Half and Full day Tours
“LA COSTA RIOJANA”
Tour LA COSTA RIOJANA TO ANILLACO – HALF DAY
Depart: 8am or 3pm – Return: 3pm or 8pm
Departing from La Rioja, we head toward the gorge located in the west side of the city to start our journey, passing by “Los Sauces” dam. Then continuing to the village of Sanagasta and the Huaco Valley crossing the slope with the same name, heading to others littles villages as Pinchas, Aminga and finally Anillaco. Here you can buy some local products (olive oil, goat cheese, wine). Return to La Rioja
LA COSTA RIOJANA TO AIMOGASTA –FULL DAY
Depart: 9am – Return: 7pm
Once we get to Anillaco we can continue our trip to Aimogasta making a stop in Santa Vera Cruz, a town located just before the mountains, to visit the “Castillo de Dionisio” (Dionisio’s Castle), a singular and unique structure in the region. Dionisio, the artist and owner who lived here made several escultures shaping them in many ways.
After all we reach Aimogasta to watch the four hundred years old olive tree, the unique survivor from the colony times when the King of Spain sent to cut off all the olives of the country.
“SANAGASTA GEOLOGIC PARK (DINOSAURS PARK)”
½ Day – Duration 3 – 3:30 hours
Starting from la Rioja, visiting La Quebrada and the dam called Los Sauces, the Sanagasta Village and the lookout where we can see all the village and the valley.
Then ascending the slope in the vehicle to get to the Huaco’s door and the Geological Park of Sanagasta, wich it has scientific interest due to the dinosaurs eggs found there. The eggs belong to the Cretaceous Period.
Not included: Entry fee and Park Guide
OPTIONAL FROM SANAGASTA: “PAMPA DE LA VIUDA”
We take a winding road with panoramic views to “Pampa de la Viuda” a flat highland in the mountains at 2300 m.a.s.l.
CHILECITO, CUESTA DE MIRANDA y RIO del ORO por LOS COLORADOS
Chilecito Starting in La Rioja towards “Los Colorados”, an intense red elevation where the famous “Caudillo (gaucho) Chacho Peñaloza” had a cave that used to hide from his enemies.Continuing to north passing by “Catinzaco” and “Nonogasta” we reach Chilectio to visit the Station 1 of the cableway of the old mine “La Mejicana” and its mining museum, La Mejicana was a huge gold, silver and copper mining project which started on the first years of the XXth Century. We also visit “La Riojana” winery the biggest wine producer of the province having a quick guided tour with wine tasting. After this we head towards the Redentor Christ of the Portezuelo were we can enjoy a nice view of the Chilecito city. In the afternoon we visit Famatina and the Station 2 of “La Mejicana”. Then we return to La Rioja. Chilecito and Cuesta de Miranda As optional you can choose to ascend to the picturesque Cuesta de Miranda, with spectacular panoramic views. Later on we return to La Rioja.
EL CHIFLóN PROVINCIAL PARK
1 day excursion – Depart: 7am, return 7pm
A Provincial Park located in the same geological basin as Ischigualasto and Talampaya. It has a tremendous cultural and geological value. Today we can observe the traces of the natives who once lived here.
The park has different geological formations due to the sedimentation process of millions of years and the erosive action of weather.
In its circuits we can observe petrified logs, petroglyphs and more.
At the park you can choose: guided circuits, short and long trekking or vehicle circuit Not Included: Local guides, park entry fees and circuits on park, meals/beverages
“QUEBRADA DE LOS CONDORES”
Depart: 7am, return: 9pm Tour Quebrada de los Condores: starting from La Rioja towards Punta de los Llanos, Tama and Paca tala. Ascent to the Sierra de los Llanos tracks between mountain streams and picturesque landscapes to Estancia Santa Cruz de la Sierra in the south Rioja arriving to the tourist place Quebrada del Condor. After lunch, we take an optional 2 hours horseride combined with some trekking to the balcony where we can watch the Condor flying just above us. An hour later we return to the main site to share some “mates” (a local tea) and then head back to La Rioja city. Not Included: Local guides, horseride or trekking, Lunch (you can opt for a delicious Goat baked at clay oven typical of the place).