Excursions to Jujuy
Excursions index
Knowing San Salvador de Jujuy
Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning or afternoon we visit the historic remains of the town, including the San Francisco church, the Lavalle Museum, the Government House and the room of the flag. The Government House is a beautiful French style palace. We also pass the old railway station, the artisanal way and the residential areas like the Perales and the old rough streets with large colonial houses and their typical windows and central patios with wells. We finish our excursion in Alto La Viña where we find the Jorge Pasquini López Archeological Museum which has a unique viewpoint where we can enjoy the marvelous landscape that this northern city has.
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Quebrada de Humahuaca from Jujuy
We leave from San Salvador de Jujuy in the northern direction to La Quebrada de Humahuaca, a national patrimonial and cultural humanity site. The entrance to La Quebrada is León and our journey runs alongside the Rio Grande (big river). On the way we pass the towns of Yala, Lozano, León, Tumbaya and Volcán. In the world famous picturesque town of Purmamarca we encounter the mountain of the seven colours. Here we go to the walk way of Los Colorados, the fair and the church.
Leaving Purmamarca we then go Maimará where we see the Cementerio de Altura (high cemetery) and the mountain Paleta del Pintor (painter's pallet). Following on our route goes by the historical monument of La Posta de Hornillos and arrives at Tilcara where we visit el Pucara. Our sleepover destination is Humahuaca where we also visit the Monument to the Heroes of Independence, the church with its cuzqueñas paintings and optionally can go to the Benediction of San Francisco Solano. If you want to see other excursion options in Jujuy, click here: Tours in Jujuy.
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Lagunas de Yala & Termas de Reyes
We journey from San Salvador to the Yala lakes that are some 20km from the city. Here there is an imposing group of six small lakes situated at an altitude of 2000m surrounded by the exuberant green of the alder and pine forests. We ascend by the mountain pass to a trout fishing area. The lakes are in the Provincial Park. Potrero de Yala, and are classed as a Biospheric Reserve that is a protected part of Jujuy and the North East. Yala is an ideal place to practice adventure sports, fishing and ecotourism. This region is part of the Jujuy Valleys and is similar to the National Park of Calilegua. Later we leave Yala to go to Reyes by an isolated very picturesque route where we find the panoramic viewpoint of la Quebrada, a giant mountain fissure.
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Valleys & Dams
We pass by the dams of La Ciénaga and Las Maderas and then return by the town of San Antonio, one of the best conserved settlements of the valley distinguished by its artisanal cheeses and a manufacturer of dulces in La Almona. Finally we go to the Los Alisos dam before returning to San Salvador de Jujuy.
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La Quiaca, Yavi & Villazón
In the far north of Argentina lie ancient lands that preserve the legends of an old marquisate, located in a green oasis in the heart of the Jujuy highlands, right on the border with our brother country Bolivia and on the way to Cuzco, combining tradition, landscapes, and commerce.
Departing from Salta or San Salvador de Jujuy, the journey passes through the towns of Yala, Lozano, Volcán, and Tumbaya, until reaching Purmamarca, where a brief visit to the village is made. The route then continues to the Posta de Hornillos, Uquía (famous for its paintings of arquebusier angels from the Cuzco school), and Huacalera, finally arriving in Humahuaca, at 2,600 meters above sea level, where the Monument to Independence and the main square are visited.
The journey continues along the same route through Abra Pampa, known as “The Argentine Siberia,” so named by its inhabitants, most of whom are of Syrian descent. From there, the route continues to La Quiaca, with free time for lunch (a light lunch is recommended). La Quiaca is located on the border with Bolivia. In the early 20th century, the railroad arrived from the Puna to the border, where the terminal station and a viaduct with three arches over the La Quiaca River were built. La Quiaca has developed over time, gaining importance since the mid-20th century. It is a place of constant movement of Andean highland people, easily recognized by their traditional puna clothing. After a brief rest, the nearby village of Yavi is visited, with its impressive gold-plated church and its rich history as part of the Marquisate of Tojo. The Museum of the House of the Marquis and the old mill are faithful representations of the remains of this ancient marquisate. After touring the village, the journey returns to La Quiaca to cross the border and visit Villazón (Bolivia), famous for its extensive market.
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Iruya, a town in the mountain
In the morning, we will leave Jujuy to embark on a journey to Iruya, passing through the picturesque villages of Iturbe and Chaupi Rodeo, nestled in typical landscapes of northern Argentina, where nature shows itself in all its splendor. We will ascend to Abra del Cóndor, at 4,000 meters above sea level, the highest point of the journey, enjoying stunning panoramas of mountains and valleys. Then we will begin the descent over approximately 19 km, during which we can observe how the colors of the landscape change surprisingly: from the intense green of the wild vegetation to purple and violet tones, always accompanied by the Colanzuli River, which winds through the hills and follows our path until we reach Iruya.
This mountain village seems to emerge from the very rock: its cobblestone streets, adobe houses, and red tile roofs blend into the landscape, offering a view of great beauty and authenticity. In Iruya, we can stroll through its historic center, enjoy the tranquility of the place, and capture unique photographs of its natural surroundings, where local culture and the traditions of the highlands are felt in every corner. At the end of the day, we will return to San Salvador de Jujuy (or Salta, depending on the accommodation), traveling again this spectacular mountain road, full of panoramic views and color contrasts that make this excursion an unforgettable experience.
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Walking with Llamas in Tilcara
This begins a special day because we encounter the llamas. The llama is a true companion of the local peasants. They are used, like donkeys, to transport goods across the puna, valleys and the jungles. In Tilcara they use a system of 'positive stimulation' to tame them and this results in them becoming docile and perfectly domesticated. Called the 'camel of the heights', the llama became a sacred animal for distinct ancient cultures and was an emblem of richness or nobleness. It is identified with Jujuy and its cultural legacy. Here we can go walking to rural houses and panoramic points to enjoy visiting the local inhabitants and experience the spectacular views. Also we will be able to perceive the ancestral wisdom that the Jujuy men incorporate in whichever cultural activity they realize. In the afternoon we begin our trip to La Quiaca following the rest of La Quebrada de Humahuaca to arrive at the extreme northwest of Argentina.