2 days · 1 night · private
Quebrada de Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes
The coloured mountains of Jujuy, El Hornocal and the salt flats, without rushing them into a single day.
USD 1,066 for 1 to 4 travellers
Day-by-day itineraryTravel guide · El Hornocal
El Hornocal: how to visit the 14-colour mountain
The Serranía del Hornocal is a mountain range in Jujuy, 25 km from the town of Humahuaca, known as the 14-colour mountain. The range reaches 4,761 m and the viewpoint sits at about 4,350 m. You get there from Humahuaca on Provincial Route 73, a gravel road of about 45 minutes. The colours look best in the afternoon light.
- Where
- Jujuy, 25 km from Humahuaca
- Viewpoint
- About 4,350 m above sea level
- Road
- RP 73, gravel, about 45 min from Humahuaca
- Best light
- Afternoon
- At the top
- Parking, toilets, a short trail, no phone signal
How do I get there?
Drive to Humahuaca on RN 9, 250 km from Salta (about 3 h 50 min). From there, Provincial Route 73 climbs about 23 km of gravel to the viewpoint, about 45 minutes. In the rainy season ask in Humahuaca about the road first: floods closed it in March 2024 and January 2025.
When is the best time to go?
In the afternoon, when the sun brings out the colours. Any month works, but from December to March storms can close the road. Whatever the season, bring warm clothes for the top.
What should I know at the viewpoint?
You are at about 4,350 m: walk slowly and bring a warm layer. There is parking, public toilets and a short trail, but no phone signal. Entry has a small fee per person; check the current price in Humahuaca.
Why does it have so many colours?
The range is made of layers of Yacoraite limestone from the Late Cretaceous. Erosion has cut these parallel layers at an angle, which draws the zigzag stripes of colour you see from the viewpoint.
Sources: Heights and geology: Wikipedia. Viewpoint, road, light and services: TodoJujuy (13 January 2025). Closures: TodoJujuy (2024, 2025). Times: Google Maps.
Travel with Pablo
See it on a private trip
Both of Pablo's Jujuy trips stop at El Hornocal and sleep in the Quebrada, so there is no rush to drive back to Salta the same night.
4 days · 3 nights · private
A Taste of the Argentine Northwest
Cloud forest, the Quebrada de Humahuaca, the Salinas Grandes, Route 40 and the Cafayate wine valleys in one private loop from Salta.
USD 2,132 for 1 to 4 travellers
Day-by-day itineraryMore travel guides: Best time to visit Salta & Jujuy · Altitude sickness in Salta & Jujuy · Self-drive or private guide in Salta · Salta & Jujuy driving distances · Salinas Grandes guide · Cafayate wine guide · Cachi guide · Quebrada de Humahuaca guide · 5-day Salta & Jujuy itinerary
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- Based inSalta, Argentina · pickup at your hotel or the airport