Yavi: Puna Landscape and Cultural Traces

The Yavi microregion lies in the Argentine Puna, a relatively flat plateau more than 3,200 m above sea level, crossed from northeast to southeast by mountain ranges. At the same time, the walk from Yavi Chico to Yavi follows the Yavi Chico and Yavi rivers through a wooded gallery forest, an oasis in the Puna. Here, expansive highland scenery and a green riverside environment offer contrasting impressions. The destination includes the town of Yavi. Those wishing to combine nature and cultural history will find both scenic experiences and archaeological traces in the area.

Archaeological traces near Yavi Chico

Petroglyphs on the banks of the rivers near Yavi Chico attest to settlement since around 900 AD. Yavi Chico is also home to the pre-Hispanic settlement of Antigal de Yavi Chico. The Antigal of Yavi Chico lies opposite the town, on the other side of the Río Yavi Chico. An approximately 15-minute walk leads there; the settlement includes ancient tombs. The combination of rock art and settlement makes the site particularly interesting if you are interested in the Puna’s long cultural history.

The municipal museum Museo Mama Antonia–Tata Porta, also known as the Museo de Antigales, features an archaeological collection from the Chicha culture dating from 900 to 1460 AD. It also displays historical objects from the everyday lives of the local population. In Yavi Chico, rock art and settlement remains are thus complemented by a museum collection that covers both a specific period and objects from daily life. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide whether to focus more on outdoor sites or on the cultural and historical collection.

Rock art and protected areas

Nearby Laguna Colorada is 5 km from Yavi, at Cerro Los Ocho Hermanos. Petroglyphs can also be found there, depicting human figures, llamas and Indigenous symbols. This offers another connection to rock art, while the motifs also reveal a distinct visual world. If you are interested in such depictions, you can explore this site as a separate theme alongside the traces near Yavi Chico.

Another nature-related attraction is the Monumento Natural Laguna de los Pozuelos, designated a biosphere reserve and Ramsar site. Its conservation objectives include protecting Argentina’s largest Puna wetland and its diverse birdlife. This includes flamingos and migratory wading birds. The protected-area designation and the bird species found there make the lagoon especially relevant to travelers who want to explore the Puna’s wetlands and birdlife as well as its cultural sites.

Manka Fiesta and cultural life

In La Quiaca, the Manka Fiesta, also called “Fiesta de las ollas,” has origins dating back to the 15th century, before Inca rule. It is considered Argentina’s oldest Andean fair and is part of a trade network connecting northern Jujuy with southern Bolivia. Bartering continues at the festival; today, the celebration is also associated with entertainment and cultural heritage. Traders exchange wool, meat, seeds, herbs, dried fruit and flour, as well as industrially produced and handcrafted goods. This breadth makes the Manka Fiesta an interesting trade and cultural tradition without reducing it to a single category of goods.

Also in La Quiaca, the Complejo Cultural Manka Fiesta comprises four floors with an amphitheater, a cinema, a museum, exhibition spaces and an astronomical platform. These features give an impression of the variety of cultural spaces within the complex. Travelers wishing to explore different cultural themes can consider the historical traces at Yavi Chico and the Manka Fiesta, with its links to trade and cultural heritage, as separate interests.

Getting there and choosing a destination

The Yavi microregion is connected to San Salvador de Jujuy by Ruta Nacional 9, which is fully paved.

Other destinations: Palpalá, Departamento Valle Grande, Departamento Ledesma, Departamento Santa Bárbara, Departamento Tumbaya, Departamento El Carmen, Departamento Doctor Manuel Belgrano.

For the broader travel overview: Jujuy.