To climb the Cuesta de Lipán, an ascent of 2 192m from Purmamarca up to the high plateaux, you head into the multi-coloured mountains before entering a verdant canyon bisected by an incredible winding road. The climb ends at the highest point of the route, the Abra de Potrerillos, standing 4 170m above sea level, where you may encounter indigenous people engraving stones for tourists, and chewing coca leaves to stave off altitude sickness.