Mountain Trekking in Iruya
Trip Highlights
Stay in and Experience the Cultures of Isolated Villages
Experience UNESCO Site Adventures
Hike, Bike, and Ride Horses by Ancient Ruins
Description
This high-altitude trek through the multi-coloured hills around Iruya takes us into the heart of local communities untouched by the modern world.
We visit small settlements in the mountains surrounding the tiny hill town of Iruya, close to the Bolivian border. Following trails used for centuries by the locals, we stay with local indigenous families in tiny hamlets only accessible on foot. This trip is combined with a visit to the essential sites of the UNESCO-protected Quebrada de Humahuaca.
Tour info
Why take this tour?
Our expedition begins with a night of acclimatization in Tilcara, at 2,500m: and a chance to explore the highlights of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, famous for the Cerro de Siete Colores (Seven Coloured Hill) at Purmamarca and the Painter’s Palette of Maimara. This is also an opportunity to sample the nightlife at one of Tilcara’s celebrated folk music peñas before heading off into the rural tranquility of the mountains.
We'll head north from the Quebrada de Humahuaca, following a track that crosses rivers and climbs a mountainside, rising to a peak of 4,000m at Abra del Condor. We'll spend the night in Iruya, a remote, predominantly indigenous town perched picturesquely in the cleft of a canyon at 2,800m.
The next day, we'll head into the hills, following a steep zigzagging path to the plain of Panti Pampa at 3,168m altitude: along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to stop for a breather and sample the must-see views of the valley. After a picnic lunch, we'll follow a narrow mountain track to San Juan: here we stay with a local family, cooking dinner for us in their traditional adobe home.
distance 10km: hiking time 5 to 6 hours: highest altitude 3,168m: overnight altitude 2,900m
After our night with the locals, and waking up in the splendid peace of the mountains, we head further up the valley for a tough zigzagging uphill climb, to reach an altitude of 3,500m. The hillside is scattered with lava rock from long-ago volcanic eruptions. From a stunning vantage point at the top, we can watch for condors, swooping low if we're lucky, before the descent to San Isidro past the traditionally irrigated crop fields.
distance 8km: hiking time 5 to 6 hours: highest altitude 3,505m: overnight altitude 2,850m
Finally, after scaling the mountains, we will enjoy the gentle relief of descent along the riverbed, where you can see the spectacular rock formations of the gorge. We return to Iruya tired but transformed by the natural wonder of this remote part of northwest Argentina. From here we can return to Salta or continue north towards the Bolivian border.
distance 5km: hiking time 3 to 4 hours: highest altitude 2,903m
overall distance: 23 km over two and a half days
highest altitude: 3,505m
maximum distance per day: 10km
grade of difficulty: 3/5
Included
English-speaking Driver/Guide accompanied by Local Spanish-speaking Guide
Transportation
Food
Water
Accommodation
Excluded
Sun Protection
Hiking Clothes
Warm Clothes
Things to know
Your Budget
Argentina has a parallel economy in which the official rate of the dollar is roughly half its real value. What that means is you need to leave your bank cards for emergencies and bring US$ or euros in cash which we can change into pesos for your everyday expenses. You’ll find Salta city is a lo...
Argentina has a parallel economy in which the official rate of the dollar is roughly half its real value. What that means is you need to leave your bank cards for emergencies and bring US$ or euros in cash which we can change into pesos for your everyday expenses. You’ll find Salta city is a lot cheaper than Buenos Aires, and your holiday in Argentina is even better value once we take you on the road on one of our trips. Read our guide to the "Blue Dollar" here.
Pricing
Headline price based on four people travelling together in one of our 4x4s with an English-speaking driver/guide.
Below are our DAILY rates PER PERSON excluding food and accommodation: valid to end 2023.
One person - US$350
Two people - US$200
Three people- US$150
Four people (one vehicle) - US$125
Four people (two vehicles) - US$200
Headline price based on four people travelling together in one of our 4x4s with an English-speaking driver/guide.
Below are our DAILY rates PER PERSON excluding food and accommodation: valid to end 2023.
One person - US$350
Two people - US$200
Three people- US$150
Four people (one vehicle) - US$125
Four people (two vehicles) - US$200
Group Size
We operate with comfortable 4x4s which can accommodate up to four people, but if you’re travelling with a larger group, please contact us and we will see what we can arrange.
We operate with comfortable 4x4s which can accommodate up to four people, but if you’re travelling with a larger group, please contact us and we will see what we can arrange.
Check Availability
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Click here to view map route.