description Quebrada de Humahuaca Overview
Quebrada de Humahuaca is a long, narrow Andean valley in Jujuy Province in northwestern Argentina. The Río Grande corridor has served for thousands of years as a route linking the high Andes with lower plains, and the valley contains archaeological sites, colonial settlements, agricultural terraces, and vividly layered mountains. UNESCO inscribed it as a cultural landscape in 2003.
insights Ranking position
Quebrada de Humahuaca ranks #23 of 96 in the Badland ranking, behind Las Médulas, ahead of Palo Duro Canyon.
help Quebrada de Humahuaca FAQ
Why is Quebrada de Humahuaca a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
UNESCO inscribed the valley in 2003 as a cultural landscape shaped by roughly 10,000 years of travel, trade, settlement, and agriculture. Its route connected the high Andes with lower regions of present-day Argentina.
Which towns are the main bases for exploring Quebrada de Humahuaca?
Purmamarca, Tilcara, and Humahuaca are the valley's best-known visitor bases. Purmamarca sits beside the Cerro de los Siete Colores, while Tilcara is close to the pre-Hispanic Pucará de Tilcara.
What causes the multicolored mountains in the Quebrada?
The colors come from exposed sedimentary layers containing different minerals and formed during different geological periods. Erosion has revealed striking bands at sites such as the Hill of Seven Colors and the Serranía de Hornocal.
How high is the Quebrada de Humahuaca, and can altitude affect visitors?
Elevation increases northward, with the town of Humahuaca sitting at around 3,000 meters above sea level. Some visitors experience headache or breathlessness, so a gradual ascent from San Salvador de Jujuy can make acclimatization easier.
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