From Jujuy: Salinas Grandes, Purmamarca & Los Colorados Hike

The white expanse of Salinas Grandes is the star here, but getting there is half the pleasure. This full-day trip climbs through the Quebrada de Humahuaca region, past red cliffs, volcanic peaks, high passes, and the striped mountain above Purmamarca.

I like the mix of scenery and activity. You get a proper walk at altitude instead of only taking photos from a vehicle, and you have time to explore Purmamarca and its craft market. Guides such as Martin add useful detail about the area, while Eric has handled the mountain route with care. The drawback is the long day, rough dirt roads, and altitude of up to about 4,200 meters.

Key points to know before booking

• Salinas Grandes at 4,150 meters: Reach a high viewpoint over one of Argentina’s most striking salt plains.
• Purmamarca and the Seven Colors Hill: Walk from the village beneath the famous multi-hued mountain.
• Two different hikes: Allow about 45 minutes at the high point, then 30 to 40 minutes on the Los Colorados trail.
• Wildlife along the route: Keep watch for vicuñas and llamas near the high mountain roads.
• A long but good-value day: The 510-minute trip costs $42 per person, with transport and a bilingual guide included.
• Real practical limits: Expect basic vehicles, low-quality dirt roads, strong sun, and possible altitude discomfort.

From Jujuy through Yala, Volcán, and Tumbaya

Your day begins at the YPF gas station at Vilcapugio 1986 in San Salvador de Jujuy. Wait in the coffee shop and arrive 15 minutes before departure. The bus or minivan depends on group size, so the ride may feel more intimate in a small group or more basic in a larger one.

The first stretch takes you through Yala, Volcán, and Tumbaya. These towns give you a useful sense of how quickly the scenery changes as you leave Jujuy behind. The route moves from settled valleys toward dry mountain country, with broad views and increasingly dramatic slopes.

The early drive matters because this is not simply a transfer to a salt flat. The road introduces the region’s changing colors and elevations before the main stops begin. Your bilingual guide explains the route in Spanish and English, though the vehicle’s audio quality can be uneven. One useful warning: a recent trip had an older, somewhat dirty bus and weak sound from the speakers, so sit near the guide if hearing every explanation matters to you.

The first look at the Seven Colors Hill

The first planned stop is a viewpoint over the Seven Colors Hill. Sunlight brings out the bands of red, orange, yellow, green, and other mineral tones in the mountain. The colors are not painted on the rock. They come from different minerals compressed into the mountain over a very long period.

This is a short viewing stop, not the main walk of the day. You get the best broad photograph here, before reaching Purmamarca itself. Take a moment to look beyond the famous striped peak too. The surrounding hills show the same dry, layered character on a larger scale.

The light matters. The mountain can look muted in shade and far more dramatic when the sun reaches its face. Sunglasses and a hat are useful not only for comfort but also for spending more time outside without squinting through the view.

Purmamarca at the foot of the mountain

Purmamarca sits directly below the Seven Colors Hill. Its narrow streets, low buildings, mountain views, and craft market give the village a distinct Andean feel. You will return here after the high-altitude walk, with free time for lunch and a look around.

Do not treat Purmamarca only as a meal stop. The village is one of the best places on the tour to see local craft goods and get a closer feel for daily life in the area. You can stroll through the compact streets, browse market stalls, and take in the mountain from several angles.

Lunch is not included, so bring money for food. The tour description does not specify a restaurant or a set menu, which gives you some freedom but also means you should plan for the cost yourself. You will also need cash for community entrance fees, about $5 total for Salinas Grandes and Paseo Los Colorados.

The climb toward Cuesta del Lipán

The serious walking begins after the Purmamarca area, as the route rises through Cuesta del Lipán, Cuesta del Saladillo, and Abra de Potrerillos. These names mark a demanding high-mountain route rather than a gentle village stroll.

At points, the road and trail reach about 4,150 meters, with the overall trip information giving a maximum near 4,200 meters. That altitude is the main physical issue. Even if you are comfortable walking at home, the thin air can make a short uphill section feel much harder.

Go slowly and keep your expectations sensible. This is not a fast hiking challenge. The value comes from the views, the open setting, and the chance to see the high country on foot. Comfortable shoes are required, but the information does not promise a technical mountain trek, so you should still expect a basic guided outing rather than a specialist expedition.

The mountain route can also be rough in the vehicle. Low-quality dirt roads are part of the experience, and the ride may be bumpy. If you need smooth transport or have back problems, this is an important consideration.

Vicuñas, llamas, and the high Andean setting

Keep your eyes open during the climb. Vicuñas and llamas may appear along the route, adding a bit of life to an otherwise broad, dry setting. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but the possibility gives you another reason not to spend the entire ride looking at your phone.

Vicuñas are especially suited to high, cold Andean areas. They are smaller and more delicate-looking than llamas, and spotting them in the open country can be one of the day’s quieter pleasures. Your guide may also point out features of the mountain scenery that are easy to miss from the vehicle.

This is where a good guide matters. Martin has been praised for explaining the area’s history and natural features in an entertaining way. Eric has also guided the mountain route. Guide assignments can vary, but the experience is at its best when the person leading the trip explains what you are seeing rather than simply naming the next stop.

Salinas Grandes from 4,150 meters

At the high point, the scenery changes again. The Salinas Grandes spread out as a vast white salt plain beneath the blue sky. The contrast between the bright salt, dark mountain shapes, and blue distance creates the photograph most people associate with this trip.

You spend about 45 minutes at the top. That is enough time to walk around, take photographs, and look toward the striking blue volcanic peaks. It is not a long independent exploration, but the stop is well placed because the salt plain is so different from the red and striped hills around Purmamarca.

The salt flat is not just a pretty surface. It is a working natural area shaped by evaporation and mineral deposits. The enormous scale is difficult to understand from a photograph, so standing at the edge and looking across the white plain adds real value to the visit.

The high altitude can affect your enjoyment. You may feel breathless, light-headed, or unusually tired. Bring water even though drinks are not included, use sunscreen, and avoid rushing. The sun can feel strong at this elevation, even when the air is cool.

Returning to Purmamarca for lunch and market time

After the high viewpoint, you follow the route back toward Purmamarca. The return gives you another look at the mountains, but it also marks the point where the day shifts from high-altitude scenery to village time.

Use the lunch break carefully. You have enough time to eat, walk the narrow streets, and visit the craft market, but this is not an open-ended afternoon. If you want a relaxed meal and shopping time, keep an eye on the meeting instructions from your guide.

The market is a good place to look for locally made textiles and small souvenirs, though the tour information does not promise particular products or prices. You can also use the break to rest before the final walk. That matters because the Los Colorados trail is shorter, but you have already spent much of the day on the road and at altitude.

The 30 to 40-minute Los Colorados trail

The final active section is the Los Colorados trail, a walk of about 30 to 40 minutes. It leads into dry desert scenery between the mountains, with red rock and open views replacing the brilliant white of Salinas Grandes.

This short hike rounds out the day nicely. The salt flat gives you scale and brightness, while Los Colorados provides close views of the region’s warm rock colors. You do not need to be an experienced hiker, but you should be able to walk on uneven ground and manage the heat and sun.

You will need to pay a small community entrance fee for Paseo Los Colorados. Bring approximately $5 in cash for both community charges, since the fees are not included in the $42 tour price.

Is $42 good value for a 510-minute outing?

At $42 per person, this is a strong price for a full day that includes pickup and drop-off from Jujuy, transport, and a bilingual guide. You cover several major sights in one trip without arranging separate transfers between Purmamarca, the salt flats, and Los Colorados.

The price looks even better if you value variety. In one day, you see small mountain towns, the Seven Colors Hill, high passes, salt flats, volcanic peaks, a craft market, and a desert trail. A private vehicle would give you more control over timing, but it would likely cost much more than this shared excursion.

The tradeoff is comfort. Transport is by bus or minivan, and the vehicle may be older. Road quality is poor in places, and the sound system may make explanations hard to hear. If you want polished transport and a slow, private schedule, this is not the right format.

For a budget-conscious visitor based in Jujuy, though, the combination is practical. You pay separately for lunch and small entrance fees, but the main transport and guiding are covered.

What to bring for the high-altitude day

Pack light, but pack for strong sun and changing conditions. The required items are simple:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Cash for about $5 in community entrance fees
• Money for lunch and drinks

The tour does not include food or drinks, so do not assume refreshments will be supplied. A contact number is also required at booking so the local partner can reach you on the day.

The route is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people who cannot manage rough roads and high altitude. It is also not recommended for those with limited mobility. Those limits are practical, not minor fine print. You will walk, climb, ride over poor roads, and reach more than 4,000 meters.

Who should book this Jujuy day trip?

I would choose this tour if you want to see the region’s biggest sights in one organized day and you are comfortable with a basic vehicle and a fixed schedule. It suits active visitors who enjoy short walks, wide views, village stops, and unusual natural features more than long meals or polished facilities.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Jujuy and do not want to arrange your own transport to Salinas Grandes. The bilingual format helps if you speak Spanish or English, and a guide such as Martin can add useful context to the scenery and local culture.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, get uncomfortable at high altitude, or need a smooth, accessible route. The day lasts 510 minutes, and the roads can be rough. You should also allow for the fact that a shared trip may use an older bus or minivan and that audio may not always be clear.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is maximum scenery for a modest price. The strongest parts are the salt flats, the Seven Colors Hill, the high mountain route, and the chance to walk Los Colorados rather than simply passing by in a vehicle.

Skip it if you need comfort, flexibility, or easy walking. For everyone else, this is a well-packed introduction to the Jujuy region, with enough village time and guided explanation to make the scenery feel like more than a series of photo stops.

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Jujuy?

The meeting point is the YPF gas station at Vilcapugio 1986, Y4607EKF San Salvador de Jujuy. Wait at the coffee shop and arrive 15 minutes before the activity begins.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts 510 minutes, or about 8 hours and 30 minutes. Check the available starting times when booking.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from the Jujuy meeting point are included. Transport is provided by bus or minivan, depending on the group size.

Are guides available in English?

Yes. The tour has a live bilingual guide in Spanish and English. Guides named in the experience information include Martin and Eric, though the exact team can vary.

How high does the tour go?

The route reaches about 4,150 meters at the main viewpoint, with the maximum altitude listed at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You have free time for lunch in Purmamarca, so bring money for your meal and drinks.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Bring approximately $5 in cash for entrance fees charged by the local communities of Salinas Grandes and Paseo Los Colorados.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under five, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or people with limited mobility. It includes high altitude and travel on low-quality dirt roads.