In Valle Grande Department, old roads, churches and archaeological sites tell different chapters of history. At the same time, mountains, rivers and waterfalls shape the landscape. Culture and architecture come together particularly vividly along the Qhapaq Ñan section between Santa Ana and Valle Colorado: It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered a route that predates the Incas.
An old road and its construction
The Qhapaq Ñan includes flat stone structures laid across the road axis. They diverted rainwater to the sides, helping prevent damage to the road. Along with the route’s great age, these inconspicuous structures reveal its practical side: water management was part of its design. Its historical significance and specific construction complement each other, without reducing the section to its UNESCO designation alone.
For road directions between Santa Ana and Valle Colorado, Provincial Route 73 is another reference point: the section in question is 24 kilometers long. The Qhapaq Ñan and this road information refer to the same two places, but describe different aspects of the area.
Villages, churches and crafts
In Caspalá, history reaches back to the 19th century: the Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima is a chapel that Don Tomás Coronel had built in the 1840s. The village’s archaeological sites also have their own distinctive features. Antigüito comprises old buildings made of adobe and stone; Pueblo Viejo is an archaeological site of great significance. Caspalá was selected for the “Best Tourism Villages” initiative as one of the world’s particularly beautiful and sustainable rural villages.
In San Francisco, the Iglesia San Francisco stands among the village’s houses. The Monumento a la Pachamama can be reached by a staircase. Both offer a different perspective on the village than the archaeological sites in Caspalá: here, a church in the village landscape and a monument with a specific access route shape the cultural experience.
Valle Colorado is also shaped by local crafts. The village’s women embroider multicolored rebozos inspired by the landscape. At the Centro de Interpretación, visitors can view and buy handicrafts made by local women. There, the textile skills and the opportunity to see the finished pieces go hand in hand.
Mountain landscapes and excursions
Valle Colorado is surrounded by mountains, rivers and waterfalls, and offers opportunities for hiking and horseback riding. Nearby excursions include Cascada El Tornito, Puente Colgante and Mirador El Churqui. This selection brings together water, a bridge and a viewpoint, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one kind of landscape experience.
Around San Francisco, you’ll find more excursion destinations, each with its own name: Termas del Jordán is one of the area’s natural attractions; Mirador la Cruz Mayor and Cascada La Toma are also nearby. An excursion from San Francisco also takes you to climb Alto Calilegua. Such activities should be undertaken with experienced local guides.
At Arroyo Loza, near the town of Valle Grande, you can see several waterfalls along the stream. Here, the stream itself is the focal point of the excursion. This makes it different from the destinations around Valle Colorado and San Francisco, which are described as excursion destinations in their respective areas.
Getting around between the towns
Valle Grande is accessible via Provincial Route 83. From L.G.S.M., the route passes through Parque Nacional Calilegua and the town of San Francisco. This provides a specific road connection for Valle Grande, in addition to the information about the 24-kilometer section of Provincial Route 73. A.TU.CO.QUE brings together tourism service providers in Valle Grande Department, including providers from San Francisco, Valle Grande, Valle Colorado and Santa Ana. The organization aims to promote community-based tourism through direct contact with residents and nature.
Discover more destinations: Santa Catalina Department, Humahuaca Department, Ledesma Department, Palpalá, San Antonio, Susques Department, San Pedro Department.
Go to the main travel overview: Jujuy.
