Touring from Quebrada to Yungas across Qhapaq Ñan

Jujuy

Aimed at travellers willing to live a great adventure. The proposal includes a ride on a 4WD vehicle or trekking along the roads that go from Quebrada de Humahuaca to Yungas.

The layout of the routes matches the Qhapaq Ñan (‘main road’, in quechua language), the Inca road system used over 500 years ago, and which is considered a World Heritage.

The best time to go is from April to November.

What to see

From Humahuaca by car/van

This 237-km rubble road starts in Humahuaca (3,012 m.a.s.l.). Two must-see stops are the spectacular Hornocal mountain chain and Abra de Zenta (4,499 m.a.s.l.), the highest point of the tour.

Then, the road descends, crossing historic villages that still maintain their ancestral traditions: Santa Ana (a good option for a night-stay), Valle Colorado, Valle Grande and San Francisco, going through Calilegua National Park and finally arriving at Libertador General San Martín city (472 m.a.s.l.).

From Tilcara, a 5-day trekking

The trail starts in Alfarcito, about 12 km away from Tilcara and 2,900 m.a.s.l. It is a 6 to 9-hour walk daily and it is considered of intermediate difficulty, due to the high and hilly ground.

The highest point of the tour is Campo Laguna (4,100 m.a.s.l.), then you go across several spots and places until you arrive at San Francisco. A bus drives across Calilegua National Park and stops at Libertador General San Martín.

How to get there and move around

Humahuaca and Tilcara are located on National Route 9, some 85 and 125 km away from San Salvador de Jujuy, respectively.

To make a road trip, the best thing is to start in Humahuaca and go down to Calilegua National Park. This is a rubble road which gets very narrow at some points (one-vehicle only). Since this is a mountain road, it is important to drive at low speed.

The walking tour can begin in Tilcara or Alfarcito.

Where to stay

In Quebrada de Humahuaca, several towns offer lodgings of various categories, besides the cuisine options.

In the Yungas, San Francisco has several hostels and rural camping sites, just as Libertador General San Martín city, next to Calilegua National Park.

Along the road, the small town of Santa Ana (3,333 m.a.s.l.) is a good option for a night-stay, offering community rural tourism. For trekking tours, you can choose between camping sites or refuges.