Along the Humahuaca Gorge (AR 058)
Jujuy, Iruya, Purmamarca

Departures: Wednesdays from May to October.
Guide: Spanish and bilingual (English – German – French – Italian)
Meals: according to itinerary. Air Fare: not included.

Tour along the Humahuaca Gorge, a deep valley caused by the erosion of the Grande River. Witness the aborigine traditions still remaining in some towns like Purmamarca, situated next to the famous Seven Colored Hill or the fairly accessible Iruya and see the influences of Spanish art in some others such as Tilcara with its narrow streets and colonial style houses.

Day 1 – San Salvador de Jujuy
Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. City tour of Jujuy visiting the Cathedral, the Government House, the Lavalle Historic Museum, the San Francisco Church and La Cienaga Dam, including lunch.

Day 2 – San Salvador de Jujuy / Humahuaca / Iruya
After breakfast, drive into the Humahuaca gorge, a narrow and deep geological fault that gains height northwards along 170 km up to the village of Iruya, small hidden town that provides the very off-the-beaten-track feelings. Almost hanging on the mountain side, Iruya boasts the silent magnificence of the ancient aborigine culture. The Humahuaca gorge hosts a myriad of small towns where aboriginal and colonial cultures have mixed over hundreds of years: Tumbaya, Maimará, Uquia, which we visit on our way. Countless archaeological sites remain next to churches, parks and narrow cobbled streets from the first centuries of the Spanish conquest. Towns seem to have aimed at conserving their ancient traditions and rich past, as is evidenced in the colorful markets, old colonial mansions and neat mud and straw huts where people still live. Accommodation at local inn. Dinner.

Day 3 – Iruya / Purmamarca
Breakfast. Departure to Purmamarca visiting the typical villages of the Puna. Stop at Tilcara to visit the Pucará de Tilcara, old pre-Colombian aborigine stronghold partially rebuilt, and the Historic Museum of the Province in front of the main square, which counts with an interesting asset of inca art pieces coming from different sites in Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and Chile. Arrival at Purmamarca, a picturesque town seemingly stuck in ancient times, with the striking Cerro de los Siete Colores ('Seven Colored Mount) which frames its adobe parish church devoted to St. Rosa de Lima dating back to 1648 and declared National Historic Monument. Dinner and accommodation at Manantial del Silencio hotel.

Day 4 – Purmamarca / Jujuy
Breakfast. Departure to San Salvador de Jujuy local airport.