This deep canyon located in the Argentine province of Jujuy is not only impressive for its natural landscapes but also for the fact that it is an area that has been inhabited by man for 10,000 years. It preserves great historical, social and cultural value, which is why it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its natural beauty and cultural importance. Here we share with you some of the places that you cannot miss in the Quebrada de Humahuaca.
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Travelling through the Quebrada
The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a narrow and arid mountain valley with an approximate length of 155 km, crossed by the Río Grande.
You can travel along National Route 9 starting from San Salvador de Jujuy (40 km away) or from the City of Salta (190 km away). There are also several buses (collectives) that connect the towns of the ravine daily from San Salvador de Jujuy. Traveling along National Route 9, we can visit the following towns: Volcán, Tumbaya, Purmamarca, Maimará, Tilcara, Juella, El Perchel, Huacalera, Uquía and Humahuaca.
Of course, there are also organized excursions, generally full-day excursions that tour the ravine.
Purmamarca
Purmamarca is a small town known for its scenic beauty, its traditional architecture and its proximity to the famous Quebrada de Humahuaca.
Church of Santa Rosa de Lima
It is the town church, and it is a historical construction that dates back to the 18th-century. It is an example of colonial architecture with austere lines that are extremely stripped of ornament and is part of the cultural attraction of Purmamarca. The chapel has the date 1648 engraved on the wooden lintel, which could be the date of its original construction since the church that we can visit today dates back to approximately 1778.
9th of July Square
This square is the center of the village and is a picturesque place with a mix of local crafts, shops and restaurants. It is a good place to explore everyday life and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Artisans Fair
Purmamarca has a lively artisans’ fair where you can buy local products, crafts and textiles typical of the region. It is a good place to experience local culture and buy souvenirs.
Cerro de los Siete Colores
Purmamarca is famous for the Cerro de los Siete Colores, a mountain formation that presents a various tones in its geological layers. This colorful landscape is a notable tourist attraction and is often associated with the visual identity of the region.
The tourist attraction par excellence in Purmamarca, in addition to its imposing Church, is the Cerro de los Siete Colores. There are several options for trekking, hiking and making the most of nature.
Paseo de los Colorados
It is a short circuit with a mountainous landscape that leaves anyone who visits it breathless. The Paseo de los Colorados extends behind Purmamarca, exploding in colors. It is only a 3-km tour of the town, but along the way you will be able to appreciate the unique geoforms.
It is undoubtedly a postcard of the natural beauty of Jujuy and Argentina with hills that draw almost unreal landscapes capable of captivating even the most knowledgeable traveler. This excursion occurs along a dirt track and ends behind the town, passing through the local cemetery.
Tilcara
A town with a rich history, Tilcara is home to the Pucará de Tilcara, an ancient pre-Inca fortress that offers panoramic views of the ravine. The town of Tilcara has a charming main street and a central plaza where you can stroll and enjoy the colonial architecture, as well as the local cafes, restaurants and craft shops.
Pucara de Tilcara
One of the main attractions of Tilcara is the Pucará de Tilcara, an ancient pre-Hispanic fortress that dates back more than 900 years.
This archeological site offers a fascinating insight into the life and architecture of the region’s ancient civilizations. It is striking how it is strategically located on top of a hill, which provides with defensive advantages and a panoramic view of the surrounding valley.
It is estimated that the Pucará de Tilcara was built by the Tilcarasic culture, one of the pre-Columbian cultures that inhabited the region between 1200 and 1480 AD. The Pucará de Tilcara has a series of architectural structures, including stone walls, terraces, ceremonial enclosures, homes and warehouses. In addition, evidence of irrigation and agricultural cultivation systems have been found in the surrounding area, suggesting that the site was an important military, agricultural and ceremonial center.
Dr. Eduardo Casanova Archaeological Museum
This museum exhibits an interesting collection of archaeological artifacts from the region, including ceramics, tools and objects from daily life of the pre-Columbian cultures that inhabited the area
Morado Hill and de la Cruz lookout
If you are a lover of trekking and hiking, Cerro Morado offers a short but steep hike that leads to a beautiful panoramic view of the town and the Tilcara valley.
Devil’s Throat Cascade
When they told us the name, we were a little hesitant. It seemed strange to be able to find a waterfall in the arid landscape of Jujuy. However, a few kilometers from Tilcara, you will find this waterfall, which is one of the most popular natural attractions in the area. If you visit, you can walk along paths surrounded by vegetation until you reach the waterfall and enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters.
Pachamama Festival
If you visit Tilcara in August, you will have the opportunity to witness the Pachamama Festival, a traditional celebration in honor of Mother Earth that includes music, dance, ceremonies and rituals.
Humahuaca
It is known for its rich history, its colonial architecture, as well as its beautiful natural environment. The historic center of Humahuaca is full of colonial charm, with cobblestone streets, picturesque houses and well-preserved historic buildings. The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria is one of the main examples of colonial architecture in northwest Argentina and is undoubtedly worth a visit. In the central square there is the Monument to the Heroes of Independence that commemorates the deeds of the local heroes who fought for the freedom of the country.
Monument to the heroes of Independence
The sculpture group has the shape of a large prow built at the top of the hill and facing the central square of the city.
The sculpture that heads the group is a nine-meter-high figure of an indigenous person, who represents the Argentine people.
To go up to the monument, there is a staircase of about 300 m.
The complex is the work of Ernesto Soto Avendaño and was erected to commemorate the fight for Argentina’s independence.
Hill of the cross [Cerro de la Cruz]
It is located on the outskirts of the city of Humahuaca, a very popular tourist destination in the region due to its natural beauty and its historical and cultural importance. It is accessible on foot from the city center, and the hike to the top offers stunning panoramic views of the valley and the city itself.
Artisans Fair
Humahuaca is known for its rich artisan tradition, and in its craft market you can find a wide variety of local products, such as textiles, ceramics, musical instruments and more.
Colorados Street
This street, named for the vibrant colors of its houses, is a picturesque place to stroll and take photographs. There are also several local artisan workshops here where you can see how handcrafted products are made.
Humahuaca cementery
This cemetery, located on the outskirts of the city, is a quiet and serene place where you can see interesting mausoleums and tombs decorated with elements of local culture.
Horconal
It is a mountainous formation located in the province of Jujuy, in northern Argentina. It is known for its striking and colorful mountain formations, which display a wide range of colors due to the mineral composition of the rocks and the effects of erosion.
This site is especially famous for the Fourteen Color Mountain, which is one of the main tourist attractions in the region. The combination of different minerals and sediments in the rock layers has created this spectacular natural phenomenon.
Humahuaca Carnival
If you visit the city in February (actually the date varies, being 40 days before Easter). This popular festival whose custom mixes the carnival introduced by the Spanish with indigenous rituals. the famous Humahuaca carnival, one of the most important and colorful in the region, full of music, dance and ancestral traditions.
During the carnival the Descent of the Devils of Uquía and the unearthing of the devil are celebrated. The celebration that begins the carnival in the Quebrada de Humahuaca begins the Saturday before the Carnival weekend, when groups of groups arrive at the foot of the hills that surround the towns to unearth the “devil”, who was buried at the end of the carnival. past carnival The devil is a small doll (Pucllay) that symbolizes the sun, who for the locals is in charge of fertilizing the earth (the Pachamama).
The music is performed with native instruments such as erkenchos, anatas, charangos and bombos.
Regional cousine
If you visit the ravine and its towns, you will have the opportunity to try delicious regional food, which includes typical dishes such as humita, tamales, empanada jujeña and locro, among others.
Additionally, you will find restaurants offering local and international cuisine. And lastly, don’t forget to try the local wines.
Remember that the Quebrada de Humahuaca is rich in culture, history and natural beauty. You can explore these areas at your own pace, enjoying the colonial architecture, local crafts and stunning geography.