Which Is The Best Rainbow Mountain In Argentina?
Argentina has two ‘Rainbow Mountains’ in the north west of the country.
One in the town of Purmamarca and the other in the town of Humahuaca – both on Route 9.
The one in Purmamarca is called ‘The Hill of 7 Colours’ or ‘Cerro de los Siete Colores, whereas the one in Humahuaca is known as ‘Serranias Del Hornocal’.
Which one is better?
The one in Humahuaca is better in my opinion. It’s much bigger and more colourful.
However, the one in Purmamarca is still cool and I always recommend visiting both as they are in the same region.
Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of both.
Humahuaca's Rainbow Mountain - El Hornocal
Known to locals as Serranias del Hornocal or Cerro de Los Catorce Colores. And to us foreigners it’s the ‘Hill of 14 Colours’.
Why 14 instead of 7? Well, they wanted to try and outdo the rival rainbow mountain in Purmamarca, and draw more tourism to the town.
Where is El Hornocal?
North Argentina, Jujuy Province, the closest town being Humahuaca. It’s a 30 minute drive from the town.
How To Get To El Hornocal?
It depends where you’re coming from but here are three recommendations:
From Humahuaca – book an overnight stay here as it’s the closest town, it is only a 30-minute drive to the top – including stops for pictures the tour will take 2-3 hours – we recommend 3 hours, so you have time to enjoy the view. You can book tours in town through your accommodation.
- Rent a car – the best place to rent a car is in Jujuy or Salta. If you are visiting from Salta, it is a 3-4-hour drive, and you can drive to the viewpoint yourself.
- Tour – you can book tours from Jujuy or Salta. They usually take you to several other stops along the way including Purmamarca.
For more information on Humahuaca and how to visit El Hornocal, check out the post below:
How Much Does It Cost To Visit El Hornocal?
Here’s how much it should cost for the three options:
- From Humahuaca – $5-10 for a tour which just includes a driver that takes you to the viewpoint and back.
- Car rental – start at around $50 per day. However, you may want to upgrade to a 4×4 which will cost more. It’s not necessary but it does give you peace of min when driving on some of the roads. If renting with 3 or 4 people, this is perfectly reasonable, especially if it’s only for a few days.
- Tours – tours from Salta or Jujuy start at around $45 but cost varies depending on the time of year
How High Is El Hornocal?
The viewpoint is at 4,300m (14,108 ft).
Take it slowly once you arrive, especially if you are feeling the effects of altitude sickness.
You’ll only be walking for around 5-10 minutes down the path, so you won’t be exerting yourself too much, and before you know it you will be back down in town at a much lower altitude.
Is El Hornocal Difficult To Climb?
There’s no trekking involved so visiting El Hornocal is super easy on the legs and lungs.
You drive all the way to the viewpoint, and there is one short path to a clearing for photos. The walk back is more demanding, up a small hill, but it’s not too long or difficult.
PATAGONIA...
is a must visit for travelers visiting Argentina. Check out these posts to help you plan a hassle-free trip:
“Joe turned our fragmented ideas into a seamless itinerary. His expert advice saved us time, money, and stress – making our time in Argentina unforgettable”
Sam & Amy – 1 Month In Argentina
Planning a trip to Argentina?
Are you struggling with any of this?
✔ Unsure how to pick the best route
✔ Spent hours researching… and still feeling lost
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo!
I help travellers like you plan custom Argentina trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
Did you know Argentina has its very own Salt Flat and Rainbow Mountain. These are two of the best sights in the country, hidden away in the north and well worth a visit. Check out these posts for more:
Purmamarca's Rainbow Mountain - The Hill Of 7 Colours
Known as Cerro de los Siete Colores which means the Hill of 7 Colours. The second Rainbow Mountain in the region is just as colourful and just as easy to visit.
Where Is The Hill Of 7 Colours?
North Argentina, Jujuy Province, in the town of Purmamarca.
How To Get To The Hill Of 7 Colours?
The Hill of 7 Colours surrounded the town or Purmamarca, so all you need to do is get here.
Similarly to El Hornocal, it’s possible to visit from several towns and cities in the region.
Here are my three recommendations below:
- From Purmamarca – from the main town, it’s only a 10-minute walk! You can see the mountain from everywhere in town, so just head towards it to find the paths. Book an overnight stay for the best experience.
- Rent a car – You can rent cars in Salta or Jujuy. I always use Discover Cars to find the cheapest prices. Purmamarca is a 2-3-hour drive from Salta. You can park up in town and then walk up to any of the viewpoints from town.
- Tour – You can also book a tour from Salta if you wish. Most tours will stop at Pumamarca and then carry on to Salinas Grandes (the salt flats). This is a great tour from Salta if you don’t want to rent a car
If you are staying in Salta you can take a day tour to see both mountains. Check out our guide for all the information you need:
How High Is Cerro De Los Siete Colores?
Purmamarca is 2,324 m (7,625 ft) above sea level, and it’s possible to see the mountains at this altitude.
Is Cerro De Los Siete Colores Difficult To Climb?
Nope it’s an easy walk.
Hiking the trails will lead you to climb between 20m to 1,000m (66 ft to 3,300 ft) which at this altitude should be manageable.
From town it’s possible to hike up the mountains as well as to viewpoints.
These treks range from 10 minutes to an hour depending on which you take. It’s also possible to hike up the mountain itself which takes an hour or so.
The Paseo de los Colorados is a popular 3km loop that takes you around the mountain. It takes an hour and is considered an easy route.
Renting A Car In Salta
There’s no reason you can’t drive to both of these towns yourself.
Car rental is popular in the north of Argentina, as it’s set up perfectly for road trips. So this is a great option to do things on your own terms.
The biggest hub for renting a car is from Salta, but you will also be able to find companies in Jujuy.
Renting a car is also a great way to explore the entire north-west region of Argentina and visit the other unique towns along Route 9 such as Tilcara and Cafayate.
I always use Discover Cars to find the best rental prices when travelling Argentina:
When Is The Best Time To Visit North West Argentina?
The best time to visit north west Argentina is in dry season – April to October.
Northern Argentina has a subtropical climate, so it remains warm all year round.
However, in the dry season, temperatures will be cooler as it’s technically winter in Argentina, and you won’t have to worry about rain affecting your day trips to the mountains.
The rainy season is December to March, but this is also summer, meaning it can be super hot and humid.
To be honest, you can visit all year round. I went in February and the weather was terrific.
You might just have to be lucky or patient with the weather and visit when it isn’t rainy.
To see how Humahuaca and El Hornocal fit into a wider north Argentina itinerary, check out our post below:
Argentina Itineraries
How many days do you need in Argentina? Whether it’s 7 days, 3 weeks or 1 month, I’ve created pre-made itineraries to suit every schedule and traveler.
Check out these posts to help you plan a hassle-free trip:
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the expensive price tag!
Maeve & Martin – 3 Weeks In Argentina
Planning a trip to Argentina?
Are you struggling with any of this?
✔ Unsure how to pick the best route
✔ Spent hours researching… and still feeling lost
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo!
I help travellers like you plan custom Argentina trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
Argentina FAQ's
Here’s a list of frequently asked questions about Argentina:
Do I Need Travel Insurance For Argentina?
Yes, you 100% need travel insurance when visiting Argentina or anywhere in South America.
You need to protect yourself against any potential medical issues that could occur whilst away.
SafetyWing is my go to company when looking for travel medical insurance. They focus on long-term travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers.
SafetyWing covers medical emergencies, travel delays, and lost baggage, but it’s geared towards those who travel for extended periods or live abroad.
What's The Best SIM card for Argentina?
I don’t recommend buying a physical SIM card for Argentina. It’s much easier to download an e-SIM instead.
An e-SIM is a digital SIM card that can be downloaded to your phone via an app. All you do is download the app, pay for the data and you’ll have data in no time.
My preferred e-SIM company is Airalo
How Do You Get Around Argentina?
Buses will be the cheapest way of getting around, but due to the large distances needed to travel, many of these will be overnight buses.
For example, a bus from Buenos Aires to Mendoza takes around 15 hours with prices starting at around $50.
Here are some average bus times:
- Buenos Aires > Iguazu – 17h
- Buenos Aires > Mendoza – 15h
- Buenos Aires > Salta – 21h
- Buenos Aires > Bariloche – 22h
Due to the price and time, I always recommend looking at flights first. If you book early enough, you’ll be able to find return flights for roughIy the same price as the bus and save yourself a lot of time.
For shorter journeys (1-6 hours), the bus will be the better option. For example, if you are travelling around the northwest (Salta region), buses are super cheap.
I always use Busbud to check times and find the best prices:
Are Flights Cheap In Argentina?
Flying is one of the easiest ways to travel around Argentina. Return flights can be cheap if booked in advance, and they will save you a lot of time.
Here are some average flight times:
- Buenos Aires > Iguazu – 1h 50m
- Buenos Aires > Mendoza – 1h 55m
- Buenos Aires > Bariloche – 2h 15m
- Buenos Aires > El Calafate – 3h 20m
- Buenos Aires > Ushuaia – 3h 30m
I always use Way Away Plus to find the cheapest flights and you get cashback every time you book!
What's The Best Backpack For Argentina?
I would recommend taking between 50-70L for your big backpack and 30-40L for a day pack when travelling Argentina.
The extra space in your big backpack will be for your hiking boots and other warm weather gear when you aren’t wearing it. Your day pack will be for your tech such as a laptop and other important items you want to keep safe such as a camera, passport, money etc.
Here are my current backpacks that I use to travel Argentina:
Best Beginner Backpack For Argentina
Osprey are the best brand when it comes to backpacks.
In my opinion, the best beginner backpack is the Osprey Farpoint 50-70L.
It’s reasonably priced, comfortable and has a good amount of space. It’s perfect for first time backpackers visiting Argentina.
It also comes with a 15L detachable day pack which saves you having to buy a separate one.
If you want a wheeled hybrid, then the Sojourn is a great option. They have three different size options from 60-80L.
Best Daypack For Argentina
My go-to daypack is the North Face Router.
It has a 40-liter capacity, is water-repellent, and can fit laptops up to 17”.
For a 40L backpack with loads of compartments and storage, this is such a great price.
If you want something cheaper, you will have to go a bit smaller. The North Face Borealis is 30L and has a similar layout.
What Should I Pack For Argentina?
You need to pack warm and cold weather clothes for Argentina.
In the summer (Dec-March), Buenos Aires and the north will reach averages of 30°C (86°F). I was walking around Buenos Aires in a vest, shorts and sandals!
When you travel to Patagonia, it will get colder as you are so far south. So even if it’s summer, it will still get cold at night. Also, the weather is erratic and it can rain at any moment.
Therefore, you’ll need warm layers and a windbreaker. You’ll also need hiking boots if you want to complete any of the popular treks.
Here’s are some of my key clothing items to recently took to Argentina:
Warm Midlayer Fleece
This is an essential piece of kit for hiking but also for keeping you warm in the evenings.
Invest wisely in one of these as the more efficient it is, the warmer you will be.
I go with R1 Zip-Neck from Patagonia.
Top tip: this is last seasons item now so you should be able to pick this up cheaper in the sales at places like REI
Waterproof Windbreaker
A waterproof is essential when trekking in the Andes to deal with the biting winds and rapidly changing weather.
I like to use the Patagonia TorrentShell 3L.
Its lightweight, warm and packable. The jacket self-stuffs into one of the handwarmer pockets with carabiner clip-in loop.
Waterproof Hiking Boots
Hiking boots are a must if you want to do any trekking in Argentina.
And fully waterproof and ankle high are essential for trekking in the Andes.
I wore a pair of these hiking some of the best trails in the world in Patagonia and they didn’t let me down!
I went into my local Mountain Warehouse and picked up a pair of these and they haven’t let me down since.
