Sajama National Park High Route
Bolivia's highest peak circuit
The Sajama high route circles Bolivia’s tallest mountain at altitudes that’ll leave your engine gasping and your head pounding. This altiplano circuit runs from Patacamaya through the park’s heart, passing herds of wild vicuñas and the world’s highest forest of ancient queñua trees. The track to Sajama base camp pushes above 15,000 feet where the air gets thin enough to make your carburetor think it’s broken.
Easy driving but brutal altitude – stock 4WD handles the terrain fine, but you need acclimatization and backup oxygen for passengers prone to altitude sickness. Best tackled April through October when storms won’t trap you in a whiteout at 14,000 feet. Park entry fees apply and camping is allowed at designated sites. Fuel up in Patacamaya because the next gas is back where you started. The payoff is standing next to 21,463-foot Sajama surrounded by nothing but sky and silence.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 62 mi / 99.8 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15420 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD |
| Nearest town | Patacamaya, Oruro |
| Land manager | SERNAP - Sajama National Park |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4WD handle the Sajama High Route, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock 4WD is the minimum and genuinely sufficient — the route is rated easy with no extreme obstacles. The bigger concern is mechanical reliability; breakdowns at 14,000+ feet in a remote Bolivian national park are serious, so a well-maintained vehicle matters more than lift height.
When is the Sajama High Route passable and what kills access outside that window?
April through October is the dry season and the only reliable window. The wet season (November–March) turns the altiplano dirt to mud and can make sections impassable even for capable 4WDs, with river crossings rising unpredictably.
Do I need a permit to drive through Sajama National Park and where do I get it?
Yes, a park entrance permit is required, managed by SERNAP. Pay at the park entrance gate near the village of Sajama — fees are modest but cash-only, so have Bolivianos on hand before you arrive.
What's the hardest part of this route and what should I actually be ready for?
The difficulty isn't technical driving — it's altitude. You're spending two full days above 14,000 feet with a max of 15,420 ft, which hits acclimatization hard, especially if you're coming straight from lower elevations. Spend at least one night in La Paz or similar altitude before attempting this.
Is there any fuel or water available inside the park, or do I need to carry everything for 62 miles?
There is no fuel inside the park — top off completely in Patacamaya or Oruro before heading in. Water sources exist but are untreated; carry a filter or enough treated water for two days, and don't count on resupply at the small village of Sajama having what you need.
Trail track
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