A big day in the Andes is waiting. This tour strings together three of the area’s most photogenic settings, with real hiking plus stops that make the scenery hit harder, not just longer. I especially loved the views from Seven Colors Hill and the walk on the Los Colorados trail, and I also think the bilingual guidance really helps you understand what you’re looking at. The main drawback to plan for is the altitude and long hours, with driving on low-quality dirt roads.

You’ll start with a pickup in Jujuy and then get whisked through small Andean towns before the day turns into a steady rhythm of viewpoints and hikes. The good news is that you reach the top near 4,150 meters, then you get a focused block of time to take in the salt flats and the dramatic blue volcano scenery. Just know the tour is not a fit if you have limited mobility, and it’s not designed for young kids.

If you like landscape travel that feels hands-on, this is a strong value. You’re paying for transportation, a bilingual guide, and multiple major stops, not just a single viewpoint. Bring your own lunch plan and snacks mindset, because food and drinks are not included, and you’ll want energy for the uphill and the shorter second hike.

Key points to know before you go

• Seven Colors Hill gets even better with timing. A viewpoint stop plus a hike at the base means you see the color shifts rather than just one angle.
• Salinas Grandes is a visual gut-check. You spend about 45 minutes up high, with big contrast between the white salt plain and the sky.
• Your hike includes multiple climbs and a high pass. You go up via Cuesta del Lipán, Cuesta del Saladillo, and Abra de Potrerillos before the big views.
• Wildlife spotting can happen. You may notice vicuñas and llamas along the way, if you keep your eyes open and stay quiet on the trail.
• Los Colorados is the payoff after lunch. The 30 to 40 minute desert walk gives you a different texture and another set of mountain views.
• Bring cash for community entrance fees. Expect to have about $5 available for fees charged by local communities.

Price and what you actually get for $42

At $42 per person, this tour can feel like a deal, mostly because you’re buying transportation plus a bilingual guide for a full day. With a duration of 510 minutes (about 8.5 hours), you’re not just walking once in one spot. You’re getting multiple scenic stops, a substantial hike to high elevation, and a second shorter trail after lunch time.

Still, the value depends on how you plan your day. Food and drinks are not included, so you’ll want to budget for lunch on your own and water you bring or buy locally. Also, if you’re sensitive to altitude, the long day plus the climb up near 4,150 to 4,200 meters can reduce the “fun factor,” even if the scenery is fantastic.

If you want a guided sampler of the region’s signature landscapes without doing the driving yourself, this is a sensible purchase. If you’re already planning to spend days hiking independently, you might find the cost less compelling. But for most people based in Jujuy, it’s efficient.

Meeting point in Jujuy, and why arriving early matters

Your meeting point is at the YPF gas station at Vilcapugio 1986, Y4607EKF, San Salvador de Jujuy. Go to the coffee shop to wait for the bus and to meet your group. The instruction to arrive 15 minutes early is there for a reason, because once the bus is ready, you’re moving.

From here, group size influences transportation. You’ll go by bus or minivan depending on the number of people, which affects comfort and how easily you can hear your guide. One practical thing to remember: you’ll be in the vehicle for a long stretch, so plan for sun, seat comfort, and occasional bumps on dirt roads.

Also bring a contact number that the local partner can reach at booking time. It’s a small detail, but on a day with pickups and road travel, it keeps timing smooth.

The drive through Yala, Volcán, and Tumbaya: warm up your eyes

After pickup, you’ll drive through the towns of Yala, Volcán, and Tumbaya. This might sound like filler, but it actually helps you transition into high-altitude landscapes without going from city life straight into thin air.

On the way, you stop at the Seven Colors Hill viewpoint. This is your first big reveal of the multi-hued mountain lit by the sun. I like this approach because it sets expectations before you start climbing, and it gives you a chance to frame where you want your photos from.

The drawback here is that it’s still a road day. You’re later told driving is on low-quality dirt roads, so if you’re prone to motion discomfort, bring what you need. This is also where sunglasses and sun protection start to matter, because the light at altitude can be intense even when the day feels cool.

Seven Colors Hill viewpoint and Purmamarca base hike

The day’s hiking really starts when you arrive in Purmamarca at the base of the Seven Colors Hill. This is where the scenery turns from view-only to “walk right into it.”

You’ll begin ascending routes including Cuesta del Lipán, Cuesta del Saladillo, and Abra de Potrerillos. That combination matters. It’s not one straight trail, so your effort changes as you climb, and the scenery shifts with each segment. I find that makes the hike feel less monotonous, and it also gives you more chances to spot wildlife.

The tour notes that you should pay attention to occasional local animals, including vicuñas and llamas. The best way to see wildlife is simple: slow down, look up and across, and don’t rush. If you keep moving like you’re late for something, the animals will usually disappear into the background.

If you’re hoping for an easy walk, this is not that. Comfortable shoes are essential, and you’ll want to pace yourself, because the elevation rises as you climb.

The high point near 4,150 meters and the Salinas Grandes contrast

Once you reach about 4,150 meters above sea level, you get one of the day’s biggest “wow” moments: a view over the Salinas Grandes. This is a huge white salt plain that creates a sharp contrast against the blue sky. Standing there, you can understand why salt flats are more than scenery. They’re light, texture, and distance all at once.

You spend around 45 minutes at the top exploring and admiring views of blue volcanoes. This time buffer matters. You’re not rushed straight through the photo moment. You can adjust your angle, catch how the light changes, and take a slow breath before heading back down.

Altitude note: the tour information says you reach up to 4,200 meters. If you’re not used to high elevation, plan to move calmly. You’ll get farther with steady pacing than with “hero energy.” Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses, because the brightness plus wind can sneak up on you.

Lunch in Purmamarca, plus time to wander the craft market

When the return hike brings you back to Purmamarca, you get free time for lunch. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you’ll need to buy your own meal and drinks.

This is also the window to stroll the narrow streets and enjoy views of the mountain. You’ll have time to explore a craft market, which is a nice change from landscape focus. Even if you don’t plan to shop, walking through gives you a sense of daily life in a town shaped by Andean scenery.

The main consideration is that you’re coming down from a hike. If you eat too fast, you might feel off, especially with altitude still in your system. Go easy, drink water, and give yourself a bit of time before you head into the second trail.

Los Colorados trail after lunch: desert colors and mountain walls

After lunch, you hike for about 30 to 40 minutes along the Colorados trail. Compared to the earlier climb, this section is shorter, but the environment changes. You’ll move through desert landscapes between mountains, and the colors feel more “earthy” than the high white of the salt flats.

This is a great part of the tour for photos because the trail guides you forward and reveals new angles. If you’re tired, the shorter duration is a relief. If you still feel good, it’s enough time to enjoy the textures without turning the day into a long grind.

Again, the value is in variety. You get a salt flat big sky moment, then you shift into a different kind of terrain. That change is a big reason this itinerary feels more complete than a one-stop excursion.

Guides, organization, and how the day feels in real life

One of the best parts here is the way the day is handled. Participants describe the trip as well organized, and the guidance as informative. In particular, a guide named Martín stands out in feedback as someone who explains both history and landscape clearly.

Bilingual support matters too, since the area’s landscape details can be easier to connect to if you’re hearing them in a language you’re comfortable with. I also appreciate that you’re not left with vague directions. You’re given a narrative thread that helps you see why the scenery looks the way it does.

There’s a practical downside to watch for: the bus audio quality can be poor on some departures. One participant also flagged that the bus can be a bit old and dirty. You can’t control that, but you can manage the impact by planning to read lips sometimes, resting your ears, and focusing on the stops outside.

What to bring (and what actually helps on a high day)

The tour lists the basics, and they’re the right ones. Bring an ID card or passport, comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. I’d add one mindset, not one item: treat this like a day where sun and altitude do most of the work, so dress like you’ll be outside the whole time.

You also should bring cash, roughly $5, for entrance fees charged by local communities for SALINAS GRANDES and PASEO LOS COLORADOS. Even if you plan to buy lunch, keep this separate so you don’t scramble at the last minute.

Food and drinks are not included, so bring water if you like and plan for lunch purchases in Purmamarca. This is a long day, and you’ll walk enough that energy matters.

Who should book, and who should skip

This tour is a strong fit if you want guided hikes at two different scales, plus big scenic stops from Jujuy. If you enjoy understanding landscapes, not just taking photos, you’ll likely get more out of it thanks to the bilingual guidance.

It’s not suitable for children under 5, and it is not recommended for limited mobility. The tour also notes it’s not suitable for pregnant women. Those are not “safety fine print” details. With altitude up to around 4,200 meters and driving on dirt roads, these constraints are exactly where risk lives.

If you’re the type of traveler who likes pace and structure, you’ll probably enjoy this. If you prefer to go slow on your own schedule, you might feel rushed even with the 45-minute top viewpoint time.

Should you book this From Jujuy: Salinas Grandes, Purmamarca & Los Colorados hike?

Book it if you want one day that covers three signature environments: Seven Colors Hill, the high-altitude Salinas Grandes salt flats, and the Los Colorados desert trail. At $42, the mix of transportation, bilingual guiding, and multiple stops makes it good value, as long as you’re ready to handle the elevation and the long road day.

Skip or reconsider if altitude is already an issue for you, if you have limited mobility, or if traveling with very young children. Also think twice if you’re counting on the tour to provide food and drinks, because you’ll need to handle lunch on your own.

If you’re comfortable walking on uneven terrain, bring your sun protection, pack cash for the community fees, and keep expectations realistic about vehicle comfort, this is the kind of Andes day that gives you more than one great photo. You get a full sequence of landscapes, plus enough guidance to make it make sense.