Colorful mountains and endless salt: Salinas + Purmamarca tour
Doctor Manuel Belgrano Department, Argentina
I had an amazing trip to Salinas Grandes, a white desert that really dazzles in the sun. We're checking out Purmamarca, famous for the Cerro de los 7 Colores and its streets packed with crafts.
Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca Day Tour from Salta
This full-day tour from Salta explores the colorful Cerro de los Siete Colores, the craft market in Purmamarca, the high-altitude Cuesta de Lipán, and the vast salt flats of Salinas Grandes, suited for nature and culture enthusiasts.
Description
The tour departs from Salta and travels north along National Route 9 into Jujuy province. The first stop is Purmamarca, known for the colorful Cerro de los Siete Colores, traditional adobe houses, cobblestone streets, and a local craft market offering textiles and regional products.
Next, the route climbs the winding Cuesta de Lipán mountain road, ascending to over 4,000 meters above sea level. At each curve, unique views of the Andean valleys and mountains unfold, creating a remarkable landscape experience.
The journey continues to Salinas Grandes, a salt desert over 200 km² on the Salta-Jujuy border. Visitors can walk across the vast salt flats, observe salt extraction pools, and photograph the surreal landscape where the white salt contrasts with the deep blue sky, creating unusual visual effects.
The bilingual guide provides information on the area's geology, salt mining history, and local community life. On the return, stops at high-altitude viewpoints offer additional perspectives of the puna landscape and its unique environment.
Highlights
- Visit Cerro de los Siete Colores in Purmamarca
- Explore Purmamarca’s craft market
- Drive the Cuesta de Lipán mountain road over 4,000 meters high
- Walk the salt flats of Salinas Grandes and take distinctive photos
- Bilingual professional guide (Spanish/English)
Includes
- Round-trip hotel transfer in Salta
- Tourist transport in a fully-equipped vehicle
- Bilingual guide (Spanish/English)
- Stops at Purmamarca, Cuesta de Lipán, and Salinas Grandes
- Travel insurance for the entire trip
Excludes
- Lunch
- Tickets to local museums (optional)
- Tips for guides and drivers (optional)
- Personal expenses (crafts, drinks, snacks)
- Salinas Grandes entrance fee payable at the salt flats
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Book this tour during the dry season for optimal conditions and bring sunscreen, water, warm clothing for high altitudes, and comfortable walking shoes.
