Valle Grande Department

Mountains, rivers, and waterfalls shape the surroundings of Valle Colorado, while places such as Caspalá and San Francisco offer a glimpse into a distinctive cultural history. In Valle Grande Department, archaeological sites, historic buildings, and lively craft traditions meet nature experiences. When planning your trip, it is worth first considering which places and experiences you would like to focus on.

Qhapaq Ñan: Routes and Architecture

The section of the Qhapaq Ñan between Santa Ana and Valle Colorado is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The section is considered pre-Inca. Its construction includes flat stone structures laid across the path. They channeled rainwater to the sides, helping to prevent damage to the route. These details make the Qhapaq Ñan interesting not only as a historic route, but also as an example of thoughtful path design. The section of Provincial Route 73 between Santa Ana and Valle Colorado is 24 kilometers long. This figure refers to the route, not a walking distance.

Village History and Crafts

In Caspalá stands Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima, a chapel commissioned by Don Tomás Coronel in the 1840s. Antigüito, which includes old buildings made of adobe and stone, and Pueblo Viejo, an archaeologically significant site, add further historical dimensions. Caspalá was also selected for the “Best Tourism Villages” initiative as one of the world’s particularly beautiful and sustainable rural villages.

San Francisco also has notable landmarks: Iglesia San Francisco stands among the village houses. The Monumento a la Pachamama can be reached by a staircase. Those interested in cultural history and the design of village spaces will find different points of interest here.

Crafts are also part of the village scene in Valle Colorado. Women embroider multicolored rebozos inspired by the landscape. At the Centro de Interpretación, visitors can view and buy handicrafts made by local women. A visit to the region’s culture can therefore also offer a glimpse of contemporary crafts.

Nature Experiences and Different Interests

Valle Colorado is surrounded by mountains, rivers, and waterfalls. There are opportunities for hiking and horseback riding. In Valle Grande, visitors can see several waterfalls along the stream at Arroyo Loza. Excursion destinations around Valle Colorado include Cascada El Tornito, Puente Colgante, and Mirador El Churqui. Places mentioned in the surroundings of San Francisco include Termas del Jordán, Mirador la Cruz Mayor, and Cascada La Toma.

An excursion from San Francisco also takes visitors to the summit of Alto Calilegua. Activities like these should be undertaken with experienced local guides. This offers a different focus from the crafts and architectural heritage in Caspalá or the opportunities for hiking and horseback riding in Valle Colorado. If you are traveling with several interests in mind, these differences can help you choose which places to focus on.

Getting There and Choosing Your Destination

Valle Grande can be reached via Provincial Route 83. The route runs from L.G.S.M. through Calilegua National Park and the village of San Francisco. When choosing a vacation rental, it therefore makes sense to start with the places and experiences you are interested in: the sights described are spread across Valle Grande, Valle Colorado, San Francisco, and Caspalá. A tourism service provider group in the department, A.TU.CO.QUE, brings together providers from San Francisco, Valle Grande, Valle Colorado, and Santa Ana. It aims to promote community-based tourism through direct contact with residents and nature.

As a starting point for further exploration, discover Valle Grande. Other destinations include Doctor Manuel Belgrano Department, Palpalá, Humahuaca Department, Tumbaya Department, Ledesma Department, Santa Bárbara Department, and Yavi.

For the broader travel overview: Jujuy.