Tucumán Yungas Hike

Discover the enchanting Andean forest and traverse the beautiful trails of Yerba Buena through unique locations like El Funicular, Horco Molle, Huicondo, or the historical Ruinas de la Vieja Usina. The choice is yours!

Options for Hiking Tours

During your booking, select from the following options, each including hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation via minibus, an English-speaking guide, and entry tickets.

Explore the specifics of each option below:

El Funicular Hike (4 Hours)

Your adventure kicks off in Yerba Buena as we head towards the Sendero El Funicular (Funicular Trail) located in the Sierra de San Javier. Upon reaching the park entrance, it's time to equip yourself with hiking shoes and begin your journey into the Andean forest, locally referred to as yunga.

This 3.10-mile (5-kilometer) trail is designed with families in mind, providing an easy hiking experience. As we navigate through this protected area, you'll be able to appreciate the rich biodiversity within El Funicular. Remarkably, this natural park houses 24% of Argentina's animal species.

Throughout the route, expect encounters with a variety of birds and mammals. This region serves as a primary hub for biological research at the National University of Tucumán. Concluding this hike, you'll traverse three old bridges that were once part of freight transport paths leading towards Yerba Buena.

• Schedule: This hike is available daily at 7 am and 1 pm.

Reserva Experimental Horco Molle Hike (5 Hours)

This tour starts at the Avenida Perón, where you'll receive a brief overview of our upcoming 4.97-mile (8-kilometer) hike. Once ready, we will embark for the Reserva Experimental Horco Molle.

As we enter the yungaof Horco Molle, a visit to the botanical garden awaits. Continuing our journey, we'll navigate through several trail junctions enveloped in lush greenery until we reach Rio Anta Yacu. This serene spot invites you to admire its unique landscapes while enjoying the soothing sounds of the stream.

Next, we will proceed towards the Escuela Nacional de Agricultura, making a brief stop at this educational facility of the National University of Tucumán, known for being one of the oldest institutions in the northwest of Argentina.

We will conclude this segment by retracing our steps back to Yerba Buena.

• Schedule: This hike is available daily at 7 am and 1 pm.

Huaicondo Hike (7 Hours)

The adventure begins as we drive from Yerba Buena to the Reserva San Pablo, arriving at the trailhead in roughly 45 minutes. Are you prepared to explore this breathtaking Andean forest? Let’s embark!

Upon arrival, you will be captivated by the dense yunga. The first 1.24 miles (2 kilometers) will take you through well-marked trails amid the rich vegetation. We will pause at various points to allow for photography and to enjoy a leisurely packed lunch.

The subsequent segment includes a descent of 1.67 miles (2.7 kilometers). As we descend, the surroundings become even more verdant and pristine. You will soon hear the delightful sounds of flowing water, signalling our approach to the river and the Huaicondo Waterfalls. You’ll have time to unwind in this picturesque environment before we begin our return to the starting point.

• Schedule: This hike departs daily at 7 am.
• The minimum age for participation is 10 years.

Ruinas de la Vieja Usina de Lules Hike (8 Hours)

This option initiates from Yerba Buena, taking us to the roundabout of the Quebrada de Lules, marking the start of our journey towards the Ruinas de la Vieja Usina. Get ready to hike!

As we embark, our trail runs parallel to the Lules River, passing several old houses nestled in nature. We will cross a wooden bridge before beginning a challenging uphill trek. If you're feeling fatigued, don't worry; this is just the beginning! Upon reaching the summit, a sense of relief awaits as we descend through the forest.

Subsequently, another uphill climb awaits, but before we tackle that, you'll have a well-deserved break to savor the lunch you've packed. Post-lunch, we will ascend until we arrive at the site of the Ruinas de la Usina de Lules. As you explore the remains of this historical dam and hydroelectric plant, insights will be shared about the life and eventual disappearance of this intriguing site in San Isidro de Lules.

• Schedule: This option is available daily at 7 am.
• The minimum age to partake in this hike is 10 years.

Pickup from Hotels

This activity includes pickup from hotels located in the center of Yerba Buena. Should you be staying outside of this area, please make your way to the designated meeting point at Plaza de la Independencia, at the corner of 9 de Julio.