Jujuy Itinerary: 3 or 4 Days in the Quebrada, Day by Day

The easiest way in is a domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Jujuy's airport (JUJ) at Perico, 33 km southeast of San Salvador de Jujuy. From there it's about 100 km (60 miles) on RN 66, RN 9 and RN 52 to Purmamarca, roughly 1 hour 30. If you fly into Salta instead, allow about 190 km and close to 3 hours to Purmamarca.

The order matters because of altitude. The capital sits at 1,259 m (4,130 ft), Purmamarca at 2,324 m, Tilcara at 2,465 m and Humahuaca at 2,939 m; the salt flats are at 3,450 m, the Lipán pass tops out at 4,170 m (13,680 ft) and the Hornocal lookout at 4,350 m (14,270 ft). This plan sleeps in the lower villages and climbs higher by day, after at least one night in the valley. Drink plenty of water, eat light the first evening and move slowly at viewpoints.

Check the calendar too: the Pucará de Tilcara is closed on Mondays. If your Tilcara day falls on a Monday, swap the order and see the ruins the next morning.

• Day 1. Arrival and Purmamarca (about 100 km of driving from the airport). Try to arrive before lunch, eat light and rest a little. In the afternoon walk the Paseo de los Colorados, a loop of about 3 km behind the village that takes 45 to 60 minutes. At sunset browse the craft market on the plaza and watch the last light on the Seven Colors Mountain. Night in Purmamarca.

• Day 2. Salinas Grandes, Maimará and Tilcara (about 160 km and 3 hours of driving in total). Head out early on RN 52: it's 66 km and 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 to the salt flats, climbing the Cuesta de Lipán. At the visitor stop, hire a community guide to lead you to the crystallization pools and salt "eyes", about an hour and a half, paid in cash. Return to Purmamarca for lunch, then drive north on RN 9: stop in Maimará for the Painter's Palette hills and continue to Tilcara, 26 km from Purmamarca. Night in Tilcara, with a folk music peña if you have the energy.

• Day 3. Pucará de Tilcara, Uquía, Humahuaca and Hornocal (about 140 km). Be at the Pucará when it opens at 9 am and give it an hour and a half. Drive 45 km to Humahuaca, about 45 minutes, stopping at Uquía's church and its arquebusier angels. Reach the main square before noon to watch Saint Francis Solano emerge from the town hall clock, climb to the Independence monument and have lunch. At 2:30 pm tackle the 25 km of gravel to the Hornocal lookout, about 45 minutes, to see it in afternoon light. Come down before dark and return to Tilcara.

• Departure. Tilcara to the airport is about 117 km, around 1 hour 45. With a morning flight on day 4 the whole plan fits; with an evening flight on day 3, drop the Hornocal or spend your last night in the capital.

With four days, the first two stay the same and the rest gets more breathing room:

• Day 3. Tilcara in depth. In the morning, the Pucará and its High-Altitude Botanical Garden, then the Archaeological Museum in the village center. In the afternoon, hike to the Garganta del Diablo: about 4 km uphill from the iron bridge, with a small community entry fee and a waterfall at the end. Allow 3 to 4 hours round trip. Night in Tilcara.

• Day 4. Uquía, Humahuaca and Hornocal. The same program as day 3 of the short plan, without rushing. If you fly out the next day, sleep in Humahuaca or head back to Tilcara.

Two other ways to spend the extra day:
• The capital and Termas de Reyes. Flying out of Jujuy? Spend your last half day at the cathedral and the Flag of Civil Liberty in Government House, then soak in the hot springs at Termas de Reyes, 19 km from the city.
• Tren Solar de la Quebrada. In 2026 the solar train covers 42 km between Volcán and Tilcara, and its full-day "360°" experience includes a guide and stops in each village. It's a nice break from driving.

• Night 1, Purmamarca. Small and quiet, it puts you closest to the salt flats for an early start, and it's lower than Tilcara, which helps with acclimatization. See where to stay in Purmamarca.
• Nights 2 and 3, Tilcara. It sits mid-valley, 26 km from Purmamarca and about 45 km from Humahuaca, with more restaurants, live music and a gas station. See where to stay in Tilcara.
• Night 4 (optional), Humahuaca. Useful if you want to see the Hornocal without driving back in the dark, or continue to Iruya.

If you'd rather not repack, base yourself in Tilcara the whole time: the salt flats are 91 km away and Purmamarca half an hour. For July, Easter week and Carnival, book weeks or even months ahead.

You can do this trip without driving; it just takes a little more time:
• Airport to the city: bus line 15 links the airport with San Salvador de Jujuy and takes cash only; taxis and remises (private cars with driver) are also available.
• City to the Quebrada: buses leave the main bus terminal for Purmamarca, Tilcara and Humahuaca throughout the day. Humahuaca services run every 30 to 60 minutes and take 2 hours 30 to 3 hours.
• Salinas Grandes: there's no public transport. Book a half-day tour from Purmamarca, Tilcara or the capital, or hire a remís in Purmamarca.
• Hornocal: 4x4 shuttles leave from Humahuaca's bus terminal and wait while you visit.
• Garganta del Diablo: it's a hike from Tilcara.

Without a car, the 3-day plan becomes: day 1, bus to Purmamarca and the Paseo de los Colorados; day 2, a half-day salt flats tour and an afternoon bus to Tilcara; day 3, the Pucará early, a bus to Humahuaca and a shuttle to the Hornocal, then back to Tilcara or a night in Humahuaca. Compare options on our Jujuy tours page.

A car lets you stop at every viewpoint and reach each sight in the best light. RN 9 and RN 52 to the salt flats are paved; only the Hornocal and Garganta del Diablo roads are gravel, which a regular car handles slowly in the dry season.
• Pickup: at the airport or in downtown San Salvador de Jujuy. Compare rates on our Jujuy car rental page.
• Fuel: Purmamarca has no gas station. Leave the capital with a full tank and refill at the YPF stations in Tilcara or Humahuaca; in high season the Tilcara station often has lines late in the day.
• Driving: avoid driving after dark, slow down for loose llamas, donkeys and cattle, and go easy on the engine on the climbs to Lipán and the Hornocal.
• Paperwork: some agencies offer no roadside assistance on roads such as the one to Iruya, so ask before you sign. Major international brands also don't let their cars leave Argentina.

April to November is the dry season, with clear skies and firm gravel roads. In summer, December to March, it rains more: the Hornocal road can deteriorate, access to the Garganta del Diablo gets harder and it's smart to keep a spare day. July and Easter week are the busiest times, and in 2027 the Quebrada's Carnival runs from Saturday, February 6 to Sunday, February 14, with lodging in high demand. Winter nights are very cold, so pack proper layers even though the midday sun is strong.

With five days you can add Salta city and follow our Salta and Jujuy in 5 days plan. With a week or more, the 7-10 day northern Argentina road trip adds Cafayate and Cachi. To build your own trip, our things to do in Jujuy list has 22 highlights, including Iruya, the cloud forest and the high Puna. The big picture is in our Quebrada de Humahuaca guide.