Having done our first day trip from Salta in a southerly direction to Cafayate (altitude 2000m), we had a day’s rest then followed up with a trip north to Humahuaca. This time the altitude got to 3000m which is quite high and makes climbing up steps a much slower process than normal. This trip went along the Quebrada de Humahuaca which is a UNESCO world heritage site following the rock formations along the Rio Grand. First stop was Purmamarca which is a small village with a picturesque church and an artisan market. But the real reason to visit is the view of the Cerrito de Los Siete Colores (rock of seven colours). Next up was Humahuaca which was the biggest village on this trip. Again there was a picturesque church, village square, and artisan market. The real standout attraction here was the Independence Monument that towers over the village. It is pretty impressive and took many years to build but seems a bit out of place. Lonely Planet describes it as ‘a vulgarity that patronisingly extols the virtues of native cultures overwhelmed by colonialism’. Still lunch was good with 3 courses for £6.50, mine featuring llama stew! Back on the road south again with stops in Tilcara (church, square, artisan market), a site where a meteor hit a mountain, countless hills of seven colours, a monument (or was it a sun dial) as we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn and an unusual cemetery. By this time we came to the conclusion that the stuff on offer at the artisan markets (as nice as it was), all came from the same factory.
