Rooftop of Bolivia — Salar de Coipasa to Sajama via the Bolivian Altiplano Volcanic Circuit
Bolivia's forgotten salt flat and a perfect volcano.
While every overland rig in Bolivia heads straight for Uyuni, the Salar de Coipasa sits 120 kilometres northwest, quieter, rougher, and flanked by the perfect cone of Volcán Sajama — Bolivia’s highest peak at 6,542 metres. The route crosses the Coipasa salt crust, where surface conditions shift dramatically with season, skirts the Bolivian–Chilean border near Cosapa, and climbs through Sajama National Park on corrugated dirt tracks that shake fillings loose. Hot springs at Sajama village are your reward before the final grind back to the asphalt at Patacamaya. Key waypoints: Coipasa village ferry crossing (seasonal), the Cosapa junction, and the Sajama ranger checkpoint.
Minimum vehicle is a capable high-clearance 4WD with a suspension-travel budget and a locking differential — soft salt crust and river fords near Cosapa will punish anything less. Carry a full extra tank of diesel; there is no fuel between Cosapa and Sajama village. The dry season window is May through October; outside that the salt crust can swallow wheels without warning. Altitude sickness is a genuine hazard above 4,000 metres for the entire route. Permits required at Sajama National Park entrance. What you get: raw Altiplano silence, condors riding thermals over the volcano, and the satisfaction of a circuit almost nobody completes.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Salt, Sand |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 210 mi / 338 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 14800 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with locking differential |
| Nearest town | Cosapa, Oruro Department, Bolivia |
| Land manager | Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SERNAP) — Parque Nacional Sajama |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | SERNAP Sajama National Park |
| Verified | |
| 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
Can a stock Tacoma or Land Cruiser handle this route without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with a locking differential is the minimum — no exceptions. The route includes deep sand near Coipasa, rocky volcanic terrain approaching Sajama, and soft salt flat edges that will swallow an unprepared rig. Lift and all-terrain tires aren't required but they buy you margin you'll want at 14,800 feet.
Is this route accessible year-round or does it close seasonally?
May through October is the dry season and the only reliable window — full stop. The wet season (November through April) turns the altiplano crossings and salt flat edges into impassable mud and floods the water crossings to dangerous levels. Don't gamble with the rainy season at this altitude; rescue is not coming quickly.
Do I need a permit to drive through Sajama National Park, and is there a fee?
Yes, entry into Parque Nacional Sajama requires a permit managed by SERNAP. Fees are collected at the park entrance near the village of Sajama — have Bolivianos cash on hand because there are no card readers out here. Check current fee structures directly with SERNAP at sernap.gob.bo before your trip, as rates for foreign visitors differ from nationals.
What's the hardest section of the route and what specifically makes it technical?
The stretch across the western edge of Salar de Coipasa and the push through the volcanic quebradas (ravines) southwest of Sajama are the crux sections. The salt flat crust is unpredictable — what looks solid can be a thin shell over mud — and the quebrada crossings involve loose rock, steep approach angles, and water depending on the season. Lockers engaged, deflate tires to 18-20 PSI, and don't travel alone through here.
How far is the nearest fuel, and can I resupply water or food along the route?
Fuel up completely in Oruro before departing — carry enough for 250+ miles plus reserve, because reliable fuel stops do not exist along this circuit. The villages of Cosapa and Sajama have very limited goods; don't count on them for food resupply. Water crossings exist on the route but all water must be filtered or treated, and you should carry at least a 3-day reserve given how remote and exposed the altiplano is.
Trail track
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