From San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca to Antofagasta de la Sierra: the new tourist circuit

Brand Studio for Natural Tourism 

A new circuit is added to those proposed in

: it begins in San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, the capital of the province, and crossing mountains and ravines it reaches the town of Andalgalá.

From that point, to the west, in the town of Londres, is the Shincal de Quimivil, one of the most dazzling archaeological sites in the country.

Going up the RN 40 and a few kilometers before Hualfín, the detour to Provincial Route 43 becomes the gateway to the

.

In addition to traveling through a spectacular high altitude road in the Cuesta de Randolfo, from there you will reach the Laguna Blanca Provincial Reserve (surrounded by several peaks over 6,000 meters above sea level, where you can see flamingos) and the Campo de Piedra Pómez (a semi-lunar landscape at more than 3 meters above sea level).

In Antofagasta de la Sierra, the landscape surprises with the Galán volcano, the Antofalla salt flat, the Incahuasi mine and many other attractions.

The Campo de Piedra Pómez can be visited in the company of authorized providers

The route covers 712 kilometers, with 90 percent paved.

There are only about 30 kilometers of gravel on Provincial Route 43 (between Villa Vil and Cuesta de Randolfo) and another 16 kilometers at the entrance to the Laguna Blanca Provincial Reserve.

The suggested time to travel and enjoy it is between seven and ten days, throughout the year, although some roads can become difficult to travel in the summer months, which are the rainiest.

On the tour you can see the Villa Vil Castles, an impressive rock formation.

San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca

On the banks of the Valle River and at the foot of the Ambato and Ancasti mountains, the trip begins in the capital of the province.

Among its attractions are the 25 de Mayo square, in which the architect Carlos Thays intervened, the Nuestra Señora del Valle Cathedral Basilica, the House of Culture, the Casa de la Puna to see the work of textile artisans, the Museum of Poncho and the Handmade Carpet Factory.

Being an important religious center, it is worth visiting the Museum of the Virgen del Valle and the Grotto of the Virgen del Valle.

On the banks of the Valle River and at the foot of the Ambato and Ancasti mountains, the trip begins in the capital of the province.

Near the city you can enjoy nature in the El Jumeal Ecological Park and visit the Lost Town of La Quebrada, an archaeological site that dates back 1800 years.

The Cuesta del Portuezelo, a scenic route with several viewpoints and panoramic views of the entire valley, is another of its must-sees.  

Going up RP 4 you will reach the summer villages of El Rodeo and Las Juntas, ideal places to rest and enjoy their streams, trails, horseback riding and typical foods.

Along RN 38 and RP 1 that crosses the Catamarcan yungas, there is the Las Pirquitas dam and the historic tunnels of La Merced.

andalgalá

Continuing along RP 46 for about 107 km you will reach the city of Andalgalá, an oasis at the foot of the Sierra de Aconquija.

It is known as "the Pearl of the West" for being a place to rest, enjoy nature and its centuries-old culture.

There are adventure tourism activities, photographic safaris, 4×4, mining tourism in the Rodocrosita Santa Rita mine and more.

Touring the city and its surroundings you can visit museums and historical sites such as the Lafone Quevedo Archaeological Museum, olive-producing farms at the foot of the mountain, the San Francisco temple dating from 1848 and the Muschaka Museum.

Shincal de Quimivil

The Shincal de Quimivil, one of the most stunning archaeological sites in the country, just 5 km from London

It is one of the most stunning archaeological sites in the country, just 5km from London.

You can see enclosures, stairways and paths that were part of an urban center inhabited between the 15th and 16th centuries by the Incas.

It has an interpretation center, trails and guide service to tour the site.

To find out the visiting hours, it is recommended to check them on the Shincal fan page, at the Bethlehem tourist office or at the London Folk Museum.

Belen

From Belén, the RN 40 crosses the Sierras de Belén for 11 km.

Belén, on RN 40, is the most important city in the region and a good destination to take as a base to reach the Puna.

It has a wide variety of services, accommodations and gastronomy to enjoy typical dishes such as empanadas from Catamarca, tamales or jigote.

From here you can visit archaeological sites and walk trails of different levels of difficulty and lasting several days, with the possibility of spending the night in camping sites (it is important to do them with baqueanos or qualified mountain guides).

Other plans to do in the city: go up to the monument to the Virgin of Belén to have a panoramic view of the ravine;

visit the Cóndor Huasi Archaeological Museum, the Nuestra Señora de Belén Sanctuary and its Sacred Museum, and the craft stalls at the Camila Aybar fair in front of Olmos de Aguilera square or the Arañitas Hilanderas weavers.

Important: before continuing the trip to the Puna, it is advisable to load fuel.

Sierra Antofagasta

The trip ends in Antofagasta de la Sierra at more than 3,200 meters above sea level.

It has services, gastronomy, accommodation and service stations.

Its inhabitants and streets with small adobe houses invite you to experience the culture and history of the local community that lives among lagoons, salt flats and volcanoes.

Antofagasta is the base town to discover the attractions of the Puna of Catamarca: to the north, the Antofalla volcano and salt flat, the Hombre Muerto salt flat, the Incahuasi gold mines and the Las Tobas field;

to the west the Peñas Coloradas;

to the east the Galán volcano and the Diamante lagoon;

and to the south the Campo de Piedra Pómez Protected Natural Area, the Grande lagoon and the Carachi Pampa, Antofagasta and Alumbrera volcanoes.

Archaeological tourism is another experience that can be lived in the Pucará de la Alumbrera, an indigenous settlement built with volcanic sediments at the foot of the Antofagasta volcano (all these sites must be visited in the company of qualified guides and in 4x4).

At 87 km you can visit the Villa de Antofalla with 60 inhabitants belonging to the original Kolla Atacameña community that still maintains its ancestral traditions.

Some recommendations   

In Hualfín you can visit important archaeological sites such as Pozo Verde.

It is key to remember that in the Puna you can feel the so-called "altitude sickness". Some recommendations to avoid it: do little physical activity the first three days, do not make sudden ascents in a few hours and consult a specialist if they recommend any medication specific before the trip. 

This region of the country can be very windy, cool, sunny and dry.

It is advisable to drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration and do not forget to bring a wide-brimmed hat, dark glasses, a coat and a windbreaker.

In Hualfín you can visit important archaeological sites such as Pozo Verde.

You can only camp in permitted places.

You have to use bags for all waste and do not leave garbage.

There are places set up to make a fire, which must be put out with plenty of water before leaving.

The Nature Route

The Natural Route is the first comprehensive program for the development and promotion of nature tourism, created by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Nation.

Intertwining the attractions and natural experiences of each region with its cultural, historical, recreational and gastronomic attractions, it seeks to promote lesser-known circuits and destinations, articulate consolidated destinations with emerging destinations in integrated circuits and improve the territorial and seasonal distribution of tourist activity. 

More information about this route and many more at www.larutanatural.gob.ar.