Salinas by Purmamarca + Humahuaca in 2 Days

Northern Argentina at altitude can feel big and complicated, but this 2-day route keeps it simple. You start in Salta, head into Jujuy for the Salinas Grandes and Cerro de 7 Colores area, then swing across to Humahuaca and Tilcara the next day.

I especially like how the day 1 itinerary stacks the best photo viewpoints without asking you to do lots of hiking. I also like the built-in time in Purmamarca after the salt flats, so you are not trapped on a bus until night.

One drawback to plan for is the amount of seat time. This is mostly short stops, with limited time in each place, so if you want long walks and slow exploring, you may feel rushed.

Key things to know before you go

• Salinas Grandes time plus optional nearby stops like Ojo de Mar and Piletones, if the whole group agrees
• Cerro de 7 Colores viewpoints in Purmamarca, including Mirador points and the Paseo de los Colorados area
• Cuesta de Lipan altitude up to 4,720 meters, with frequent pull-offs for photos
• A real overnight gap in Purmamarca, since you finish day 1 around 4:30 pm and continue day 2 from town
• Small-ish group size (up to 23), which helps keep pickups and waiting under control
• Guide quality can vary, and English translation has been reported as uneven on some departures

How this 2-day Salta to Jujuy tour really works

This isn’t one single continuous day. You get day 1 in the morning, a long afternoon with free time, then you’re released until the next morning. Day 2 starts later, with pickup in Purmamarca between 10:30 and 11:30 am.

That overnight break is a big deal. Purmamarca is close enough to the main sights that it makes sense as your base, and it gives you a chance to wander when the tour vans are gone. In feedback about this trip, staying overnight in Purmamarca came up as the difference-maker for people who wanted more than just the drive-by highlights.

The tradeoff is that you should expect a classic “see a lot, linger little” rhythm. Most stops are 15 to 30 minutes, with only a few longer blocks.

Salta morning pickup near Plaza 9 de Julio

Day 1 starts early, with pickup between 7:00 and 7:45 am. The operator looks for you within a 20-block radius around the Main Square of Salta, Plaza 9 de Julio.

This matters because you might not get door-to-door pickup. If your hotel is farther out, you could end up walking to the pickup zone. It also means you should be ready on time, since the searching window is tight.

Once the group is formed, you begin with the city start, with a short scheduled stop. The timing is designed to get you out of Salta before the day warms up and before the road gets busy.

Purmamarca views first: Mirador at Cerro de 7 Colores and the color walk

Your first real taste of Jujuy comes in Purmamarca.

You start with a quick stop at the Mirador del Cerro de 7 Colores at the entrance of town. It’s brief, but it’s the right kind of brief, you get your bearings and you see why people build trips around this mountain.

Later, you return to the Cerro de 7 Colores area again, with two more planned moments:

• A visit to Paseo de los Colorados, approached from the main entrance behind Cerro de 7 Colores (about 30 minutes)
• A further opportunity to visit the Hill of Seven Colors and potentially ascend to a Mirador within town (about 30 minutes)

Important practical point: the ascent option is listed as not included for admissions. So you may pay onsite depending on how it is managed that day. Build a little flexibility into your schedule and keep a few bills or local currency handy for any small fees.

One more thing I’d plan for, especially if you rely on photos: Cerro de 7 Colores can look different depending on light and weather. You are not only chasing one view. You’re catching the color in multiple angles, which is what makes the whole setup work.

Cuesta de Lipan: the 4,720-meter climb with frequent photo stops

After the Purmamarca viewpoint hit, the tour heads onto Route 52 and up the Cuesta de Lipan. The highest point reaches 4,720 meters above sea level.

You are not doing a hike here. This is bus travel, with technical pull-offs and photo stops along the ascent. The scheduled stop time is short, but it’s frequent enough to let you grab pictures without feeling like you’re missing everything.

How to plan for the altitude day:

• Wear layers. Even if the morning starts mild, it can get colder as you climb.
• Move slowly when you step out for photos. Thin air can make you feel winded faster than you expect.
• Bring sunglasses even if it is cloudy. High altitude sun is still strong, and glare can be brutal.

This section is one of the most efficient parts of the trip because it gives you dramatic elevation views without turning the day into a workout.

Salinas Grandes: salt flats, community contributions, and optional Ojo de Mar

Then comes the star. The tour reaches Salinas Grandes for about an hour.

This is where the timing pays off. You’re on the salt flats long enough to walk a bit, photograph, and soak in the weird beauty of a world that looks endless and white.

There is also a community contribution requirement. The visit to the salar currently involves paying a small contribution to an aboriginal community settled in the place. And there’s an extra option inside Salinas Grandes:

• Piletones
• Ojo de Mar, located about 3 km within the salt flats

If you want those optional points, you must have all passengers in the group agree. If even one person says no, you may skip the extra stops.

A tip worth taking seriously: sunglasses. In feedback, this specific detail came up because the salt reflection can leave you squinting like you are trying to spot a friend across a blizzard.

Also note how the day is structured around photo success. The hour is long enough for classic shots, but short enough that you won’t get stuck waiting around if the group needs to keep moving.

Purmamarca afternoon time: town, lunch, and that overnight window

After Salinas Grandes, you return to Purmamarca.

You get about 1 hour of free time to explore town and about 1 hour for lunch. After that, the tour releases you around 4:30 pm until the next morning.

This is when Purmamarca stops being a stop and becomes a place. If you’re willing to use that time well, you can do things that a van tour cannot. One recurring theme in feedback is that the evening scene in Purmamarca can be a lot of fun if you stay. That means you are not forced into an early night just because your tour ends.

Practical move: plan a simple meal near where you are staying, and keep your morning pickup location in mind. Day 2 pickup is from Purmamarca, so you want to be positioned for a smooth meet-up.

Day 2 pickup in Purmamarca, then straight into Humahuaca

Day 2 pickup happens between 10:30 and 11:30 am in Purmamarca. You continue with the rest of the route from there.

One operational thing to know: this trip can involve changing groups and even guides between days. That does not mean anything is wrong. It just means you should expect the start of day 2 to feel like a new chapter rather than a continuation.

The ride that follows is built around giving you the main Quebrada de Humahuaca area highlights in a limited time window, not around letting you slow down in each village.

Cabildo de Humahuaca: 2 hours of town and lunch time

Near lunch, you arrive in Humahuaca and stop at the Cabildo de Humahuaca area.

You get about 2 hours total with free time for lunch and to tour the town. Admission for any specific sites here is not included, so you should treat the time as flexible.

In this kind of free-time block, you get the most value if you pick one or two things to focus on. If you try to do everything, the clock will win.

Also, since this part is not an organized visit to one single ticketed attraction, you can move at your own pace. It’s one of the few moments where the itinerary stops driving and you get to steer.

Quebrada de Humahuaca and Tilcara: quick cultural beats without the rush hike

After Humahuaca, you head into the Quebrada de Humahuaca area.

You arrive near lunch time and then you get about 2 hours total with:

• 1 hour for free town touring
• 1 hour for lunch

Then, after lunch, you move on to Tilcara for a short stop. The itinerary includes visiting the main square of Tilcara and its surroundings by vehicle, around 30 minutes.

This is not enough time for deep exploration. But it can be a good taste if you have never been. The payoff is variety, you see multiple small-town corners of the region in a single day without getting stuck in traffic for hours at a time.

Maimara viewpoint: Paleta del Pintor, Cerro Multicolor

On the return route, there is a quick scenic stop at Paleta del Pintor, the Cerro Multicolor area in Maimara.

It’s only about 15 minutes. That means it’s strictly for grabbing views and photos, not for wandering.

Think of it like the tour’s extra punctuation mark. A last splash of color right before you head back toward Salta.

Uquia church: paintings of Los Angeles Arcabuceros (if open)

The final major cultural stop is the Church of Uquia. Inside, there are beautiful paintings tied to Los Angeles Arcabuceros.

But timing matters here. The visit depends on whether the church is open. That is one of those itinerary realities where you should show up with the understanding that you might not get every indoor moment.

If it is open, this is a more quiet, reflective stop than the viewpoint moments. It’s also a good reminder that this region is not just about big scenery. It includes local religious art and traditions that stay in place while the tourists rotate through.

After that, you start your way back to Salta and arrive around 8:30 pm.

Price and value: what $74.99 buys and what to budget for

At $74.99 per person, you’re paying for transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a guided route that hits a lot of top-name sites in two days.

But don’t ignore the “not included” parts:

• Food is not included.
• Accommodation is not included.
• Some admissions or contributions can apply on-site.

Even though several stops are marked as free in the schedule, the salt flats visit has community contributions now, and optional Salinas Grandes add-ons like Ojo de Mar and Piletones come with separate contributions and require group agreement. Also, the Hill of Seven Colors ascent is listed as not included.

So the real budget question is not just the ticket price. It’s what you spend for:

• Meals during both days
• Lodging during the overnight in Purmamarca (if you choose to stay)
• Any small admissions or community contributions you opt into

One more value tip from experience in the region: it can be cheaper to book similar tours locally, especially through your hostel. If you have the time and are flexible on dates, it’s worth comparing prices before you lock in.

Comfort tips that make the day smoother

A great day in this itinerary is mostly about managing small discomforts early.

Here’s what I would pack and plan for, based on the route demands:

• Sunglasses and sun protection for glare, especially on Salinas Grandes
• Warm layers for the Cuesta de Lipan climb, altitude can make the air feel sharp
• Cash or small bills for community contributions and any onsite admission that is not included
• A small amount of patience for bathroom stops. In feedback, bathrooms exist throughout but can be in poor condition. Carry toilet paper and some disinfectant, and you will feel calmer.

Also, plan your expectations for pacing:

• The tour includes lots of bus time and short stops.
• It is not a physically demanding program, but it can feel long because you are sitting.

If you go in with that mindset, the day feels efficient instead of exhausting.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

Book this if you want a structured way to see:

• Purmamarca and Cerro de 7 Colores viewpoints multiple times
• Salinas Grandes for photos with an optional add-on if your group agrees
• Humahuaca and Tilcara as quick cultural stops
• Plenty of scenic pull-offs without doing long hikes

Skip it if you:

• Want hours of time in one town rather than a tasting menu
• Need lots of accessibility-friendly walking time at each stop
• Are expecting long visits to major cities beyond the planned town blocks

Guide quality can vary, too. In feedback, Monserrat was praised for being friendly, energetic, and speaking strong English. Jaime was also mentioned as thorough and approachable on day 2. On some departures, English translation has been less complete, with more Spanish delivered than translated. If English is a must, I’d choose your comfort level with that upfront.

Should you book Salinas by Purmamarca plus Humahuaca?

I think you should book it if you want a classic northern Argentina route without spending days figuring out transport on your own. Two-day timing gives you a clean overview, and the overnight gap in Purmamarca is genuinely useful if you plan your evening.

Just go in with realistic expectations: the highlights are mostly timed for views and photos, not long museum-style visits. If you want deeper time in fewer places, you might prefer a slower, more focused option.

If you do book, do yourself a favor and pack for sun and altitude, and plan meals so you are not hungry during the free-time blocks. That alone turns this from an “okay trip” into one you remember.

FAQ

What time is pickup on day 1 in Salta?

Pickup starts at 7:00 am, with searching for accommodations between 7:00 and 7:45 am around Plaza 9 de Julio.

Where in Salta does the pickup cover?

The search for pickup is within a radius of 20 blocks around the Main Square of Salta, Plaza 9 de Julio.

Do I need to pay to visit Salinas Grandes?

Visiting the Salar involves a small contribution to an aboriginal community settled in the place. Optional nearby spots like Piletones and Ojo de Mar also require a contribution.

Are meals and accommodation included?

No. Food and accommodation are not included.

How long does the tour run each day?

Day 1 runs until around 4:30 pm, when passengers are released. Day 2 returns to Salta at approximately 8:30 pm.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 23 travelers.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?

If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.