Ruta de los Salares Jujuy Province Northern Circuit
Salt flat circuit through highest driveable terrain
This is Argentina’s answer to Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni — a chain of smaller salt flats connected by mining tracks through the Puna de Atacama at crushing altitude. The route links Salinas Grandes, Salar de Olaroz, and Salar de Cauchari via ancient llama caravan paths now used by lithium miners. You’ll cross the Abra del Acay pass at 4895 meters — one of the highest driveable passes in the Americas — and navigate a landscape so stark and beautiful it doesn’t look terrestrial.
The altitude will hammer you harder than any technical section. Above 4000 meters, everything takes twice as long, and altitude sickness is real. You need a reliable 4WD, spare everything, and at least 5 days of food and water — the nearest fuel is in Susques, 200km away. Go April-November when weather is stable; winter brings snow and impassable conditions. No permits needed but register with Gendarmería in Susques. What you get is some of the most remote, spectacular high-altitude terrain in South America and the silence that comes with being truly alone.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 299.3 km |
| Duration | 5-7 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 16056 ft |
| Best season | April-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD high-altitude capable |
| Nearest town | Susques, Jujuy |
| Land manager | Administración de Parques Nacionales |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or 4Runner handle this route, or do I need a built rig?
A stock 4x4 will struggle here. You need a vehicle with a tuned fuel system or carbureted engine rated for high-altitude running, reliable cold-start capability, all-terrain tires, and ideally a long-range fuel setup. Turbodiesels can lose significant power above 4000m — know your rig before you commit to 186 miles of remote terrain with no rescue infrastructure.
Is the route passable in summer (December-March)?
No. December through March is the Andean wet season — salt flats flood, dirt tracks turn to soup, and river crossings can become impassable overnight. Stick to April through November; September and October offer the most stable conditions and clearest skies.
Do I need any permits to drive this circuit?
Sections of this route fall under Administración de Parques Nacionales jurisdiction, which may require a free entry registration at park checkpoints. There are also occasional provincial police and gendarmería checkpoints — carry your passport, vehicle documentation, and Argentine insurance (Seguro) at all times.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The highest passes above 4800m are where rigs and drivers both get tested — thin air hammers engine output, soft volcanic soil can swallow a wheel, and tracks are often unmarked or washed out. Navigation errors at altitude with no cell service and potential afternoon lightning are the real danger, not just the terrain itself.
How much fuel do I need to carry, and where's the last reliable fill-up?
Susques is your last reliable fuel stop before the circuit — top up completely there. Carry enough for at least 400km (250 miles) to account for detours, soft terrain fuel burn, and the possibility that the single informal fuel source at Tolar Grande is dry. A long-range tank or quality jerry cans are not optional on this route.
Trail track
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