Ruta de los Salares Jujuy Province Northern Circuit

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.