Tucuman: A Tour around the Calchaquies Mountains

Tafí del Valle

Without doubt, the Calchaquí mountains are one of the most attractive places to visit within the Province of Tucuman. The entrance to “Tafí del valle” city is amazing, from there you can have a complete view of the whole valley. At the centre of this valley, you can find La angostura dam, an artificial water reservoir, that gives the place a magnificent view. At the south of this dam, it is a town called Mollar, here we can find the archeological reserve called “Los Menhires”, full of monololiths, made out of metamorfological stones by Tafí natives. These monoliths protected their cultives and animals. Many of them, have feline images or human faces representations.

Tafi del Valle principal Square

Menhir Park

You can find different prices to send the night , hostel prices start on $20 pesos per person for the night, there are also hotels between $250 and $350 for the room (capacity: 4/5 )

This region has an excellent climate. Dry and cool. Average temperature in summer is around 25º, and during winter snows. (Located at 2000 metres above the sea level)

There are many things to do, like visiting the crafts fair of the place, horse riding, or a long trekking to the peaks of the Calchaquí mountains.

La Angostura Reservoir

Amaicha del Valle

Going forward on route 307, taking an interesting mountain road to Amaicha del Valle, passing by the “Abra del Infernillo”. This is the highest place, located at 3042 above the sea level, from here there is a spectacular view of all peaks and hills of the place.

Amaicha del Valle is a charming town, surrounded by green vegetation. Huge amount of visitors come here to visit the Pachamama Museum, the principal square and the “inmaculada Concepción statue.

One of the main attractions of Amaicha del Valle is the traditional festival of Pachamama (tribute to Mother Earth) which takes place in February, At this festival, the oldest woman of town is chosen to receive the name and legacy of the Pachamama.

At the entrante of Amaicha del Valle, it is the complex called “Pachamama Museum”. Here you can find copies of different things from different historical periods, the oldest is from 800 before Christ, from the Calchaquí Valleys. This complex is around 10000 m2 and here you can take guided visits of the place, and give very complete info. At the entrance, you can find a representation of the place, where you can see all the hills and rivers of the zone.

Here you can buy crafts and typical foods of the place.

The Pachamama Museum

Continuing northeast by route 307, it is the last tourist place of the area: Quilmes Indian Ruins.

Located at the beggining of the hill “Alto del Rey”. This fort was built at the slope of the hill. At the middle, there is a sacred stone, where, the chief lived. Tourists arrive constantly, once the guide give them a basic explanation, let the tourists climb up to the top of the hill. At the base of the hill there is a place to have a drink, taste typical food or buy some crafts.

Written by: Fernando Cabrera

Posted by: Fernando Cabrera

Translation: Lucas Ensinck

Contact us: argentina_tourism@yahoo.com.ar