Quebrada de Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes — Jujuy NorthernLoop.
Distance
430 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
3,500 m
Quebrada de Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes — Jujuy Northern Loop.
Two days through Argentina's most painted landscape. Day 1 climbs north from San Salvador de Jujuy on RN9 through the UNESCO-listed Quebrada de Humahuaca, passing the seven-coloured Cerro de Purmamarca, the pre-Inca Pucará of Tilcara, and the village of Humahuaca with its 14-coloured Hornocal mountain. Day 2 returns south to Purmamarca, then climbs the Cuesta de Lipán to Abra de Potrerillos at 4,170m before dropping onto the blinding-white Salinas Grandes salt flat. Altitude is real — acclimatise in Tilcara before the second day.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance430 km
Days2
Total climb3,500 m
DifficultyModerate
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2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 11 waypoints to discover along the way.
San Salvador de JujuyStart · Start in Jujuy capital (1,239m). Head north on RN9 — the road climbs gently into the Quebrada immediately. Cooler at altitude; pack a layer.
Purmamarca — Cerro de los Siete ColoresScenic Point · The seven-coloured hill behind town glows pink/ochre/violet at dawn and dusk. Park in the plaza, walk the Paseo de los Colorados loop (1hr).
Tilcara — Pucará Pre-Inca FortressScenic Point · UNESCO-listed Omaguaca fortress on a hill above town. Stone walls, cactus garden, and panoramic Quebrada views. Coca tea at the entrance kiosk.
Humahuaca — Plaza & Independencia MonumentScenic Point · End of the Quebrada at 3,012m. The mechanical clock on the cabildo opens at noon with a saint figurine ceremony. Llama empanadas at La Cacharpaya.
Hornocal — Cerro de los Catorce ColoresPhoto Spot · Detour east 25km on RP-73 (steep gravel switchbacks to 4,300m). The serrated 14-coloured ridge is one of Argentina's most dramatic views. Skip if afternoon storms forecast.
TilcaraOvernight · Overnight in Tilcara (2,461m). Folk music peñas after dinner — Patio del Toro is the classic. Acclimatise here before tomorrow's 4,170m pass.
Purmamarca — RN52 JunctionScenic Point · Begin Day 2: turn west on RN52 toward Salinas Grandes. The Cuesta de Lipán climb starts immediately — 17km of switchbacks rising 2,000m.
Cuesta de Lipán — Abra de Potrerillos (4,170m)Mountain Pass · Stone monolith and prayer flags mark the summit. Ride slow — sparse oxygen causes light-headedness. Coca leaves at the kiosk help.
Salinas GrandesPhoto Spot · A 212 km² salt flat at 3,450m. Geometric salt-harvest pools and blinding white horizon. Polarised sunglasses essential. Local Kolla guides offer the best perspective spots.
Maimará — Painter's Palette CemeteryRestaurant · Return through Cuesta de Lipán then south on RN9. Cemetery on a hill against the Paleta del Pintor mountain — multicoloured strata behind white crosses. Riverside lunch.
San Salvador de JujuyEnd · End in Jujuy. Total ~430km over 2 days. Dinner of locro and humita on the Plaza Belgrano well-earned.
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