Jujuy & Humahuaca

Jujuy: Argentinian Timelessness

Jujuy is Argentina’s northernmost province, sharing a rugged border with Bolivia. This region moves at its own pace: visitors often comment on the area’s timelessness. Days slip by, adobe villages bake beneath multi-hued cliffs, fuzzy llamas wander the foothills, and villagers seek shade under towering cacti.

Quebrada de Humahuaca

North of the provincial capital, the Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca Canyon) unfolds to reveal a string of indigenous towns, each with a breathtaking sandstone backdrop.

The Hill of Seven Colors, a geologic rainbow, rises behind the town of Purmamarca. The exposed sedimentary layers range in color from purple and green to yellow and red.

The diverse variety of colors continues in nearby Tilcara, Uquia, and Maimara. Outside Tilcara, a restored Inca fortress (known as a pucara) crowns a hilltop, offering panoramic views of the canyon.

Humahuaca

In the whitewashed town of Humahuaca, visitors are encouraged to gather in the central square, just before noon. At midday, a clockwork saint known as San Francisco Solano appears from the church tower, mechanically blessing the multitude below. In Humahuaca and many other canyon towns, most local commerce takes the form of craft markets.

Local artisans assemble in shaded town squares to offer:

• Hand-Woven Tapestries
• Delicate Pottery
• Animals Carved From Quebracho and palo santo wood

Salinas Grandes

The Salinas Grandes is a vast, gleaming salt flat extending 81 square miles across the provinces of Jujuy and Salta. Located at 11,300 feet above sea level, about 70 miles / one hour west of the canyon town of Purmamarca, this plain is devoid of plants and surrounded by even higher, multi-hued peaks.

Our Favorite Hotels

What to do in Jujuy & Humahuaca

Jujuy and the Quebrada de Humahuaca offer stunning vistas all around. Apart from sightseeing tours and scenic drives, travelers in this area can enjoy:

• Horseback Riding
• Hiking
• Biking
• Picnics

What is the Weather Like?

Jujuy can be visited year-round, although the summer months (November through March) experience highs above 95°F and occasional rain. Temperatures can vary significantly with altitude and cloud cover.

In the Salt Flats, Summer rains and the resulting mineral runoff replenish the salts, creating a mirror effect similar to that of Bolivia’s Uyuni.

Getting There

Flights from Buenos Aires arrive daily in Jujuy and Salta. Flight time is approximately two hours and 15 minutes. Although not as regularly, Salta‘s airport is also served by Iguazu, Mendoza, and Cordoba.

Jujuy can also be combined with the Atacama Desert by land. Transportation time is approximately six hours not considering border crossing times.

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