From the subtropical forest to the semi-desert of the Quebrada de Humahuaca

Takeover of the rental car
Drive through the lush Yungas to the semi-desert of the Quebrada de Humahuaca
Arrival in the picturesque Purmamarca

At 9 o'clock we could have ours bright red Fiat take over and load. The landlord parks the car on the edge of the busy street. When we checked out, a note was already hanging under the windshield. Great, but the carbon paper is illegible and we still understand what it says. We park the car a little further in the parking lot of an electronics store and march off to the post office.

The holidays are over, today because of the shops that are open significantly more people in the streets. We try again to get a suitable power adapter, but the corresponding shop is also closed today. Finally at the post office, we actually want to send our souvenirs from Buenos Aires home as a package. But the queue is incredibly long and in order not to spend half the day waiting, we are postponing this endeavor to another day.

Back at Auto, we find our way out of the city bustle, which is not always easy if the labeling is inadequate. Eventually we will get there Routa 9heading northwards San Salvador de Jujuy leads. Soon we find ourselves in hilly terrain in the middle of lush subtropical forest, the so-called Yungas.

The narrow road winds its way through the foreland, which is rich in rain and vegetation, before we finally drive mostly through farmland. After Jujuy it gets increasingly dry, yes within a very short time the fertile forest becomes grassland, which in turn soon becomes the semi-desert of the Quebrada de Humahuaca must give way. In addition to cacti, the first come here imposing rock formations into the field of vision for which the region is famous.

Finally we reach the picture book-like village Purmamarca. Time seems to be standing still here! The dusty streets are full of sovereign estates and we are definitely in Indio country arrived. Pottery and, above all, all sorts of woven products with typical Indian patterns make the place a shopping paradise. The simple houses would make a great backdrop for any Wild West film.

We park the car on the outskirts and look for a place to stay on foot. Somewhat more expensive than the last few hostels, we will find what we are looking for at Hotel Killani. We explore the narrow streets full of handicraft shops and stalls on foot. Be straight at the central square fresh empanadas Cooked on the grill, a real delicacy. Afterwards, dinner is a little smaller.