This small village of only 312 people is located in the heart of the Quebrada de Humahuaca Gorge, about 10 kilometres from San Salvador de Jujuy in the midst of coloured mountains.

Uquía is not only famous for the Cuzco School paintings of harquebusier angels that adorn its church, but also for the rocky sediments of its hills that hold an invaluable paleontological treasure.

These sedimentary strata are between one and three million years old and register the passing of the first mammals that migrated from North America when the two Americas were first joined.

Until that time South America was like an immense island completely surrounded by seas and its fauna had evolved in complete isolation for millions of years, mainly in the form of herbivores such as giant sloths, Mylodonts, Glossopteris and other similar beasts that left their remnants in the sedimentary rock strata of Uquía.

In Uquía, you can also practise horseback riding and bike tours to the natural wonders in its surrounding countryside. Just to mention a few: the Pucará of Calete (two hours away), the Cerro de la Señorita (three hours); as well as full day horseback excursions to Molla, Capla Trancas and Angosto de Ocumazo.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

The Iglesia de San Francisco de Padua Church
It dates back to 1691. It is built in a typical American style, conserving a series of artworks, such as the main altar carved in wood dating back to the XVIIIth century, the baroque style wood carvings and the restored Cuzco School paintings, such as the harquebusier angels, represented dressed in colonial Spanish style armour. Inside is the grave holding the earthly remnants of the Jesuit historian Pedro Lozano. It has been declared a National History Museum. Its Patron Saint's Day is on May 3rd.
It is located between the streets of Padre Lozano and Capitán Uyunis.
It is open to visitors every day of the year.

The Uquía Archaeological Site
There are remnants of a pre ceramic hunter and gatherer settlement in an alluvial terrace of 50 metres of length, behind the village of Uquía. It is found on the right bank of the Río Grande River, about 11 kilometres south of Humahuaca.
Access is through a dirt road.
It can be visited during the whole year, although during the southern hemisphere summer rains can make the road dangerous to use.