TILCARA

Tilcara – Argentina (the North)

This lively Andean village is a great place for exploring the Quebrada de Humahuaca. There’s an excellent arts and crafts market and lots of places to eat in and around its charming central plaza. Evenings can be enjoyed wandering around, bar hopping and attending local peñas. The well attended religious procession in January and the Pachamama (Mother Earth) festival in August are worth catching.

Tilcara’s cozy center.

Highlights:

Pucará de Tilcara: a restored pre-Hispanic fortress located on a hilltop, where one can appreciate the astonishing views of the Quebrada landscapes.

Pucará de Tilcara.

Museo Arqueológico: hosts an extensive collection of pre-Columbian ceramics, masks and mummies.

Cuevas de Wayra: walk through this impressive formation of natural tunnels.

Garganta del Diablo: hike to Devil’s Throat, along old paths to the waterfalls, while taking in amazing views.

Castillos de Huichaira: natural sand formation where you can only arrive walking or horseback riding. Sandboard is possible here.

Purmamarca: 26km south and easy to reach from Tilcara, lies against the exceptional Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colours), which has sedimentary rocks of different colours. Don’t miss the Paseo de los Colorados, a gorgeous three-kilometre walk, featuring naturally sculpted red cliffs, and the Salinas Grandes (Great Salt Flats), which are easy accessible by local taxi from the main plaza in Purmamarca.

Where to sleep in Tilcara

LA ALBAHACA HOSTEL – Budget Category


Stay at La Albahaca Hostel, 4 blocks from the plaza, and you’ll have a fabulous time in Tilcara. Spoil yourself by signing up for the daily group dinners where yummy food is served and guitar music is played. Sometimes even free dance & music classes are organized!

The included breakfast with homegrown fruits and homemade bread is served at your table and the hostel’s terrace with amazing views is superb to chill out on.

The hostel has a kitchen for guest use and the 3 dorms are equipped with lockers. For the private rooms you have the option: shared or private bathroom. After a good night’s sleep you should join in on one of the entertaining tours organized by the crew. Or sign up for a relaxing or hot stones massage (also possible for non-guests)!

Have fun at La Albahaca mingling with the other travellers or helping out with their environmental friendly projects! Open all year, towels included.

Address & contact
Padilla 731, Tilcara
tel. +549 388 (15)5855994
[email protected]
www.albahacahostel.com.ar

Albahaca Hostel

HOSTEL & CAMPING WAIRA – Budget Category


A huge property of 5.000 m2 located at just 3 blocks from the bus terminal and main plaza. Hostel and camping Waira is perfect for fans of outdoor space and socializing.

It has private rooms for 1 up to 6 people (with or without private bathroom), dormitories and a big camping space. Towels are included for private rooms and breakfast for both privates and dorms.

A kitchen and quincho are available, except in January, February and during Carnival, when it’s busy with loud music & parties. Outside of high season it’s a tranquil place to relax.

The outdoor BBQ grills are for use all year round. Enjoy rocking a hammock, defeating other globetrotters at the ping pong and foosball table, or reading a book at their outside tables. Spanish and English spoken. Open all year round.

Address & contact
Calle Ernesto Padilla 596, Tilcara
tel. & whatsapp +549 388 (15)5741433
[email protected]
www.hostelwaira.com.ar

Hostel & camping Waira

HOSTEL TIERRA ANDINA – Budget Category


Hostel Tierra Andina is ideally located in the center of Tilcara at just a few steps away from the bus terminal and close to banks, supermarkets and the tourist office.

Several private rooms with TV (ensuite and shared bathroom), and a range of different sized dorms (mixed, male and female) are awaiting you. Towels and a complete breakfast with cereals and fruits are inclusive (glutenfree: advise in advance).

The owners’ flagship is the daily communal dinner, perfect for chitchatting and making new travel buddies. Tierra Andina is a real social hostel, with an ample green garden, cozy common spaces to hang out and regular parties. A place for travellers, made by travellers!

Address & contact
Hostel Tierra Andina
Alvear 656, Tilcara
tel. & whatsapp +549 1161937076
[email protected]
www.tierraandinahostel.com.ar

Hostel Tierra Andina

PUEBLO VIEJO HOSTAL – Budget Category


Bang in the centre, at just 50m from Tilcara’s beautiful main square, this place is a real travellers mix with visitors from all over the planet. Pueblo Viejo Hostal is housed in an antique historical house made of mud, the building material of the north. Its architecture, the roofs with its mud tiles and straw, and its typical spacious patio give it a rustic authentic feel!

The four dormitories have 4 or 6 beds and two of the dorms are equipped with an ensuite bathroom. Your stay includes breakfast and of course there’s a guest kitchen available.

Travellers staying all over Tilcara gather at PUEBLO VIEJO’S BAR. It’s a cosy place, perfect to meet people and to hang out with the bar’s cool staff. Get ready for some really entertaining evenings!

Hostal & bar staff also speaks English.

Address & contact
Belgrano 332, Tilcara
tel. +549 388 5292920
[email protected]

Pueblo Viejo Hostal

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