From Jujuy: Salinas Grandes, Purmamarca & Los Colorados Hike

The big draw here is the sudden change from the Seven Colors Hill to the enormous white spread of Salinas Grandes. In one long day, you move from a mountain village and craft market to volcanic peaks, high passes, salt flats, and a desert trail. I like the strong mix of scenery and local life, and I like that the route includes walking rather than keeping you sealed inside a vehicle all day.

I also like the chance to see vicuñas and llamas near the high passes, plus the 30 to 40 minute Los Colorados hike after lunch. Guide Martín has been praised for clear explanations of the region’s history and natural features. The main catch is altitude: the route reaches about 4,150 to 4,200 meters, and the roads can be rough. The bus may also be older, with imperfect audio.

Key points at a glance

• Salinas Grandes from 4,150 meters: See a brilliant white salt plain beneath a blue sky after crossing high mountain roads.
• Purmamarca at the Seven Colors Hill: Start among narrow streets, mountain views, and a local craft market.
• Two different walks: Allow time for the high route near the salt flats and the shorter Los Colorados trail.
• A full 510-minute day: The tour lasts about eight and a half hours, including driving, stops, hiking, lunch time, and the return to Jujuy.
• Guides Martín and Eric: Martín is noted for explaining the history and scenery, while Eric has been praised for handling the mountain route.
• High-altitude preparation matters: Bring sun protection, sturdy comfortable shoes, identification, and about $5 in cash for community entrance fees.

Why this Jujuy day trip feels so varied

This is not simply a salt-flat photo stop. The route gives you several distinct views of northern Argentina in one outing, with the colors and shapes changing as you climb.

You begin near San Salvador de Jujuy and travel through Yala, Volcán, and Tumbaya. These towns provide a useful introduction to the area before the road rises toward Purmamarca and the high mountain passes. You will spend a fair amount of time in a bus or minivan, but the drive is part of the experience. The mountain route opens onto broad views, and the changing terrain helps explain why this region feels so different from the city.

The schedule is compact but sensible. There is enough time to see the main places without turning every stop into a quick photograph from beside the vehicle. You get a major viewpoint, a village visit, a high-altitude stop, lunch time, and a short walk through the red mountains.

Purmamarca and the Seven Colors Hill

The first major stop is a viewpoint for the Seven Colors Hill, followed by time in Purmamarca, the village at its base. The hill is the star here, with bands of different colors that show especially well when the sun reaches the slopes.

I like the order of these stops. Seeing the hill from a viewpoint gives you the broad picture first. Then, in Purmamarca, you can look back toward the mountain from village streets and see how closely the settlement sits against it.

Purmamarca gives the day a human scale. You can walk its narrow streets, look through the craft market, and take in mountain views without needing a long hike. Lunch is not included, so this is your chance to choose and pay for your own meal. The free time also gives you a break before the second walk.

Keep your expectations practical. This is not a long, unstructured village visit. The tour has several major stops to fit into one day, so use your time well. If the craft market interests you, browse with purpose. If the mountain is your priority, find a clear viewpoint and make the most of it.

Climbing toward the salt flats

After Purmamarca, the route follows the slopes and high passes of Cuesta del Lipán, Cuesta del Saladillo, and Abra de Potrerillos. The road climbs to around 4,150 meters, with the overall maximum listed at about 4,200 meters above sea level.

That number is important. The altitude is not a minor detail tucked into the fine print. At this height, the air is much thinner than in Jujuy, and even simple walking can feel harder. The tour is not recommended for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or children under five. Comfortable shoes are required, but comfort alone does not remove the demands of the elevation.

The route may also include low-quality dirt roads. If you are prone to motion sickness or dislike bumpy drives, prepare yourself for a less polished ride. The vehicle is a bus or minivan depending on group size. One specific complaint concerns an older, somewhat dirty bus and poor audio, which made it hard to hear the guide. That will matter most during the driving sections, when explanations are supposed to add meaning to what you see outside.

Still, the climb is a major part of the day. You may spot vicuñas and llamas along the way, and the open views give you a sense of how quickly the region changes as the road rises. Keep sunglasses and a hat handy. The sun can feel strong at high altitude, even when the air is cool.

Salinas Grandes and the blue volcanoes

At the high point, you reach the main visual payoff: Salinas Grandes, a huge white salt plain set against the blue sky. The contrast is stark and easy to remember. The salt surface makes the surrounding volcanic forms seem even more dramatic.

You have about 45 minutes at the top. That is enough time to look around, take photographs, and appreciate the view, but it is not a long independent expedition across the salt plain. The schedule keeps the visit moving because the group still needs to return toward Purmamarca and complete the final trail.

The tour description also refers to blue volcanoes at this stop. That combination of white salt, colored mountain forms, and strong sunlight gives the stop its special character. You do not need a long explanation to see why the place is so popular, but a good bilingual guide can help connect the scenery to the route and local setting.

Bring identification and about $5 in cash for entrance fees charged by the local communities at Salinas Grandes and Paseo Los Colorados. These small charges are not included in the tour price, so having Argentine cash ready is easier than trying to find it at the last minute.

Do not forget sunscreen. There is little reason to expect shade at an open salt plain, and the glare from the white surface can be intense. Sunglasses are not just for photographs here.

Lunch and a slower hour in Purmamarca

The return route takes you back to Purmamarca, where you have free time for lunch. Food and drinks are not included in the $42 price, so budget separately for this pause.

This break helps the day. After the high road and salt-flat stop, you can sit down, eat, and recover before the Colorados walk. You can also use the time to revisit a street or craft stall you missed earlier.

I would not treat lunch as a long restaurant outing. The tour still has a fixed return to Jujuy, and the day includes another walk. Keep an eye on the meeting instructions and return promptly. A late lunch could make the final stop feel rushed.

Purmamarca is also the best place to look for small cultural details in the schedule. The market and village streets offer contact with local craft traditions and daily life that a roadside viewpoint cannot provide. The experience is not only about taking in large views. It also gives you a short chance to notice how people live and sell goods in this mountain setting.

The 30 to 40 minute Los Colorados trail

After lunch, you walk the Los Colorados trail for about 30 to 40 minutes. The path leads into dry surroundings between the mountains, with red-toned rock and desert views forming a sharp contrast to the white salt flat earlier in the day.

This is a smart final stop because it is shorter and lower-key than the high mountain section. You still get out on foot, but you are not asked to complete another major climb after a full day on the road. The trail adds texture to the excursion: Salinas Grandes gives you open white space, while Los Colorados brings you closer to the rock and earth.

You should still wear proper footwear. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the activity includes walking on natural trails. The available information does not describe the trail surface in detail, so sensible shoes are the safe choice.

The entrance fee for Paseo Los Colorados is separate from the tour price. Keep the same cash reserve you bring for Salinas Grandes.

What the $42 price really covers

At $42 per person, this is a strong-value day if you want to reach several places without arranging separate transport. The price includes pickup and drop-off at the stated Jujuy meeting point, transportation, and a bilingual guide in Spanish and English.

The value comes mainly from the distance covered. You are not paying for one short attraction. You are paying for a long mountain route, a high-altitude salt-flat visit, two walking sections, time in Purmamarca, and a guided return to Jujuy.

The price does not include lunch, drinks, or the community entrance fees. Add those costs before deciding, even though the extra cash requirement is modest. You also need to reach the meeting point yourself at the YPF station on Vilcapugio 1986 in San Salvador de Jujuy.

The transport is the one area where your expectations should stay realistic. The vehicle may be a bus or minivan, depending on the group size. A recent experience with an older vehicle and weak audio shows that the ride may be functional rather than luxurious. If you need a quiet, spotless vehicle and excellent sound, this may not be your ideal day trip. If you care more about reaching the sights at a low price, the tradeoff is easier to accept.

Guides, language, and the group experience

The tour operates with Spanish and English-speaking guides. Martín has been specifically praised for explaining the history and scenery in an entertaining way. Eric has also been praised for managing the mountain route.

That human element matters on a day with so much driving. The Seven Colors Hill, salt plain, volcanoes, and red rock are attractive on their own, but explanations can help you understand what you are seeing rather than simply collecting photographs.

Audio quality may vary with the vehicle. If you cannot hear clearly, move closer to the guide when possible or ask for key points to be repeated. You should provide a contact number when booking so the local partner can reach you at the time of the activity.

Arrive at the YPF gas station 15 minutes before departure and wait at the coffee shop. This is the stated meeting point, so do not wait elsewhere around the station.

How to prepare for altitude and sun

The most important preparation is not fancy equipment. It is a willingness to take the high route slowly.

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• Sunscreen
• About $5 in cash for community entrance fees

The altitude reaches roughly 4,200 meters, and the route includes dirt roads. The tour is not recommended for children under five, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.

The supplied information does not promise any special medical support or altitude acclimatization plan, so consider your own condition before booking. If high elevations have caused you problems before, this is the point to ask a medical professional for advice. Do not plan the day as if it were a casual city walk.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a broad introduction to the Jujuy region and prefer a guided day to arranging several transfers. It suits people who enjoy mountain roads, open views, short hikes, village time, and a packed schedule.

It is especially useful if Salinas Grandes is high on your list but you also want Purmamarca and Los Colorados. The tour combines the headline salt flats with smaller stops that give the day more variety.

I would be more cautious if you need an accessible route, dislike rough roads, or struggle with high altitude. The hikes and road conditions are not minor details. You should also think twice if perfect vehicle condition and strong bus audio are essential to you.

The 4.2 rating from 75 reviews fits the overall picture: strong scenery, good organization, and helpful guiding, balanced by occasional transport drawbacks. Martín’s explanations and Eric’s handling of the route are real pluses, but the basic vehicle may not feel polished.

Should you book the Salinas Grandes and Los Colorados tour?

Book it if you want the most scenery for a modest price and can handle a long, high-altitude day. The combination of Purmamarca, the Seven Colors Hill, Salinas Grandes, and Los Colorados is hard to match in a single outing from Jujuy.

Skip it if altitude, dirt roads, or walking are serious concerns. Also skip it if you want a slow village visit or a luxury vehicle. For the right person, this is a practical and memorable way to see the region, with enough local contact and walking to keep it from feeling like a string of roadside stops.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the YPF gas station at Vilcapugio 1986, Y4607EKF, San Salvador de Jujuy. Wait at the coffee shop to meet the bus and group.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts.

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour has a live guide in Spanish and English.

Is transportation included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and you have free time in Purmamarca to arrange lunch yourself.

How high does the route go?

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

Are entrance fees included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen.

Who should not join this tour?

The tour is not recommended for children under five, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or anyone for whom high altitude and low-quality dirt roads would be unsafe or uncomfortable.