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Tilcara: Argentina

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Touristic Center in the Northwest

With almost three thousand people, Tilcara is the most important settlement in the Humahuaca Ravine. Foundd in 1568, it was named by the aborigin tribe that used to live in the area in pre-Columbus time.

Tilcara is located between the Humahuaca ravine and Rio Grande (Big River). It’s a mountain filled area, where vegetation is rich and climate is dry, though in winter the wind is heavy and everpresent, and the temperature lowers considerably. In the area you can find several types of animals, such as guanacos, condors, ferrets and vicunas.

Its long streets are made of stone and give way to adobe-built constructions that have been standing since colonial times. Tilcara today exists as a touristic center in the region. Hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, museums and camping areas are part of a city that is chosen by tourists more and more every year, as a way to iniciate their vacations in the northwest of Argentina.

Besides its natural beauty, in Tilcara you can visit a series of historical and cultural interesting zones. Actually, the city itself is known as the archeological capital of the Jujuy province, considering there are still pucaras standing, after thousands of years; they are fortresses built by the aborigins to protect themselves from rough weather conditions and, mostly, from enemies.

At the same time, the city features a series of museums, which you can visit to find out more about the area’s history. You can visit Pucará de Tilcara, the Archeological Museum (one of the most important of its type in the country), other archeological spots in Huichairas and La Isla, the Bothanical Garden, the Rosario Church and the main square.

When it comes to nature attractions, you can go to the bothanical garden, where you will be able to see all the species that live in the Jujuy area, with a moderate climate that still makes it hard for life to exist, due to extreme wind and height. Only seven kilometers away from the main city you can visit La Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), a deep cut created by water erosion in a gigantic piece of rock, where you can walk to or drive to with the help of a guide.

As all the other localities in the north of Argentina, in Tilcara you can also participate in provincial festivities, which are held once a month gathering people from nearby towns and from the other side of the border. Colorful dresses and traditional music are part of the charm of the city, which turn Tilcara into a privileged spot to visit in Jujuy.

Attractions

You can participate in festivities that take place in the province, especially in summertime and for Easter, as well as the Carnival, which is held in January. You can also visit the civic center of Tilcara, with many museums and colonial churches.

As far as natural attractions go, you can visit a variety of places. From archeological spots to the bothanical garden, to the Devil’s Throat and the Humahuaca Ravine, there’s something for everybody to see.

Activities

Walks and horseback riding. Trekking, mountain, 4x4, fly fishing, observation of flora and fauna, photography.

Location

Northwest of Argentina, in Jujuy. 1609 Kms. from Buenos Aires.

How to get there

Through RN9 from La Quiaca, Jujuy and Humahuaca. From Buenos Aires, you take RN9, then RN34 and re-take RN9.

You can also fly to Jujuy and then drive to Tilcara, which is about 84 kilometers away from the capital city of the province.

When to go

All year.

Climate

Summer media is 24C, and winter media is 11C.

Services

Accomodations, food services, camping, servicenter, civic center, transportation, gas station.

Surroundings

Jujuy, Salta, Humahuaca, La Quiaca, Purmamarca, San Antonio de los Cobres, Salinas Grandes, Parque Nacional Calilegua, Tumbaya.

Travel services in Tilcara

Hotels in Tilcara	Stars
See all Hotels in Tilcara
Vientonorte Hotel
Hotel Boutique Las Terrazas

Hotels near Tilcara	Stars	City
See all Hotels in Jujuy
Hotel El Manantial del Silencio		Purmamarca
El Huancar Apart Hotel		San Salvador de Jujuy
Jujuy Palace Hotel		San Salvador de Jujuy
La Comarca		Purmamarca
Marques de Tojo Hotel		Purmamarca

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