Ruta 40 Extreme North — Susques to Abra Pampa via the Puna de Jujuy Volcanic Plateau
Puna volcanoes, salt flats, 4,200m cold starts.
The northwest Argentine puna between Susques and Abra Pampa is among the harshest high-desert environments in South America that you can legally drive a vehicle across. Ruta 40 here is a mix of ripio and raw volcanic rock crossing the Puna de Jujuy at elevations that consistently push 4,000 meters. The salt flats near Salinas Grandes — visible from the road’s western approaches — are surrounded by volcanoes that haven’t fully quit, and the wind off the Andes at altitude hits with a physicality that surprises first-timers. Laguna de Guayatayoc, a flamingo lake sitting at 3,400 metres, marks roughly the midpoint and is the kind of place you stop even when you planned not to.
This is not a trail for sea-level arrivals on day one. Spend a night in Purmamarca or Humahuaca before running this section — altitude sickness at 4,200 metres on a remote ripio road with no services is not a story you want to tell. Fuel in Susques before departing; Abra Pampa is your next reliable stop. A capable high-clearance 4WD handles the surface, but the real challenge is cold starts at altitude in winter and afternoon electrical storms November through March. Best window is April through early June and September through October. No permits required. Carry 20+ litres of reserve water and food for two days minimum.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 137 mi / 220 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13940 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with long-range fuel capacity |
| Nearest town | Susques, Jujuy |
| Land manager | Dirección Nacional de Vialidad (Argentine Road Authority) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Argentine Road Authority (Vialidad Nacional) |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Tacoma or stock Land Cruiser handle this stretch of Ruta 40, or do I need a purpose-built rig?
A stock Land Cruiser 200 or 76 Series handles it fine. A lifted Tacoma with all-terrain tires works too. What matters more than lift is fuel capacity — you need at least 80–100 liters onboard minimum, and a reliable cold-start system since temps at 4,200m drop hard overnight.
What months should I avoid, and what actually happens if I go in the wrong season?
Avoid December through March — that's the Puna wet season and the dirt sections turn to impassable mud bog. July–August is technically dry but brutal cold and occasional snowpack can shut the plateau down for days at a time. Stick to April–June or September–October.
Do I need any permits or border documentation to drive through Jujuy Province on this route?
No special overland permit is required for Argentine nationals or tourists with a valid visa. Foreign-plated vehicles need the standard Mercosur vehicle authorization if coming from Chile or Bolivia — sort that before you hit Susques, not after. No fees to drive the route itself.
What's the hardest section of the route and what should I actually be prepared for?
The plateau crossing between Susques and the first descent toward Abra Pampa is the crux — loose volcanic gravel, washboard, and sections where the 'road' disappears into the salt flat with multiple diverging tracks. Navigation matters here; have offline maps loaded and a compass. Altitude sickness is an equal threat — headaches, nausea, and impaired decision-making at 4,200m are real, not dramatic.
Where can I get fuel, and is there any water along the route?
Susques has the last reliable fuel before you commit — fill every tank and jerry can there. Abra Pampa has fuel on the far end, but there is nothing reliable in between for the full 220km. Water crossings exist on the route but they're seasonal and not suitable for drinking without treatment; carry at least 10 liters per person for the full transit.
Trail track
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