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 · Quebrada de Humahuaca
Quebrada de Humahuaca: Purmamarca, Tilcara & Humahuaca
The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a mountain valley about 155 km long in Jujuy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003 and a caravan road of the Inca Empire in the 15th century. Its three best-known towns are Purmamarca (2,324 m), 188 km from Salta, Tilcara (2,465 m), 26 km further north, and Humahuaca (2,939 m), 45 km beyond Tilcara.
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Site since 2003
- Length
- About 155 km, north to south
- Salta to Purmamarca
- 188 km, about 2 h 50 min
- Best season
- April to November, the dry season
What is there in Purmamarca?
The Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colours), whose layers of sedimentary rock you see from the viewpoints around town. Behind it, the Paseo de los Colorados is an easy loop of about 3 km, 1 to 2 hours on foot; go early, when it is cooler. The craft market is on the main square.
What is there in Tilcara?
The Pucará de Tilcara, a fortified settlement of the Tilcara people on a hill about 1 km south of town, partly rebuilt in the 20th century, with an archaeological museum. Between Purmamarca and Tilcara, Maimará has the Paleta del Pintor, a hillside of coloured stripes. Tickets are paid on site.
What is there in Humahuaca?
The town that gives the valley its name, at 2,939 m, with the Monumento a los Héroes de la Independencia. It is also the base for El Hornocal, the 14-colour mountain: 23 km of gravel on RP 73, about 45 minutes, to a viewpoint at about 4,350 m.
How many days do I need?
Purmamarca to Humahuaca is only 71 km, about 1 h 15 min, but El Hornocal looks best in the afternoon, and a night in the Quebrada saves the 3 h 50 min drive back to Salta the same day. Tilcara, in the middle, is a handy base, and the Salinas Grandes are 67 km from Purmamarca.
Sources: UNESCO, length and history: Wikipedia. Towns, altitudes and season: argentina.travel and Wikipedia. Paseo de los Colorados: argentina.travel, Canal 26 and Welcome Argentina. El Hornocal: TodoJujuy. Times: Google Maps.
Travel with Pablo
See it on a private trip
Pablo's 2-day Jujuy trip covers Purmamarca, Uquía, Humahuaca and El Hornocal before a night in the Quebrada, and his 4-day loop sleeps in Tilcara.
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 · El Hornocal guide · Salinas Grandes guide · Cafayate wine guide · Cachi guide · 5-day Salta & Jujuy itinerary
Plan your trip
Write to Pablo
Tell him your dates, how many you are and what you'd like to see. Your message opens in WhatsApp, ready to send, and Pablo replies with the itinerary and a quote for your private group.
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- Based inSalta, Argentina · pickup at your hotel or the airport