The Devil's Throat in Jujuy is one of the most sought-after natural attractions in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. That's why it also generates the most questions before a trip: how far is the hike, how high is it, how many meters high is the waterfall, and whether it's better to go on your own or with a guide . This guide answers each of those questions with concrete information, so you can arrive in Tilcara with your itinerary already planned.
It's a canyon carved by the Huasamayo River, with rock walls up to 200 meters high and a waterfall at the end of the trail . Its name sparks as much curiosity as its landscape: no one knows for sure why the conquistadors named it that, although in this article you'll find the most widely accepted theories.
Unlike other attractions in the Quebrada de Humahuaca that can be viewed from a roadside lookout, the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) requires hiking: there's no way to experience it without walking at least the final stretch . Therefore, much of this guide is designed to answer practical questions before you set out and to offer alternatives for those who prefer not to do the entire route on their own.
If you prefer not to organize the trip yourself, you can check out the excursions to Tilcara. which include guide, transfer and lunch.
Where is the Devil's Throat in Jujuy and how to get there
The Devil's Throat in Tilcara is located just outside the town, on the banks of the Huasamayo River, on one of the hills surrounding the town. Tilcara is about 84 km from San Salvador de Jujuy and about 47 km from Purmamarca via National Route 9 , within the Quebrada de Humahuaca corridor.
Before you go, it's worth knowing that there is another Devil's Throat in northern Argentina, in the Quebrada de las Conchas, near Cafayate, Salta : they are two different formations with the same name, so if your search was " Cafayate Devil's Throat Jujuy ", this article is about the one in Tilcara, not the one in Salta.
Below are the details of the exact distances and the three ways to get to the canyon.
Distance from Tilcara to the Devil's Throat in Jujuy
The distance from Tilcara to the Devil's Throat varies depending on the mode of transport. On foot, the traditional trail covers about 5 kilometers from the town center. However, some variations recorded by hikers on trekking platforms measure between 3.4 and 9.3 km depending on the exact starting and ending points, as many routes include an additional return leg along a different path.
By car, the route is longer but more direct: about 8 kilometers along a single-lane gravel road , with tight curves on a cliff edge.
The town of Tilcara is located at approximately 2,465-2,500 meters above sea level, while the Devil's Throat circuit is situated between 2,850 and 2,900 meters above sea level . This is an important detail for those sensitive to altitude or with respiratory problems: although it is not an extreme altitude by northern Argentine standards, the physical exertion is noticeable on the final hike, especially on the sections with sustained inclines.
For a rough estimate: walking to the trailhead usually takes between 1 and 2 hours , depending on individual fitness levels and the pace of the group. Add to that the time spent on the trail (approximately another hour) and the return trip, so it 's advisable to plan for a 4- to 5-hour outing if you walk the entire route at a leisurely pace .
The way to the Devil's Throat: on foot, by car or by taxi
There are three ways to hike to the Devil's Throat . The first is along the old trail, the same one generations of locals used to cross to the neighboring town of Alfarcito. This is the option most recommended by those who have already done it, although it requires a sustained climb for about two hours and crossing the riverbed several times over stones , with some short scrambling sections that are not ideal for people with reduced mobility.
The second option is by private car, along the aforementioned 8 km gravel road, which leads to a parking area near the entrance. The third option is by taxi: rental cars that can be picked up in Tilcara's main square, avoiding both the long walk and the need to drive along a cliffside road, for those who prefer to save the physical effort of the climb.
Entrance and Aboriginal community Ayllu Mama Kolla
To enter the trail, you must pay an entrance fee to the Ayllu Mama Kolla Indigenous Community , which is responsible for maintaining the trail clean, marked, and with the necessary safety measures. Many tourists are unaware of this before setting out, so it's advisable to bring cash, as card payments aren't always accepted at this location, which is so far from the town center .
In addition to the entrance fee, it is advisable to bring water, sunscreen, shoes with good grip, and something to eat or drink mate once you are up there, as the walk usually takes longer than expected.
It is worth clarifying that the entrance fee is how the community living in the area supports the maintenance of the trail and the safety of the route, in a place where there is no permanent presence of park rangers or other state personnel.
What to see at Devil's Throat: the waterfall and the canyon
Once there, the main trail is divided into two stages : first, you reach a viewpoint overlooking the canyon, and then you descend to the riverbed to get closer to the waterfall. Understanding this sequence helps you avoid being limited to the initial view and missing the most spectacular part of the trail.
Besides the main circuit, there is a second, much less well-known attraction, hidden a few minutes away, which few tourists ever get to see.
The Devil's Throat waterfall: how many meters high is it
One of the most frequently asked questions is, precisely, how many meters high is the Devil's Throat . The answer isn't a single number: different sources and trekking logs measure the waterfall between 15 and 18 meters high. Some travelers' accounts mention slightly higher waterfalls in specific sections of the canyon.
What all descriptions agree on is its origin: it's meltwater that flows down from the highest peaks, icy cold, and which sculpted this waterfall over thousands of years . That's why the waterfall's water is cold year-round, something that surprises many visitors after a hike in the full sun.
The canyon walls that surround it are another iconic feature of the area, reaching an estimated height of around 200 meters and displaying hues ranging from ochre to blue-green, marked by furrows carved by rain and wind over time. The contrast of colors is most striking in the early morning , before the sun directly hits the rock. Therefore, if photography is your priority, it's best to leave Tilcara early.
The canyon and its water engineering
Facing the waterfall, and as part of the same circuit, you can see an engineering feat that few expect to find in such a remote landscape: an irrigation ditch that channels water from the Huasamayo River into a tunnel that passes under the mountain, and which today continues to supply drinking water to the town of Tilcara .
In some sections, a footbridge built on top of the same structure rises about 100 meters above the river, and a metal staircase with railings allows you to go down to the riverbed to continue the walk along the bank.
This water catchment system continues to serve its original purpose and coexists with the tourist route without interrupting it. Walking alongside the footbridge, with the river flowing dozens of meters below, is one of the most impressive sections for those who complete the entire route, and also one that requires the most careful footing, especially if the path is wet.
The Natural Waterfall, the secret hidden behind the Gorge
Few visitors know that about 300 meters from the main trail—an additional 20 to 25 minutes of walking—lies a second waterfall, known simply as the Natural Waterfall, with an even higher drop than the first. To reach it, you have to leave the main trail, take a left turn at a fork in the path, and follow the stream, without a marked trail, guided by the crystal-clear water flowing down from the mountain.
The final stretch has no signage or steps: you have to walk over loose stones in the riverbed, crossing from one bank to the other several times, so it's advisable to bring trekking poles and walk slowly. As a reward, the surroundings change completely: cardon cacti of different sizes and a local species called "amara" (a star-shaped cactus) surround the waterfall, in an environment much quieter than that of the main trail.
Excursions and tours to the Devil's Throat
If you prefer not to organize the trip yourself, there are two ways to explore this circuit and other nearby spots in the Quebrada with a guide and transportation included. The difference between the two lies in the day's focus: one concentrates exclusively on the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat), and the other combines it with a broader tour of several towns in the region.
Traveling with a guide also has a practical advantage over doing it on your own: there is no need to coordinate the payment of the entrance fee to the aboriginal community, the return time or the logistics of lunch, since everything is resolved in advance .
Below, you'll find details of each one so you can choose based on how much time you have available.
Guided trek to the Devil's Throat
The trek to Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) is the most direct option for those who simply want to experience this attraction. It's a family-friendly hike of approximately 5 km along the traditional trail , departing at 9:00 AM from your accommodation in Tilcara and returning around 2:00 PM. The hike includes a guide, transportation, and a regional lunch with panoramic views of the waterfall. It lasts a total of 6 hours and is of medium difficulty.
It's a good alternative for those who prefer to be accompanied by a guide who can explain the geology and history of the area, rather than organizing the route and entrance fees on their own. The hike is suitable for people of average fitness, with no prior trekking experience necessary, although comfortable shoes and layered clothing are recommended, as the temperature changes considerably between the start and end of the hike.
Tour of the Humahuaca Gorge with El Hornocal Viewpoint
If your plan includes visiting more than one town in the same day, the Quebrada de Humahuaca tour with El Hornocal viewpoint takes you through Purmamarca and its Hill of Seven Colors, the Posta de Hornillos, the Church of Uquía (famous for its paintings of the Arcabuceros Angels), and Humahuaca, before ascending to the 4,200-meter-high El Hornocal viewpoint. It's an 8-hour excursion by vehicle, with a low level of difficulty , ideal for combining with the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) on different days of the same trip.
This tour does not include the Devil's Throat in its route, but it is the best way to see the rest of the attractions of the Humahuaca Gorge if you have already booked the trek to the Devil's Throat separately.
The mystery of the name and the history of the Devil's Throat
Beyond the scenery, much of the interest this place generates stems from its name. There is no official or documented explanation for why it was given this name, which has led to various versions that the local guides themselves recount during the hike.
Knowing this history also helps to understand why the Devil's Throat of Tilcara should not be confused with another attraction of the same name in northern Argentina.
Why is it called "Devil's Throat"?
One of the most repeated theories maintains that the name comes from the time of the Spanish conquest: upon reaching this point of the ravine, on the way to the hidden town of Alfarcito, some conquerors would have associated the image of the canyon with the jaws of the devil .
Another version explains that the hillsides, with their deep crevices, resemble the shape of a human trachea . And a third theory, passed down by the locals themselves, maintains that the place is a "dangerous passage" that should not be crossed except at certain times, such as dusk or after midnight.
None of the three versions has a historical source to fully confirm it, and that is perhaps why the place continues to generate so much curiosity among visitors. Local guides often recount more than one of these versions during the hike, and many let each visitor draw their own conclusion upon reaching the canyon.
The Devil's Throat within the Humahuaca Gorge
As we mentioned before, the Devil's Throat in Jujuy is not the only place with that name in northern Argentina: there is another canyon with the same name in the Quebrada de las Conchas, near Cafayate, Salta province , several hours away from Tilcara.
Both sites share the name and geological origin, but they are completely different attractions, in different provinces, so it is important to keep this in mind when planning your trip to avoid confusing one circuit with the other.
The Devil's Throat of Tilcara, on the other hand, is part of the circuit of towns in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, along with the Hill of Seven Colors in Purmamarca, the Pucará of Tilcara and the El Hornocal viewpoint, near Humahuaca.
That combination of colonial history, geology, and oral tradition is ultimately what makes the Devil's Throat more than just a waterfall at the end of a trail: it is a meeting point between the natural landscape and the stories that different generations have built around it.
How many meters long is the Devil's Throat?
The main waterfall measures between 15 and 18 meters in height, according to the source consulted. The canyon walls that surround it, however, reach around 200 meters.
How do you get to the Devil's Throat from Tilcara?
There are three ways: walking along the traditional path (about 5 km), by private car along an 8 km gravel road, or by taxi from the central square of Tilcara.
How long does it take to get there on foot?
The ascent takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on each person's pace. Adding the time spent on the trail and the return, it's best to allow between 4 and 5 hours in total.
Is there an entrance fee?
Yes, an entrance fee is paid to the Ayllu Mama Kolla Aboriginal Community, which is responsible for keeping the trail clean and marked.
Is it the same Devil's Throat as the one in Cafayate?
No. They are two different canyons with the same name: one is in Tilcara, Jujuy province, and the other in the Quebrada de las Conchas, near Cafayate, Salta province.
Can it be visited with children or elderly people?
The final section includes river crossings over stones and some short scrambling, so it's not ideal for people with reduced mobility. However, for children and adults in good physical condition, it's an accessible hike.
With the distance, the road, the waterfall and the two available excursions, you now have everything you need to plan your visit to the Devil's Throat in Jujuy, whether on your own or with a guide who takes care of the rest.