Explore/Argentina/AR/Quebrada de Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes — Jujuy Northern Loop

ARSan Salvador de Jujuy, ArgentinaModeratePaved2-day tripMotoVault Pick

Quebrada de Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes — Jujuy NorthernLoop.

Distance

430 km

Duration

2 days

Climb

3,500 m

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Curated by Rider · Updated Jun 2026

Overview

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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Day-by-day

2 days, 2 moods.

A suggested split across 2 days with 11 waypoints to discover along the way.

DAY 01

San Salvador de Jujuy → Tilcara

6 stops

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.

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DAY 02

Purmamarca — RN52 Junction → San Salvador de Jujuy

5 stops

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.