Quebrada de Humahuaca from Salta: Purmamarca & Maimará

The Colors of Purmamarca Stop You Cold

You travel through the Quebrada de Humahuaca from Salta, visiting Purmamarca's Seven Colors Hill and its archaeological museum, a working ceramic factory, and the Church of the Angels Arcabuceros. The route includes a stop at Maimará's Cerro Paleta del Pintor for photographs, with free time for lunch in the village. Transport, all entry fees, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included. You return to Salta in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Quebrada de Humahuaca villages and landmarks

• Visit village and Seven Colors Hill
• Visit village, Archaeological Museum, Ceramic Factory
• Tour village and Church
• Free time for lunch
• Visit Church of the Angels Arcabuceros
• Stop in Maimará for photos at Cerro Paleta del Pintor

The experience

There's something about rounding a bend and seeing the Seven Colors Hill rise up in front of you that makes you forget you're on a scheduled tour. Purmamarca sits in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a valley in northwest Argentina where the light hits the rock faces differently every hour, and the village itself feels like it's been there exactly as it is for centuries. You'll spend time in the village proper, then stand in front of that hill (the one with the actual bands of color running through it, not a photograph trick), and understand why people come back to this region.

The day moves through several villages, each one with its own reason to stop. After Purmamarca, you visit the Archaeological Museum and a ceramic factory where local artisans work, so you see both the history and the living craft of the place. Then there's the village church, time to eat lunch on your own (the town has small restaurants and cafés), and afterward the drive continues to Maimará, where Cerro Paleta del Pintor, the Painter's Palette Hill, gives you another set of geological colors and a chance to photograph before heading back to Salta. The whole day runs in an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters because the Quebrada de Humahuaca sits at altitude and the sun is direct.

What stays with you isn't the itinerary. It's the fact that you're moving through a landscape that doesn't perform for tourists. The villages have their own rhythm, the people are warm without being staged, and the crafts you see in the ceramic factory are things people actually make and sell. Your guide handles the driving and the stops. You handle the looking and the questions.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, visits to Purmamarca village and the Seven Colors Hill, entry to the Archaeological Museum, a stop at a ceramic factory to see local artisans at work, the Church of the Angels Arcabuceros, free time for lunch in the village, and a final stop at Cerro Paleta del Pintor in Maimará for photographs before returning to Salta.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 19

Live guideSpanish

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.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Paradigma Travel

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see the Quebrada de Humahuaca's main villages and geological landmarks in one day without arranging your own transport or managing multiple entry fees: the fixed itinerary and included vehicle mean you focus on the landscape and the villages instead of logistics.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

How long is the drive from Salta to Purmamarca?

The full day trip covers multiple villages in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Exact drive times depend on traffic and stops, but plan for a full day of travel and sightseeing.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time for lunch in Purmamarca, where there are local restaurants and cafés to choose from.

What is the Seven Colors Hill?

It's a rock formation in Purmamarca with natural bands of different colors running through it. You'll have time to view and photograph it during the village visit.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. The vehicle is air-conditioned and stops are designed to accommodate various mobility needs.

What's included in the price?

Air-conditioned vehicle transport, entry to the Archaeological Museum, the ceramic factory visit, and all village stops. Lunch is not included.

Are there any fitness requirements?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to the altitude of the region.

Can I bring an infant?

Yes. Specialized infant seats are available upon request.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour runs as a full-day excursion from Salta. Specific pickup and return times are confirmed at booking.