Mountains painted by the years, ancient roads, and winds of Andean music go through the Ravine. With its rites and carnival, the Valley sings us its sorrows and makes us fall in love with its spell.
Humahuaca Ravine is a vast and irregular mountain valley of about 155 kilometers long that extends along the province of Jujuy from north to south. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003 because of its natural and cultural resources. Its imposing landscapes keep more than 10,000 years of history. Its trails are marked with aboriginal traces from different ethnic groups that have left rites, customs, celebrations, and traditions.
Closer to the Sky. The Ravine begins 39 kilometers north of San Salvador de Jujuy and features picturesque villages flanked by unique natural sceneries. Located between 2,000 and 4,000 meters above sea level, a chain of valleys and mountains unfold and paint a watercolor landscape.
Multicolored. Purmamarca, the first most important village of the Ravine, sits 2,192 meters above sea level. In the background of this enchanted place lies the “Hill of Seven Colors,” produced by sea, lake and river sediments that were shaped by tectonic plate movements. This mountain streaked with a rainbow of colors is the perfect place to gaze at the immensity of the scenery and delight through your eyes.
The visit continues at the Handicraft Fair located around the main square. At this fair, visitors can find beautiful indigenous handicrafts of Northeast Argentina, including handloom woven rugs, blankets, ponchos, tapestries, indigenous musical instruments, and traditional clothing of the region.
At the end of the visit, we find the best sight—the Great Salt Flats. 126 km from Purmamarca, more than 12,000 hectares of salt stretch in the open sky. This white desert amazes visitors and immerses them in a dream that fades away in the horizon.
Archeological Capital. Tilcara is another must-see at the Ravine. The village preserves and revives the aboriginal traditions. Only 1 kilometer away from the village, lies the “Pucará de Tilcara,” a fortification that was built by native Omaguaca peoples over 900 years ago to get a panoramic view of the valley and all its roads. The imposing ruins contain old dwellings and stockyards, and on the east side of the hill, there is a big necropolis with numerous funeral pyres. Visiting Tilcara is like traveling back in time to see the cultural riches of our indigenous peoples.
Sacred River is the meaning of Humahuaca, the historical capital of the Ravine. For the Omaguaca peoples “this river that will always remain” is a symbol of the things that only change to continue being the same. Like a river that flows to return to its course, Humahuaca revives its origin. Every year, the town celebrates and decks out for carnival. From its narrow cobbled streets, the music from the earth emerges and thecholas (indigenous women) sing popular folk songs. An authentic celebration where the origins are reborn from the deepest side of our roots.
Leaving Traces. To walk along the trails of the watercolor Ravine, come to Tangol.The travel agency (located at 971 Florida St., Ground Floor, Suite 31) offers all you need to be a living part of this beautiful and true painting.