Argentina · SALINAS GRANDES & PURMAMARCA TOURS
A white salt floor at four thousand metres, reached over a pass that makes people quiet. These 15 compare the day trips on driving hours, altitude stops and whether Purmamarca and the seven-colour hill are included.
Spend a full day traveling from Salta into Jujuy with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit Purmamarca, the 7 Color Hill, Cuesta de Lipan, and Salinas Grandes. Guides such as Eduardo, Monica, Cesar, and Monserrat have been praised for clear explanations and careful care at high altitude.
“Great guide, comfortable transportation, enough time at each spot and beautiful scenery.”
This 12.5-hour trip from Salta takes you through Yala, Volcán, Tumbaya, Purmamarca, and the high-altitude Salinas Grandes. Expect bilingual guiding, scenic mountain drives, a short salt-flat stop, free time for lunch and crafts, and a possible Los Colorados walk. Guides such as Samuel, José Luis, and Ximena have made a strong impression, though English ability can vary.
“Nice day trip - got to see lots of the Salta and Jujuy provinces just from the bus window. Salinas Grandes is well worth visiting (didn't find much to do in Purmamarca). The bus was comfortable (had USB charging points) and the guide (Mauricia I think was the name) was great- gave lots of explanations, organized things well and took care of the group.”
Leave Salta at 6:30 am for a full day through Andean valleys and high passes. Visit Purmamarca, the Hill of Seven Colors, Humahuaca Gorge, and Salinas Grandes, with time for photos, lunch, and market shopping. Expect a long drive, altitude up to 4,150 meters, and commentary that may be mainly in Spanish.
“Nice scenic day trip with a mix of sights. Consider taking a remedy as the high altitude/twisting road might affect you. There wasn't any trekking involved but it was a good activity with sufficient time to see the salt flats and mountains as well as browse markets for souvenirs.”
Travel from Salta into Jujuy by air-conditioned minivan, stopping at Purmamarca, Cuesta de Lipán, and Salinas Grandes. You will reach 4,170 meters above sea level, so prepare for wind, sun, and possible altitude discomfort. Guides such as Fabio, Ximena, Leonardo, and Claudio have earned praise, though English service can vary.
“A bit chaotic but relatively knowledgeable guide. Make sure to bring shades, salt is very reflective!”
Travel from Jujuy through Yala, Volcán, and Tumbaya to Purmamarca, the Seven Colors Hill, Salinas Grandes, and Los Colorados. Guide Martín provides Spanish and English commentary, with time for a high-altitude hike, lunch, local crafts, and desert scenery. Expect dirt roads, strong sun, and elevations up to 4,200 meters.
“The trip was really well organized. Eric expertly guided us through the beautiful mountains and breathtaking landscapes, while our wonderful guide Martin explained everything to us. I had a wonderful day and learned so many new things. We saw many wild animals and unique landscapes The day flew by highly recommended Ale Thank you!!!”
Spend about 12 hours traveling from Salta through northern Argentina’s Quebrada de Humahuaca. Visit Purmamarca, Tilcara, Huacalera, Uquía, Humahuaca, and San Salvador de Jujuy, with a guide, hotel transport, and air-conditioned coach included. Expect dramatic mountains, local markets, colonial churches, archaeological sites, and a busy schedule.
“The tour was to some really good locations and the town markets were good and cheap compared with Salta and BA. The day was well timed for most of the day but we missed some of the places that were advertised in the afternoon returning to Salta. We booked to be with an English speaking tour but were on a bus full of Spanish people. The guide spoke really good English but by the time she told all about things in Spanish we were past some things before she got to the English translation. The highlight of the day for me was the rock formations and the people but my…”
Leave Salta early for a full day through Jujuy Province, with stops at Purmamarca, Cuesta de Lipán, Abra del Potrerillo, and Salinas Grandes. A bilingual Spanish-English guide leads the trip by minibus. Guides such as Fabio and Jezebel have earned praise for their care and clear explanations, while the long road time is part of the deal.
“molto bella, posti magnifici. molta auoto ma è inevitabile date le distanze”
Travel from Salta through Cafayate, Cachi, Salinas Grandes, Hornocal, and Humahuaca on a four-day guided minivan trip. Expect hotel pickup, English or Spanish guiding on most days, dramatic mountain scenery, a winery visit, and one Spanish-only Hornocal excursion. Food and drinks are extra.
“For the most part, teehee that this is more like a chaperoned excursion than something which is actively guided, but they do a good job of taking you plenty of amazing places.”
Join guide Fabricio for a private, four-hour trek near Purmamarca. You’ll follow a dry riverbed through wind- and water-carved rock forms, climb to about 2,700 meters, pause for 30 minutes, then return at an easy pace. Bring your own water and expect a personal talk on geology, native culture, and medicinal plants.
“Fabricio was an excellent guide and we are so glad we did this on our first morning in Purnamarca because he explained so much about the geology and flora and fauna and we were able to really appreciate the region on the following days. He was very good at accommodating our hiking pace and I highly recommend him! Preston Read and family”
Spend 12 hours traveling from Salta through Jujuy Province with an English and Spanish-speaking guide. See Purmamarca’s 7 Colors Hill, Tilcara’s Pucará, Maimará’s Painter’s Palette, Uquía’s chapel, the Tropic of Capricorn, and Humahuaca. Fabio may be your guide, adding local stories, music, and unexpected treats to the long but rewarding day.
“Fabio our guide promised us the best day of our lives... and it actually was our favourite tour ever - and I'm a tour guide myself! Such a beautiful itinerary in the Jujuy province, and Fabio's warm personality, stories, information, jokes and surprise stops and treats made it all the more special. The tour and conversations were very well-translated by Fabio so English and Spanish speakers were all included! Bus was comfortable too. Thank you so much Fabio, it really was a pleasure to be part of your group :) From Maria (AUS) & Tomas (ARG).”
Spend three full days touring northern Argentina from Salta in an air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz minivan. Visit a Cafayate winery, the Hill of 7 Colors, Humahuaca, Tilcara, and Salinas Grandes with a bilingual guide such as Monica. Expect long drives, early starts, big scenery, and a packed schedule.
“We did 3 trips, so it was a lot of time in the van. The second two were in the same direction so there was some repetition, which we knew. We didn't realise however that there was an optional tour to the 14 colour hill as noone from the agency had mentioned it, despite us going in every day. This was a little disappointing. All the guides were good, but we loved Monica”
This full-day Spanish and English tour takes you through the Quebrada de Humahuaca, with stops at Purmamarca, Tilcara, Uquía, Huacalera, Humahuaca and Maimará. Expect colorful hills, Andean towns, a Pucará, colonial artwork and about 128 kilometers by minibus. Lunch and drinks are not included, and Hornocal is not part of the route.
“Paisajes espectaculares, imperdible! Lamentablemente no fuimos a Uquía, tal como se promocionaba en el tour.”
Travel from Jujuy to Salinas Grandes with a bilingual Spanish-English guide, passing Volcán, Purmamarca, the Hill of 7 Colors, and Cuesta de Lipán at 4,170 meters. Guides such as Facu, Fabio, and Martín have earned praise for their care and explanations. The day includes time for photos, a walk in Los Colorados, and lunch in Purmamarca.
“The tour was really great! The guide explained everything about the region, how to deal with the altitude and was very knowledgeable. I definitely enjoyed the tour. I took one star off because I almost didn’t make it. The tour was late by more than half an hour, nobody answered the phone, so I was on my way home when they showed up and texted me. Please next time communicate better the delays. I didn’t mind waiting, but I definitely felt suspicious when nobody was picking up the phone.”
Travel from Salta to Purmamarca and Salinas Grandes on an 11-hour guided outing. You’ll see the Seven Colors Hill, climb the Cuesta de Lipán above 4,000 meters, and walk among bright salt pools. Hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a guide are included, but meals and drinks are not.
“Pamela was super, she explained also every information in english ! Lots of stops along the way to take some pictures, use the restroom and enjoy the view.”
Start with hotel pickup in Salta and spend a full day among the red, gold, and pink hills of northern Argentina. Visit Purmamarca, Tilcara, Uquía, Humahuaca, Maimara, and San Salvador de Jujuy with a Spanish- or English-speaking guide. Lunch and Tilcara’s ruin entrance cost extra, and the long return drive reaches Salta through mountain passes and green valleys.
“Malo el servicio de confirmacion. Y hasta el trato x whatsapp al tel de emergencia. La vonfirmacion deberian brindarla en cualquier medio no solo por mail la noche anterior”
Pick an evening, a glacier or a cellar.
