High Andes North

Multicolored mountains, salt flats, and high-altitude landscapes

Country: Argentina 🇦🇷

Video

Overview

A spectacular high-altitude itinerary through Salta and Jujuy, covering some of Argentina’s most dramatic and lesser-known mountain landscapes.

This route focuses on colorful rock formations, salt flats, high-Andes scenery, and small Andean towns. It is affordable and well-organized, but not a relaxed itinerary due to altitude.

Provinces: Salta, Jujuy
Overall time: 7–9 days
Main focus: mountains, landscapes, photography
Ranking: top hidden-gem region
Best season: April–November (dry season preferred)

Altitude awareness is essential.

📷 Photo albums
instagram Hornocal - Hill of 14 Colors
Arrival & Salta City (Base) ▾


Arrive in Salta by flight or long-distance bus.

Altitude:
• ~1,200 m – usually well tolerated

Base:
• Salta – 4–5 nights

What to do in the city:
• Historic plazas and colonial center
• Cerro San Bernardo (cable car viewpoints)
• Museums and cafés

Salta works very well as a base for southern routes and acclimatization.

Quebrada de las Conchas (Day Trip) ▾


Explore the Quebrada de las Conchas, south of Salta.

Highlights:
• Red rock formations and desert scenery
• Natural viewpoints and short walks

Altitude:
• ~1,600 m

How to visit:
• Organized day tour (recommended)
• Rented car (only if experienced with mountain driving)

Duration:
• Full day

Parque Nacional Los Cardones ▾


Visit Parque Nacional Los Cardones, a high plateau filled with giant cacti.

Highlights:
• Vast Andean landscapes
• Endless cardón cactus fields
• Scenic mountain roads

Altitude:
• ~3,000 m

How to visit:
• Organized tour strongly recommended
• Public transport not practical

Duration:
• Full day

Optional – Tren a las Nubes ▾


Optional excursion on the Tren a las Nubes.

What to know:
• Very expensive
• Limited views compared to other trips
• Logistically easy and exotic experience

Altitude:
• Up to ~4,200 m

This is optional and not essential to the itinerary.

Salta → Jujuy / Purmamarca (Base Shift) ▾


Travel north toward Jujuy and the Quebrada de Humahuaca.

Options:
• Bus from Salta to Jujuy or Purmamarca

Base options:
• Purmamarca – scenic but higher altitude (~2,400 m)
• Jujuy city – lower altitude (~1,300 m), better if altitude-sensitive

Recommended:
• 3-4 nights in this region

Salinas Grandes (Day Trip) ▾


Visit the Salinas Grandes salt flats.

Highlights:
• Vast white salt desert
• Surreal high-Andes scenery

Altitude:
• ~3,400 m

How to visit:
• Organized tour from Purmamarca (best option)

Duration:
• Full day

Humahuaca & Hornocal ▾


Visit the Quebrada de Humahuaca and Hornocal viewpoint.

Highlights:
• Humahuaca town
• Hornocal (Hill of 14 Colors) – one of the most impressive viewpoints in Argentina

Altitude:
• Hornocal: ~4,350 m
• Time at the viewpoint is usually limited (~1 hour)

How to visit:
• Organized tour strongly recommended

Duration:
• Full day

Transportation

  • Best option: organized tours (safest and easiest)
  • Rented car is possible but not recommended unless experienced with mountain driving
  • Public buses work well between towns, not for remote sites
  • Roads are good, but altitude and remoteness increase risk

Connections

  • Salta → Iguazu, Mendoza, Cordoba (direct flights)
  • Salta → Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay (direct flights)
  • Jujuy / Salta → Uyuni (Bolivia, by bus)
  • Jujuy / Salta → Atacama (Chile, by bus)

Notes

  • This is a high-altitude itinerary, not a relaxed one
  • Headaches and fatigue are common — pace yourself
  • Drink water, avoid rushing, and plan rest days
  • Landscapes are among the most impressive in Argentina