Hill of the Seven Colors, Mountain range in Purmamarca, Argentina
The Cerro de los Siete Colores is a mountain range that rises directly behind the village of Purmamarca in the Jujuy province of northwestern Argentina. Its rock face is made up of stacked layers in shades of red, orange, yellow, green and brown, all visible from the main square of the village below.
The colored layers of the mountain were formed roughly 75 million years ago, when different minerals and sediments were deposited one on top of another by water and natural erosion. Each layer reflects a different mineral composition, which is what gives them their distinct shades today.
The name Cerro de los Siete Colores simply means "Hill of the Seven Colors" in Spanish, and the layers of red, orange, yellow, green and brown make the reason obvious at first glance. Local vendors set up their stalls near the base of the hill, selling woven textiles and handmade crafts while the mountain looms visibly in the background.
The mountain is clearly visible from the main road and village square of Purmamarca without needing to enter any paid site. Those who want a closer look can follow the Camino de los Colorados, a simple trail that loops around the hills and can be done on foot, by bike or by car.
The colors of the rock face shift noticeably depending on the time of day, with the reds appearing much deeper in the early morning and just before sunset. Photographers often visit twice in the same day to catch both lighting conditions.
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