Day 1
Transfer from Catamarca Airport. Excursion to Cuesta del Portezuelo, visit to Casa de la Puna. Overnight in Catamarca.
Cuesta del Portezuelo: Departure from the hotel to the Museo de la Zamba, declared of touristic, cultural, and educational interest as the “Museo y Monumento a la Zamba Paisaje de Catamarca,” located at the entrance to Cuesta del Portezuelo. This scenic mountain road winds its way upward along dramatic cliff edges, revealing breathtaking landscapes and postcard-perfect views. The viewpoint sits at 1,070 meters above sea level, offering panoramic vistas of the Central Valley and its countless shades of green—an inspiring scene that gave birth to the famous zamba “Paisaje de Catamarca.”
Day 2
Departure to Fiambalá, traveling through Quebrada de la Cébila, Aimogasta, and Tinogasta. Excursion along the Ruta del Adobe, visiting the Church of Andacollo and the Orquera family oratory. Visit to Termas de Fiambalá. Overnight in Fiambalá.
Ruta del Adobe: A route rich in the historical legacy of the Diaguita native peoples. The Ruta del Adobe covers approximately 55 km and features churches and ruins where adobe is the predominant construction material. Some of these buildings—nearly 300 years old—are considered National Historic Monuments. Along the way, you’ll discover charming villages where skilled hands combined wood and adobe (a mix of straw, mud, and natural binders) to create enduring houses, estates, chapels, and churches.
Termas de Fiambalá: Fiambalá, whose name in the language of native peoples means “water that penetrates the mountain,” is a small town located just a few kilometers from Tinogasta. In addition to its mild microclimate and warm hospitality, it is renowned for its natural hot springs. Set in mountain-fed natural pools, the water temperatures range from 38°C to 70°C. Thanks to their mineral properties, these waters are highly recommended for their therapeutic and wellness benefits.
Day 3
4x4 vehicle expedition to the Seismiles region (Valle de Chaschuil, Laguna Azul). Arrival at Balcón del Pissis, traveling through the majestic Quebrada de las Angosturas. Visit to Hostería de Cortaderas and a walk through Quebrada del Indio. Overnight in Fiambalá.
Ruta de los Seismiles: The San Francisco International Pass is located 200 km from Fiambalá, connected by the legendary Ruta de los Seismiles. Along this route rise 24 peaks exceeding 6,000 meters in altitude, making it a paradise for photography lovers. The landscape features mountains and volcanoes in striking hues of red, pink, green, and yellow, as well as lagoons and streams. Wildlife sightings may include vicuñas, guanacos, llamas, and, near the lagoons, pink flamingos and other bird species. Historically, this route served as a natural passage for indigenous peoples, later used by colonizers and mule drivers trading with Chile. Today, it offers unforgettable scenery including Quebrada de las Angosturas, Valle de Chaschuil, and the imposing Andes Mountains, home to four of the world’s highest volcanoes such as San Francisco, Incahuasi, Tres Cruces, Bertrand, and Los Patos—where ancient high-altitude sanctuaries still bear witness to ancestral cultures.
Balcón del Pissis: An unmissable highlight of Catamarca, located 170 km from Fiambalá. To reach it, travelers follow RN 60 for 100 km and then continue for 70 km off-road, making a 4x4 vehicle essential. Weather conditions must be considered carefully, as temperatures can drop significantly even in summer due to extreme thermal variation. The viewpoint sits at 5,050 meters above sea level, making it the highest point in the world accessible by tourists in a 4x4 vehicle. From here, enjoy panoramic views of Ojo del Salado—the second-highest peak in the Andes—as well as multi-colored lagoons, white salt flats, and the surrounding Seismiles peaks. Vicuñas, guanacos, condors, and even suris may be spotted along the route. This pristine landscape remains untouched by human intervention, offering a raw and unique natural experience.
Quebrada del Indio (Cañón del Indio): Located along National Route 60 beyond Cuesta de la Aguadita, heading toward the San Francisco Pass on the Ruta de los Seismiles. As the sign at the entrance invites, visitors are encouraged to walk through narrow passages between rock walls rising over 20 meters high—once the bed of an ancient river—leading to striking rock formations resembling an indigenous couple nearly kissing. The trail then opens into a wider canyon, where towering rock walls point skyward like arrows.
Day 4
Half-day excursion to the small village of Saujil (north of Fiambalá), home to the Dunas Mágicas (optional sandboarding). Continue through Medanitos and the dunes of Tatón. Later, travel to Belén to visit the Arañitas Hilanderas cooperative at the Cuna del Poncho. Overnight in Belén.
Dunes: This region is an extreme desert landscape. The excursion covers approximately 140 km, visiting the dunes of Tatón, Saujil, and Medanitos. Highlights include the “Federico Kirbus” Dune, named after the journalist and geographer who discovered it, considered the tallest dune in the world at 1,230 meters. Near Saujil, the “Duna Mágica de Saujil” rises 190 meters with a 45-degree slope, making it ideal for sandboarding. In Tatón, you’ll find the greatest concentration of massive dunes, once part of the legendary Dakar Rally and known as one of its most challenging stages.
Arañitas Hilanderas: Arañitas Hilanderas is a textile cooperative formed by women from Belén, Catamarca. It began in 2001 during a period of deep social and economic crisis. Led by Rosa Husqueda de Vega, the initiative brought together primarily single mothers and heads of households, offering social support and helping restore self-esteem through artisanal work. Originally called “Volver a Hilar,” the project focused on rescuing ancestral spinning and weaving techniques traditionally passed down orally within families. Over time, the cooperative became a national reference for artisanal textile production and solidarity-based economic organization. Today, it attracts design students from the University of Buenos Aires and travelers from around the world, drawn by its cultural heritage and the empowerment of its artisans.
Day 5
Return to Catamarca, with a stop in Londres to visit the archaeological site Shincal de Quimivil. Overnight in Catamarca.
Shincal de Quimivil: Located near Londres in the Belén department along Route 40, Shincal de Quimivil was built and inhabited by the Incas between 1457 and 1536, in territory previously occupied by Calchaquí groups. Designed following the urban layout of Cuzco, it served as a provincial capital and was the southernmost city of the Inca Empire. The complex includes over a hundred structures, some grouped into monumental buildings. First identified in the early 20th century, the site has been extensively studied by renowned archaeologists and also preserves remains of the ancient Qhapaq Ñan (Inca Road). The name Shincal comes from the abundance of a local shrub known as “Shinki.”
Day 6
Transfer to Catamarca Airport.
