Quebrada de Humahuaca

Quebrada de Humahuaca: If a place identifies the Northwest of Argentina in the whole world, it is the Quebrada de Humahuaca, in the province of Jujuy.

An area full of contrasts, where the visitor comes in contact with the roots of Hispanic America, with a landscape of valleys, gulches and towns; where Inca culture, and colonial and today's life melt.

Arrogant and majestic, it carries the name of the indian tribe, the omaguacas.

Their valleys contain numerous archaeological remains of the different cultures that inhabited the area in pre-Columbian times. The influence of the Incas, Sons of the Sun, is constantly felt.

The Río Grande crosses the Quebrada from North to South in almost 200 Km. and the variation in altitude is from 4,000 meters in the north to 1,200 in the south.

Carved in the earth, the bed of the river seems to have been cut by a knife that shows the different layers of rock of many colours. According to a local legend, God took the colours from the Quebrada when He created the world.

It was the route of the Inca, of expeditionaries and settlers, important commercial route in colonial times and scenario of many battles during the war of independence.

The route that goes from Salta to Jujuy -93 km - is called Camino de Cornisa (Mountain Route), it communicated this area with the Alto Peru (Bolivia).

The national route N9, an excellent paved highway, leads along the valley (126 km), from Jujuy to Humahuaca. From Humahuaca to La Quiaca, at the frontier with Bolivia, the route is of consolidated rubble but in excellent conditions.The Quebrada crosse the immense Puna.