SALT FLATS + Rainbow Mountains 🌈🧂🏞️ Visiting PURMAMARCA + SALINAS GRANDES in JUJUY, Argentina 🇦🇷🤠🚗

Подробнее о видео

In today's video, we begin our road trip across the province of Jujuy, where we visit the town of Purmamarca (best known for its Hill of Seven Colours!) and the massive salt flats known as Salinas Grandes. Purmamarca translates to ‘desert city’ in the Aymara language and it's a pretty quiet town lined with adobe buildings, ancient algarrobo trees, a lively market that sets up in the central square, and we can’t forget the otherworldly rainbow-coloured mountains that act as a beautiful backdrop. The Hill of Seven Colours features shades of brown, purple, pink, red, white, yellow, and green. Each layer of colour was formed over different time periods from different minerals and sediments.

The best way to enjoy the views of Purmamarca's Hill of Seven Colours is by climbing Cerro El Porito. This is a super easy climb that you can access from the centre of town. There’s a very small fee of just a few pesos, and you get some great views of the surrounding hills. It’s well worth the short climb!

We then made our way to the square, known as Plaza 9 de Julio, to browse the local market where you can get all sorts of textiles, pottery and handcrafted goods. This is a good place to buy an alpaca sweater (it can get very cold at this altitude) and some honey and coca candies to help with altitude sickness.

Our visit to Purmamarca was short and sweet because we still had a steep mountain pass to cross. We got back in the car and started the drive to Salinas Grandes, a massive salt flat situated between the provinces of Jujuy and Salta. On the drive over, we came across a herd of guanacos; they’re a close relative of the llama and they kind of blend in with the landscape, so we were pretty excited to see them.

We then reached Salinas Grandes, a vast white desert of salt that sits at an altitude of 3,450 meters above sea level. These are the largest salt flats in Argentina and the third-largest salt flats in the world. It’s a cool place to snap some photos and have fun with optical illusions.

And that concludes our first day travelling in Jujuy. We hope you enjoyed this vlog and we'll see you soon with more episodes from the neighbouring towns of Uquía, Humahuaca and Tilcara.

Exploring Purmamarca & Salinas Grandes: Rainbow Mountains, Market Finds, and Salt Flat Adventures

Arrival in Purmamarca: Colors, Textiles & Small-Town Charm 🌈🏞️🧣

Our adventure kicks off in Purmamarca, Jujuy, Argentina—famous for its Hill of Seven Colors, a spectacular mountain range that paints the horizon in vibrant hues of orange, lavender, green, and yellow. As we climb winding roads into town, we’re greeted by adobe buildings, ancient algarrobo trees, and a bustling market in the central square. The day is warm with a refreshing breeze, perfect for exploring the quiet streets and lively stalls.

After picking up a sun-blocking hat for just a few dollars and marveling at a 700-year-old algarrobo tree, we browse the market. Here, alpaca and merino wool sweaters, candy made from coca leaf, eucalyptus, and honey, and vibrant textiles are everywhere. We sample the candies, recommended for battling high-altitude effects, and buy a versatile piece called “aguayo” for use as a rug, poncho, or tablecloth.

Scenic Drive to the High Andes: Climbing Mountain Passes 🚗🗻

Leaving Purmamarca, we begin a dramatic climb to the Salinas Grandes salt flats. The route takes us up serpentine roads with sweeping Andean views—each bend reveals another incredible panorama. At over 4,000 meters above sea level in Altos El Morado, the effects of altitude kick in: pressure headaches, lethargy, and a strange heaviness. Sucking coca candies (already running low!) is a ritual, and everyone’s altitude tolerance is tested differently.
Along the way, we spot a herd of guanacos—cousins of the llama—camouflaged in the rugged landscape, a reminder of the wild beauty of northern Argentina.

Salinas Grandes: Vast White Horizons & Optical Illusions 🧂☀️📸

As we descend the mountains, the vast white expanse of Salinas Grandes comes into view—at first, it shimmers like a lake on the horizon, an optical illusion created by the intense sun and endless salt. Sitting at 3,450 meters above sea level, these salt flats feel otherworldly, with the blazing sunlight bouncing off the ground, making it feel like you’re being roasted from above and below.
We take classic perspective photos—jumping, posing, and having fun with the endless white backdrop. The pools of briny water where salt is harvested glisten in neat rows. The sun is fierce, so sun protection is a must. Despite the harshness, the landscape is mesmerizing and well worth the trip.

SALT FLATS + Rainbow Mountains 🌈🧂 Visiting PURMAMARCA + SALINAS GRANDES in JUJUY, Argentina 🇦🇷🤠

BLOGS