Adventure in the Great Salt Flats in the White Desert

5.0 (11 reviews) 12 hours Free cancellation

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11 reviews

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Adventure in the Great Salt Flats in the White Desert — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Adventure in the Great Salt Flats in the White Desert, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Salinas Grandes & Purmamarca: A journey to the heart of the white desert

Explore the surreal beauty of the Salinas Grandes, the vast salt desert in Jujuy, on this full-day tour. Accompanied by an expert local guide, you will discover stunning landscapes and the cultural importance of salt mining for Andean communities.

The trip is a constant visual adventure: marvel at the 7 Colors Hill in Purmamarca, walk the meandering ascent of the Lipan Hill to 4,170 meters above sea level and walk on the endless white salt crust. Along the way, get ready to capture amazing photos of llamas and vicuñas in their natural habitat.

This includes:

Daily departures : 7 : 00 AM (Duration : 12 hs).

Comfort : Door-to-door pickup at your accommodation.

Experience : Professional guide in local history and traditions.

Nature : Wildlife sighting and the best panoramic points.

Day Trips Full-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Historical Tours 4WD Tours Car Tours Adventure Tours

At a glance

Duration: 12 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 20 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English, Italian, French, Spanish
Operated by: DESTINO SALTA

Ages: Infants (1–5 years) · Children (6–14 years) · Youth (15–25 years) · Adults (26–59 years) · Seniors (60–98 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private transportation
Included: Entrance fees: Entrance fee
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle

Not included

Not included: Meals

Itinerary

Salinas Grandes

45 min Admission included

Salinas Grandes : A Surreal Landscape in Jujuy, Argentina

Discover Salinas Grandes, a vast white desert of over 200 km2 in Jujuy, Argentina, known as the “White Sea” of South America. This ethereal landscape, formed by salt crystals, creates unique optical illusions in the sunlight and offers an almost mystical experience.

The tour includes the ascent of Lipan Hill and a stop in Purmamarca to admire the iconic Cerro de los Siete Colores. With door-to-door service and local guide, you can walk on salt, capture stunning photos and get to know the artisanal extraction process, a vital part of the economy and tradition of indigenous communities.

During the journey, it is common to spot flames and vicuñas, while enjoying constant changes of light that transform the environment. More than a tourist destination, Salinas Grandes is a cultural and natural treasure that invites you to connect with the greatness of the Andean world.
Cuesta de Lipan

15 min Admission included

Experience the spectacular beauty of the Cuesta de Lipán, one of the most emblematic and scenic mountain passes in Argentina.

This legendary stretch of National Route 52 is a true engineering masterpiece. Through a series of winding curves, the route ascends from the colorful village of Purmamarca (2,100 meters above sea level) to the impressive heights of the Abra de los Potrerillos (4,170 meters above sea level).

As you climb over 2,000 metersl, you will witness an amazing transformation of the landscape: from the intense reds of the Quebrada de Humahuaca to the vast high desert of the Puna. This fully paved route is the gateway to the famous Salinas Grandes and offers panoramic viewpoints that are the dream of any photographer.

Although the path is smooth, the altitude makes the journey an exciting and unique experience. It’s not just a road; it’s a front row seat to admire the rawest and most majestic geography of Northern Argentina.
The Hill of Seven Colors

15 min Admission included

A natural masterpiece in Purmamarca

Witness the vibrant soul of northwest Argentina at the Cerro de los Siete Colores.

Rising majestically behind the ancient village of Purmamarca, the Hill of the Seven Colors is a geological wonder that looks more like a painting than a landscape. Formed over 600 million years of mineral sedimentation, its spectacular layers of terracotta, turquoise, violet and gold create an astonishing contrast against the deep blue of the Andean sky.

This iconic landmark is the heart of the UNESCO-listed Humahuaca Gorge. Whether you’re strolling through the town’s artisan market or walking the Los Colorados Trail — a gentle 3-kilometer path that surrounds the mountain — you’ll find breathtaking perspectives in every corner.
Paseo de los Colorados

15 min Admission included

Trail Los Colorados : A journey through Martian landscapes Enter a world of deep reds and towering rock formations on the Paseo de los Colorados.

Located just a few minutes walk from the center of Purmamarca, this 3-kilometer circuit is one of the most accessible and visually stunning hikes in Northern Argentina. The trail winds behind the famous Seven Colors Hill, taking you through a hidden valley of crimson cliffs, natural monoliths and a dramatic desert landscape that will make you feel like you are on another planet.

Unlike the steep climbs typical of the Andes, Los Colorados is a smooth and mostly flat road, making it perfect for travelers of all physical conditions. As you walk, you will discover unique perspectives of the geological layers and the silent beauty of the Puna ecosystem, all under the shadow of the majestic mountain peaks.
Purmamarca

2 hours

Travel back in time in Purmamarca, where ancient traditions and natural beauty meet. At the foot of the Cerro de los Siete Colores, this "Historic Village" of dirt streets and adobe houses is the jewel of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Beyond the landscape, it is a cultural center. Its artisan market offers textiles, ceramics and silver jewelry. Whether enjoying a patty on a rock or soaking up the silence of the mountains, Purmamarca offers an atmosphere of magic that will accompany you forever.