From Jujuy: Salinas Grandes, Purmamarca & Los Colorados Hike

The great hook here is the change in scenery: one morning takes you from the colored hills around Purmamarca to the blinding white expanse of Salinas Grandes, then back through red desert rock on the Los Colorados trail. It is a full day, but the views keep changing.

I like the chance to see vicuñas and llamas along the high mountain road, and I like that the day includes both a major natural sight and time in Purmamarca’s streets and craft market. The main caution is altitude: the route reaches about 4,200 meters, and rough dirt roads plus several walks can make this a demanding outing.

Key points at a glance

• Salinas Grandes from 4,150 meters: See the enormous white salt plain from a high pass, with blue volcanic peaks nearby.
• Purmamarca at the Seven Colors Hill: Begin and end the main hike beside one of northern Argentina’s most striking mountains.
• A full 510-minute outing: Plan on most of the day, including transport, hikes, lunch time, and stops.
• Los Colorados after lunch: Walk for 30 to 40 minutes through red rock and dry mountain scenery.
• Spanish and English guidance: Guides such as Martín and Eric may explain the geology, local culture, and wildlife.
• Low price, extra costs: At $42 per person, transport and guiding are good value, but lunch and roughly $5 in community entrance fees are separate.

From Jujuy to the Quebrada de Humahuaca

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. This is a meeting-point pickup, not a general hotel pickup, so allow extra time to get there.

The vehicle may be a bus or minivan, depending on the group size. The journey passes through Yala, Volcán, and Tumbaya, giving you an early look at the dry mountain country around Jujuy. These first miles matter because the day is not only about one salt flat. You watch the scenery shift from town streets to steep slopes, open valleys, and high Andean roads.

The road is part of the experience, but it is also one of the less comfortable parts. The tour warns that some sections are low-quality dirt roads. A bus or older minivan can feel cramped and bumpy, especially during a long day. One practical issue is that the audio system may not always be clear, so you could miss some of the guide’s explanations from the back of the vehicle.

Still, the road time gives your guide room to explain what you are seeing. Guides on this outing speak Spanish and English. Martín and Eric are names associated with the guiding team, and the tour’s strongest feedback points to clear explanations about the area’s history and scenery. Ask questions when the vehicle is stopped, since engine noise and road bumps can make conversation difficult while driving.

Seven Colors Hill and the village of Purmamarca

The first major stop is a viewpoint for the Seven Colors Hill. Sunlight brings out the stripes and bands in the mountain, so the time of day and weather can change how strong the colors appear. From the viewpoint, you get the broad scene first, before walking closer to the village and the slopes.

Purmamarca sits at the base of the hill and has a compact center of narrow streets, mountain views, and a craft market. It is an important pause in a day otherwise filled with road travel and open country. You can look at locally made goods, wander through the streets, and get a sense of the town’s daily rhythm.

This is also where the main hike begins. The route climbs through the Cuesta del Lipán, Cuesta del Saladillo, and Abra de Potrerillos. The names may sound like simple road stops, but the real point is the steady gain in altitude. You are moving from the village area toward high passes, so even a moderate walk can feel harder than expected.

The schedule allows about 45 minutes at the high point. That is enough time to look across the salt plain, see the blue volcanoes, take photographs, and catch your breath. It is not a long independent hike at the summit, so stay aware of the group’s timing.

The climb to 4,150 meters

The high section is the physical center of the day. At about 4,150 meters, you look down toward Salinas Grandes, a huge white salt plain set against dark and blue mountain forms. The sharp contrast between the salt and sky is the reason this trip is worth the long drive.

You should treat the altitude seriously. The tour reaches up to about 4,200 meters, or roughly 13,780 feet, and the highest point is listed at 4,150 meters. Walk slowly, avoid rushing for photographs, and tell the guide if you feel unwell. This is not the right outing for anyone who needs easy, level access.

The route can also be hard on people who dislike winding mountain roads. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or children under five. Those limits are practical rather than fussy: the day combines high altitude, rough roads, and walking on uneven ground.

Keep your eyes open for wildlife along the way. Vicuñas and llamas may appear near the road or on the open slopes. You might not see them on every departure, but the possibility adds something to the drive. You are not simply crossing empty country. These animals are part of the high-altitude setting and give the route a more local feel.

Seeing Salinas Grandes from above

Salinas Grandes is the visual payoff of the climb. From the high pass, the salt plain spreads out as a bright, nearly unbroken field. The view is strongest on clear days, when the white surface and blue sky create a hard, graphic contrast.

The tour does not treat this as a quick roadside photograph. You spend about 45 minutes at the top, with time to explore the blue volcanoes and enjoy the view. That is useful because the scale of the salt flat takes a moment to understand. A photograph can show the color, but standing above it helps you grasp how broad the plain is.

At $42, this combination of transport, guide, and access to a remote high-altitude region is good value. You would need to arrange a vehicle and driver to reach these places independently, and the route is long enough that navigation and road conditions would add work. The price is less generous once you add lunch and the community entrance fees, but it remains reasonable for a full-day trip.

Bring cash for approximately $5 in entrance fees charged by the local communities of Salinas Grandes and Paseo Los Colorados. These costs are not included, and payment arrangements can be easier if you have small bills. Food and drinks are also separate, so carry water and money for lunch.

Returning to Purmamarca for lunch

After the high point, you follow the trail back toward Purmamarca. The return gives you another look at the mountain roads and the changing colors of the surrounding country. The route is not simply a ride back to town, since the group hikes down before reaching the village.

You then have free time for lunch, which is not included. The exact choice of restaurant is up to you, so use the break according to your priorities. If you want a proper meal, allow enough time. If you prefer browsing the market or taking more photographs, do not spend the entire pause at a table.

Purmamarca is small enough for a short walk. You can see the Seven Colors Hill from different angles, browse crafts, and move through the narrow streets without needing a formal city tour. The free time is a good balance to the guided portions of the outing, though it may feel brief if you want a slow meal and serious shopping.

Because the day is tightly scheduled, keep track of the meeting time. A late return to the vehicle could affect the final walk and the drive back to Jujuy. I would buy only what you can carry comfortably, since you still have transport and a trail ahead.

The red rock of Los Colorados

After lunch, the group takes a 30 to 40 minute walk along the Los Colorados trail. The setting changes again. Instead of the pale salt plain and multicolored mountain bands, you move through red rock and dry desert country between the mountains.

This final walk is shorter than the main climb, but it is not just a filler stop. Los Colorados adds a different color and texture to the day, making the route feel more complete. The red formations and open paths give you one last chance to walk rather than watch scenery through a vehicle window.

The trail is also where the approximately $5 in community fees may apply, along with the Salinas Grandes entrance charge. Keep that cash accessible rather than buried in your luggage.

If you are tired after the high-altitude section, the short distance may be welcome. If you hoped for a long hike, it may feel modest. The tour is designed as a broad introduction to several places, not as a single intensive trekking day.

Guides, vehicles, and the pace of the day

The guide is important here because the route contains more than scenic stops. You want someone who can connect the colors of the mountains, the salt plain, the local communities, and the wildlife into a clear story. The strongest guide feedback centers on Martín’s explanations, while Eric is also named for handling the mountain portion of the day.

Guide quality can vary by departure, but the operation provides bilingual Spanish and English service. If you do not hear well from your seat, move closer when possible or ask the guide to repeat key points at a stop. The bus audio may be imperfect, and one account specifically found it hard to hear through the system.

Vehicle comfort is another fair consideration. Transport is by bus or minivan, based on group size, and the vehicle may be older or dusty. That is not unusual for a trip using rough roads, but you should not book this expecting polished coach comfort.

The full duration is 510 minutes, or eight and a half hours. That includes long drives, a high-altitude hike, free time in Purmamarca, and the Los Colorados walk. Wear shoes you can walk in for several hours, and bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and your passport or ID card.

Who should book this Jujuy day trip

I would choose this outing if you want to see several of northern Argentina’s signature sights in one day and you are comfortable with a busy schedule. It suits people who prefer a guided route to arranging transport across remote mountain roads.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy short hikes, changing scenery, and natural viewpoints. It is also a good fit if you want a little town time in Purmamarca rather than a day made entirely of roadside stops.

I would look for another option if you need a relaxed pace, smooth roads, or level walking. The altitude can affect even fit people, and the combination of driving and hiking may be tiring. Children under five, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments should not book this activity.

The free-cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible. You must provide a contact number when booking so the local partner can reach you.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is variety: Purmamarca, the Seven Colors Hill, Salinas Grandes, and Los Colorados in one organized day. At $42, it offers solid value for transport and bilingual guiding, especially for visitors without their own vehicle.

Skip it if the rough roads, high altitude, and long schedule sound unpleasant. The scenery is exceptional, but the day asks for patience and reasonable fitness. Pack water, sun protection, cash for the local fees, and a forgiving attitude toward the vehicle. Do that, and this is an efficient way to see a remarkable corner of Jujuy and the high country around Salinas Grandes.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet 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 experience last?

The tour lasts 510 minutes, or eight and a half hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Yala, Volcán, Tumbaya, Purmamarca, the Seven Colors Hill, Salinas Grandes, and the Los Colorados trail.

How high does the tour go?

The route reaches about 4,200 meters above sea level. The high point described on the route is about 4,150 meters.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. You have free time in Purmamarca to arrange your own meal.

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.

What languages are available?

The tour provides a live guide in Spanish and English.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. Cash for the local entrance fees is also recommended.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not recommended for children under five, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. It also involves high altitude, hiking, and low-quality dirt roads.