Trekking from Tilcara to Calilegua

This program starts in Tilcara, a city located in the center of Humahuaca, Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. It ends in the town of Calilegua, where we find the Calilegua National Park.

During this experience, we go from the arid and rugged Puna to lush and green yungas (high jungle between 1500 and 4180 meters) walking through valleys and hills. That’s why I recommend arriving to Tilcara a day before the start of the journey to acclimatise.

We will have the opportunity to live the dream of the north of Argentina: puna, streams, hills, valleys and forests. The clear blue skies, the colourful costumes of its inhabitants, the rustic thistles that are cut in its geography, the friendliness of the people, the deep valleys, the clear and dry grass hills and mounts of dark green lands. We will also find the ceibo with its red National Flower. Its fauna is amazing too, full of condors, toucans, peccaries, cougars, bobcats, carpenters, jaguars, magpies and foxes.

We will walk across paths used by ancient and today people. Historic trails of the old Tawantinsuyo (1300-1532 A.D.) known worldwide as Inca Empire. When we talk about the Incas you may think of Peru. But actually the empire was extending its limits by the current northwestern Argentina, known as “Collasuyo”.

Itinerary

DAY 1: TILCARA-HUMAHUACA
Meeting at the bus station of Tilcara. Transfer to lodging. Once in there, I give you an illustrative review. Then we have enough time to explore the environment and visit a historic place know as Pucara (from Quechua “red fortress”). These ruins of more than 1100 years are located just 1 km from the city, at the top of a 80-meter promontory. It was built by Tilcara’s aborigines, who were part of the original village of Omaguaca or Humahuaca and gave the name of the famous cliff. Night at the lodge of Tilcara City (welcome dinner).

DAY 2: TRAILHEAD
We leave Tilcara heading to San Francisco de Alfarcito, crossing an amazing rocky surface called Garganta del Diablo. We arrive to Quebrada Seca (3100 m) by car. There we start the ascent with amazing views of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, its formations and colours.
Our path takes us to a ravine, gaining altitude gradually until Abra de la Cruz (4200m) and the viewpoint of Cerro Naranjo (5030 m). Then, we descend to the Huairahuasi place. There we set the first camp in the middle of mountain ranches. We get to enjoy the incredible views of the Valley of Tilcara.

DAY 3: EL MOLULO (3077m)
After breakfast, we prepare the backpacks. We go down to El Molulo by the Huairahuasi River, until we get to a rocky edge. Once in there we have lunch overlooking the hills that surround us. After lunch we continue hiking for two hours to finally arrive at El Molulo where we camp next to its population.

DAY 4: HARD HIKE DAY
After breakfast we hike up to mountain edges and we continue to Abra del Potrero, before the steep climb up to the red rock. Lunch and rest. Then an exigent path will take us from the jungle to the top of the rock. There begins the descent to the small town of San Lucas, where we will spend our last night. The approximate altitude of this stretch will reach the 1865 meters.

DAY 5: ENDING POINT
Once in the Calilegua National Park, we leave the town of San Lucas behind along a path that runs parallel the San Lucas River. There, we admire spectacular waterfalls falling from rock masses. Crossing San Lucas River we are at the final climb to get to San Francisco, where the transfer will be waiting to take us to San Salvador de Jujuy or Salta City. This is the end of the trip.

I am sure you want to visit this magical region of the North of Argentina. I will be waiting for your contact to plan this trip with you, guiding you to the best trek experience you have ever had.