Tilcara
Argentina · Jujuy · 2460 m
Description
Tilcara is a lively highland town in northwestern Argentina, set at around 2,460 meters above sea level in the UNESCO-listed Quebrada de Humahuaca. The town is known for the Pucará de Tilcara, a partially reconstructed pre-Columbian settlement overlooking the valley, as well as its traditional adobe architecture, colorful handicrafts, and dramatic Andean scenery. Tilcara combines Indigenous traditions and colonial influences with a vibrant cultural life and serves as a gateway to hikes through the multicolored canyons of the surrounding landscape, including the Garganta del Diablo. As one of the cultural centers of the Quebrada, Tilcara is among the most distinctive stops on a journey through Argentina’s northwest.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: June – August
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Pucará de Tilcara pre-Inca fortress
- Quebrada de Humahuaca (UNESCO World Heritage)
- Garganta del Diablo gorge hike
- Paleta del Pintor hillside colour walk
- Tilcara artisan market
- Museo Arqueológico Dr. Eduardo Casanova
- Laguna de los Pozuelos(Day trip)
- Huella del Inca archaeological trail
- Maimará and Paleta del Pintor viewpoint(Day trip)
Getting there
- Airports:
- JUJ
- Train stations:
- Tilcara, Maimará, Posta de Hornillos