Hornocal 14 Colors Mountain tour from Tilcara: Humahuaca Gorge

See two painted mountains and a 12th-century fort in one day through the gorge

A full-day tour from Tilcara through Humahuaca Gorge visits Hornocal's 14-color mountain, Purmamarca's 7-color hill, the craft market and streets of Purmamarca village, and Pucará de Tilcara, a 12th-century fort built by the Omaguaca tribe. An air-conditioned vehicle and live guide in English or Spanish are included. Pickup is available from your hotel or from a meeting point in Jujuy City.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Pucará de Tilcara40m
2. Humahuaca Ravinepassing by

Excursion to Hornocal and Humahuaca Gorge

• Meet at YPF Gas Station Millenium
• Visit Pucará de Tilcara fort
• Explore craft market and village streets
• See 7-color hill in Purmamarca
• View Hornocal hill of 14 colors

The experience

The tour covers the main attractions of the Humahuaca Gorge in a single day, starting from either your hotel in Tilcara or the YPF Gas Station Millennium meeting point in Jujuy City. The route takes you through the gorge to Hornocal, where the 14-color mountain is the centerpiece: a natural formation whose mineral-rich slopes shift through layers of red, orange, yellow, green and purple depending on the light and angle. The drive itself passes through the gorge's most striking stretches, and the guide points out the landscape as you travel.

Stops along the way include Purmamarca, where you walk through the village to its craft market and explore the streets of the gorge before visiting the 7-color hill on the town's edge. The tour also includes entry to Pucará de Tilcara, a fort built in the 12th century by the Omaguaca people and later occupied by the Incas. You walk the site and learn its history from the guide. The full itinerary covers all three main attractions (the two painted mountains and the fort) plus the village itself, all within the 13-hour day.

You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a guide who speaks English or Spanish. Lunch and entrance fees to Pucará de Tilcara are not included, so you'll want to plan for a meal stop in one of the villages. The long day and high altitude mean this tour suits travelers comfortable with extended time in a vehicle and at elevation.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• access to Hornocal, Purmamarca village and craft market, and Pucará de Tilcara fort.
• hotel pickup in Tilcara or meeting point option in Jujuy City.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and FridayDeparts at 06:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 27

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by NORDIC TRAVEL EVT

Is this one for you?Choose the hotel pickup if you're staying in Tilcara and want to start without an early trip to Jujuy City. The meeting point option works if you're based elsewhere in the region or prefer a fixed departure location. Either way, the 13-hour day and high-altitude sites mean you'll want to be comfortable with long vehicle time and bring layers for the mountain temperature.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the 14-color mountain at Hornocal?

Hornocal's 14-color mountain is a natural formation in the high Andes whose slopes display distinct bands of mineral-rich rock in shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. The colors shift in intensity depending on the time of day and the angle of the sun, making it appear different throughout the morning and afternoon.

How long does the tour take and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 13 hours total and includes the air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English or Spanish, and access to all three main sites: Hornocal, Purmamarca village with its craft market, and Pucará de Tilcara fort. Lunch and the entrance ticket to Pucará de Tilcara are separate costs.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is available from your hotel in Tilcara, or you can meet the group at the YPF Gas Station Millennium in Jujuy City. You choose your preferred option when you book.

What is Pucará de Tilcara and why is it worth visiting?

Pucará de Tilcara is a fort built in the 12th century by the Omaguaca tribe, who later came under Inca rule. The site sits on a hilltop overlooking the gorge and gives you a sense of the region's pre-Columbian history and the strategic importance of the valley.

Is this tour suitable for travelers who aren't used to high altitude?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, but the high altitude of the Humahuaca Gorge and Hornocal can affect some travelers. The long day in a vehicle also means you're sitting for extended periods. If you have cardiovascular concerns or are pregnant, this tour is not recommended.