Full Day Humahuaca Tour
Today you will enjoy a private guided visit to the region declared a World Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO site, going through the Humahuaca Gorge, marveling at the magnificent views, villages and fascinating cultures.
Your first destination is Purmamarca, a town which has earned a reputation for its Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors) which can be viewed from the village streets and the handicraft market bordering the main square. Next, we will visit Maimara, a village at the foot of the dreamy Paleta del Pintor (Painter’s Palette). To the surprise of visitors, its cemetery on the hill can be spotted from the route. Tilcara is famous for its local festivities (Carnival and Holy Week), the Archaeological Museum and the Pucara (aborigine stronghold) with its partially rebuilt ruins from the pre-Colombian times.
Within the Purcara (entrance fee not included), which depicts the lifestyle and development of such times, visitors can appreciate a myriad of cacti specimens at the Museo Botanico de Altura (Botanical Garden). Further to the North, at Huacalera, we will go through the Capricorn Tropic, identified by a white monolith. Uquia is famous for its church built in the 17th century, which has an altarpiece laminated in gold. Interestingly, it is one of the two churches in Argentina decorated with nine Cuzco School paintings of Los Angeles Arcabuceros (angels holding guns), a testimony of the colonial architecture.
Humahuaca, the village the Gorge is named after, has the greatest population. It is also the highest point in our entire journey at 2,940 meters above sea level. Main highlights include: the imposing Independence Monument, the Church and the Town Hall with a tower from which San Francisco Solano comes out every day sharply at noon to give his blessing. After this full day excursion, you will be transferred back to your hotel. (This service is on a private basis.)