Tilcara

This a town next to the Rio Grande river in Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca`s Ravine), at 2461 metres above the sea level. The world Tilcara means shooting start in the Quechua language and this place is one of the two most important tourist attractions in the ravine area. Tilcara has an old colonial style with narrow streets, surrounded by mountains of different colours and view points. The main square is the public meeting point for local people, tourists and artists, where you will smell the recently cooked bread and the hundreds of carpets made with wool of llamas hanging for sale, as you hear some melodies of quenas (regional musical instruments). One of the most famous attractions is Tilcara`s Pucarà (ancient Indian fort), about 2 km from the town. It is located on top of a hill, and 10% of it has been restored. It used to be an Indian town before the arrival of Columbus, with its houses and the pucarà. Some of the restored sections are corrals for llamas, walkways, bedrooms, stairways, tombs, etc. When you get there you will see a Botanical Garden, where different regional trees and bushes can be seen.