Salta’s best full-day excursions pack serious bang for your buck. Our favorite is the Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca combo – you’ll get jaw-dropping salt flats and the famous “Hill of Seven Colors” in one day. The Cafayate wine route delivers excellent tastings and dramatic red-rock formations, while the Hornocal tour takes you to Argentina’s most photogenic mountain range.
For nature buffs, the 4×4 trip through Yungas and El Rey National Park offers wildlife spotting and pristine jungle landscapes. These tours typically run 8-12 hours and include transportation, though bus rides can be long on mountain roads.
Let’s explore these tours in detail to help you pick the perfect match.
Good To Know
- The Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca Tour offers a full-day excursion from Salta Capital with transportation, meals, and knowledgeable guides, though long bus rides are a concern.
- The Hornocal and Purmamarca Excursion provides a 13-15 hour tour with scenic highlights and a limited group size, but communication and pricing issues have been reported.
- The Salinas Grandes Full-Day Tour focuses on the world’s second-largest salt flat, with hotel pickup and scenic mountain routes, though no English-speaking guide is provided.
- The Cafayate Full-Day Excursion takes visitors to the renowned wineries and landscapes of Cafayate, with air-conditioned transportation and a winery visit, but limited reviews highlight some concerns.
- The Yungas and El Rey National Park Tour offers a 4×4 full-day adventure exploring the Yungas region and El Rey National Park, promising an immersive experience in northern Argentina’s wilderness.
Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca: Full Day Excursion From Salta Capital
This full-day excursion from Salta Capital takes travelers to the stunning Salinas Grandes, the vast salt flats of northwestern Argentina.
The tour includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi, breakfast, and lunch. Pickup is available within a 1 km radius of Plaza 9 de Julio, with a 7 am start time.
Though not wheelchair accessible, infant seats are provided. While reviews are mixed, many praise the knowledgeable guides and spectacular scenery.
However, some criticize the long bus rides and feeling rushed at stops. Priced at $31 per person with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, this tour offers a flexible and affordable way to explore the salt flats and the charming town of Purmamarca.
Read our full review: Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca: Full Day Excursion From Salta Capital Review
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Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca Full Day Tour From Salta
Departing early from Salta, this full-day tour takes visitors on a captivating journey to the awe-inspiring Salinas Grandes salt flats and the charming town of Purmamarca.
With a knowledgeable guide, travelers will witness the stunning white and blue salt ponds of Salinas Grandes, as well as the picturesque Lipan Slope.
In Purmamarca, they’ll explore the town’s colorful Serranias del Hornocal.
The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transportation, and a maximum of 30 travelers.
While most reviewers praise the tour’s scenic highlights and guide performance, some note issues with communication and tour length.
The operator acknowledges this feedback and aims to address these concerns for future improvements.
Read our full review: Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca Full Day Tour From Salta Review
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Full Day Excursion to Hornocal / Purmamarca / Humahuaca
A full-day excursion takes travelers on a captivating journey through the stunning landscapes of Hornocal, Purmamarca, and Humahuaca.
Over 13-15 hours, the group tour with a maximum of 23 visitors explores the town of Purmamarca, the Mirador de las Serranias del Hornocal, and the historic town of Humahuaca with its Church of the People and Hill of Seven Colors.
Pickup is available from hotels within 1 km of the Tiamar Travel agency, or at the alternative meeting point.
The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle and all fees, but meals aren’t provided.
While reviews are generally positive, some travelers have noted pricing discrepancies compared to the Viator platform.
Read our full review: Full Day Excursion to Hornocal / Purmamarca / Humahuaca Review
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Full Day Excursion to Salinas Grandes From Salta
Salta’s vast Salinas Grandes, the second-largest salt flat in the world, serve as the centerpiece of this immersive full-day excursion.
Operated by Luna Roja, the tour starts early with hotel pickup and takes travelers through scenic mountain roads to the salt flats and the village of Purmamarca.
The air-conditioned vehicle accommodates up to 15 guests, though infants must sit on laps.
Despite the English tour booking, there’s no English-speaking guide.
Reviews highlight the awesome locations, professional drivers, and timely pickup, though the lack of a guide may be a drawback for some.
Priced at $84.58 per person, the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Read our full review: Full Day Excursion to Salinas Grandes From Salta Review
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Full Day Excursion to Cafayate From Salta
From Salta, this full-day excursion takes travelers to the picturesque town of Cafayate, renowned for its world-class wineries and stunning natural landscapes.
Operated by Luna Roja, the tour offers an air-conditioned vehicle transportation and a visit to a local winery. At $69 per person, the tour accommodates a maximum of 15 travelers, though the actual group size may vary.
While the tour is stroller-accessible, it isn’t wheelchair-friendly, and infants must sit on laps.
Though the overall rating is 3.0 based on limited reviews, the host acknowledges the feedback and is committed to enhancing the customer experience through operational changes.
Read our full review: Full Day Excursion to Cafayate From Salta Review
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Yungas and El Rey National Park 4×4 Full Day Tour From Salta
The Yungas and El Rey National Park 4×4 Full Day Tour from Salta offers adventurous travelers a chance to explore the rugged beauty of northern Argentina’s Yungas region.
Departing from Salta, the tour takes guests through the mountains to El Rey National Park, where they’ll meet a park ranger and hike the Popayan trail, crossing streams and rivers.
Highlights include observing marine life, visiting a waterfall known for its local otters, and spotting diverse wildlife like tapirs and pumas.
With a professional guide, air-conditioned 4×4 vehicle, and included lunch, this full-day excursion promises an immersive experience in Argentina’s stunning wilderness.
Read our full review: Yungas and El Rey National Park 4×4 Full Day Tour From Salta Review
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Tobacco Route Full Day Tour From Salta
Departing from Salta, this full-day tour immerses travelers in the rich history and stunning landscapes of the Tobacco Route.
Led by a professional guide, the tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, and visits to key sites along the route.
Participants will explore the region’s tobacco cultivation, learn about its cultural significance, and admire the natural beauty of the Calchaquí Valleys.
The tour is suitable for most travelers, though it’s not wheelchair accessible.
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours prior to the start time, providing flexibility for guests.
At ₹19,790.01 per person, this tour offers a comprehensive experience of the Tobacco Route in northern Argentina.
Read our full review: Tobacco Route Full Day Tour From Salta Review
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The Sum Up
The best full-day tours in Salta include excursions to Salinas Grandes, Purmamarca, Hornocal, Cafayate, Yungas, and the Tobacco Route. These tours offer a diverse range of natural landscapes, cultural experiences, and outdoor activities. Visitors can explore salt flats, colorful mountains, national parks, and traditional artisanal production sites. With a variety of options, travelers can choose the tour that best suits their interests and preferences.