Proposal

One of the most fascinating treks in Argentina

`It is one of the most attractive expeditions offered by northwestern Argentina. A deep experience with nature and a millenary journey, traveling ancient original paths that become magical as they are traveled, landscapes of deep ravines, valleys and small pampas. They will go from the intense green of the jungles to the bare landscape of the high mountains. During the march, condors will be seen soaring through the skies, herds of guanacos and vicuñas.`

It starts from the Yungas Biosphere Reserve, a jungle environment with a high value in biodiversity, crossing different jungle biotypes, until reaching the high grasslands, ascending the high mountains that separate the jungles from the Puna. In this adventure we visit the towns of San Francisco, San Lucas, and arrive at the camping area known as Abra El Potrero. Then the ascent continues to Molulo and beyond over the Yuto Pampa summits from where it starts to the highest point of the route, at 4010 masl. Then it descends to the Quebrada de Humahuaca, arriving at Tilcara which marks the end of the crossing.

Dates Season 2024:

April 8 to 13 (from Calilegua to Tilcara)

May 20 to 25 (from Tilcara to Calilegua)

June 17 to 22 (from Calilegua to Tilcara)

August 13 to 18 (from Tilcara to Calilegua + Jordan hot springs)

September 16 to 21 (from Calilegua to Tilcara)

October 22 to 27 (from Tilcara to Calilegua + Jordan hot springs)

ITINERARY

Previous day (0): We recommend spending the night before the trek starts in Tilcara

Day 1: Meeting in the town of Tilcara, Jujuy. After noon. Presentation of the Guides and preparation of equipment. Night in Hostel (dinner not included)

Day 2: Transfer to Garganta del Diablo and start of the hike. Gradual ascent to the Abra de Hornocal, at 4100 meters above sea level. Arrival at Huairahuasi 3100 meters above sea level - Yuto Pampa Camp. Overnight in a mountain refuge.

Duration: 7 to 9 hours.
Distance: 17km.
Alt.mx: 4050 meters above sea level
Day 3: Huairahuasi to Molulo: We continue the high trail to Molulo, a small settlement, with a school. Overnight in Molulo. Overnight at family home.

Duration: 4 hours.
Distance: 8km.

Day 4: Molulo-San Lucas – Trekking where we pass through Abra de Potrero, a high camp with great views. Descent to the town of San Lucas. Overnight at family home.

Duration: 6 to 7 hours.
Distance: 12km.

Day 5: San Lucas to San Francisco: Trekking to the end of the route, in Peña Alta. Walk along the road to the town of San Francisco. Final night in cabins.

Duration: 6 to 8 hours.
Distance: 15km.

Day 6: Option: Trekking to Jordan Hot Springs, round trip. In the afternoon: final transfer to San Salvador de Jujuy or Salta (check the possibility of getting off at the Jujuy airport). End of our services.

Included Services

Full board in the mountains (from lunch on Day 2 to lunch on Day 6). Does not include dinner in Tilcara

One night accommodation in a hostel (Tilcara), shared rooms.

One night accommodation in a hostel in San Francisco, shared rooms.

Three nights of accommodation in a camp or mountain posts.

Carrying general equipment (tents, food, kitchen equipment, etc.) and individual equipment (up to 5 kg per person) with mules.

"Ambulance" horse, saddle

Permanent guidance and coordination throughout the journey.

General camp logistics (pots, heaters, safety elements, orientation)

Tents

Transfer from San Francisco to Jujuy / Salta (end of trip)

Permanent advice and assistance.

Services NOT included

Travel to the meeting point in Tilcara and ending in Salta.

Dinner in Tilcara (first night)

Guided to Jordan Hot Springs (opens from July)

Expenses caused by eventual abandonment of the program.

Tips

Photo and Video Gallery

Trekking de la Selva a la Puna - Calilegua - Tilcara - Jujuy

Trekking Calilegua Tilcara: Caminar sobre las nubes!

hacia Molulo

desde San Lucas a Abra de Potrero

Cerca de Abra de Potrero

Mirador alto

hacia San Lucas

desde San Lucas a Abra de Potrero

Abra de Potrero

trekking calilegua tilcara 424

grupo trekkeando

los arrieros y el porteo de equipo

cocina rústica

grupo de trekking

luna llena

Tamal

fotografía en un gran lugar

mirador y descanso

tramo entre Peña Alta y San Lucas

grandes momentos

clima cambiante

campamento en Yuto Pampa

Yuto Pampa

hacia Yuto Pampa

Abra de Tilcara

de Yuto Pampa a Molulo

arrieros y pobladores locales

atardeceres que impactan

fogón en campamento

Abra de Potrero

Yuto Pampa

cerca de Molulo

cerca de San Lucas

tramo de Yunga entre San Lucas y Peña Alta

naturaleza en las yungas

yunga de Calilegua

tramo de yunga (nuboselva)

Abra de Potrero

hacia Molulo

Albums

Trekking from the Jungle to the Puna - Calilegua to Tilcara.

From the yungas salteñas to the Quebrada de Humahuaca.

Where do you sleep

Overnight in settlers' houses, with beds. (Hot water shower in some).

The sleeping bag is used for one night only.

habitación en una de las casas

Faq

Who can participate in this activity?

This trek is for people who are in good physical condition to withstand an average of 6 to 8 hours of walking in the mountains, for several days, at a gentle pace, departing from San Francisco, Calilegua, with a spectacular transition of landscapes. With a lot of change in vegetation, and where we are in full contact with the people who live in the mountains and with Nature. In only 70km, from the cloud forest, of the Calilegua National Park to the semi-desert, in the Quebrado de Humahuaca.

Do I need to be trained?

For any mountain activity you need to have previous physical preparation, or be physically active. In this case, we suggest training well in aerobics (going for a run two to three times a week, cycling or swimming) and doing a good leg workout (gym, crossfit, AEX training, etc.)

Do I need to have previous experience?

We recommend having walked at least once previously with a cross-country trekking backpack, although previous experience is not required. It is required to have slept in a tent at some time.

Where do you spend the night?

The overnight stay takes place in mountain camps in igloo-type tents, comfortable and for 2, 3 or 4 people. To share.

The last night: we include one night of accommodation in a classic-simple hostel, with rooms to share, in Tilcara. If you want to have another type of accommodation you can reserve yours on your own.

Do I have to bring a tent?

The tents are included in the service. If you want to bring your own, ask us.

What is the weather or temperature?

Although the time of year is optimal for this journey, in Andean and/or wild areas, temperatures tend to drop at night. There may be the possibility that a storm with rains touches us, hence the importance in personal equipment, they cannot miss anything that we detail in the equipment list.

Are there rest stops?

The stops are given with a frequency and graduation according to the intensity. There are stops for lunch, snack, and rest.

From what age can they do this activity?

From 13 years of age. We also recommend that you contact us before registering or registering a minor.

How much does the backpack weigh?

In a woman a range from 8 to 12 kilos, in a man from 12 to 20 kilos.

Is there a porterage service?

We have a mule porter service, which will carry the general equipment, such as kitchen items, food, tents, and security items. They also carry some of your equipment, an approximate of up to 5 kilos per person.

Difficulty graduation

Mochila: Peso / Duración de la Jornada.

Exigencia Física

Técnico: Dificultad en el Terreno / Equipo.

Fortaleza Psicológica

Exposición a la Altura

Backpack (M)

This point has to do with the weight that we must carry in our backpacks. Trekkings or crossings where we have pack animals allow us to bear less weight on our backs. And the multi-day journeys in Patagonia (without the option of having pack mules) generally make us carry more weight, especially in the early days.

20% Up to 5 Kilos: Short excursion walks / Trekking Talampaya

40% Up to 8/10 Kilos: Round-trip trekking / Vallecitos 3 and 4-day programs

60% Up to 12/15 kilos: Crossing trekking with porting / Crossing of the Andes Paso Portillo

80% More than 15/18 kilos: Cross-country trekkings with little or no portage / Trekkings in Patagonia (Paso Vuriloche, PN Lanin or Nahuel Huapi, etc)

100% More than 25 Kilos: With a lot of equipment on top and little or no porting / Continental Ice

Fitness (F)

We consider physical demands to the wear that we can suffer both aerobic (climbs = possible shortness of breath) and muscle (resistance = many hours walking) and of legs and joints (descents = knees / ankles).

20% half a day or less with little unevenness.

40% more sustained slopes and longer days in the activity. 2-3 days / more than 6 hours per day.

60% Long ascents and descents with a longer duration. Ascents to more than 4000 meters in the central mountain range / intense 4-day trekking (Uruguayan plane)

80% Important work of legs in resistance. Very long days. Very long day ascents (Lanin - Domuyo) or more than 5000 meters. Ice courses.

100% Maximum demand. Aerobic work and constant effort on legs. Continental Ice, Aconcagua, mountains of more than 6000 meters.

Technical (T)

The technical difficulty is mainly based on the terrain. How much can it cost us to climb a slope, if it is very steep or if we have to use our hands in some section (simple climbing), both in rock and snow-ice, or materials such as crampons and pegs in other ascents.

20% flat land

40% trails with moderate ups and downs. General crossing trekkings . Sierra de la Ventana, Córdoba, Patagonia, Cuyo, north, others. Classic ascents

60% Steeper slopes and trails. Possible use of crampons. Domuyo, Cordón del Plata, Cordillera Central.

80% Mixed terrain, with snow or ice. Alvear, Lanin, Tronador. Bolivia, Peru.

100% Highly technical terrain. Glacial transit and climbing in sections. Hill climbing with sections on slopes of more than 60 ° inclination

Psycho (P)

We maintain that this point, the psychological factor, represents a relevant factor. Each one needs a factor of conviction, confidence, self-control and will power to achieve a goal. And depending on the attitude with which we face distances, slopes, terrain and many other objective factors, we can achieve performance with very different results.

20% We will not be much affected.

40% This is a normal level of attention.

60% We require more motivation, enthusiasm and concentration.

80% The activity will require us to be very connected and convinced.

100% Maximum control and emotional-psychological performance.

Adventures (A)

It is the factor that, the height above sea level, influences us depending on the activity we carry out. Managing and overcoming symptoms caused by altitude is the key to this point

0% + sea level.

20% Up to 2000 masl.

40% + 2000 masl.

60% + 4000 masl.

80% + 5000 masl.

100% + 6000 masl.

Required equipment

MANDATORY GENERAL EQUIPMENT

Backpack for trekking (65 to 85 liters)
Warm sleeping bag (-10 degrees comfort minimum)
Insulated sleeping pad (10 to 15mm)
Pair of trekking poles
Sunglasses with UV protection category 4.

FOOTWEAR

1 pair of Waterproof trekking boots (in good conditions)
1 second pair of light trekking shoes to cross rivers

CLOTHES

Underwear
Several pairs of trekking socks (some can be first-skin-interior-thin)
1 pair of wool socks (sleeping coat)
2 T-shirts made of polypropylene (dry fit type) or similar (not cotton) for walking
1 long-sleeved thermal shirt
Warm inner pants (type leggings or long underpants)
Trekking pants. Lightweight-quick dry
2 intermediate outerwear (long-sleeved fleeces)
Warm hat (polar or synthetic wool)
Sun cap (with flaps)
Buff or multifunctional scarf
Warm gloves
Waterproof jacket (ultrex or gore tex or similar)