Salta

Salt Travels

Humahuaca is a 155 km long Humahuaca Mountains Vale and a canyon in Jujuy in the northwest of Argentina. Río Grande runs through the canyon in the spring and after pick up from the Salta hotels you and your tour leader drive for about two hrs northwards to the city. On the way you will discover how this UNESCO World Heritage Site once was used as a Caribbean Highway for the Incas, later as a central trade lane during the Spanish colonisation and also during the Argentine War of Independence.

However, the memorable view is at the end of the street that rises above the city: Further northbound to Tilcara in the centre of the city. Outside the city you will reach a mound to see the remains of the Pucará Castle and take in the wide view over the village. Return to the village plaza to see the Archaeological Discovery Centre, drive through Huacalera and see the colourful La Pollera de la Coya as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn.

Uquía shows works by 17th-century native pupils of the Cuzco School, a Peru-based Rome Catholics art institute, arriving at Humahuaca, their most northern station and the most populous city of Qebrada around noon. Walk past whitish colored houses along the cobblestone roads, take the stairs up to see the Independence Monument erected in 1950 and look out into the Río Grande River basin.

In the afternoon, drive back southwards and past La Paleta del Pintor, a row of three-cornered points in various strips of roses, greens and ochres that frame the city of Maimará.

The French-Baroque hall of flags is worth a trip and you will see the banner that General Belgrano awarded to the town after the Battle of Salta. In the interior of the Cathedral of San Salvador de Jujuy you can see the golden pulpitre. Pass the government building, think about the allegoric sculptures of the Lola Mora, continue southwards along the small and curvy Route 9 overlooking the sub-tropical flora, the Santa Laura Pass, the La Cienaga Reservoir (the swamp), Las Maderas and Campo Alegre, and drive through vagueros back to your Saltaho.