TRAVEL AND TOURS

Full of contrasts, the Province of Jujuy shows an over-abundance of ideal destinations. Situated in the extreme northern part of the North-eastern Region of Argentina, with altitudes ranging from 1259 m.a.s.l. to above 6000 m.a.s.l. it has a population of over 604,000 people.

Its diverse landscapes allows the traveller to practise different types of adventure tourism, while at the same time enjoying an immense scenery filled with colours, silences and sounds, amongst valleys and gorges, amongst mountains and water courses, and, all coupled to the simplicity and culture of its people.

Jujuy shares its 312 km long northern frontier with Bolivia and in the west 139 km with Chile. In the east and south it borders the Argentinean Province of Salta.

The Spanish conquerors that arrived in these territories encountered numerous indigenous groups, such as the Omaguacas, the Ocloyas and the Jujuyes. After several failed attempts to conquer the Region, during which we may mention two occasions when settlements founded by the Spaniards were razed to the ground by the native population, the military superiority of the Spaniards finally prevailed and on April 9th, 1593, Francisco de Argañaraz y Muguía founded San Salvador de Velazco in the valley of Jujuy, the present capital of the Province.

During the wars for independence, Jujuy became the battlefield between the so-called Northern Army - el Ejército Del Norte, which defended the Spanish cause and the forces fighting on the side of the Spanish Crown. In 1812, the general Manuel Belgrano led an ordered retreat, known as the Jujuy Exodus - "Exodo Jujeño". The decisive action by general Martín de Güemes and the replacement of Belgrano by José de San Martín, ended in the liberation of the Province that achieved its autonomy in 1834.

In the territory of Jujuy, the traveller can go - always with San Salvador de Jujuy as a centre point - from the almost glacier like cold of the Puna (highland) to the tropical warmth of the rivers close to the Río San Francisco River, passing through the temperate area of the Gorge of Humahuaca.

Thus, the traveller may chose without problem between a trek or horseback ride through the subtropical Andean low valleys - the Yungas, or else a tour of the so called Ramal Jujeño, which, although it is sometimes regarded as a place of minor interest for tourism has the following to offer the traveller, the Valle Grande, Siete Aguas, Fraile Pintado and, especially the National Park of Calilegua, in which you will find the jaguarundi, the northern guemul and the River otter, three species in acute danger of extinction.

Throughout the Region, the houses seem to grow from the earth as they are made of adobe, clay and straw bricks, catching the attention of most tourists that visit the area, whether by car, biking, hiking or horse riding.

Thus, Jujuy has turned into the Province of northern Argentina most visited by travellers. Its capital city of San Salvador de Jujuy, located 1660 km from Buenos Aires, its rich history, its excellent roads, a modern airport, its multiple tourist circuits that include landscapes crowned by valleys and peaks, where one can practise all types of adventure tourism, coupled to its excellent network of services, makes this region a place to visit during any time of the year.

You only have to get there.