Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca Valley), is located in the Jujuy province of Argentina. It is narrow mountain valley that contains many villages in which are the oldest settlements in Argentina. The valley runs north to south and can be easily accessed when travelling to/from Bolivia or Chile.
There are many highlights along the valley, these are my favorites (Some are just outside the valley)
Purmamarca
Purmamarca actually is located off the main road in the valley. It is on the road towards Attacama desert in chile via the amazing Paso de Jama. This makes it a great stop on the way to and from Chile. The town is very small and was the most ‘touristy’ town in the area. Best for a day trip, check out the main square which is full of markets stalls. Another site is the Cerro de los Siete Colores (The hill of seven colours). It has a unique color range that is the product of a complex geological history including marine sediments, lake and river movements elevated with the movement of the tectonic plates.
Purmamarca, Jujuy, Argentina
Tilcara
I found Tilcara to be the best place to stay as it has alot of hostel options and great restaurants (more than the other towns). Traces of human habitation in the area date back more than 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements of Argentina. There is also an amazing day hike to ‘Devils Throat’, that has great views of the area, waterfalls, and a water aqua-duct.
Jujuy, Argentina
Humahuaca
Humahuaca is widely known for its location at the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a long valley east of the central Andean Altiplano. It is the main town in the valley, located north of Tilcara and Purmamarca. The centre of the town has a lovely square which leads up some amazing stairs to a monument to the heroes of the Independence. (Monumento a los Héroes de la Independencia)
Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
Humahuaca, Jujuy, Argentina
Serranía de Hornocal
The Serranía de Hornocal are a range of mountains located 25 kilometers from the city of Humahuaca in the Argentine province of Jujuy. Exposed in the range is the limestone formation called Yacoraite that extends from Salta, Argentina, through the Argentine Quebrada de Humahuaca and then through the Bolivian Altiplano to Peru. When you finally reach the colored mountains, you’ll be at 4761 meters above sea level.
Cerro de los 14 colores, Jujuy, Argentina
Iruya
Iruya is small mountain town located in the Salta region of North West Argentina. The town is accessed by a gravel road from Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca Valley). So technically it is outside the Quebrada de Humahuaca, but it was my favorite place in Argentina, because of its remoteness. I have a dedicated post on Iruya
Iruya is small mountain town located in the Salta region of North West Argentina. The town is accessed by a gravel road from Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca Valley). The road climbs to 4000m before descending to 2600m where Iruya is located.
You’ll see the entrance tunnel to the town once you start to ride along the Iruya River. This ride is stunning, with dramatic landscape and twisty bends.
Iruya, Salta Province, Argentina
Once in the town, the hightlights are the church (built in 1609), the friendly people and many condors you can see from the ‘Mirador de los condor’
Iruya, Salta Province, ArgentinaIruya, Salta Province, Argentina
This ride starts in Salta, in the northwest Argentina. Shortly after leaving the city, you’ll find yourself in a remarkable jungle which only last an hour before you’re transported into a landscape of red rocks similar to Utah in the USA.
The road is superb, as of 2017 is new and has very little traffic.
My tracking from Salta to Quebrada de Humahuaca. Tracking files can be downloaded here. (GPX/KML)
Elevation Profile
Highlights
Stunning Landscapes
From lush rich green forests to landscapes straight out of the roadrunner cartoon, the landscapes here do not disappoint. Once you arrive to the valley (Quebrada de Humahuaca) you’ll find amazing coloured mounatins and great village indigenous villages. Check out my post on Quebrada de Humahuaca.
Quebrada de las conchas, Salta Province, Argentina
Quebrada de las conchas, Salta Province, Argentina
Iruya
Iruya is a small mountain outside the Quebrada de Humahuaca, but is well worth the ride. You can check out this separate post on Iruya.
Iruya, Salta Province, Argentina
Time Lapse Video of the Road to Iruya
Serranía de Hornocal
The Serranía de Hornocal are a range of mountains located 25 kilometers from the city of Humahuaca in the Argentine province of Jujuy. Exposed in the range is the limestone formation called Yacoraite that extends from Salta, Argentina, through the Argentine Quebrada de Humahuaca and then through the Bolivian Altiplano to Peru.
The ride to serranis de hornocal is all dirt with some amazing dramatic scenery. When you finally reach the coloured mountains, you’ll be at 4761 meters above sea level.
Cerro de los 14 colores, Jujuy, Argentina
Time Lapse Video of Serranía de Hornocal
Why is it a ‘Best Ride’
This part of Argentina was easily my favorite. It’s full of earthy landscapes, rich culture, good roads and colorful little towns. The weather is mild, even though you are sometimes at 4000m above sea level. Also from here, your options for onward rides are endless. I decided to head west towards Argentina’s own salt flats and then over the Andes into Chile.
Time Lapse Video of a section from Salta to Quebrada de Humahuaca
