Paso de Jama — San Pedro de Atacama to Susques via the Puna de Atacama High Desert Crossing
4,230m — where the Atacama meets the Puna.
Paso de Jama sits at 4,230 metres on the Chilean-Argentine border, and the road up to it from San Pedro de Atacama is one of the most surreal drives on the continent. You roll out of the driest desert on earth past the Salar de Atacama, climb through the Puna with its herds of vicuña picking through the bunchgrass, and crest into Argentina at a border post that looks like someone dropped a shipping container in the middle of Mars. The route follows Ruta 27 on the Chilean side and then RN 52 descending toward Susques and eventually Jujuy — high altitude tarmac and packed gravel, mostly driveable by a stock 4WD but utterly exposed to altitude, cold, and wind that comes out of nowhere.
This is a Moderate crossing but altitude is the real difficulty — acclimatize in San Pedro before you push it or you will feel every one of those 4,200 metres. A standard 4WD or even a capable AWD crossover can make the crossing in good conditions, but carry extra fuel (the gap between stations is real), water, and cold-weather gear — it can snow any month at the top. Chilean and Argentine customs are present at the pass; allow time for vehicle checks and have your paperwork in order. Best window is October through April. Cell service disappears once you leave San Pedro and doesn’t return until Susques. What you get is the Puna in its rawest, highest, most uncompromising form.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 155 mi / 250 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13878 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | AWD or 4WD with good ground clearance |
| Nearest town | San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region, Chile |
| Land manager | Chilean PDI / Argentine Gendarmería Nacional at Paso Jama |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Chile Border Crossings — Paso Jama official |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock AWD crossover handle Paso de Jama, or do I need a dedicated 4WD rig?
A capable AWD vehicle with decent ground clearance can complete this route — the road is graded gravel for most of its length and regularly used by trucks and buses. That said, softer desert sections and potential washouts after rain will punish low-clearance vehicles, so a 4WD with all-terrain tires is the smarter call at this altitude.
When is Paso de Jama passable, and can it snow enough to close the crossing?
October through April is the reliable window. Winter months (June–August) bring snow and ice at 4,200m that can close the pass entirely, sometimes for days at a stretch — the Chilean and Argentine border agencies post closures at pasosfronterizos.gov.cl. Even in summer, afternoon electrical storms roll through fast on the Puna side, so aim for early morning crossings.
What permits, fees, or customs requirements do I actually need to cross?
You're crossing an international border — Chile PDI out, Argentine Gendarmería Nacional in. Bring your passport, vehicle title, and a Temporary Vehicle Import permit (TIP) for Argentina, which you'll get processed at the crossing. No trail fee exists, but declaration forms for food, fresh produce, and plant material are strictly enforced — inspections on the Argentine side are real and thorough.
What's the hardest section of this crossing and what should I actually be prepared for?
The crossing itself isn't technically brutal — the challenge is physiological and logistical. Sustained driving at 3,800–4,230m with no services for 250km means altitude sickness, fuel range anxiety, and cold nights if you stop. The salt flat and volcanic gravel sections can be disorienting and deceptively long; don't mistake 'moderate gravel' for 'easy.'
Is there any fuel between San Pedro de Atacama and Susques, and how much range do I need?
No fuel exists on the route between San Pedro de Atacama and Susques — that's roughly 250km of nothing. Top off completely in San Pedro before you leave, and carry a minimum 20-liter jerry can as backup. Susques has a YPF station but availability can be inconsistent, so treat it as a bonus, not a plan.
Trail track
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