Salta Humahuaca & Salinas Grandes Tour Review: Is it Worth It?

Alright, so you’re thinking of heading to Salta, Argentina, and that iconic 2-day tour to Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes has definitely caught your attention, hasn’t it? I mean, it looks awesome in all the pictures, right? Well, I did that tour myself, and I am very ready to give you the lowdown on whether it’s as incredible as it seems. Is it the right call for your precious vacation time and, importantly, your budget? I will talk about the viewpoints, the crazy landscapes, and those things you will only know once you get there. My experiences (and opinions) will help you decide if this northern Argentina excursion should be on your must-do list!

What’s the Deal with this Salta Tour, Anyway?

The Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes 2-day tour from Salta is super sought-after, too, it’s almost a rite of passage for those that go to northwestern Argentina. The tour combines historical spots with some seriously unique geography. The main attractions include the multicolored mountains of Humahuaca, that quiet, steeped-in-history feel of the towns nestled in the valleys, and those mind-bendingly wide salt flats (the Salinas Grandes). It’s kind of like taking a big bite out of the culture and scenery of this area of Argentina, yet compressed into just two days. Basically, you hop on a bus or van, and someone else does all the work of driving and organizing while you sit back and take in the seriously wonderful landscapes. Sounds good, does it?

Most trips take a fairly well-trodden route. First, you head north to the Humahuaca Valley. Which, is that a UNESCO World Heritage site? Yes, it is. On your first day, you will explore a series of towns, each a bit special and stuck-in-time in its own right. Think: Purmamarca, home of the Seven Colors Hill, Tilcara, and its ancient pucará (or pre-Inca fortress), and Humahuaca, where the tour gets its name. The next day shifts gear completely as you rumble on to those stark white plains of the Salinas Grandes. These sprawling salt flats offer crazy photo opportunities. Afterwards, the route normally loops back to Salta, frequently with a stop at the mountain village of San Antonio de los Cobres. It is very well situated and offers photo opportunities galore. It can seem like a whirlwind, I am serious! So much crammed into only 48 hours! But that’s part of its appeal.

Day 1: Chasing Colors in the Humahuaca Valley

So, picture this: it’s really early. I’m still a little blurry-eyed as I meet the tour group in Salta. That first jolt of Argentinian sunshine streaming into the bus window definitely helps shake off the sleep though! Pretty quickly, the city turns into winding roads. These are framed by landscapes that just get bigger and bolder as we start to move in a northerly direction.

Purmamarca and the Hill of Seven Colors: A Picture-Perfect Start

Purmamarca might be tiny, and the Hill of Seven Colors is the real draw here, but it has seriously good reasons to be very popular, does it? Seeing the first sunlight splash across that mountain is just kind of wonderful; those stripes of earthy tones really pop. It is almost as if nature whipped out a giant paint palette. The local market at the foot of the hill is just right, too. It offers all sorts of weavings and trinkets, in a way giving you that first taste of Andean culture. My recommendation? Get yourself a coffee here to savor that landscape.

Tilcara: History carved into the Hillsides

Next up is Tilcara, where you’ll find Pucará de Tilcara. This pre-Inca fortress has got amazing views that are a bit more historically poignant than in other places, too. Wandering those ancient stone walls you kind of can almost picture the people who lived there ages ago, protecting themselves from, well, basically everything. The climb up to the pucará might leave you huffing a bit. But honestly? That view of the valley is worth it. The local craft stalls around the town plaza tend to have more authentic stuff than you will see in Purmamarca, yet so keep your eyes peeled.

Humahuaca: Lunch with a side of altitude

The town of Humahuaca itself is typically your lunch stop and also is the highest point you will hit on Day 1. Which, altitude-wise. Wander the main street, watch out for the little mechanical figure that pops out of the clock tower at midday, and grab some empanadas. Honestly? They are so delicious. This place has a great atmosphere! I am being serious; there is a lively energy here.

Day 2: High Altitude and High Contrast – Salinas Grandes

Day two definitely flips the script. That early morning start comes around again! Yet this time you aren’t driving through valleys. So you’re climbing up, up, up, right to the Salinas Grandes. The shift in landscape is stunning. From colorful mountains and fertile valleys, you will be very suddenly placed on blinding white salt flats. This portion of the trip gets a bit otherworldly, alright?

Reaching for the Sky: Abra de Lipán

The drive up to the Salinas Grandes takes you through Abra de Lipán. This mountain pass is pretty high up! In fact it’s over 4,100 meters (about 13,500 feet). Obviously you want photos (who wouldn’t?). Be very careful, I suggest moving a little slower than normal. I mean, that altitude can really catch you off guard. Yet, I promise you. Those views? Totally worth maybe feeling a bit breathless.

Salinas Grandes: A Sea of Salt

Then there’s Salinas Grandes, and oh my goodness, that is so cool. Those seemingly never-ending white salt plains against that bright blue sky. Yes it is seriously surreal. You can kind of walk out onto the flats, strike some crazy perspective poses (the tour guides usually know some good ones), and simply soak in the strangeness of it all. If you can, you want to find where they’re processing the salt. It kind of gives you an idea about what working here is like. You’ll need sunglasses, a hat and plenty of sunblock too. I mean, that sun bounces right back up at you from the salt, you know?

San Antonio de los Cobres: A Touch of Mining History

On the way back to Salta, many tours stop in San Antonio de los Cobres. This village used to be a major mining center. Now? It is just kind of drowsy and isolated. You can have a look around and grab a quick bite. Yet it really is the rugged landscape around the place that offers the biggest punch.

Is the Tour Worth It? Let’s Break it Down.

Ok, it is time to decide whether or not to take this tour from Salta. Here is some perspective:

Pros:

Ease and Comfort: Someone else handles every detail. No need to worry about renting a vehicle or learning Argentinian road rules. This is big if you prefer to simply sit back and soak things in, as your holiday needs to do exactly what it is designed to do. Which is make you feel relaxed.
Maximum Sightseeing, Minimum Time: Two days for that Humahuaca Valley AND the Salinas Grandes? I mean, how is that even possible? Yes, I can see it is. This is ideal if your vacation time is worth more than you expect. You want to experience things quickly.
Guides provide knowledge: Those local tour guides often give a whole other layer to your trip. You can pick up on local stories, bits of history you might have otherwise missed and understand that little bit more about Argentina.
Social: If you are traveling solo, tours, basically, tend to be awesome ways to meet people.

Cons:

Time Constraints: Remember, you are on somebody else’s schedule. You don’t get to spend a heap of time in spots that really grab you, which is super disappointing.
Crowds: Key viewpoints tend to be jam-packed, which I understand. Get very, very, comfortable sharing that Seven Colors Hill selfie with thirty other folks, do you get my meaning?
Altitude Sickness: Seriously, that jump in elevation can affect people differently, that is real, right? Those headaches, the shortness of breath. So, yeah, that could potentially put a damper on things, that is my thinking anyway.
The Tourist Price: Organized tours, yeah, alright, well they do typically cost more than winging it solo with local transport. So you want to weigh up budget against that ease and comfort.

Tips for making the Most of Your Salta Tour

Ok, you have decided this Salta tour really is a thing you have to do? Here are a few little tips to make it that bit smoother:

Acclimatize to that Altitude: Ideally, spend a few days in Salta beforehand so your body, very gradually, adjusts before you zoom right up into the mountains. I really cannot stress this enough.
What to Pack?: Layers are a really clever call, alright? Temperatures will swing pretty crazily between that heat of the day and when the sun heads down. That sunblock, hat, sunglasses – they are definitely not optional extras. You do want those, trust me.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water, I suggest this a bunch. It will really help your body deal with that altitude shift.
Money, Money, Money: Whilst some costs can be bundled into your trip price. Souvenirs? That entrance to Pucará de Tilcara? It will definitely involve cash. In the same way, have change for little tips, if you appreciate something somebody does for you.
Interact: Get to know your group-mates! Trade stories, basically share a laugh. Your experiences will only get better when you connect with your fellow explorers.

So, should you go on the Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes tour?

If you are trying to find out if that 2-day tour from Salta to Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes tour is the thing for you, yeah I am just suggesting you weigh things up. That desire for simplicity is real? Is seeing awesome landscapes in only a small period worth something to you? Ok great, yeah go on that trip! Yet you’re an experienced traveler. Someone who does not mind organizing everything for themselves and veering off the common track? Maybe that independent local bus option provides you with exactly what you need. Either way, Northwest Argentina tends to be seriously spectacular.

FAQs about the Salta Tour

What is the best time of year to go on this Salta tour?

The shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) tend to be fantastic, as I said previously. You should probably be missing out on those intense summer heat waves and dodging the bulk of winter’s crowds, yet still soaking in clear skies. Basically April-May or September-October I reckon tend to provide that sweet spot.

How physically fit do I have to be to enjoy the trip?

Generally, not particularly. You’ll be spending quite a bit of your time just sitting and driving. You do get some gentle walks around places, like at Pucará de Tilcara. However, alright, yeah those are totally optional, so is that effort, you know? The altitude’s more something you need to consider as being challenging, in my humble opinion.

Are meals included?

Mostly no, you may want to hear! Most trips don’t package up every meal to keep things nice and flexible. It is nice and possible to select where you eat, also to control prices in a place that suits your budget.

What language is the tour usually given in?

Loads are in Spanish! Which, I want you to note. Though that English-speaking option, obviously, does get a heap more widely offered now. Double-check when you’re making your tour reservations if it matters a lot.

How can I book a reputable tour?

Dig around. Ask questions. Do not be shy about shopping about! Online reviews can give that valuable insight on several different tour people, in a way.