Yala – Lagoons, ravines and trekking

Yala is a small town surrounded by green hills, with its character shaped by its lagoons. If you take nature and trekking into account when planning your trip, the town offers a variety of landscapes and activities to explore.

Lagoons, Yungas and ravines

The Lagunas de Yala are a group of bodies of water in a nature reserve. Yungas, trails and wildlife surround them; together with the green hills, the lagoons shape the town’s landscape. Yala is also considered a gateway to the Quebrada de Humahuaca. For trip planning, the lagoons highlight the area’s natural character; its description as a gateway to the Quebrada adds a regional perspective.

The Angosto de Jaire offers a different kind of landscape: this narrow gorge is shaped by water, moss and jungle, which together form a unique landscape. In contrast to the lagoons as a group of bodies of water, the focus here is on the narrow gorge; water features in both, while moss and jungle are distinctive features of the Angosto de Jaire.

Compare the waterfall and trail duration

The Chorro de Varas is a waterfall in the Yungas, offering an option for a day of trekking and nature experiences. The Sendero Bosque Montano is a trail near the town of Yala; it has a low difficulty level, is 1,650 meters long and takes about an hour and a half. The distance describes the length of the trail, while the approximate duration indicates the time required. This makes it possible to compare a trail with a low difficulty level and a specified duration with a waterfall suited to a day of trekking.

Getting there and finding your way

Yala is located on Ruta 9. To follow the Lagunas de Yala–Termas de Reyes circuit, travel north on Ruta Nacional 9 to the town of Yala, then turn left onto Ruta Provincial 4. Road conditions and seasonal accessibility can change; check both before setting off.

Several bus lines run between Yala and San Salvador de Jujuy; check the current service locally before your trip. Bus connections and the circuit route answer different questions: the bus lines connect Yala with the provincial capital, while the road directions indicate the way to the circuit.

Culture in the wider destination

In the wider destination of Departamento Doctor Manuel Belgrano, the Museo del Cabildo presents the history of the province in eight rooms. Its scope ranges from ethnic origins through the colonial period and the years before the revolution to connections with Belgrano; the presentation uses dramatic and audiovisual techniques. The program may evolve.

In Departamento Doctor Manuel Belgrano, the Catedral de San Salvador de Jujuy has a Baroque pulpit made of Ñandubay wood; the Basílica de San Francisco has a gilded pulpit made of carved wood.

Discover more destinations: Humahuaca, La Quiaca, San Salvador de Jujuy, Tilcara, Calilegua, Hornillos, Huacalera, Ciudad Perico.

For the wider travel overview: Jujuy.