Humahuaca and Coctaca

Humahuaca

Humahuaca is a pretty village where you can base yourself to explore the sites of the Quebrada de Humahuaca. It was founded in 1594 and its name derives from an ancient people who inhabited the region: the Omaguacas.

I spent a few days there and, for me, it's the most beautiful village in the valley. From here, I made excursions to Coctaca, the Serrenia del Hornocal and the Quebrada de las Señoritas (Uquía).

Coctaca

Coctaca is located around 10 kilometres north-east of Humahuaca. It is home to the ruins of the Omaguaca people, dating from the pre-Hispanic period. Their descendants populated the area around Tilcara and Humahuaca. The Omaguacas were the most advanced in terms of agriculture.

The ruins themselves are merely the remains of stone walls. You really need to know that they are remains, because they are very difficult to distinguish.