.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 248 mi / 399 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15748 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with AT tires |
| Nearest town | Uyuni, Bolivia |
| Land manager | Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa / SERNAP Bolivia |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | SERNAP Bolivia reserve page |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum rig to run this route without getting stranded?
High-clearance 4WD with aggressive all-terrain tires is the floor — no exceptions. The salt flats, sand sections, and rocky quebradas will punish anything less, and a stock crossover or all-wheel-drive SUV has no business out here. Lockers are a serious advantage on the rocky passes, and a long-range fuel setup is not optional.
When is the route actually passable, and what does the wet season do to it?
May through October is the dry season window — that's your run. November through April brings the wet season, which floods sections of the altiplano, turns sandy tracks to impassable mud, and can close the border crossing at Hito Cajón entirely. Some years the rains hit early or late, so check recent reports before committing.
Do you need a permit, and how do you pay for it?
Yes — entry into the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa (REA) requires a permit, currently around 150 BOB per person paid at the ranger station in Uyuni or at the REA entrance checkpoint. The Chilean side has its own separate border entry process at San Pedro de Atacama. Carry cash in Bolivian bolivianos; card payment is not reliable out here.
What's the hardest section of the route and what makes it so punishing?
The high-altitude passes above 15,000 feet southwest of Laguna Colorada are the crux — loose rock, zero navigation markers, and multiple tire-track splits that all look equally valid. At altitude your engine loses serious power, your body moves slower than you expect, and a wrong line can drop you into a field with no recovery anchor for miles. Take it slow, GPS-track the route in advance, and do not rush the descent toward the Chilean border.
How do you handle fuel and water for 248 miles of nothing?
Uyuni is your last reliable fuel stop — fill completely and carry enough range for at least 300 miles given the slow, high-RPM conditions at altitude. Water is scarce and the lagoons are not drinkable; carry all drinking water from Uyuni and resupply opportunities are essentially zero until San Pedro de Atacama. Budget 4-6 liters per person per day minimum given the altitude and dry air.
Trail track
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