Volcán Ojos del Salado Base Camp Route
World's highest volcano base camp challenge
The drive to Ojos del Salado base camp at 5,200 meters is a brutal lesson in high-altitude vehicle dynamics, following mining tracks through the Atacama’s most desolate corner where the world’s highest volcano towers over a landscape that looks like the surface of Mars. Starting from Copiapó, the route climbs steadily through the Tres Cruces National Park, past the emerald waters of Laguna Verde, before the final technical push through loose volcanic scree and boulder fields. At base camp, you’re higher than any point in the continental United States, with clear views of both the Pacific Ocean and the Andes spine stretching to Bolivia.
This is expert-level high-altitude driving where mechanical sympathy matters more than horsepower. Turbocharged diesels are mandatory — anything naturally aspirated will struggle above 4,000 meters. The route demands aggressive tires, skid plates, and emergency shelter because weather changes happen fast and violently at altitude. Best attempted March through November when snow doesn’t block the highest sections, but always pack winter gear. No fuel or water above Copiapó — plan accordingly. The payoff is standing at one of the most remote accessible points in the Western Hemisphere, where the silence is absolute and the night sky reveals stars invisible at sea level.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 95 mi / 153 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 17060 ft |
| Best season | March-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Turbo diesel 4WD with aggressive tires |
| Nearest town | Copiapó, Atacama |
| Land manager | CONAF |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Land Cruiser handle this route, or do I need a built rig?
A stock turbo diesel 4WD can make it, but aggressive all-terrain or mud-terrain tires are non-negotiable on the loose volcanic rock and scree. Lift and skid plates are strongly advised — exposed underbody on sharp basalt at this altitude with no recovery help nearby is a bad combination.
When is the route actually passable, and what kills the season early?
March through November is the window. Austral summer storms (December–February) bring flash flooding and road washouts that can strand you for days. Snow at elevation can close the upper sections any time outside of peak dry season — check with CONAF in Copiapó before you leave.
Do I need a permit to drive to the Ojos del Salado base camp?
Yes. CONAF (Chile's national forestry service) requires a permit to enter the Parque Nacional Nevado Tres Cruces and access the high-altitude zones. Get it in Copiapó at the CONAF regional office before you go — they won't process it remotely and there's nobody checking at a gate you can sweet-talk.
What's the hardest section and what does it actually demand from the driver?
The final push above 15,000 ft toward base camp is the crux — loose volcanic scree, no defined track in places, and grades that require precise throttle control to avoid spinning out or high-centering. Altitude compounds everything: your engine loses power, your judgment slips if you're not acclimatized, and a recovery at 17,000 ft is brutal.
How far do I need to fuel up before the route, and is water available out there?
Fuel up fully in Copiapó — there is nothing for 95 miles of trail and the driving to reach it. Carry at least 50 liters of water per person for the full 3–4 days; there are no reliable water sources on the high desert approach and you'll burn through more than expected at altitude.
Trail track
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