Salinas Grandes, Jujuy
Salinas Grandes from Salta, through Purmamarca and the Cuesta de Lipán.
A private minibus with a professional driver, from your hotel in Salta or from Salta airport to the Salinas Grandes salt flat. We take the road through Jujuy: Purmamarca, then RN 52 over the Cuesta de Lipán. As a long day trip, or with a night in Purmamarca, for families, groups and travel agencies.
The route
Road, distance and time from Salta
Salinas Grandes is a salt flat of about 212 sq km shared by Jujuy and Salta, at an average altitude of 3,450 m. From Purmamarca, RN 52 climbs the Cuesta de Lipán to about 4,170 m and comes down onto the salt flat.
| Leg | Road, approximate distance and drive time, altitude |
|---|---|
| Salta city to Purmamarca | About 188 km and 2 h 50 min on the toll highway through San Salvador de Jujuy (RN 9, RN 34 and RN 66), then north on RN 9 to Purmamarca, at 2,324 m. |
| Purmamarca to Salinas Grandes | About 66 km and 1 h 25 min west on RN 52, a paved road. The highest point is the pass at the top of the Cuesta de Lipán, at about 4,170 m. |
| Salta city to Salinas Grandes | About 255 km and 4 h 10 min one way, so about 510 km and more than eight hours of driving for the round trip, before any stop. |
| Salta airport (SLA) to Salinas Grandes | About 258 km and 4 h 20 min one way: the airport is about 11 km from the city center. |
Distances and times are Google Maps estimates read on 10 October 2026, without stops. The 66 km from Purmamarca, the 4,170 m pass, the 3,450 m altitude and the 212 sq km are those published by Argentina's national tourism board.
Altitude
From 1,200 m to 4,170 m in one morning
This is the highest of the classic day trips out of Salta. The city is at about 1,200 m, Purmamarca at 2,324 m, the Cuesta de Lipán pass at about 4,170 m and the salt flat at about 3,450 m. Most of the climb comes in the hour after Purmamarca.
- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that above about 2,440 m (8,000 ft) travelers may feel altitude illness. Going up for the day and sleeping lower is one of the patterns the CDC suggests, and it is what a day trip from Salta or from Purmamarca does.
- The usual signs are headache, tiredness, loss of appetite and nausea. Someone whose symptoms get worse should go lower: on this route, that means driving back down towards Purmamarca.
- The CDC also advises no alcohol and no heavy exercise in the first 48 hours at altitude.
- Travelers with heart or lung conditions, and pregnant travelers, should talk to a doctor before the trip.
We take the climb at an easy pace and stop when the group needs to. If someone is not doing well, we turn back.
Planning
A long day, or a night in Purmamarca
Day trip from Salta. Salta, Purmamarca, Salinas Grandes and back is a full day: more than eight hours of driving before the stops. It works with an early start.
With a night in Purmamarca. Splitting the trip leaves time for the village and for the salt flat without hurry. Argentina's tourism board suggests staying at the salt flat until the end of the day for the sunset, which only makes sense if the group sleeps in Purmamarca, not in Salta.
Combined with the Quebrada. Purmamarca is also the door to Tilcara and Humahuaca: see Salta to Purmamarca, Tilcara and Humahuaca for a trip of two or three days.
What to bring. The tourism board recommends warm clothes, sunglasses and a hat or cap: the climate is arid, with a wide gap between day and night temperatures, and the white salt reflects the sun. December to March is the rainy season.
The vehicle
What you get, and what you do not
- A private 19-seat minibus for the group, with a professional driver; a group of 4 to 10 travels with room to spare, and larger groups travel in additional minibuses
- Or a 4x4 pickup, chosen for the group; vehicles prepared for altitude
- Pickup at your hotel in Salta or at Salta airport
- Air conditioning in every vehicle, and each vehicle checked before it leaves
- Stops chosen by the group: Purmamarca, the viewpoints of the Cuesta de Lipán, the salt flat
- Factura A for Argentine companies and agencies
- Not a guided tour: the driver knows the road but is not a licensed guide
- Drivers work in Spanish; an English-speaking driver on request, subject to availability
Luggage space in a minibus is limited: CNRT rules do not allow large suitcases or bags that block the aisle. If the trip is also a transfer with luggage, tell us how many suitcases the group carries.
How to book
What to send for a quote
- The date, and whether it is a day trip from Salta or a trip with a night in Purmamarca.
- Where the trip starts and ends: the hotel, or the flight number and arrival time at Salta airport.
- How many people are traveling, and how many suitcases if there is luggage on board.
- Anything the group needs us to know about altitude or health.
- A name and a contact for the booking.
We price the whole vehicle for the route, not per seat, and we do not publish prices: each trip depends on the route, the dates and the vehicle it needs.
Frequently asked questions
What groups ask about Salinas Grandes
Can we do Salinas Grandes in one day from Salta?
Yes. It is a long day: about 510 km round trip and more than eight hours of driving before the stops (Google Maps estimate). An early start leaves time at Purmamarca and on the salt flat.
Which way do you go?
Through Jujuy: the highway to San Salvador de Jujuy, RN 9 north to Purmamarca, and RN 52 over the Cuesta de Lipán to the salt flat. It is paved the whole way.
Can we go through San Antonio de los Cobres instead?
Yes, on request. The salt flat can also be reached from the Salta side, through San Antonio de los Cobres, a town at about 3,775 m in the Puna of Salta. It is a higher and longer day; this page describes the route through Purmamarca. Ask for either when you write.
How high does it get, and is that a problem?
The pass reaches about 4,170 m and the salt flat sits at about 3,450 m. Most people feel the altitude; headache and tiredness are common. Going up for the day and sleeping lower is the pattern the CDC suggests. If anyone has a heart or lung condition, or is pregnant, they should ask a doctor first.
Can you collect us at Salta airport and go to the salt flat on the way to Purmamarca?
It is possible, but it means going from the plane to more than 4,000 m in a few hours. Many travelers prefer a first night in Purmamarca (2,324 m) and the salt flat the next morning. Tell us your flight and we plan it with you.
Is this a guided tour?
No. It is a private vehicle with a professional driver who knows the road. If you want a licensed guide, say so when you ask for the quote and we will tell you what is possible.
Do you publish prices?
No. The price is for the whole vehicle and depends on the route, the dates, the number of passengers and the vehicle the trip needs. Send those and we send you the price.
More routes
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Lausof SRL is a family-owned transport company based in Salta, carrying passengers since 2010, with CNRT license No. 60284. About the company.
Updated 10 October 2026.
Planning Salinas Grandes?
Tell us the date, where the trip starts and ends, how many people are traveling, and a name and contact for the booking. We usually reply with the quote the same business day.
English inquiries: write to contacto@lausof.com or send a WhatsApp message to +54 9 387 526-9009. We reply in English by email or WhatsApp. Phone calls are answered in Spanish.
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