When most people visit Northern Argentina, they are looking for incredible views, amazing architecture, delicious food and a bit of adventure. Not to mention that less than two-hour drive from Salta lies a place you’ve only ever seen in postcards: Hornocal. Seeing the colorful mountain is like diving into nature’s painting palette, and this is a world-renowned wonder that you should experience yourself.

Located in the Yungas mountains, Hornocal’s peak stands an impressive elevations of 4,795 meters above sea level. This peak is special not only due to its impressive height, but also because of its multicolored strata that form an incredible rainbow of shades. With an elevation change of nearly one mile, seeing the effects of natural erosion on these mountains takes your breath away. People that make the journey to Hornocal usually combine it with a tour along the Humuaca Gorge and its incredible natural formations.

So, what should you know before planning your trip to Hornocal? Read ahead and learn everything you need to know about touring this beautiful mountain range.

Exploring Hornocal: The 14 Colours Mountains

Hornocal is a natural protected area full of fascinating rock formations and it is considered a living example of geological evolution over due to the intricate design and color patterns you’ll find. This geological wonder includes 11 different shades which could range from yellow to grey and limestone green. When talking about their altitude, the reddish, orange and yellow tinges are located at lower altitudes – between 4,000 and 4,700 meters, while the darker shades (grey, purple and black) can be found up to 4,795 meters above sea level.

The views you can experience here are breathtaking. During the day, you will witness the contrast between both red and orange climbers that are illuminated by the golden sun rays – the entire experience is truly out of this world. However, when night comes, the stars fill up the sky like never before – this is something that rarely happens in urban regions where light pollution is common.

The journey to this multicolored mountain top takes around 3 hours and offers stunning scenery that quickly changes and adds atmosphere to your day trip. The vehicle route has some steep points and one particularly unforgettable site is known as “Garganta del diablo” (Devil’s Throat), a dramatic vertical sinkhole with walls up to 400 meters high where you will feel like you’ve left your world behind.

Seeing Humahuaca´s Gorge

Even though this destination is often mistaken as part of “Quebrada de Humahuaca” (a gorge located in Jujuy), what people actually visit when they come here belongs to Salta province and is about 110 km away from Purmamarca. This route toward Hornocal makes it possible to appreciate this region’s ageless beauty from a different perspective – and yes, it is 100% possible to visit both places in one single day if on an organized tour.

Quebrada de Humahuaca is assigned by UNESCO as an example of cultural diversity in all its beauty and wonders. This gorge is up to 150 kilometers long and it crosses a few towns like Purmamarca, Tilcara, Maimará, Huacalera and Humahuaca. Each one of these towns offers its own magic which could range from architectural structures like churches and temples, to natural humbling views that take you right back to centuries ago. Of course, traditional products like jewelry made out of stones and salt should be included in your trip while visiting Quebrada de Humahuaca that are colorful enough to captivate tourists visiting the area.

Whether you decide to explore both destinations on your own or book a tour with an organized group, Hornocal and Quebrada de Humahuaca should not be walks away from you bucket list when visiting Argentina. Get ready to travel into the unknown while exploring stunning landscapes first-hand!

If you are interested in exploring Hornocal: The 14 Colors Mountain & Humahuaca´s Gorge in Salta, then visiting GetYourGuide is the perfect place for a one-stop shop for all things travel. They have amazing day tours where you can explore Hornocal: The 10 Color Mountains & Humahuaca´s Gorge for a really affordable price. Booking through GetYourGuide means you’ll have access to tranquil moments such as taking in views from any one of the unique lookout points that make this tour so special. What’s more, you will be able to explore both Salta cities: San Salvador de Jujuy and Purmamarca while discovering colonial architecture, archaeological sites and so much more with an expert guide. You can rest assured that no two tours with GetYourGuide are the same – so immerse yourself in something truly authentic – booking a Hornocal tour with GetYourGuide – will guarantee an experience like no other!