Quebrada de Humahuaca and Other Unmissable Sights in Jujuy Province
Located close to the Chilean and Bolivian borders in the northwest of Argentina, the Jujuy Province is where the otherworldly, rainbow colored rocks of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Quebrada de Humahuaca can be found. While this colorful landscape is the most remarkable feature of the region, visitors will also be delighted by the picture-perfect colonial towns that nestle into the mountains here.
Rapidly becoming an unmissable northern Argentine tourist destination, the Quebrada de Humahuaca can easily be reached with a short bus journey from Salta.
What is the Quebrada de Humahuaca?
The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a dramatic canyon, which is filled with the swollen waters of the Río Grande during the summer. But what makes this Argentine landmark so striking is the mixture of vivid colors daubed on the surrounding mountains; multicolored rock in stripes of deep, russet red and creamy white decorates their slopes and is a legacy of mineral deposits that formed millions of years ago.
In recognition of the region’s cultural and historical importance, on July 2, 2003, the Quebrada de Humahuaca was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to visit the Quebrada de Humahuaca
It is possible to take a private tour from Salta but it’s easy enough to board one of the public buses from Salta and Jujuy that pass through the Quebrada de Humahuaca, stopping at Purmamarca and Humahuaca.
Purmamarca
If traveling from Jujuy, Purmamarca will be the first settlement as you enter the Quebrada de Humahuaca and your initial introduction to the magnificence of the region’s mountains.
Located underneath the Hill of the Seven Colors, Purmamarca is a pleasant little town of adobe buildings. From the center of Purmamarca, a short trek passes around the base of the hill, allowing the hiker to admire the barely-believable shades of the rock at closer proximity.
Purmamarca is also close to Salinas Grandes, the third largest salt flats in the world and another striking feature of the landscapes found in the Jujuy Province. Although it’s possible to visit the flats with your own rental vehicle, most tourists opt to take a tour from Salta, which also stop at the Hill of the Seven Colors.
Humahuaca
If you’re keen to pick up a memento of your stay – and have a chance to catch your breath – stop to admire the handicrafts at the local market.
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