Ruta Provincial 150 – Jujuy Salt Flats Circuit
High-altitude salt flats and rainbow mountains
Ruta Provincial 150 loops through some of Argentina’s most remote altiplano, connecting the Salinas Grandes salt flats with the rainbow-striped Cerro de los Siete Colores. The route climbs relentlessly from Purmamarca to over 13,000 feet, where thin air makes your engine wheeze and the landscape turns Martian. You’ll cross bone-dry salt flats that stretch to Bolivia, navigate washouts in the Quebrada de Tumbaya, and thread narrow passes where one mistake means a long drop.
This is extreme-altitude overlanding—bring coca leaves for the altitude, extra coolant for your engine, and enough fuel for 400+ miles with no services. The road surface varies from decent gravel to brutal corrugations that’ll shake your fillings loose. Best tackled April-October when weather’s stable, though even then expect sudden storms above treeline. Stock 4x4s can make it with careful driving, but recovery gear is non-negotiable. You’re crossing one of South America’s most desolate and beautiful landscapes.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 299.3 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13123 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Purmamarca, Jujuy |
| Land manager | Jujuy Province |
| Permit required | No |
| 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 4WD high-clearance vehicle handle this route, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock 4WD with solid clearance — think Hilux, Land Cruiser 70 series, or equivalent — can manage it, but you need low-range capability and all-terrain tires. Soft road tires will get shredded on the sharp Andean gravel, and the corrugated sections will punish anything with worn suspension.
Is Ruta Provincial 150 accessible year-round or does it close in winter?
Best window is April through October — the dry season. Summer months (November–March) bring Andean rainstorms that can make salt flat crossings impassable and turn river fords dangerous overnight. Don't gamble on the wet season out here.
Do I need permits or pay fees to run this circuit?
No formal permits are required to drive RP-150, but if you enter any protected natural areas or national reserves along the route, carry your vehicle registration and ID — Argentine federal police and provincial checkpoints are common in Jujuy. There are no trail-specific fees.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The high passes above 13,000 feet are where things get serious — loose rock, narrow shelf roads with no guardrails, and significant exposure. Altitude affects both drivers and engines; carbureted vehicles will struggle and even fuel-injected rigs lose noticeable power. Take the passes slow and watch for soft shoulders.
How far is the nearest fuel stop, and can I complete the full 186-mile loop on one tank?
Purmamarca is your last reliable fuel before the circuit — top off completely there. 186 miles of high-altitude gravel burns fuel faster than highway driving, so a standard 15-gallon tank may be tight; carry a minimum 5-gallon jerry can. There is no fuel available on the route itself.
Trail track
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