From San Miguel de Tucumán to the Valles Calchaquíes

Capital City of the province of Tucumán with accommodation options and all services. It is the starting point of this circuit.

Going through sugarcane and blueberry fields, the route winds along rivers and yungas (the mountain jungle) and starts gaining altitude among ferns, grass and trees. Along the way, there are recreation areas, small oasis where you can enjoy the waterfalls and streams. The Monumento al Indio Viewpoint is located 1100 MSL, it is a 7-metre statue standing out in the landscape since 1942, which offers an ample view of the gorge and La Angostura River. This stretch is part of the Los Sosa Provincial Reserve and it is considered an IBA (Important Bird and Biodiversity Area) site.

As you gain altitude, the yunga eases off and the tourist village called El Mollar emerges and welcomes you with its arid landscape. El Mollar is in front of the La Angostura dam, one of the few artificial lakes in the world, found at more than 2000 MSL. The dam is inside a provincial reserve that protects a great variety of aquatic and migratory birds, many of which are endangered species. You can practise watersports and enjoy fishing. If you are a hiking lover, you cannot miss the Ñuñorco Grande Mountain, one of the most appealing peaks in the Valles Calchaquíes. You can go trekking along high difficulty trails up to 3320 MSL (good health is required and hiring a guide is recommended). On clear days, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Tafí del Valle, the yungas and the snowy peaks of the Aconquija Mountain.

Among valleys and gorges, you will find this open-air archaeological museum, where you can see menhirs, huge upright stones carved by ancient populations that inhabited the valley over 2000 years ago. You will be amazed by their shapes: human faces, animals, geometric shapes and a combination of all these.

A rugged terrain with slopes and mountains that are almost vertical. The road winds through a landscape so green that will leave you speechless. Here, the streams and riverbeds shape beautiful waterfalls and cascades. It is located inside the Quebrada del Portugués Natural Reserve.

From this viewpoint at 2400 MSL you can admire the Andean condors flying over Las Carreras Valley.

Las Carreras is one of the main attractions in Tafí del Valle. Located close to the Jesuit estate of the same name, it has a trekking trail bordering the Los Alisos River starting at 2100 MSL and reaching up to 3300 MSL. Amidst a dreamy landscape, there is an impressive 60-metre waterfall.

An ideal destination in the Valles Calchaquíes in Tucumán for adventure tourism lovers, where you can go trekking in the Muñoz, Los Cóndores and El Pelao Mountains, go horse riding or bicycle touring. Some of its must-see attractions include La Quebradita, a small hillock with a statue of Christ the Redeemer on the summit from where you can see the TafíTafí Valley, the Artisans Road and the natural culture of the province. You can also visit the Cumbres Calchaquíes Provincial Park, surrounded by mountains over 3000 metres high. In this area, there are fossil remains of mammals and a field of petrified carob trees, as well as some animals like partridges, flamingoes, Andean mountain cats and guanacos. This is the largest protected area in Tucumán, and it has been declared as an Argentine Natural Monument.

It is the highest mountain pass of Provincial Route 307, reaching over 3000 metres above sea level. Its beautiful landscapes charm anyone who see it: endless green fields, herder families with llamas and sheep, clouds that touch the ground, condors and black-chested buzzard-eagles overflying the sky, low grasslands dancing along with the wind and giant cacti witnessing the passage of time.

The picturesque town of Ampimpa is the best place for astro tourism. Located at 2500 MSL, this observatory is known for its amazingly clear skies. There are astronomical observations, and accommodation may or may not be included. There are also trails to hike around the mountain range.

This tourist village offers a unique landscape, a huge historical and archaeological heritage and one of the best microclimates in the world, with sunny days all year round. Nearby, you will find Los Zazos Dam and the Remante Waterfall. You can also visit the Pachamama Museum, which was built in 1996 by Héctor Cruz, a plastic artist from Salta. This museum displays the minerals that can be found in the region, pots and tools and mock-ups of ancient housings of the Tafí community, as well as tapestry, paintings and sculptures of ancient gods. A must-see attraction is the Tiu Punco desert, where you will be able to observe native fauna and remains of petrified forests. You can go hiking with certified tour operators.

Located at almost 2000 MSL, it is one of the most important pre-Hispanic settlements of the Calchaquí community. The Quilmes achieved great social and economic development, and by the 12th century, the city had over 3000 inhabitants. Walking between its pircas and sacred sites filled with giant cacti is a real trip back in time. From this point, you can continue travelling north to Cafayate and the Calchaquí Valleys in Salta.