From Jujuy: Salinas Grandes, Purmamarca & Los Colorados Hike

Salt, color, and thin mountain air await. This full-day trip from Jujuy packs three very different sights into about eight and a half hours, from the red and gold slopes around Purmamarca to the giant white flats of Salinas Grandes. I especially like the chance to see vicuñas and llamas along the mountain road, plus the short Los Colorados walk after lunch. The main caution is altitude: the route reaches about 4,150 to 4,200 meters, and the rough dirt roads and long bus ride will not suit everyone.

I also like the practical value. At $42 per person, transportation, pickup and drop-off, and a bilingual guide are included. Guides such as Martin have been praised for explaining the history and scenery clearly, while Eric has earned praise for handling the mountain route well. Still, bring patience, cash for local entrance fees, and a tolerance for an older vehicle, since one recent passenger found the bus dirty and had trouble hearing the audio.

Key points to know before booking

• The high point reaches 4,150 meters: Salinas Grandes comes with big views, but altitude can affect how you feel.
• Purmamarca gives you both scenery and village time: You get a viewpoint, a mountain walk, lunch time, narrow streets, and a craft market.
• Los Colorados is a short final hike: Allow about 30 to 40 minutes for this red-rock trail after lunch.
• The day lasts 510 minutes: Expect a long outing, with much of the time spent driving between sights.
• Bring about $5 in cash: Local communities charge entrance fees for Salinas Grandes and Paseo Los Colorados.
• The $42 price covers the essentials: Transport and a Spanish and English-speaking guide are included, but food, drinks, and community fees are extra.

The morning route from Jujuy through the Quebrada

Your day begins at the YPF gas station at Vilcapugio 1986 in San Salvador de Jujuy. Wait at the coffee shop and arrive 15 minutes before departure. Pickup is from this meeting point, not from your hotel, so give yourself enough time to find the station without a rushed start.

The route heads through Yala, Volcán, and Tumbaya. These towns provide a gradual change from the city to the dry mountain country ahead. The drive is part of the experience, though you should not expect constant commentary or a quick transfer. The full activity lasts 510 minutes, so this is a full day rather than a short side trip.

A bus or minivan is used, depending on the group size. That keeps the price low, but the vehicle standard may vary. Recent feedback praised the organization and the guides, while one passenger found the bus old and dirty and said the audio was hard to hear. I would treat the guide as an important bonus, but not count on perfect sound from the vehicle speakers. Sitting near the guide may help if you want to catch every explanation.

Seven Colors Hill from the first viewpoint

One of the early stops is a viewpoint facing the Seven Colors Hill. Sunlight picks out the mountain stripes, giving the rock a range of reds, ochres, greens, and other tones. This is a fast, useful introduction to the area because you get the broad view before walking closer to the mountain.

Purmamarca sits at the foot of the Seven Colors Hill. The village is one of the visual anchors of the day, and the mountain gives it a dramatic setting without requiring a long walk to find a good view. You will have time later to return to the village streets, so the first viewpoint works as a quick photo and orientation stop.

The color is natural, but light matters. The mountain can look different as the sun shifts, which is why the morning viewpoint is worth taking seriously rather than treating it as a quick bus stop. Bring sunglasses and a hat. The open setting offers little protection from strong sun.

The climb through Cuesta del Lipán and Abra de Potrerillos

From Purmamarca, the route climbs toward Cuesta del Lipán, Cuesta del Saladillo, and Abra de Potrerillos. The ascent is one of the more demanding parts of the outing. You are not simply stepping out of a vehicle at the salt flats. The program includes walking on mountain slopes and reaching about 4,150 meters above sea level.

You may spot vicuñas and llamas along the way. These sightings are not guaranteed, but the possibility adds life to an otherwise stark stretch of rock and open ground. Keep your camera ready, but do not let it distract you from watching the route and managing your pace.

The altitude is the big issue here. The tour reaches up to 4,200 meters, or about 13,780 feet, and the highest point listed is 4,150 meters. Even fit people can feel the thin air. Walk steadily, avoid racing ahead, and tell the guide if you feel unwell. This is not a good choice for pregnant women, people with limited mobility, or families with children under five. Comfortable shoes are essential.

The road conditions also matter. You will travel on low-quality dirt roads, so expect bumps and a less polished ride. That roughness is part of the access to the high country, but it can make the long day tiring. If you get motion sickness, choose your seat carefully and bring whatever personal remedy you normally use.

Salinas Grandes at 4,150 meters

The reward is Salinas Grandes, a huge white salt plain beneath a blue sky and volcanic peaks. The contrast is hard to miss: bright salt, dark or colored mountains, and almost no visual clutter. It is the kind of place where the horizon seems unusually wide.

You get around 45 minutes at the top to explore the area, look across the salt flats, and take photographs. That is enough time to appreciate the setting, though it is not a long independent visit. The schedule has several stops and a return to Purmamarca, so the guide needs to keep the group moving.

The description also refers to blue volcanoes near the high point. These peaks add shape and color beyond the flat white salt. You will want sunglasses here, since the bright surface can be hard on your eyes even when the sky is clear.

The salt flats are more than a photo backdrop. They show how sharply the scenery changes over a short distance: village and striped mountain near Purmamarca, then a high pass, then a broad mineral plain. The guide can also help connect the views to the people and communities who manage access in the area.

Remember the local entrance fees. Bring roughly $5 in cash for the charges connected with Salinas Grandes and Paseo Los Colorados. The fees are not included in the tour price, and card payment should not be assumed.

Returning to Purmamarca for lunch and village time

After the high-altitude visit, you follow the route back to Purmamarca. The return gives you a chance to look at the mountain scenery from another direction, but the combination of driving and altitude can make this part feel long. Use the break in the village to slow down and eat.

Lunch is not included. You should budget for your own meal and drinks, though the supplied information does not specify restaurant choices or prices. Since the day is active and the air is dry, carrying water is sensible, even though food and drinks are not provided.

Purmamarca itself is worth more than a meal stop. You can walk the narrow streets, look back toward the Seven Colors Hill, and browse the craft market. This is the most direct chance to get a feel for the local community rather than seeing the region only through a bus window.

The village visit is also where the trip feels less rushed. The salt flats and viewpoints are fixed stops, but lunch time lets you choose your pace. You can shop, take mountain photographs, or simply sit down after the high pass. Do not expect a long free afternoon, though. The final walk still follows, and the group must return to Jujuy.

The 30 to 40 minute Los Colorados trail

After lunch, you walk the Los Colorados trail for about 30 to 40 minutes. The route leads into dry desert scenery between the mountains, with red rock and changing views around the trail.

This is a good contrast with Salinas Grandes. The salt flats are broad, bright, and nearly flat, while Los Colorados brings you closer to the rock formations and gives the outing a more active finish. It is short enough to be manageable for many people who can walk comfortably, but the terrain and the day’s earlier altitude still deserve respect.

You should wear shoes with a firm sole and use sunscreen. A hat and sunglasses are also on the required packing list for good reason. The open mountain and desert setting exposes you to strong sun, even when the air feels cool.

The local fee for Paseo Los Colorados is part of the cash allowance you should carry. About $5 is recommended for both local community entrance charges.

What the guide adds to the day

A bilingual Spanish and English-speaking guide accompanies the excursion. That matters here because the route crosses several distinct areas, and the day is much more useful when someone explains what you are seeing rather than simply pointing out photo stops.

Martin is named as a guide on recent departures, with explanations covering local history and the scenery. He has also been described as entertaining, which helps during the long road sections. Eric has been praised for guiding the mountain route. Guide assignments can vary, so you should not assume either person will lead your departure, but these names give you a sense of the standard travelers have experienced.

The audio system may be the weak link. One passenger had difficulty hearing the guide because of poor sound quality. If the commentary matters to you, sit close to the front or near the guide and ask politely if you miss something important. The trip still works as a scenic outing without catching every word, but the explanations add real value.

Is $42 a fair price?

For $42, this is a strong value if you want the main sights in one day and do not have your own vehicle. The price includes meeting point pickup and drop-off in Jujuy, transport by bus or minivan, and a bilingual guide. You would otherwise need to arrange a vehicle and deal with a long route that includes mountain roads and a high-altitude crossing.

The extras are modest but easy to forget. You pay for lunch and drinks, and you should bring about $5 for the two local entrance charges. The price also does not protect you from the less glamorous parts of a budget excursion: an older vehicle, rough roads, and limited control over the schedule.

I see this as a practical sightseeing package, not a luxury day out. It gives you a lot of scenery and three distinct stops for little money. If comfort, silence, or a private pace matter most, a private vehicle may suit you better, but that is a different kind of purchase.

Who should book this Jujuy day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca without renting a car. It suits people who enjoy dramatic mountain scenery, short walks, local markets, and a packed schedule.

You should be comfortable with a full day on the road, a high-altitude hike, and low-quality dirt roads. The route is not recommended for people with limited mobility, pregnant women, or children under five. Anyone sensitive to altitude should think carefully before booking.

Bring your passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and cash. You also need to provide a contact number that the local partner can reach at the time of booking.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your priority is seeing the region’s biggest natural sights for $42, with transport and bilingual guidance handled for you. The strongest parts are the changing scenery, the white expanse of Salinas Grandes, the colorful mountain above Purmamarca, and the chance to see vicuñas or llamas on the road.

Skip it if you need a gentle, polished day with easy roads and plenty of free time. The altitude, rough route, long schedule, possible bus shortcomings, and extra local fees are real considerations. For an active visitor who accepts those limits, this is a worthwhile and well-priced introduction to the high country around Jujuy.

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 experience last?

The activity lasts 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the departure time.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes a viewpoint for the Seven Colors Hill, Purmamarca, Salinas Grandes, and the Los Colorados trail. It also passes through Yala, Volcán, and Tumbaya.

How high does the tour go?

The route reaches approximately 4,150 to 4,200 meters above sea level. The highest point listed is about 13,615 feet, while the general information gives a maximum of about 13,780 feet.

Is lunch included?

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

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and approximately $5 in cash for the local entrance fees.

Are entrance fees included?

No. Local communities charge entrance fees for Salinas Grandes and Paseo Los Colorados. About $5 in cash is recommended for these charges.

Is the tour suitable for children and people with limited mobility?

It is not recommended for children under five or people with mobility impairments. It is also not suitable for pregnant women because of the altitude, walking, and road conditions.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve now and pay later option.