North, August 13, 2009
Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca Canyon)
A long valley in Jujuy province located in the Argentine northeastern region. With over 10,000 years of history, this was the region where ancient cultures dwelled. Today their rites, traditional festivals and religious beliefs are still alive.
This area was declared UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003.
Weather:
Mild and dry. The average annual temperature is 23 Cº. Wintertime sees strong winds and some snow. Summertime is the least rainy season.
How to get there:
Overland: National Route 9: Argentine segment of the Pan Americana highway connecting La Paz (Bolivia) with Buenos Aires. By air: Fly into Salta o San Salvador de Jujuy from airport Jorge Newbery, Buenos Aires. Then, overland to Humahuaca.
When to get there:
We recommend visiting the region mainly during the summer months-January, February and March, as it is the rainy season and less pleasant temperatures. Moreover, during these months, there are several of the festivities of the Gorge.
Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca Canyon) is a 155 km long Andean valley in
Jujuy province located in the Argentine northeastern region. Mountain ranges surround this valley and the Grande river goes through it reaching 2,000 m high. Over 10,000 years of history have seen different aborigines treading its trails. Among the various ethnic groups found here were the omaguacas, who gave their name to the region. “Humahuaca” means “sacred river”. The villages in the Quebrada keep their traditions, music, art and religious beliefs which date back to aboriginal times. For this reason this area was declared UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003.
Quebrada de Humahuca’s can’t miss
Located 2,192 meters above sea level, it is a small village featuring beautiful 18th-century architecture. An example of this is the Santa Rosa de Lima Church: built in 1648 and made of adobe. Another major attraction is its handicraft market at the central plaza. Visitors will have a chance to buy clay pots, ponchos, carpets and musical instruments, among other things.
Hill of Seven Colors
Situated behind Pumamarca, this truly amazing slope of exposed rock in seven shades of reds and ocres resulting from ocean, lake and rain sediments over the centuries offer one of the most enchanting visual effects in the country. Visitors can do photographic safaris, go horseback-riding, hiking or biking.
Maimará
Located 76 km away from San Salvador de Jujuy, the capital city, and 2,383 m high, Maimará stands as a cozy little town in the heart of the Quebrada de Humahuaca. In the olden days, the maimaras and tilcaras were the natives of the land. The main attraction is the Painter’s Palette, a group of yellow, white and red hills which geologically date to tertiary and quaternary periods.
Considered the Archeological capital of Jujuy, it is located 2,465 meters above sea level. Major attractions include the Archeological Museum Eduardo Casanova featuring mummies found in the region in gold garments, masks, and accessories; the Devil’s Throat, a gorge made by waters in the rocks on the main course of the Huasamayo river.
Pucará de Tilcara and Botanical Garden in the Heights
Loctaed just 1 km from Tilcara, Pucara consists of a group of indigenous ruins on a hill 70 km away from the river Grande. The scenery is simply breathtaking. At the foot of the hill is the Botanical Garden in the Heights where autochthonous plant species are found. There is also a sector for camelids such as llamas and vicuñas.
Humahuaca is one of the major towns in the Quebrada. Visitors will see its traditional narrow, cobble-stoned and colorful streets and numerous adobe homes. Its main attractions include: Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Church built in 1641, the Cabildo with a clock featuring Saint Franscisco Solano’s a real size image, and the Coctaca archeological ruins only 9km from the town.
Iruya
This pretty Salta village is 2,740 mts. above sea level and 74 km from Humahuaca. Adobe homes and steep cobble-stoned streets can be seen here. Among its major attractions are the pre-Columbian Titiconte ruins -in the outskirts of Iruya-; San Isidro, a small village 8 km north of Iruya where cave-painting is found; and the “Abra del Condor”, 19 km from Iruya on the border between Salta and Jujuy.
Located 126 km away from Pumamarca in Salta province, the area comprises a 12,000 hectare salt mine in the open sky offering one of the most amazing views in Argentina. The drive from Pumamarca goes over the Cuesta del Lipán, bordering cliffs through a deep canyon. Visitors can learn from locals about the old salt extraction process.
Popular Festivals
January
Tilcara in January: Folkloric festivals, dance events, coplas (popular folksong), talks and exhibitions.
Huancar Folkloric Festival (Abra Pampa).
Nativity Scene: (Quebrada region).
Copleros Festival (folksong performers, Pumamarca).
February
-Tantanakuy’s home (Humahuaca; musical event featuring local artists).
-Candelaria’s Virgin Festival (Humahuaca, Maimará, Tumbaya, Cineguillas and Cochinoca).
- Joy in Humauaca (Humahuaca; shows, lectures, pictorial art exhibition and serenades).
-Carnavalito’s Day (Humahuaca).
-Carnival in Humahuaca (Humahaca).
-Easter Week (Tilcara).
March
-Rodeo event (Pumamarca).
June
-Saint John’s Festival. (Quebrada de Humahuaca).
-Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun; in Abra Pampa).
August
-Pachamama’s Festival (Jujuy province).
-Jujuy Exodus Procession (Tilcara).
-Santa Rosa de Lima Festival (Pumamarca).
October
-Rosario’s Virgin (Pumamarca).
-Maimará Mothers’ Serenade and handicrafts exhibition (Maimará).
December
-Nativitiy Scene Month (Maimará).
-Santa Barbara’s Festival (Pumamarca).
