Biking in the Quebrada
Biking in the Quebrada
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5 Days / 4 Nights Tilcara
El Hornocal, Humahuaca gorge, Jujuy
TBK 1222 What’s included • Roundtrip transfers • Accomodation: 4 nights • Mentioned tours with bicycle equipment and helmet • Meals: 4 breakfasts - 3 lunches 1 dinner
Day 1 Salta / Tilcara. Departure from Salta to the Quebrada de Humahuaca. After entering the province of Jujuy, we start crossing the impressive Quebrada de Humahuaca until we reach Tilcara, where we stay and from where we make base to visit the most outstanding places of the Quebrada. During the next few days we will not only visit the most picturesque places, but also have the opportunity to enjoy the best local food and learn more about the geological, archaeological and cultural history of the region.
Maximum altitude: 2.465 masl (8087 ft.)
Day 2 Tilcara. B L We leave from Tilcara along local roads and after 9 km we arrive at a family house for lunch. After a delicious home-cooked meal, we take a walk of approximately one and a half hour to the Pucara de Juella, which unlike the Pucara de Tilcara has not been rebuilt. Here, one can really appreciate the way the Omaguacas used to live, as well as the passage of time. The return will be by a local road to the village of Tilcara. Bicycle tour: 18 km (11 miles) Maximum altitude: 2.465 masl (8087 ft.)
Day 3 Tilcara. B L Today we head south on nearby roads visiting Maimará, Posta de Hornillos, Tunalito, Chañarcito and Purmamarca. On this journey, we travel approximately 30 km to the town of Purmamarca to visit the Paseo de los Colorados. Then, we load the bikes on a truck to go to Salinas Grandes where we ride
through the pools where salt is extracted by hand. From there we take the bikes again to descend from the 4.170 m to the town of Purmamarca, after traveling 33 km through winding roads. From there, we return by car to Tilcara. Bicycle route: 33 km (20 miles) Maximum altitude: 4.170 masl (13.681 ft.)
Day 4 Tilcara. B L D Today we leave by car through the national route N°9 towards Humahuaca. Once there we start our bike ride through the historical centre and then take the road to Peñas Blancas. After traveling about 10 km on a gravel road we arrive at the town of Cocacha where we will have a short walk through pre-Hispanic farming terraces, and we will have lunch. We continue our journey by bike, passing through the town of Valiazo where our vehicle is waiting to take us to the viewpoint of the majestic Hornocal, a formation from the late Cretaceous period.
At the viewpoint we can see the colourful veins, the triangular shapes in this particular rainbow that some assure, reaches the 33 shades. From this point, at 4.720 metres above sea level, we start a 25 km descent passing through Ocumazo and ending up at the foot of the Pucará de Calete. Bicycle tour: 35 km (22 miles) Maximum altitude: 4.720 masl (15.485 ft.)
Day 5 Tilcara / Jujuy. B Free time in the morning until the time of transfer to Jujuy Airport to take your scheduled flight. To keep in mind: • Medium difficulty. It is not necessary to be in excellent physical condition, but you should bear in mind that this excursion takes place at around 2300m above sea level (7545 feet) in the Quebrada de Humahuaca region. • The activities include transport and support vehicle during day 2 and 3, first aid kit and GPS device (SPOT).
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