On the right side of the road between Tumbaya and Tilcara, the traveller will see a large, high hill, at the back of which, in a windy corner, where clouds crash into it, one will find the Abra de Punta Corral Pass.

On one side of the Pass there is a gigantic mound of stones or Apacheta, where every local traveller deposits a stone as an offering to Mother Earth - the Pachamama, a tradition that has been kept for millennia in the Puna highland areas of not only Argentina, but also Bolivia and Peru. It is usually also accompanied by offerings of a smoked cigarette and a gulp of b liquor. Further uphill, on two sides of a crossroads, you will find on one side the Sanctuary of the Virgin that descends to Tilcara, and further south and down, the Sanctuary of the Virgin that descends to Tumbaya.

There are four different paths that will take you there.

The first one, starts out from Tumbaya, crosses the Río Grande River, and goes into the deep chasm dug by the stream that comes down from Punta Corral. This is a very well marked path and it is said the Incas built it. It is about 23 kilometres long.

The shortest path leaves from Tunalito. It is much steeper than the one just described.

From Maimará there is yet a third path and the most difficult one. You climb up the Paleta de Pintor, crossing the Cerro Amarillo, El Churqui and the Doce Vueltas. The view from this last place is breathtaking with the Quebrada de Humahuaca Gorge below and the snow-clad peak of Chañi. Then one descends to the Apacheta of the Abra de Punta Corral Pass, where the path split off into three directions, one to each of the Sanctuaries and the third to Tilcara.

The last path leaves Tilcara, following the edge of the Devil's Throat - Garganta del Diablo, Chilcaguada, and again to the Apacheta. This path is in very good shape and is repaired every year.

In the month of April the climate is a bit chilly, mostly at nighttime.