Hornocal

Its name evokes the magnificence of the colorful giant, ensuring that at its foot an agricultural livestock community displays its peaceful and quiet daily life and that it is willing to share it with those who come to visit it.

Hornocal is an original community located about 60 km east of the city of Humahuaca at 3,430 meters above sea level. Some of its members are in charge of guarding the Serranía de Hornocal Viewpoint, which is why it is often thought that the community’s territory is limited to the Viewpoint area. Notwithstanding the community’s lands, they also comprise a large segment of the Cianzo river ravine, located between the communities of Cianzo and Ocumazo.

Essential information

The climate of the region in general is pleasant, in winter the minimum temperatures usually reach -6 ° C, on very cold days, between 6:00 and 9:00 in the morning, but at noon, almost every days are around 15 ° C. In the summer the minimums are around 12 ° C and the maximum 30 ° C. The rains occur only in summer, generally from December to March, and can be anticipated or extended by a few years.
The Serranía de Hornocal viewpoint can be reached all year round. While to the community only between March and November, as long as the rains do not start, since the local road from Puerta de Zenta to Hornocal, becomes impassable.
The closest service station is located in the city of Humahuaca. Make sure you are well supplied with fuel before starting the trip and that you have a spare wheel in optimal conditions of use, as there are no tires for 70 km. around.
The community of Hornocal does not have electricity, families provide their homes with it, through solar panels, with the limitations that this implies. There is also no cell phone signal, or internet, for this reason it is impossible to charge with a credit card, debit card or other electronic means of payment. The closest ATM is located in the city of Humahuaca. Take this situation into account before leaving Humahuaca.
During the journey you will ascend more than 4000 m.a.s.l. take the necessary health precautions, try to eat lightly and do not consume alcoholic beverages before or during the trip. Coca and pupusa in infusion, help to mitigate the effects of pointing.
Due to the height and the clearness of the atmosphere, the sun’s rays arrive with great force and are harmful, always use sunscreen SPF 50+ and a hat or cap.
The Hornocal community does not have a first aid room or a police station. The closest first aid room is located in the Cianzo community, and is only available from Monday to Friday.
It is not advisable to travel at night, especially when the rainy season begins, because along the road there are streams that grow and crack the road and in other areas it becomes slippery.

How to get?

It is reached through Provincial Route No. 73 and a local road that begins in Puerta de Zenta, crosses the community of Cianzo, the homonymous river and reaches the SUM (multipurpose room) of the community of Hornocal . The road is dirt all the way, with a very steep, winding and busy ascent in the first part of Provincial Route 73. The local road almost entirely runs along the bed of the Cianzo River. Due to the amount of sediment and stones, it is only a suitable road for trucks. The maximum height of the entire journey is 4,350 meters above sea level. in the Abra de Cianzo.

Distances:

Humahuaca – Serranías del Hornocal Viewpoint: 25 km.
Humahuaca – SUM (multipurpose room) of the Hornocal Community: 70 km.
Maximum height throughout the journey: 4,350 m.a.s.l.

Telephone Numbers of Interest:

• Municipal emergencies (Civil Defense) 103
• Humahuaca Hospital (03887) 421009
• SAME Operational Base Humahuaca (03887) 421159
• Medical emergencies (SAME) 107
• Humahuaca Police (03887) 421017
• Police Emergencies 911
• Fire and Rescue (Firefighters) 100
• Zenta Public Transport: Agrocianzo 3884408532