San Salvador de Jujuy, capital of the province of Jujuy, was founded in the late 16th century and is often referred to as the poor sister of Salta, which is just 100 km south. Jujuy, pronounced “who-whooie”, is often overlooked by many tourists, although it has plenty to offer and more besides, particularly its rich indigenous culture, which makes it the most Andean of Argentina’s cities, and the spectacular scenery that surrounds it.

Jujuy is situated in a fertile valley in the far northwestern corner of Argentina between the Rio Grande and the Rio Chico. Their river beds, with none or little water for most of the year, are overgrown with lush-looking vegetation. While the city itself has only a handful of museums and a couple of fine churches, it boasts a serene ambience and desirable climate. In the early 19th century it was reduced to ruins in one of General Belgrano’s offensives, which is marked by street processions in late August in the El Exodo Jujeno.

To the north of Jujuy is the UNESCO-designated World Hertiage Site of Quebrada de Humahuaca, a fabulous gorge flanked by colourful stratified rock. Lovely adobe dwellings dominate the string of pretty mountain villages dotted along the gorge, including Purmamarca which stands below the stunning Cerro de Siete Colores. Jujuy also serves as a base for visits to Parques Nacionales Calilegua, El Rey and Baritu and their marvellous cloud forests.