VALLE GRANDE

177 km away from San Salvador de Jujuy, at 2,300 m above sea level, and standing in the foot of the Ovejería hill, is Valle Grande, a small 680 inhabitant's town that takes its name from the river of the same name that surrounds it.

Its foundation goes back to 1904 and it is a town placed within a mountainous setting, with a mild climate and strong southern hemisphere's summer rains. Facing it stands Bañado Hill, the Pozo Cavado Mountain is to the north and the Campo Grande slopes to the south.

The absence of good communications keeps this Jujuy department a virgin land full of vegetal and animal richness. There is leafy and mixed vegetation that makes for an important forest resource. In addition, there are animal species such as mountain lions, cats, jaguars, monkeys, vicunas and guanacos among others.

It can be accessed from Libertador General San Martin, through the Nº 83 National Route. It is a 92 km trip.

There is a prolongation of the route leading to Caspala, and a detour from that to Pampichuela, with 85 inhabitants. If one continues up to Santa Ana, a 156 inhabitant's locality, through a horse track and into the gorge it is possible to walk through the las steps of the Inca trail.

From Pampichuela, and after a 5 km walk towards the west, one arrives to San Lucas, which has a geothermal fountain very recommended for rheumatic affections. A beautiful hanging bridge can be crossed in the area.

The mountains and woods of Valle Grande are a perfect place for camping, trekking and passage walking. Horseback visits to towns like Infiernillo, Cuevas, Valle Dorado and others can be arranged. They are roughly two hour trips from Valle Grande. From this spot one can access, trekking or mule riding, the Humahuaca Gorge as well.

Other places to stopover in the area are the old mill, the De La Loza waterfalls, Valle Colorado, and the archaeological remains of Alto Calilegua and the Santa Ana's mines or caves.

There are lodgings, guiding, dining rooms and telephone services in town.