Salinas Grandes Tour: 7 Colors Hill & Salt Flats Full-Day

The salt flats sit at 4,170 meters, ringed by puna landscape that shifts from green to brown as you climb.

A full-day tour from Salta to Salinas Grandes, the third-largest salt flat in Latin America, passing through Purmamarca and climbing La Cuesta de Lípan. The itinerary includes roughly 20 minutes at the Cerro de los 7 Colores in Purmamarca, 45 minutes to an hour exploring the salt pools and sculptures at Salinas Grandes, and two hours free in Purmamarca's village center for lunch and browsing the craft market. An air-conditioned vehicle and live guide in English or Spanish are included. Hotel pickup is available. Admission to Salinas Grandes is paid separately to locals at the site.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Great Salt Flats1h
2. Purmamarca2h · entry included

Full day trip to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca

• Depart from Salta city
• Technical stop for bathroom and snacks
• Panoramic photo stop at Purmamarca village
• Drive through Lipan Hill at high altitude
• Free time at Salinas Grandes salt flats
• Return to Purmamarca for free time and lunch
• Return to Salta with technical stops

The experience

The route leaves Salta heading north on RN 9 and RN 34, entering Jujuy province and the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a narrow valley threaded with small towns. You'll pass through Yala and Volcán on the way to Purmamarca, stopping first for a panoramic photo of the Cerro de los 7 Colores: the striped hill that dominates the village and shifts color as the sun moves. The village itself sits on cobbled streets lined with adobe houses and craft stalls. This first stop runs about 20 minutes.

From Purmamarca, the road climbs into La Cuesta de Lípan, a winding high-altitude pass where the landscape opens into puna terrain. At 4,170 meters above sea level, the vegetation thins and the colors shift to the greens and browns the itinerary describes. This is the approach to Salinas Grandes, where you'll have 45 minutes to an hour to walk the salt pools, photograph the geometric patterns, browse the small salt restaurant, and buy souvenirs. The salt flat is shared between Salta and Jujuy provinces and is the third-largest in Latin America. Admission is paid on-site to local operators, not included in the tour price.

The return route brings you back to Purmamarca for two hours of free time: enough to eat lunch, explore the narrow streets, and shop the craft market without rushing. The drive back to Salta follows the same valley route, with technical stops available if you need to rest, eat or drink. The full day runs 11 to 12 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle transport from Salta through the Quebrada de Humahuaca.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup.
• technical stops for restrooms and refreshments along the route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 23

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by La Quebrada Turismo

Is this one for you?This tour runs 11 to 12 hours start to finish, so it demands a full day and an early pickup. The altitude at La Cuesta de Lípan and Salinas Grandes is high (4,170 meters), but the route is by vehicle and the walking is self-paced, so it suits most fitness levels. Bring layers and sunscreen for the exposed salt flat.

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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: Infant (under 4): free.

How long do I spend at Salinas Grandes itself?

Salinas Grandes gives you 45 minutes to an hour to walk the salt pools, take photos and explore the salt sculptures and small restaurant on-site.

What is the Cerro de los 7 Colores and why does it change color?

The Cerro de los 7 Colores is the striped hill that rises above Purmamarca village. Its mineral bands shift color as the sun moves across the sky, appearing most vivid in the morning light when the tour stops there for photos.

Is lunch included, and how much free time do I have in Purmamarca?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, but you have two hours free in Purmamarca village to eat and explore at your own pace before the return drive to Salta.

What is the highest point on this tour?

La Cuesta de Lípan reaches 4,170 meters above sea level. The winding road climbs through puna landscape with green and brown vegetation as you approach Salinas Grandes.

Does the tour price include admission to Salinas Grandes?

No. Admission to Salinas Grandes is paid separately at the site to local operators, approximately 4,000 Argentine pesos.