Uyuni to Ollagüe Border Circuit
Altiplano desert crossing to Chile border
This remote circuit starts where most Salar de Uyuni tours end, pushing west through the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve toward the Chilean border at Ollagüe. You’ll cross the Desierto de Salvador Dalí, navigate around Laguna Colorada’s flamingo colonies, and thread between smoking volcanoes like Licancabur. The route hits 4,900 meters at several passes, with corrugated tracks that’ll rattle your teeth loose and sudden weather changes that can drop visibility to zero.
This is serious high-altitude desert travel requiring a reliable 4WD with low-range, extra fuel, and emergency gear. May through September offers the best weather, but even then expect sub-zero nights and potential snow. Bring altitude sickness medication and water purification — reliable sources are scarce between Uyuni and the border. The payoff is raw Altiplano wilderness, ancient rock formations, and some of the most surreal desert landscapes on the planet.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 185 mi / 298 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 16076 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Uyuni, Potosí |
| Land manager | Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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 Land Cruiser or 4Runner handle this route, or do I need a built rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but aired-down tires and a solid recovery kit are non-negotiable. Corrugated tracks, soft salt crust edges, and rocky volcanic terrain will punish anything with low ground clearance or street tires.
Is this route passable outside of May–September?
Avoid it December through March — the wet season turns salt flats and clay tracks into axle-deep mud that can strand a vehicle for days. October and November are marginal. May through September is dry, stable, and the only window most experienced drivers attempt it.
Do I need permits to drive through Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, and how do I get them?
Yes — entry into Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve requires a paid permit, currently around $30 USD for foreigners. Buy it at the reserve entrance or the SERNAP office in Uyuni before you leave; there's no way to purchase it once you're deep in the route.
What's the hardest section of the circuit and what makes it technical?
The stretch through the volcanic badlands south of Laguna Colorada toward the Ollagüe approach is the roughest — loose rock, no defined track, and altitudes pushing 16,000 ft where your engine loses serious power. Navigation is by GPS and instinct; there are no signs and wrong lines can drop you into unmarked soft ground.
How far is the fuel range between the last gas stop and the Chilean border at Ollagüe?
Uyuni is your last reliable fuel source — that's roughly 185 miles to the border with zero stations in between. Carry enough fuel for at least 250 miles given the low-gear, high-RPM driving at altitude, and factor in a safety reserve for getting lost or backtracking.
Trail track
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