Argentina's far north-west has the Andean scenery people cross into Bolivia for, without the multi-day jeep tour. Salta is the colonial base city with the flights. From San Salvador de Jujuy, local buses run up the UNESCO-listed Quebrada de Humahuaca to Purmamarca, Tilcara and Humahuaca, and the Salinas Grandes salt flat is a day trip over a 4,170 m pass. South of Salta, the Quebrada de las Conchas leads to the wine town of Cafayate. Give it a week: two nights in Salta, three in the Quebrada, two in Cafayate.
When to go
April to October is the dry season, and the best time for the salt flat and the high passes; nights are cold in June–August. December to March brings summer rain, landslides that cut roads, and brown, flooded salt flats. Carnaval (February) and the July holidays fill Purmamarca and Tilcara almost completely.
Salta right now and the next 7 days
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Salta on the map
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The area
Getting there
Places to see
Day trips
Salta & Jujuy · Open in Google Maps ↗
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Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
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On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
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Salta & Jujuy in 3 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00Serranía de Hornocal viewpointHalf day · free · Fourteen-coloured mountains at about 4,350 m above Humahuaca. A local community charges a small entry at the gate; carry pesos.
- Lunch on the way
- 08:00Paseo de los Colorados, Purmamarca1 h 30 m · free · Easy loop round the base of the Cerro de los Siete Colores. Go early or late for the light.
- 10:00Pucará de Tilcara2 h · price to check · Reconstructed pre-Inca hilltop town run by the University of Buenos Aires. Entry charged; current price not confirmed.
- 12:30Lunch break
- 13:30Cerro San Bernardo, Salta2 h · price to check · Climb the 1,070 steps for the city view, or take the cable car (fare not confirmed).
- 08:00Salinas Grandes salt flatFull day · free · Over the Cuesta de Lipán from Purmamarca. Visits are run by the local communities; one report says about ARS 8,000 a person with a guide. Confirm on arrival.
- Lunch on the way
How to get to Salta
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
Domestic flight Cheapest
₹4,000JetSMART, Flybondi and Aerolíneas Argentinas fly it. Return fares seen for Sep–Dec 2026 ranged ARS 96,000–190,000.
Bus Last leg
₹1,030Usual fare ARS 18,000 a leg (Sept 2026). Jujuy's terminal is where Quebrada buses start.
Bus Last leg
₹580From 1 Aug 2026: Purmamarca ARS 9,700, Tilcara ARS 10,200, Humahuaca ARS 15,200.
Bus Last leg
₹1,430About ARS 25,000 one way (July 2026), departures 06:50–21:00, through the Quebrada de las Conchas.
Getting around once you're there
Quebrada buses
₹580Frequent buses run up and down Ruta 9 between the villages. Flag one down on the highway.
Shared 4x4 to Hornocal
Check priceDrivers wait near Humahuaca's terminal and plaza for the 25 km climb to the viewpoint. Fare not confirmed; agree it before you go.
On foot
FreeSalta's centre, the villages and the Paseo de los Colorados loop at Purmamarca are walks.
Hire car
FreeThe best way to do the salt flat and Cafayate together. Get your international permit before leaving home. Price not checked.
Where to stay in Salta
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Hostel room for two
₹1,900/nightAverage about ARS 33,000 a night for two adults (June 2026 listings).
Guesthouse
₹0/nightPurmamarca is the priciest village; Tilcara has more cheap choice. Book far ahead for Carnaval and July. Price not confirmed.
Guesthouse
₹0/nightSmall town, walkable to the bodegas. Price not confirmed; check listings.
What to eat, and what it costs
A dozen empanadas salteñas, Mercado Artesanal
₹430About ARS 7,500 a dozen at the traditional stalls (Jan 2026). Small, juicy, hand-crimped.
Humita en chala
₹220Sweetcorn and cheese steamed in the husk, about ARS 3,800. Vegetarian.
Tamal
₹145About ARS 2,500 a portion at the same stalls.
One empanada at a peña
₹60About ARS 1,000 each at La Casona del Molino, with live folk music in the evening.
Things to do in Salta
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
Serranía de Hornocal viewpoint
FreeFourteen-coloured mountains at about 4,350 m above Humahuaca. A local community charges a small entry at the gate; carry pesos.
Paseo de los Colorados, Purmamarca
FreeEasy loop round the base of the Cerro de los Siete Colores. Go early or late for the light.
Salinas Grandes salt flat
FreeOver the Cuesta de Lipán from Purmamarca. Visits are run by the local communities; one report says about ARS 8,000 a person with a guide. Confirm on arrival.
Pucará de Tilcara
Check priceReconstructed pre-Inca hilltop town run by the University of Buenos Aires. Entry charged; current price not confirmed.
Quebrada de las Conchas & Cafayate bodegas
₹1,430The Salta–Cafayate bus runs through red-rock canyon. Price is the bus fare; tastings extra.
Cerro San Bernardo, Salta
Check priceClimb the 1,070 steps for the city view, or take the cable car (fare not confirmed).
Day trips and next stops
Purmamarca & Tilcara
₹580Bus from San Salvador de Jujuy
Humahuaca & Hornocal
₹870Bus, then shared 4x4
Salinas Grandes
Tour or hire car over the Cuesta de Lipán
Cafayate
₹1,430Bus through the Quebrada de las Conchas
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- Altitude is the real risk: Humahuaca is near 3,000 m, Hornocal and the Lipán pass are above 4,000 m. Sleep low in Salta or Jujuy first and climb in stages.
- Summer rain (December–March) causes landslides that close Ruta 9 and Ruta 52 for hours or days. Check road status before travelling.
- The UK notes earthquake risk in Salta and Jujuy provinces. There is no UK advice against travel to any part of Argentina.
Ways to spend less
- Use the Jujuy terminal, not a Salta tour. Local buses to the Quebrada villages cost ARS 9,700–15,200 and leave all day.
- Eat at Salta's Mercado Artesanal stalls: a dozen empanadas for about ARS 7,500 is a full meal for two.
- Visit in May or September–October: dry roads, a white salt flat and none of the Carnaval or July-holiday crowds.
Before-you-go checklist
Salta in pictures
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Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Salta & Jujuy?
May–Jun, Aug–Oct is the best time. April to October is the dry season, and the best time for the salt flat and the high passes; nights are cold in June–August. December to March brings summer rain, landslides that cut roads, and brown, flooded salt flats. Carnaval (February) and the July holidays fill Purmamarca and Tilcara almost completely.
How do I reach Salta & Jujuy?
Domestic flight: Buenos Aires (AEP/EZE) → Salta (SLA), 2 h, about ₹4,000 one way.
How much does a 3-day trip to Salta & Jujuy cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹6,000 on a shoestring, ₹12,000 mid-range or ₹22,500 in comfort over 3 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is domestic flight (Buenos Aires (AEP/EZE) → Salta (SLA)) at about ₹4,000 each way.
How many days do you need in Salta & Jujuy?
3 days is right for most people. That covers Serranía de Hornocal viewpoint, Paseo de los Colorados, Purmamarca, Pucará de Tilcara, Cerro San Bernardo, Salta without rushing.
Is Salta & Jujuy good for families or solo travellers?
Salta & Jujuy works best for solo, couples, groups. Solo travellers find it easy and cheap.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Salta & Jujuy?
Better than most of Argentina. Humitas, cheese or vegetable empanadas and quinoa dishes are standard across the north-west. Locro and tamales usually contain meat, so ask.
Will my phone and cards work in Salta & Jujuy?
Buy a Claro or Personal SIM in Salta. Signal is weak on the Lipán pass and at the salt flat. Salta and Cafayate hotels and restaurants take cards; foreign cards usually get a rate close to the market rate. Villages much less. Carry pesos for buses, village stalls, community entry fees and 4x4 drivers. Prices change often with inflation.
Sources and last check
Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
- gov.uk OfficialFCDO: no advice against travel to any part of Argentina; last updated 7 May 2026 (hantavirus health note)
- gov.uk OfficialFCDO: earthquake risk in Salta and Jujuy; altitude sickness; 1949 international driving permit; northern flooding disrupts transport
- whc.unesco.org OfficialQuebrada de Humahuaca UNESCO World Heritage listing
- argentina.travel OfficialOfficial national tourism guide (21 Jan 2026): Salta Mercado Artesanal dozen empanadas ARS 7,500, humita ARS 3,800, tamal ARS 2,500; peña empanadas ARS 1,000 each; Cafayate empanadas ARS 1,000-1,800
- www4.hcdn.gob.ar OfficialCerro San Bernardo reachable by 1,070 steps
- todojujuy.comFares from San Salvador de Jujuy from 1 Aug 2026: Purmamarca ARS 9,700, Tilcara ARS 10,200, Humahuaca ARS 15,200
- todojujuy.comJujuy-Salta usual fare ARS 18,000 per leg (Sept 2026)
- todojujuy.comSalta-Cafayate ARS 25,000 one way, about 4 h, departures 06:50-21:00 (23 Jul 2026)
- despegar.com.arBuenos Aires-Salta return fares ARS 96,146-189,609 for Sep-Dec 2026 dates
- expedia.comAerolíneas Argentinas, JetSMART and Flybondi fly AEP-SLA direct
- combien-coute.netSalta hostel night for two adults averaging ARS 33,069 (updated 28 Jun 2026)
- mdzol.comSalinas Grandes community entry about ARS 8,000 per person incl. guides; best April-October; RN52 access; fuel advice
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Set your dates and group at the top, shape the days, then book each piece directly.
Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 11 October 2026 · Photo: Lahi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Abuelodelanada · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Gonzalo Rivero · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Galio · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source · Photo: Bachelot Pierre J-P · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
