Horse Riding in Jujuy

per person

Horse riding in the Quebrada de Humahuaca is a ride through history and beautiful landscapes. The background geography and colors you will witness from the back of your horse couldn’t get any better. Nestor and Pablo will share with you their wonderful Peruvian horses to make this incredible journey come true.

The Peruvian horses are originally from Peru and descendants from the Spanish horses. They are famous for their smooth way of moving, called the “paso llano” or “paso fino”. This is a lateral trot unlike all the others that do a horizontal and vertical one. This four-beat gait between the walk and the trot is super comfortable. People say that while riding you can hold a glass of wine without spilling a drop. As they are originally from a mountain area, they are the perfect horse for riding in this region.

A little history

This is an arid and beautiful region of Argentina that constitutes a cultural heritage. It’s in the northwest of the country in the province of Jujuy. This Andean valley is about 155 km long oriented north-south. The Grande River crosses it at 2.000 metres above sea level.

Since the natives lived here, many cultures were part of this region. Quebrada de Humahuaca was a route for the Inca people, and it was an important passage for settlers of the time. It was also a very important trade route in the viceroyalty times. As a matter of fact, it’s a natural access road to the Altiplane. Thanks to this, the cultural exchange between the South America settlements was possible. Due to its importance, it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 2 July 2003.

Attractions

On its route you can find many attractions like Huacalera, Pucara in Tilcara and the archeological site. The most famous is the Rainbow Mountain or 7 Color Mountain. It also counts with the locality of Volcan.

7 Nights / 8 Days

15+ Age

Trail Rides

Destination
Jujuy
Departure
Salta City
Included

Accomodation

Alcoholic Drinks

Beginner

Breakfast

Dinner

Intermediate

Lunch

Luxury

private Guides

Riding Horses

Spa

Transport
Not Included

Advanced

Caballos de equitación

Economic

Endurance Horses

Equipment

Full Board Accomodation

Gimnasio

Half Board Accomodation

Jumping Horses

Local Tours

Polo Horses

Tickets to National Parks

From our gallery

1

Itinerary

Pick up at Salta’s city Airport.
Transfer to Solar de la Plaza Hotel. Depending on the arrival hour, there will be lunch at the Solar del Convento, a traditional restaurant that offers local dishes. During the afternoon, option to rest at the hotel or do some Salta’s city tour. At night, dinner at the Peña Los Cardones. These peñas are typical of the region, they offer typical food and folklore shows.
On the second day, after breakfast, riders will be taken to Chicoana where Pablo and Nestor’s equestrian centre is. Here they will give some information about the next days’ ride and they will give out the horses for each rider. This day will include a short ride in the surroundings so that the guides can get to know each rider’s level. Also, it’s a good way of introducing the horses’ particular way of moving. There will be empanadas for lunch and they will return to the hotel in the afternoon. The idea is to have a good rest and be ready for the great ride.
The travesy begins! Transfer to the locality of Volcan where riders will meet Pablo and Nestor. Volcan is the first stop of the quebrada’s route, it’s a small locality found at 2.000 metres above sea level, surrounded by mountains and varied vegetation. Riders will go until Tumbaya, where they will have a light lunch, and then continue until the campment in the Porvenir. Tumbaya is another small locality that has a church from the year 1.796. During this trail the mountain of the seven colors will be able to be seen!
After having breakfast with an incredible view, the second day on horses begins. The destination is Purmamarca, which the riders will be able to get to know as much as they like. While the guides take care of the horses, riders will check in at the Hotel & Spa Manantial del Silencio where they will be able to relax and rest. At night, dinner will be at the hotel.
After breakfast, riders will go by car to Tumbaya where the horses will be ready to start the third day. The ride will continue between the magical landscapes of the quebrada. They will start to get into the mountains on the way to the Santuario de la Virgen de Copacabana, at 3.000 metres above sea level. After a light meal, they will continue to Punta Corral. They will get there in the afternoon with the camp ready for them. Rest and dinner!
The incredible ride to Tilcara continues after some freshly baked bread with some regional marmalade. Lunch will be by an abandoned ranch by the Punta Corral river, a place of native people and gauchos. They will arrive at Tilcara at the beginning of the afternoon where they will be able to join their non-riding companions to get to know the place. Tilcara is named after the tribes that used to live in the town. You can still see adobe houses where the colonial settlers established themselves. This way, the hispanic culture lives together with the old native cultures and share festivities such as the “misachicos”, the living “pesebre” and the cult to the Pachamama. You can’t miss the fortified Pucara town and the high altitude Botanical Garden.- At night, riders will check in at the Las Marias de Tilcara Hotel. It’s a luxurious hotel with whirlpools and swimming pool, great for an after horse day. This is the last day riding!
Breakfast at the hotel and getting to know the beautiful Tilcara together with the companions. After lunch, a transfer will take everyone to Humahuaca, another lovely place, and later to Salta.
Back in Salta, they will check in in the House of Jasmines. This old french farm has everything needed for a good rest: spa, heated swimming pool, and landscapes that will blow your mind. It’s owner, a horse lover, also has an estancia in Cordoba province where he offers polo vacations. For those who are tempted, this is a great option to combine with the ride!

Location

Quebrada de Humahuaca is a narrow mountain valley located in the province of Jujuy in northwest Argentina. It’s bordered by the Altiplano in the west and north, by the Sub-Andean hills in the east, and by the warm valleys in the south.

Other activities for riders and non riders companions

For the non riders this is a great place to know! Quebrada de Humahuaca can be toured by land so riders can meet their companions at each stop of the way to the final destination, except for the one night when the riders sleep at the campment.

The city of Salta has many places to visit, like the Archeological High Mountain Museum, where the history of the north people and towns is taught. The mummies of the Niños de Llullaillaco (mummified children offered to the Gods) are here. There are other museums to visit also. The city is pretty wherever you look. A few minutes away, in the outskirts, is San Lorenzo, well known for its vegetation and for the nice weekend “quintas”. During the night, the city is alive along Balcarce street, with many restaurants and bars and “peñas”.

San Antonio de los Cobres is just 2 hours away driving, the locality where the famous Train to the Clouds departs, the highest train on earth.

Besides visiting Purmamarca, Tilcara and Humahuaca there is the possibility of going to Cafayate. This is in the Calchaqui Valley region and is known for its rock formations and its red colors. Here is where the Torrontes wine is elaborated.