Ruta 40 Puna de Jujuy — Laguna de Pozuelos Approach Dispersed Camp

The Puna de Jujuy is one of the most remote, high-altitude overland corridors in South America, and the stretch of Ruta 40 running north from Susques toward Abra Pampa passes through empty altiplano broken only by salt flats and volcanic cones. Dispersed camping is common and accepted along the unpaved margins of the route, particularly on the broad flat terraces west of Laguna de Pozuelos — a Ramsar-listed flamingo reserve. No facilities, no signage, no shade. Bring every liter of water you’ll need. Fires are strongly discouraged at this elevation due to lack of fuel and wind exposure.

The road between Susques and Abra Pampa is mostly ripio (gravel) with soft shoulders — high-clearance 4WD strongly advised, especially after any precipitation. Altitude sickness is a real risk at 3,600m+. Nights drop well below freezing year-round. Best window is April through November; summer rains (December–March) can make sections of the altiplano impassable. No cell service along most of this corridor.

Flamingo lake, volcanic sky, zero facilities.