How To Visit El Hornocal, Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain
Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain is seemingly the hidden gem of South America, especially when compared to Peru’s Rainbow Mountain. Serranía de Hornocal, or El Hornocal for short, is a stunning 14-color mountain located just outside of the town of Humahuaca in the Jujuy province of Northern Argentina.
The 14 colors of El Hornacal seem like one of the area’s best-kept secrets. It wasn’t until our recent trip to Argentina that we discovered this beautiful place and the quaint town it sits outside of.
Now, El Hornocal is not the quickest place to get to, and maybe the adventure there makes Rainbow Mountain even that much more special to see.
After spending a few days in Humahuaca and visiting El Hornocal, we’re here to give you all you need to know, like how to get there, the best time to visit, entrance fees, and so much more!
Sure, it takes some planning to visit El Hornocal, but once you’re there, you’ll be left utterly speechless. Few places on earth are as unbelievable as El Hornocal.
So, let’s get to it, shall we!?
How To Visit El Hornocal, Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain
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Where Is Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain Located?
Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain, El Hornocal, is located within Quebrada de Humahuaca, a narrow, arid mountain valley located in Northern Argentina.
In fact, in 2003, Quebrada de Humahuaca was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its beauty and cultural significance as being an ancient trade route of the Inca Empire.
El Hornocal is 16 miles (25 km) outside the closest town, Humahuaca, which is located 2 hours south of the Bolivian border and 4 hours north of Salta in the Jujuy Province of Argentina.
How To Get To El Hornocal, Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain
The first step in getting to El Hornocal is getting to the town of Humahuaca.
Once in Humahuaca, you’ll drive on a gravel road leading east out of town for about 45 minutes (25 km / 16 miles). The gravel road winds past high desert hillsides of cacti before climbing into the mountains.
Eventually, the road reaches the entrance to El Hornocal and ends shortly after in its parking lot. It’s here, in the parking lot, that you’ll be greeted with your first views of El Hornocal!
But let’s discuss the various ways to get to Humahuaca and the options for getting to El Hornocal once you’re there.
For a list of things to do in Humahuaca, check out our latest travel guide!
Visiting El Hornocal From Humahuaca Via Tour
The most common and popular way to get to El Hornocal from Humahuaca is by tour.
At the town’s Bus Terminal, you’ll find several guides offering to take tourists to “Serrania del Hornocal.” In general, tours from Humahuaca to El Hornocal are offered four times a day: 10 AM, 12:30 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM.
Costing around 1,500 pesos per person, the driver waits until they have a full car, generally 4-5 people, or a minivan for around 7 people.
Once at El Hornocal, the driver will give you 45 minutes to one hour to walk around and get as many pictures as your heart desires.
After your time is up, the driver will take you and your group back down to Humahuaca.
Alternatively, if you don’t feel like walking to the Bus Terminal to reserve a tour to El Hornocal, you can work directly with your accommodation in Humahuaca to reserve a ride and time.
Renting A Car to Visit El Hornocal
What we did! We picked up a rental car from the airport in Salta, Argentina, as we had a little road trip planned in Northern Argentina to explore Cafayate, Humahuaca, and drive the scenic Quebrada De Las Conchas.
If you have the time, we highly recommend renting a car and road-tripping Northern Argentina.
We’re always in favor of renting a car because it allows us to avoid being on a group tour schedule. We can leave when we want, stay as long as we want, and make any stops along the way.
Driving in Argentina, specifically to Humahuaca and up to El Hornocal, was super easy! Oh, and using your GPS will take you right to the entrance of El Hornocal, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost.
Just be sure to download a map to use offline, as reception becomes non-existent once you leave the town limits of Humahuaca.
Visitng El Hornocal from Purmamarca and Tilcara
For those who are staying in the nearby towns of Purmamarca and Tilcara, making a day trip to El Hornocal is fairly easy and straightforward!
For things to do in Purmamarca and Tilcara, read our list of things to do!
Local buses take commuters to and from the towns within Quebrada de Humahuaca Valley, making it easy to make a day trip to Humahuaca by yourself.
- Tilcara is 40 minutes by bus to Humahuaca, and the tickets cost roughly $2-$3 USD.
- Purmamarca is a little further from Humahuaca. It takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes and costs around $3-$4 USD.
Buses are relatively frequent between the towns, but your best bet on understanding the bus schedule is to check with your accommodation in either Tilicara or Purmamarca.
Once you arrive at the Humahuaca Bus Terminal from either Tilicara or Purmamarca, you can arrange a tour directly with one of the eager tour guides who are waiting for you to get off the bus.
Visiting El Horonocol From Salta
If you’re staying in Salta and are determined to make a trip to Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain, El Hornocal, then rest assured all day tours from Salta to see El Hornocal are possible.
This will be a FULL day tour, but so worth it to see El Hornocal 🙂
Now, Salta is every bit of a 4 to 5-hour drive to get to El Hornocal. So, if you can, plan to break your visit up into 2 days and plan to stay the night in Humahuaca.
If you’re able to turn this into an overnight stay, you can book round-trip bus tickets through BusBud from Salta to Humahuaca.
It’s a darling little town that is well worth the visit.
Best Time To Visit Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain
In general, the best time to visit Northern Argentina is spring (September – November) or autumn (March – May) due to the less likely chance of rain.
However, we visited El Hornocal in January, and while January is Argentina’s summer and rainy season, we ran into no issues. Sure, it was overcast, so we didn’t get to see the sunset, but the colors and mountain were still drop-dead gorgeous nonetheless!
Speaking of sunset! El Hornocal is the prettiest from 4 PM onward, when the western sun hits the mountain, bringing out its vivid colors.
El Hornocal Entrance Fee + Hours of Operation
Once you arrive at the top, each person is expected to pay 500 pesos (0.50 USD), which goes to the community of families who own the land.
According to the sign at the entrance, El Hornocal is open from 10 AM and closes at 6 PM. And we can attest to the 6 PM closure.
While it’s not a prompt 6 PM closure, the family does come to the parking lot and starts to kindly ask people to wrap it up and head home.
What Is The Elevation Of El Hornocal?
14,272 feet or 4,350 meters. So yeah, El Hornocal is up there! And the best part is you literally can drive to it. No hiking up steep grades or switchbacks is required, which is ah-maze-ing!
You simply park your car, get out, and BOOM, there she is.
Because of El Hornocal’s elevation, it is cold even in the summer. So even if it’s 90+ degrees in Humahuaca, you’ll need to bring at least a jacket with you during your visit.
As we said previously, we visited during Argentina’s summer, and we both could have used hats and gloves—it was that cold! But we made do with a jacket and blasted the heat when we got back into our rental car.
Also, we should stress that due to the elevation, the air is thin and can be hard to breathe or catch your breath.
You should plan to take it slow and only walk to the viewpoint if you are physically able to. If you’re worried, stay in the parking lot and enjoy the views from there.
What To Do At El Hornocal, Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain
Now, the list of things to do at El Hornocal is pretty short and simple. All of the below can be completed during the 45-minute to 1-hour allotment tour companies give you.
And, of course, if you drive yourself, you’ll have plenty more time for these activities, and you’ll be able to enjoy El Hornocal practically to yourself once the tours leave.
Take In The Views Of Cuesta de Aparzo
This can be done either on your way up to El Hornocal or on your way back down to Humahuaca.
As you’re driving on the road to El Hornocal, near the top, you’ll see a pull-off that offers exceptional views of the valley and Cuesta de Aparzo, the curvy mountain road that you are driving on.
Tours tend to stop here, and if you have a rental car, you can simply pull over, take in the views, and snap a few photos before continuing on to El Hornocal.
Enjoy The Views From The Parking Lot (Mirador A La Cercanía Del Hornocal)
One of the best things about visiting Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain, El Hornocal, is that it requires minimal to no physical effort to reach the 14,000+ ft mountain.
Once you arrive and park, El Hornocal is literally sprawled out in front of you past a field of sagebrush. You don’t have to leave the parking lot to see its 14 colors and enjoy the views!
This is so nice for those who visit and have issues with elevation or trouble walking.
At the end of the parking lot, there is a stone wall that you can lean or sit on to enjoy the views.
There is also a placard that provides some information on the 14-colored mountain. The placard is in Spanish, so if you cannot read Spanish, be sure to download Google Translate.
Oh, and don’t forget to snap a photo of the elevation sign while you are here, too!
Walk The Path To The Viewpoint (Mirador Bajo Del Hornocal)
For those who want to get closer to El Hornocal, simply follow the dirt trail down to a rocky outcrop that places you smack dab in front of El Hornocal with unrestricted views.
The path is a hike down, so just remember that you’ll have to hike up.
With the elevation you’re at, breathing can be a problem for some, so just be cautious. It’s also worth noting that there are signs that warn you to take it slow, as altitude sickness is a very real thing, and medical attention may not be possible.
We made it down and up with no problems, and if you feel up for the hike, it’s well worth it! The trail offers so many different views that you just don’t get from the parking lot, so again, if you can handle it, do it!
In total, the hike from the parking lot to the viewpoint below is a little less than 1 mile round trip.
See How Many Vicuñas You Can Spot
If you’re lucky, you’ll see a herd of Vicuñas (relatives of the Alpacca family) grazing in the sagebrush and skipping along the hillsides.
This will make your visit to El Hornocal that much more special and add to the place’s picturesqueness.
No trip to Northern Argentina is complete without spotting Alpacca or Vicuñas!
What To Pack and Bring To El Hornocal
- Jacket/Sweatshirt: Again it’s cold up there and windy! Definitely do not come up in shorts and a T-shirt. You’ll freeze your butt off! If you have it, pants, a hat, gloves, etc., are all recommended to keep you comfortable at the high elevation.
- Water: Always a good idea to stay hydrated, especially at high altitudes!
- Camera: Duh, right? If you have a Zoom lens, definitely bring it.
- Sunglasses: It’s bright, and you should protect those eyeballs!
- Sunscreen: Ya’ll, the sun is a BEAST at high altitudes. Lather up and protect your skin.
- Motion Sickness Meds: If you get car sick, it may be a good idea to take some motion sickness medicine before heading up, as the last push to El Hornocal gets pretty curvy.
How Was El Hornocal Formed / How Did It Get 14 Colors?
For those of you wondering how it’s possible for a mountain to have 14 colors, we’ll let us tell you!
Millions of years ago, El Hornocal was once under the sea. Each different color on the mountain represents a different mineral composition that was compounded and settled over many millennia. And thanks to years of erosion, we now can see each different colorful layer of the mineral limestone.
Where To Stay in Humahuaca
Humahuaca is the closest town to El Hornocal, making it the perfect place to stay for the night or for a few days.
You won’t find any 5-star accommodations in Humahuaca, but places like La Chakana Humahuaca, Tikay Humahuaca, Cabaña Kenty Wasy, Hotel Boutique Urku Wasi, and Cielo Arriba Casa offer comfortable and authentic stays in the high-elevation town.
And for those looking for a hostel stay, Buena Vista Hostel and Giramundo Hostel are also wonderful places to call home while in Humahuaca.
Want More Information on Argentina!?
16 Things To Do in Humahuaca: The Best Town in Jujuy, Argentina
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Iguazu Falls
How to Spend 2 Weeks in Argentina
15 Things To Know Before Visiting Argentina
How To Spend 3 Days In Mendoza
An Itinerary For Three Days in Buenos Aires
Your Guide to Driving Scenic Quebrada De Las Conchas
The Best 2 Day Itinerary To Iguazu Falls
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Happy Travels,
– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stu’s)
