Camino de los Artesanos Puna de Jujuy
Pre-Columbian trade route through living history
This forgotten colonial mule train route connects Susques to Coranzulí through landscapes that look like Mars got a dusting of snow. The track follows ancient llama caravans through volcanic badlands where Quechua families still herd alpacas using techniques unchanged since before Columbus. At Pueblo de Coranzulí, adobe buildings melt back into the desert while locals weave vicuña fiber worth more than gold. The route climbs over Abra de Chorrillos at 4,200 meters, where oxygen gets thin and engines start gasping.
This is difficult high-altitude driving requiring serious 4WD capability and cold-weather gear — nights drop below freezing year-round at this elevation. Carry extra fuel, water, and emergency food for three days minimum. The road disappears entirely in places, requiring basic navigation skills and patience to find ancient cairn markers. Best attempted April through September when weather is most stable. What you get is immersion in one of South America’s last intact traditional cultures, where the old ways survive because the land is too harsh for anything else.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Cultural, High Altitude, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 110 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13780 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Susques, Jujuy |
| Land manager | Provincial Government |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| 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 Hilux or stock Land Cruiser handle this trail, or does it need modifications?
A stock Hilux will struggle — you need a modified 4WD with high clearance, a snorkel for river crossings, and ideally a locker or LSD. Altitude at nearly 14,000 ft also punishes naturally aspirated engines hard, so expect significant power loss.
Is the trail passable in January or February during South American summer?
No. January through March is the Puna rainy season — river crossings become impassable, clay surfaces turn treacherous, and remote sections can trap you for days. Stick to April through September when conditions are dry and stable.
Do you need any permits to drive this route through Jujuy Province?
No formal permit is currently required to drive the route, but crossing through indigenous community lands means you should check in with local villages as a courtesy — it's expected and respected out there. Carry your vehicle documentation and passport; Argentine gendarmería checkpoints operate in the region.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it technical?
The river crossings mid-route are the crux — water depth varies with season but can hit axle-deep or higher on the wrong day. Combined with loose volcanic rock climbs, off-camber shelf roads above 13,000 ft, and zero recovery infrastructure nearby, a mechanical failure here is a serious situation.
There's zero cell service — how far out is the nearest fuel and how should I plan water for 2-3 days?
Susques is your last reliable fuel stop before the route; fill completely and carry extra — 68 miles of technical high-altitude terrain burns fuel fast. Water sources exist along the route but must be treated; carry a minimum 10 liters per person per day given the altitude, dry air, and unpredictable crossing conditions.
Trail track
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