What's included in the two-day tour?

Guided transport via minivan to Salinas Grandes, Hornocal, Purmamarca, Humahuaca, and Uquía. Site entry and guided walks at each location are included. Meals, accommodation, and specific activity costs (e.g., any hike guides) depend on the operator — confirm when booking.

Is this suitable for people unaccustomed to high altitude?

The tour climbs to 3,500+ metres, which carries altitude-sickness risk. Pre-arrival acclimatization in Jujuy or lower towns is recommended. Consult your doctor beforehand and bring altitude medication. The itinerary paces ascents to help adaptation.

What is Hornocal and why is it called Cerro 14 Colores?

Hornocal is a remote high-altitude peak in the Andes known for its dramatically layered, mineral-rich ridges displaying up to 14 distinct colour bands (reds, blues, greens, yellows). It's significantly less crowded than nearby Rainbow Mountain in Peru and offers raw, windswept Andean landscapes.

How long is the hike to Hornocal viewpoint?

The supplier description does not specify exact distance or hiking duration. Contact the operator for precise details, as terrain and fitness levels vary. Plan for a full-day excursion on day two with altitude adjustment time.

What should I pack for this tour?

Layers (temperature drops significantly at altitude), high-SPF sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, 2+ litres of water per day, snacks, and any personal altitude-sickness medication. Sturdy hiking boots or high-grip trainers are essential for mountain passes and the Hornocal hike.

Can I do just one day, or is the full two days necessary?

This is a two-day fixed itinerary. One day alone cannot cover Salinas Grandes, Hornocal, and the historical pueblos adequately. The supplier does not mention single-day alternatives; contact them to discuss customization.

Desde Jujuy: Salinas Grandes con Hornocal en dos días

San Salvador de Jujuy, Argentina

Bus & Minivan Tours

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About this activity

A two-day guided journey from San Salvador de Jujuy showcasing Argentina's most striking high-altitude landscapes, combining the otherworldly salt flats of Salinas Grandes (3,500+ m) with the UNESCO-listed Quebrada de Humahuaca valley and its colonial heritage sites.

Embárcate en una experiencia inolvidable de dos días desde la ciudad de San Salvador de Jujuy, explorando algunos de los paisajes más impactantes del norte argentino. Este viaje te llevará por la mágica Quebrada de Humahuaca, un valle multicolor declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO, donde cada rincón cuenta una historia ancestral. Comenzarás el recorrido visitando el encantador pueblo de Purmamarca, famoso por su postal icónica: el Cerro de los Siete Colores, una maravilla natural que sorprende con sus matices rojizos, verdes y ocres. Aquí podrás caminar por sus callecitas empedradas, descubrir su feria artesanal y disfrutar de vistas espectaculares. Continuando el ascenso, atravesarás la sinuosa y sorprendente Cuesta de Lipán, una carretera de montaña que regala postales panorámicas a cada curva, hasta llegar a las impresionantes Salinas Grandes, un vasto desierto blanco de sal ubicado a más de 3.500 metros sobre el nivel del mar. Un escenario ideal para tomar fotos únicas y conocer los secretos de esta región altoandina. Durante el segundo día, el viaje sigue hacia los pueblos con más historia y alma de la quebrada. En Uquía podrás admirar su pequeña iglesia colonial que resguarda valiosas pinturas cuzqueñas. Más adelante, llegarás a Humahuaca, corazón de la quebrada, con su monumento a los Héroes de la Independencia y su vibrante cultura local. Desde allí, te espera una aventura hacia las alturas: una excursión al Mirador del Hornocal, conocido como el Cerro de los 14 Colores, ubicado a más de 4.300 metros de altitud. La vista es simplemente imponente: una formación geológica de pliegues coloridos que parecen pintados a mano. A lo largo del recorrido, disfrutarás de paradas estratégicas para tomar fotografías, realizar breves caminatas, escuchar historias de la región y deleitarte con los sabores locales: empanadas, tamales, locro, y más. Un viaje completo que combina paisajes de ensueño, riqueza cultural y experiencias auténticas en el corazón del norte argentino.Leer menos

Highlights

✓Cerro de los Siete Colores in Purmamarca — iconic striped mountain with artisan markets and cobbled streets
✓Cuesta de Lipán mountain pass — winding road with panoramic vistas at 3,300+ metres
✓Salinas Grandes — vast white salt desert at extreme altitude, ideal for dramatic photography
✓Hornocal viewpoint (14 Colores) — remote high-altitude peak with layered mineral-hued ridges
✓Colonial churches in Uquía and Humahuaca — Cusqueño-style artwork and indigenous heritage
✓Humahuaca town — cultural heart of the quebrada with Independence monument and local markets

Insider tips

★Start early on day one to maximize time at Salinas Grandes before afternoon clouds; bring sunscreen and water — the white salt reflects intense UV rays
★Hornocal requires acclimatization; spend night one at lower elevation (Purmamarca/Humahuaca area) before ascending day two
★Visit artisan fairs in Purmamarca early morning before tour groups arrive; negotiate prices respectfully with local vendors
★The Quebrada is at 1,500–3,500 m altitude — take it easy the first hours to adjust; drink coca tea if offered

Good to know

•Bring layers, sunscreen (SPF 50+), hat, and 2+ litres of water per person; altitude sickness medication recommended
•All-terrain minivan transport; some unpaved mountain roads; not suitable for those with severe mobility issues
•Typically departing early morning from San Salvador de Jujuy; return evening of day two; exact times confirm with operator
•Meals not always included — bring snacks or confirm meal stops; local restaurants available in towns
•High-altitude terrain; moderate fitness required for Hornocal hike (exact distance/duration not specified by supplier)

Who it's for

Adventure and landscape photographers seeking dramatic high-altitude sceneryCultural explorers interested in indigenous Andean heritage and colonial architectureFit, acclimatization-aware trekkers comfortable with 3,500 m+ elevationsOutdoor enthusiasts wanting remote, off-peak destinations beyond standard Argentina circuits

Best time to visit

April–May (autumn) and September–October (spring) offer stable weather, clear skies, and comfortable temperatures. Avoid June–August (cold, possible snow on passes) and December–February (summer rains affecting mountain access).