La Quebrada de las Señoritas: Magic in the North of Argentina

Visit the amazing rock formations at La Quebrada de las Señoritas in the north of Argentina, and be prepared to be in awe.

La Quebrada de las Señoritas is a giant red rock desert area outside of Uquia, in the northern Argentina province of Jujuy. It is stunning and worth the trek to get there. This blog post will entail how to get to La Quebrada de las Señoritas, how to find the canyons, where you can eat in Uquia, etc.

I went to La Quebrada de las Señoritas in June 2022 and stumbled upon these rock formations, including the Canyon of the 13 Curves (Cañon de las 13 Vueltas) by accident. I never saw this area mentioned anywhere else, but it is now one of my favorite places in the North of Argentina.

Finding La Quebrada de las Señoritas

La Quebrada de las Señoritas was the biggest surprise for me in Argentina’s northern province of Jujuy. It is now one of my favorite places in the entire province.

Everyone knows about the Cerro de los Siete Colores in Purmamarca, the Serrania del Hornocal in Humahuaca, and La Garganta del Diablo in Tilcara. But nobody talks about La Quebrada de las Señoritas in Uquia. Because nobody talks about it, I stumbled upon it purely by accident.

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to the North of Argentina

I stayed in Humahuaca for five days and wanted to check out some of the surrounding towns. Uquia was a logical choice. Just 7 miles south of Humahuaca, with buses running between the two towns all day, I set out one morning to see what this small desert town had to offer.

The cost of the bus from Humahuaca to Uquia is USD 0.35, and it takes 15 minutes. Several buses leave all day; I took the 9:30 am bus.

Using AllTrails+ to find La Quebrada de las Señoritas

My all-time favorite hiking app is AllTrails. You can use this app to find trails around the world, including in the north of Argentina. There is a free and a paid version (which I use because it’s affordable and worth it). If you’re interested in Jujuy trekking, this would be a great resource for you.

I use AllTrails Plus when I go hiking. I highly recommend it as you can download offline maps, and send out “lifelines” to friends and family to let them know exactly where you are. You can rate trails, and get inspired to try new ones. The membership is $35/year, but with this discount, it is just $25 for the year. That’s barely $2/month.

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Early Morning in Uquia

The bus dropped me off along the highway in the town of Uquia. There is only one road to walk along when you first arrive.

I arrived at 10 am to find the sleepy town of Uquia with everything still closed. A few locals stared intently at me as I walked by, and their conversations ceased. Because everything seemed closed, I just kept walking up toward the mountains.

If you walk directly up the dirt road where the bus drops you off, it’s a straight shot. I passed a cemetery to my right, and continued walking, following the dirt road.

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The Path to La Quebrada de las Señoritas

On the way, a few cars passed by so I figured there must be something worth seeing up there. They seemed to be going there on purpose. I had a quick look at Google Maps and saw a spot marked “estacionamiento Quebrada de las Señoritas.”

It showed the small blue ‘mirador‘ (outlook) icon, so I figured there must be a beautiful viewing point. What I found was more than I ever could have expected.

Entering La Quebrada de las Señoritas

After walking only 15-20 minutes past the town of Uquia, I reached the parking lot (“estacionamiento”). I paid the USD 0.50 entry fee and had a chat with the guides there. They showed me the map of the area which has two main routes.

The green route weaves to the right and leads to the Cañon de las 13 Vueltas (Canyon of the 13 Turns). The yellow route is a bit longer and weaves to the left, ending at the Cueva de las Señoritas (Cave of the Young Ladies).

It was a hot day, so I chose to head in the direction of just one spot: Cañon de las 13 Vueltas. I bought a cheap water bottle from the guide’s cabin and set off.

If I had walked directly to the canyon, it would have taken only 15-20 minutes. However, I stopped constantly to take photos and videos along the way. Every time I turned around, I was blown away and wanted more photos.

The massive red rocks next to the parking lot were quite impressive as well, so it took me several minutes and several photos to finally separate myself.

The photos below are of the red rocks near the entrance area before I even began the hike to the canyon.

Once I was satisfied, I continued along the red sandy path toward the canyon. The landscape along the way is the ultimate desert terrain: red sand, cacti, sun, and rabbits.

Entering the Canyon of the 13 Curves

Meeting the Canyon’s Protector

After 20 minutes I reached the canyon’s mouth, where I met Carmen. Carmen works there, and I surmise it is her job to ensure nobody climbs on the rock faces in the canyon. Because I was there without a guide, she walked with me.

Carmen and I chatted, and she told me a bit about the area. In the rainy season in the summer months, this canyon turns into a river and it’s impossible to walk through. I felt very fortunate to be visiting in the winter, off-season.

As the name of the canyon suggests, there are 13 turns before reaching the end. Carmen and I weaved back and forth, massive red rock walls on either side of us. Since I now had a companion on my journey, I asked Carmen several times to take my photo in this amazing environment, and, several times, she happily complied.

By the end, she got quite into it and even started suggesting great photo opportunity spots.

What it’s like inside the canyon

Inside the canyon was shady and therefore much colder than under direct sunlight. I was taking off and putting on my sweater all day.

Once we reached the end of the canyon, we took several photos. We then headed back through the 13 turns the opposite way. When we arrived back at the start of the cave, I waved goodbye to Carmen. She then turned back to make sure the newer arrivals weren’t climbing the canyon walls.

At every turn, I was amazed and blown away. This was the best surprise I that I never expected to find in Uquia. The other landscapes I’ve seen in the region have been incredible, but this one was the most impressive.

You can only see the Serrania del Hornocal from a distance. The Cerro de los Siete Colores is great but just a circular route through the mountains. Being here, in the canyon, I could touch the walls. I felt very much a part of the nature surrounding me and I was in my version of heaven.

Heading back to Uquia

Where to eat in Uquia

I walked back to town the same way I came up, but now a few more things were open. A small cafe, Lo de Chari, caught my eye so I stopped in for a lemonade, empanadas, jazz music, and a great view above the city of Uquia. I strongly recommend making a pit stop here.

Uquia Market

After my empanada break, I headed back into the center of town to find a small church serving as the background for a quaint market. It was full of the same items from the area: sweaters, slippers, hats, magnets, etc.

It’s not a big market. About 12-15 stalls are filling up the plaza square. It is a quiet market. They are not pushy at the market and you can peruse at your leisure without pressure. Argentina does not have a culture of excessive bargaining in markets.

Uquia bus stop

After a stroll through the market, I crossed the highway and sat at the bus stop until the colectivo (bus) arrived. The bus stop is obvious. There is a small structure with a few concrete steps leading up to a bench.

It took just 10 minutes until the bus arrived, and 25 minutes later I was back in Humahuaca. The price back to Humahuaca from Uquia was 100 pesos (USD .50) on a local bus.

When to Visit La Quebrada de las Señoritas

Do not come to Uquia in the Argentine summer months: November, December, January, and February. Not only is it hot, but it is also the rainy season. As Carmen mentioned, the rains can cause massive flooding in the caves. If there is flooding the caves are closed and you’ll miss the chance to see these incredible caves.

I went to La Quebrada de las Señoritas in June, which was a great time to visit. The sun shone during the day but was chilly in the early morning and late evenings.

March and April would be great months to visit as well because it’s not too hot or too cold.

What to Bring to the La Quebrada de las Señoritas

The weather can change a lot when you’re in the caves and when you’re in the desert. Because of this, you need to come prepared. This is what I suggest:

• Water bottle– it is hot in the desert. This is the most important item. I use the LifeStraw.
• Water bottle holder– so you can be hands-free
• A fleece or light jacket– it’s hot in the sun but really cools down in the shade inside the cave.
• Money– you need to pay the entrance fee as well as purchase a water bottle if you forget yours.
• Shoes– This is not the place for sandals. The sand is hot and the shade is cold. You don’t need fancy hiking boots, but make sure to wear a closed-toe sports shoe.
• Sunglasses– that sun is bright.
• A cap– again, for the sun.
• SPF– I’m telling you, it gets hot and sunny!

Where to Stay near La Quebrada de las Señoritas

Huerta Las Señoritas (Uquia)

This is the ultimate place to stay in the north of Argentina if you’re looking for peace in the middle of the desert. You’re surrounded by nature here, and it’s a short walk to the center of Uquia.

Click HERE to see availability for the most peaceful place in Jujuy

Casa Samachiy (Humahuaca)

This apartment is centrally located, close to restaurants, cafes, and the bus station in Humahuaca. There is wifi, and linens are included. The kitchen is also fully stocked.

Click HERE to check the availability of this amazing apartment

Hostal Giramundo (Humahuaca)

A very popular hostel in Humahuaca is Hostal Giramundo. I came here to get my laundry done and it had great vibes. Everyone was socializing and hanging out together.

Stay in the BEST hostel in Humahuaca

Looking to Travel? Here are a few organized tours in the area.

La Quebrada de las Señoritas Final Thoughts

I found this area purely by accident, but it was my favorite spot in all of the Jujuy Province in Argentina. I would highly suggest going here on purpose to see all there is to see in this beautiful area.

If I were to do it all over again, I would go a little bit earlier in the morning, and bring more water, so that I could adventure out to both paths, instead of just the Cañon de las 13 Vueltas. If you’re planning to visit Tilcara or Humahuaca, it is a no-brainer to make a stop here. You won’t regret it.

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