CALCHQUI VALLEY'S MAP
EL MOLLAR AND LA ANGOSTURA DAM
Mild calm shelter which is ideal to relax, from which there is a magnificent view: the most elevated artificial lake in the whole country.
El Mollar is a tourist village located at the sides of Nuñorco Hill, east of Tafí Valley. Its growth, as well as all Tafí Valley and Calchaquí Valleys, is related to the road inaugurated in the 40´s. El Mollar has been an archaeological settling of great importance. In the middle of the twentieth century, Doctor Rex Gonzalez discovered the ruins where an ancient civilization more than 300 years B.C. had settled, forming one of the first farming-pottering expressions of the Argentinean northwest.
Previously, there was the collector man who looked for his daily food in the earth and animal products.
The first permanent population settled down here and here was born the first Tucumán citizen.
Nowadays, it became one of the most visited tourist towns, mainly by young people who spend their vacations in this lovely place. El Mollar has hostelry, camping, family houses, cabins and places to enjoy outdoors, making long hiking or hill climbing to perceive from heights the permanent green of nature.
One of the main attractions is visiting Los Menhires archaeological reservation. Enigmatic inheritance belonging to Tafí culture, which bloomed 300 years B.C. until 800 A.C. It’s an exact demonstration of aesthetical sense and creativity of those Valley´ ancient inhabitants. Some stones are about 3 meters height (9.84 feet) with one of its faces engraved with symbolic designs, snakes and human figures. It’s assumed that these stones were spread out in the valley and moved many times, and that they would have a magic nature and a ceremonial purpose especially propitiatory of fertility, fecundity and religious brotherhood.
Another option is enjoying lying at the sun by La Angostura dike, which can be seen completely from any point at the village. This water mirror is ideal for practicing water sports such as windsurf, sky and jet sky. This place became a meeting point for performing championships related to various sports.
LOS MENHIRES ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESERVATION
One of El Mollar´ main attractions is Los Menhires archaeological reservation, where there are fifty stones representing Tafi culture, gathered in La Sala, situated in the middle of the village.
The word “menhir” comes from a Celtic origin and means “long stone”, which was the name of European megaliths and became part of our archaeological literature trough naturalists who studied these stones at the end of XIX century. However, it seems more appropriate the term “huanca” or “wanka”, Quechuan word which means protector or benefactor of that place; in this case refers to monoliths as “huanca protectors” and propitiator of cattle and crops.
Originally, most of the stones actually in this reservation, were located in a 4 hectares ( ) area at both sides of El Rincón river, while others were in El Rincón, El Infiernillo, Río Blanco and Carapunco.
They were moved several times bringing negative consequences for their study and protection, because the required information necessary to understand their meaning wasn’t registered.
They were made in metamorphic rock, sometimes with inclusions of quartz and granite which are materials found around the whole valley.
The ones shaped with percussion, rubbing and wear and tear techniques, have human face representations.
Then we have zoomorphic ones: the represented animal is almost exclusively the feline and its representation is suggested through prominent ears from the upper portion of the stone or circular geometric drawings like skin spots. In some cases, there is a very insinuating phallic shape, and the oldest documents for the Andean region associate them with practices appropriate for life, and also with Huanta ancestor and the first settlings on the Valley.
The stones are 2,000 years old approximately, at the beginning of the Christian Age.
LA ANGOSTURA NATURAL RESERVATION
Water and wind velocity invite visitors to the practice of windsurf, kayak or rowing. Located in Tafí del Valle, was created to protect La Angostura dike, as well as kite surf and fishing.
This Reservation, located at the dike and La Angostura perilake area, was created in 1996. It’s situated in the middle of Tafí Valley, 2,000 metres above sea level (6,561 feet) and it has 600 hectares (1,482 acres) of extension. Its goal is to preserve and protect water and migratory birds, many of which are threatened by extinction or a reduced environment.
The reservation limits are: the Tafí river mouth, in La Angostura dike and Provincial Route 307. In this way, the preservation of annual migratory birds from high mountains as hibernation place as well as nesting places of a great amount of ducks and other water species, is possible.
Among the most important birds we can find: roan ducks, young magpies, parrots, cormorants, flamingos, Andean geese, mountain gulls, several species of bald coots, golden plovers, woodcocks, etc.
WHERE TO SLEEP:
- Hostel Boca de la Quebrada
Includes: swimming pool, barbecue place, TV room.
Barrio El Porvenir
(+54 381) 156817633
cegdiaz@gmail.com
- Hostal El Remanso
Includes: central heating, bar, restaurant.
Camino al Lago (Lake road) s/n
(03867) 491153
EL INFIERNILLO
Continuing the road, leaving Tafí to the northwest, we find Abra del Infiernillo, where there used to be lodging (some cabins located on a hill’s slope in front of which there´s the majesty of Aconcagua). It’s a very recommendable place to visit and it’s only 15 minutes from Amaicha. At the highest point of the “abra” (which means an opening between two hills) the road goes into the place where clouds gather struggling (as well as cars do) to defeat highness and to flood the valley. They obviously succeed, but it’s difficult.
AMPIMPA
Outstanding place because of its bright sky without obstacles, which allow visitors to watch the stars like nowhere else in Argentina, and mainly most of the year.
Ampimpa is a natural balcony of the Yocavil or Santa Maria Valley, situated after passing El Infiernillo, and from which visitors can appreciate Amaicha del Valle.
It’s located 2,600 metres (8,530 feet) above sea level, and it has many paths to high Calchaquí mountains. It also offers an Astronomic Observatory where people can enjoy of an incredible sky.
After that, the town of Ampimpa, with only 60 houses, serves as a passing through to arrive to Amaicha del Valle, which is 8 kilometres (4.96 miles) away.
Tourist Services:
- AMPIMPA ASTRONOMIC OBSERVATORY
Address: Route 307 - Km 107
Telephone: (0054) 0381 - 156092286 or 156 091195
PC: 4137
Ampimpa Astronomic Observatory is located 150 kilometres (93 miles) from San Miguel de Tucumán, at 2,560 metres (8,398 feet) above sea level, in the Aconcagua mountain range.
The observatory was founded in 1985 for studying Halley Comet in its last pass through Earth. At that moment, the observatory initiated its activity as member of NASA - International Halley Watch, and they got the first Argentinean pictures of the comet on November, 17th, 1985.
The observatory area is located in Ampimpa, natural balcony to Santa Maria Valley facing Sierra de Quilmes or El Cajón, and limiting with Tucumán, Catamarca and Salta provinces. The geographical characteristics offer a transparent sky, permanently, without pollution nor light contamination, which allows optimum observations.
Nowadays, the observatory is 80% engaged in educational activities, making scientific camps. This experience is considered unique in the whole country, for the activities are of cultural interest.
This Observatory was declared Tourist Interest Site in January, 2003, by the Tourism and Sports Ministry.
* SERVICES:
- Activities guided by Observatory professionals.
- Conferences, Videos, and Workshops.
- Complete catering service (breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner)
- Open night cafeteria.
- Photographic trips with archaeological guides to Ruins of Quilmes: includes admission ticket and transportation.
- Press material: expedition guides, notes, bibliographical material.
- Possibility to take astrophotography, placing a camera against telescope.
- Comfortable cabin lodging. Individual bathrooms.
- Special transportation for high mountain.
- Attendance and participation certificate, equivalent to 50 class hours.
- Astronomic observations with observatory telescope.
* NECESSARY ELEMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN EXPEDITIONS:
- Informal country clothes. Winter coats. Mountain shoes. Sun hat.
- Sun filter with 15 FPS or higher.
- Medical fitness certificate: for staying one or two days at 2,500 metres above sea level. It must be presented in San Miguel de Tucumán, before expedition.
- Notebook: medium notebook, pen and pencils.
- Photographic equipment: the most varied cameras and accessories are recommended. Specially telephoto lens, format cameras: medium and large, besides the common 35 mm. ones.
- Accessories: different sensitivity photographic films. Very steady tripods, capable of comfortably orientate the camera to any point in the sky.
AMAICHA DEL VALLE
From Tafí del Valle, route 307 continues to Amaicha del Valle passing trough Abra del Infiernillo, which is 3042 meters (9,980 feet) above sea level from where you can have access to Santa Maria de Yocavil Valley.
Amaicha del Valle, which is situated 154 kilometres (95.69 miles) from Tucumán and 57 kilometres (35.41 miles) from Tafi del Valle, holds a piece of history in its privileged geography. Calchaquí Valleys amaze visitors in each section of its long trip with its shocking landscapes of colourful hills, and towns with lots of history about native culture.
Amaicha is an important part of this tourist trip. Its population is mainly rural and is about 1,509 people. Its climate is dry and fresh (mild summer and dry winter). This town is well-known for the good quality of its fruits and because it’s the only place of the province where “patero” wine (vino patero) is made.
Amaicha del Valle offers many places full of beauty and history: El Paso, Los Chañares, Salamanca, Los Colorados, La Salina, Los Corpitos and Ampimpa (where we can find the meteorological observatory); also Los Zazos, Tío Punco, Calimonte, Encalilla, Anjuana, Tala Paso (meeting point of “copleras” - ballad seller old women) and with its historical marks we can find El Bañado and Quilmes.
In Amaicha del Valle there is a place, like a shelter, which serves to look after its cultural roots´ relics. Its name is Complejo Museo Pachamama* (Pachamama* Museum) and is about 10.000 mts.² (107,639 feet²) with 3.000 covered mts² (32,280 ft²), located on Route 307, at the entrance of town. There are reproductions of diverse elements of Calchaquí Valley, which comprise historical periods ranging from 800 B.C.
Another main attraction of this town is Fiesta Nacional de la Pachamama (Pachamama National Festivity) which takes place in February every year, coincidental with Carnaval (carnival). This party takes a week and on the last day, the oldest women is chosen, who gets the name and legacy of La Pachamama (*Mother Earth), who she has to represent over a whole year until the next celebration takes place. Visitors also can buy regional products at the pascanas (stages - places where people sell regional food and products) located around the main town square.
WHERE TO SLEEP:
* Hostels:
- El Portal de Amaicha
Includes breakfast.
Cabins, dorms and hostel.
Gas station with automatic cashier (Nation Bank - Banco Nación/ Red Link)
Provincial Route 307 - Km 117
PC: 4137
(03892) 421040 - 421140
elportaldeamaicha@yahoo.com.ar
- Nuestra Señora de Lourdes
Provincial Route 307 and Pasaje Bernardita
PC 4137
(03892) 421006
* Lodging:
- Hospedaje Amaicha
Rooms with private and collective bathrooms. Apartments, barbecue place, parking lot, trips.
Hipólito Irigoyen St. and Tupac Amarú St.
(03892) 421299
hospedajeamaicha@yahoo.com.ar
- Hospedaje El Aparcero
Regional food restaurant.
Hipólito Irigoyen St. Two blocks from town main square.
(03892) 421082
- Hospedaje Yanasucu
Rooms with private bathroom. Hot water all day. Trips.
Hipólito Irigoyen St.
710381 - 43679 / 155 892024
yanasunacu@yahoo.com.ar
* Hostels:
- Hostal L´Apacheta
Rooms with private bathroom, hot water, parking lot.
Hipólito Irigoyen St. in front of town main square.
(03892) 421173
* Hostelry:
- Parador Quilmes
Breakfast and free access to Museum
Quilmes Ruins.
PC 4137
(03892) 421075
* Camping:
- La Coplerita Camping
- Los Algarrobos Camping
- Los Cardoncitos Camping
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