From the Llama to the Monkey – Trekking Tilcara to Calilegua Jujuy
From the LLama to the Monkey – Trekking Tilcara to Calilegua Jujuy
From the ancient town Tilcara, located in the mountain valley Quebrada de Humahuaca, wonderful day hikes can be made. An ancient trail leads us through different valleys, ravines and several comunities towards the east of Calilegua National Park. This trekking unifies the Puna region (arid high plateau) in the Province Jujuy with the Yunga (cloud forest) of Calilegua National Park.
F.A.Q. Frequently asked questions about From the Llama to the Monkey – Trekking Tilcara to Calilegua Jujuy
Do I need previous experience for this trip?
- IT IS NECESARY TO BE IN A GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS HIKE.
- YOU DO NOT NEED ANY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF AN EXPEDITION OR TREKKING. HOWEVER, IT IS BENEFICIAL IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE. GET READY FOR IT!
- It is a trekking with a rucksack on your shoulders. INTERMEDIATE LEVEL OF DIFFICULTIY AND INTERMEDIATE PHYSICAL CONDITION. If you never have been hiking with a rucksack on your shoulders for several days before, this is a big opportunity to learn it together with experienced guides.
- GOOD EQUIPMENT AND PREVIOUS PREPARATION ARE FUNDAMENTAL.Comfortable trekking shoes and a suitable rucksack makes the hike more enjoyable, a good sleeping bag guarantees a good rest. We will provide adequate food to keep you strong during the activity.
- The preparation is a big part of any expedition. Therefore, keep your body moving and healthy. If you have the chance to go walking with a rucksack and do hikings during weekends before beginng the expedition, even better.
What is included and what is not included?
- Please contact us for the price of the expedition.
- The price is in US-Dollar.
Included:
- All meals when starting the hike at Tilcara until arriving in San Francisco
- Accomodation (camping sites, tents, 2 nights in a hostel)
- Transportation from San Francisco to Tilcara by bus
- Certified Mountain guide with certificate in first aid in wild environment and wide experience in terrain
- Food portage and tents for local guide (baqueano)
- Park entry fee
- Permits and accident insurance
Not included:
- Transportation from your home destination until Tilcara and back
- Dinner in Tilcara and San Francisco
- Personal equipment (see list of equipment)
- Travel insurance
What level of physical condition do I need?
- Need of INTERMEDIATE PHYSICAL CONDITION. We walk 6-7 hours per day with 10-12 kg each for several days. It is necessary to be physically active in ordert o join the hike but you do not need to be a super athlete. We recomend you to do sports during the previous months; ideal are day-hikes, running or any other sports. This will make your hike more tolerable and safe.
GEAR LIST – What can I rent?
- 60-80 litres backpack
- Waterproof, well worn-in walking boots – Good quality, comfortable footwear is essential. Whatever you wear on your feet the most important thing is comfort. It is vital to ensure your boots are well worn in and lightweight. Ankle support and waterproofing is recommended but if you already have something comfortable with good grip on rocks then don’t go rushing out to buy new boots – you are better off with your well-worn in pair!
- Shoes for river crossing/camp shoes: Crocs are ideal!
- Walking poles
- Sleeping bag (0-10 degrees)
- Sleeping matt
- Walking clothing in layers
- 1-2 pairs of hiking pants (zip-off pants recommended
- 1 waterproof rain jacket
- 2 T-shirts short sleeve
- 1-2 t-shirts long sleeve
- 1 Polar Fleece
- 1 down jacket
- 3 pairs of thick hiking socks
- Warm beanie or woollen hat
- Light warm gloves
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhat
- Thermal underwear x 1 pair (1 top and 1 bottom to sleep)
- Thermal wear is highly recommended, being light, warm and will keep you warm at night.
- Swim wear
- Head torch
- Water bottle: 1 x 1.5 litre bottle or hydration bladder
- Personal medication
- Camera and spare batteries, memory cards or film.
(Please note: there are no electrical outlets on the trek so make sure you fully charge and or have spare batteries. ) - Snacks: Some snacks are provided during the trek but you may like to bring one or two extras just in case. If you have a dietary requirement then be recommend bringing some suitable snacks from home. We will accommodate you for breakfast, lunch and dinner however for snacks it’s recommended to bring some just to be safe.
- Toilet paper: Most important! Also, small plastic bags or zip lock bags for rubbish which you will need to hold on to until the end of the trek.
- Wet wipes and or face wipes: These are an essential and will come in handy after a long day of trekking and no showers.
- Plastic bags: To keep your belongings and clothes dry (wrap everything in plastic bags). RECOMMENDED: – Soft and/or hard copies of all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the hard copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a copy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary
- Eating Utensills: bowl, cup, cutlery
- Available for rent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping matt
- Walking poles
How much weight will I carry?
- Your rucksack will be composed of : 8-9 kg of your own equipment (rucksack, sleeping bag, camping mat, clothes, torch, etc.). Food, tents and kitchen equipment for the group will be transported by mules and local guide.
How can I book the trip?
- Fill in the BOOKING FORM (link).
- Pay the booking fee to secure your place (Bank data or credit card details at the end of the booking form).
- Fill in the Medical Form (link).
- Final payment must be made 1 month prior departure.
MEETING POINT? WHAT TIME?
- We meet on Sunday in Tilcara at 4p.m. The Welcome meeting is compusory. Please bring all the gear for the hike. The objective is: Equipment check.
- Place: will be defined closer to departure date.
Where can I stay in Tilcara?
- L- The hotel nights before the trip are not included in the price.
- Recommendations:
- Tilcara : Hostel la Albahaca
How many people are on the trip?
- The trip operates with min. 6 travellers to max.14 travellers. We like to keep groups small to enjoy nature at its best.
NEXT DEPARTURES
TRIP SEASON : APRIL – NOVEMBER
TRIP PRICE: Contact us
NEXT DEPARTURES
TRIP SEASON : APRIL – NOVEMBER
TRIP PRICE: Contact us
The price is in US-Dollars. We will ask you to pay a 30% deposit to secure your place. The rest (70%) must be payed max. 1 month prior departure.
Methods of payment :
– VISA or MASTERCARD (+3%)
– International bank transfer
We will send you the payment information via internet after you have completed the booking form (link).
Remember that you do not need previous experience to participate but you need to be physically fit.
General information
- Activity : Hiking
- Starting point and finishing point : Tilcara to Tilcara
- Duration : 8 days
- Itinerary : Tilcara to Calilegua
- Accommodation : 5 nights tent camping (basic camping facilities), 2 nights in hostel
- Previous experience required : low
- Fitness level required : medium- advanced
- Group size : max. 14 people
- Minimun age : 14 years
- Distance : 58 km
- Altitud in Tilcara : 2465 m
- Altitude at starting point of trekking : 3200 m
- Altitude at highest point : 4150 m
Travel itinerary
Note:
We will let you go and discover the terrain with your own senses. As we walk, we will let you get to know the rivers and vallys. When we camp, we will let you try the local food. When we pass through the local towns, we will let you get to know the local people.
The pictures on our website speak more then a thousand words which we could invent to describe the experience – we invite you to have a look at them.
Please find here a short day-by-day which shows the structure of the trip :
Day 1: Sunday
We meet in Tilcara, presentation of the guides, equipment check and welcome dinner. Night in Tilcara.
Day 2: Monday
We walk towards “Quebrada del Diablo“ until almost Alfarcito (23°34’47″S, 65°21’02″O) where our trekking starts at an altitud of 3220 m. With course towards the East we start to ascend the “Quebrada del Rio Seco“ (8km) until we reach the highest point of our trekking at 4150m. We continue to Yuto Pampa (23°33’50″S, 65°14’20″O) where we spend the fist night in tents. All in all we hike 15km on more then 3000m altitud on our fist day.
Day 3: Tuesday
We wake up above the clouds, after an abundant breakfast and dismounting our tents, we descend to Huara Huasi, we cross the river and the trail leads us again up to the edge of the mountain. We continue walking 16km until we reach the little school of Molulo. We set up our tents close to the school.
Day 4: Wednesday
We wake up early and after hoisting the flag of this little hidden school we prepare our hike. We follow the same trail until San Lucas. The area has few habitants. We start to descend in between of alder trees and reach the destination close to night time. After 15km hiking in humid climate and on reddish soil, we camp on the river bank surrounded by epiphytes plants and an exuberant vegetation which indicates the beginning of the Yunga (clound forest).
Day 5: Thursday
Day of relax (or extra day in case of bad weather).
We are close to the rural conglomeration of San Lucas. Like in every ZONDA expedition, there is one day to just relax and enjoy. Here you have the possibility to do little hikes, sleep the siesta and drink Mate in magic places.
Day 6: Friday
Last trekking day. (approximately 4-5 hours)
This hiking day will be very different in comparison to the last few days. After hiking on an altitud above 3000m in a dry climate, we continue hiking down 12km on an ancient trail between giant trees and huge ravines in the valley called Valle del Rio Grande. We should arrive on time to catch the bus to San Francisco. We spend the night in San Francisco.
Day 7: Saturday
If we still have strength in our legs we visit the hot springs of Jordan, another very impressive place a few hours away from San Francisco. In the afternoon we return to San Francisco and we take the bus back to San Salvador de Jujuy
End of expedition