Salinas Grandes tour from Salta: Purmamarca and Lipan Coast

Salt flats and mountain passes at high altitude

A 12-hour guided tour from Salta through the high-altitude landscapes of Jujuy Province, visiting Purmamarca's Cerro de Siete Colores, climbing the Lipan Hill to Alto del Morado, and spending free time at the Salinas Grandes salt piles. Hotel pickup and return are included, along with a Spanish-speaking guide and air-conditioned transport. Lunch and breakfast are not included, but Purmamarca offers two hours to eat and browse the artisan market and church square.

The experience

The tour departs from your accommodation in Salta and heads north on National Route 9 toward Jujuy Province. A technical stop early on lets you refuel water thermoses and grab breakfast before the climb begins. The route passes Volcano and Tumbaya, then arrives at Purmamarca for photos of the Cerro de Siete Colores: the distinctive striped mountain that anchors the town. From there the ascent continues up the Lipan Hill with photo stops along the way, reaching Alto del Morado at 4,170 meters above sea level, where the air thins and the view opens across the high desert.

Salinas Grandes comes next: the vast salt flats where you get roughly 40 minutes to walk the salt piles, photograph the landscape, and move through the site at your own pace. The salt here sits in geometric white mounds against the desert floor, and the scale of the place becomes clear only when you are standing in it. After that, the tour returns to Purmamarca for a two-hour break. This is when most travelers eat lunch (restaurants and cafés line the square), browse the artisan market, or visit the church. It is the only unguided time in the day, and it gives you room to move slowly through the town instead of rushing between stops.

The return to Salta follows the same route downhill. The vehicle is air-conditioned and the fleet is modern. Your guide speaks Spanish and holds authorization from the Ministry of Tourism of Salta. The driver knows the road and the timing, so the day holds together without you building it: pickup and return to your door are both included.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide authorized by the Ministry of Tourism of Salta.
• hotel pickup and return to your accommodation.
• transported passengers insurance.
• photo stops at the Cerro de Siete Colores, along the Lipan Hill climb, and at the Salinas Grandes salt piles.
• two hours of free time in Purmamarca to eat and explore the artisan market and church square.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 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 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Paradigma Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you are staying in Salta without a car: the pickup from your door and the fixed schedule mean you do not have to arrange transport to the high-altitude sites or plan the day yourself. The 12-hour commitment works best if you are comfortable with a long drive and do not have mobility constraints at altitude.

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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).

What is the Cerro de Siete Colores and why do people photograph it in Purmamarca?

The Cerro de Siete Colores is the seven-colored mountain that rises above Purmamarca's main square. Its slopes show distinct bands of mineral-rich rock in different hues (reds, greens, grays and yellows) that shift with the light. It is the landmark most visitors photograph when they stop in the town.

How high does the tour climb and what is Alto del Morado?

Alto del Morado is the highest point on the tour, reached at 4,170 meters above sea level on the Lipan Hill. The ascent is gradual with photo stops along the way, and the altitude brings thinner air and expansive views across the high desert landscape.

How much time do I have at Salinas Grandes to walk around?

You get approximately 40 minutes at the salt flats to photograph, walk the salt piles and explore the site. It is enough time to move through the main area and understand the scale of the place, though not to venture far into the flats.

Is lunch included, and what are my options in Purmamarca?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. During the two-hour stop in Purmamarca, you can eat at restaurants and cafés around the main square, or grab something quick if you prefer to spend more time at the artisan market or the church.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and return to Salta?

Yes. The driver collects you from your accommodation in Salta at the start and returns you to the same door at the end of the 12-hour day. No separate transport to or from the tour is needed.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks Spanish. The tour is led in Spanish throughout the day.