10 Must-see places in La Rioja beyond Talampaya

Chilecito can be a great starting point to explore this part of La Rioja. It’s a city that began as a mining town and now thrives thanks to tourism and winemaking. It’s surrounded by mountains, with the Sierra de Velasco on one side and Famatina — the highest continental mountain in the world — on the other.

It’s the ideal city to stay overnight given the many options and variety available (apartments, cabins, and even a 5-star hotel). On weekends, its main plaza hosts an artisan fair, and you can buy regional products nearby.

Tip: If you visit this part of La Rioja, don’t leave without good wines, some olive oil, and olives. If there’s space left, candied walnuts and some herbs for mate also count. You can find all of this in shops around the central plaza.

Where: Chilecito is in the northwest of the province, about 100 kilometers from La Rioja city. From Buenos Aires, you can get there by bus, car, or plane to the capital.

One of Chilecito’s main attractions is its wineries and wines. In total, there are between 8 and 10 wineries open to visits, both large and small. Recently, the destination added a bus that runs on specific dates from Parque de las Juventudes and tours three wineries per trip. You can check prices, dates, and routes at this link.

Concepción Viñedos Sustentables is a gem on this route. It’s a new project where María José and Luis welcome tourists, invite them to tour the estate, and explain their vineyard management: “We were born here and believe we will die here. We take care of this place for those who know it, those who don’t, and those who never will,” they explain. The vineyard is managed ecologically and biodynamically: what nature gives goes almost directly into the bottles. Their Malbec Chango Guapo is a must-try.

Bodega Valle La Puerta is another expression of the heterogeneity of this Wine Route: 1,300 hectares of vineyards and 730 hectares of olive groves. 60% of their wines and 80% of their oils are exported worldwide. Their Torrontés La Puerta is a true expression of these lands. This grape, the only 100% native variety in Argentina, thrives especially in this zone.

Tip: Grupo Las Flechas is another place worth visiting on this tour. They produce a rosé considered one of the best in the area.

Where: Concepción Viñedos Sustentables, B° El Pozo, Sañogasta, Chilecito; Bodega Valle de La Puerta, Ruta Nacional 74 KM. 1.186, Vichigasta. Grupo Las Flechas, Parrales de Chilecito, Juan Willlink s/n, Mallingasta.

This landscape is part of a full-day excursion that usually ends at the next recommended spot. The trip involves ascending up to 4,600 meters above sea level (masl) at Famatina. By the end of this day, you’ll undoubtedly have the best collection of landscapes you can see in this area. It must be done with 4x4 vehicles that climb through canyons, a river, and unmarked trails.

The first stop is Los Pesebres (2,600 masl), a cliff over 70 meters high showing more than 28 different colors. “The coloration is because each layer is made up of different minerals: the lighter ones have quartz and the reddish ones iron oxides,” explains Jonatan Portugal, Secretary of Tourism and Culture of Famatina.

The next stop is even more impressive: Ocre Canyon (3,000 masl), a landscape with cliffs up to 70 meters tall carved by a crack through which the Yellow River flows. The mineral that gives it its color is limonite.

Tip: Famatina Aventura 4x4 offers this tour, including a packed lunch. They also bring chocolates, candies, and supplies to prevent altitude sickness.

Where: To see these landscapes, departures are from the Famatina Tourism Office or accommodations. The excursion lasts about 8 hours.

The previous tour continues a few more kilometers to reach 4,600 masl at La Mejicana, in the heart of the Famatina massif. Here operated what is considered the country’s most ambitious mining project. From this remote spot, gold, copper, and molybdenum traveled to Chilecito via the famous cable car, then by train to the port of Rosario, and finally to Europe.

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At the summit, you can see remnants of the constructions and the famous ore carts used to transport minerals. This system is considered an exceptional work of civil engineering and was, at the time, the longest and highest installation in the world. The setting looks literally dystopian: rusty steel skeleton, mountains with the most varied colors, pristine sky, and wind.

Tip: The cable car has 9 stations in total (this is the last one on the circuit) that can be visited to learn how this unique work operated.

Where: La Mejicana mine is located at 6,250 masl and about 35 kilometers in a straight line from the town of Famatina. It must be visited with a guide and 4x4 vehicle.

A pre-Columbian installation over 500 years old in the Chilecito valley. The structure covers about 16 hectares and is believed to have been an important administrative, political, and religious center of this civilization.

Located 3 kilometers from downtown Chilecito, this site can be visited to tour the perimeter wall and three of the 36 structures found, which are still being studied. Since 2024, it also has an Interpretation Center with different archaeological pieces to explore.

Tip: Open every day, and during winter holidays, various workshops will be held for visitors.

Where: Av. Circunvalación Norte, Chilecito.

A place where rural traditions are still maintained: they have fruit trees and walnut trees from which they produce all kinds of local products like jams, candied walnuts, caramelized nuts, and more. Today, they also offer lodging, snacks, and country-style lunches.

“I had the idea to do something for tourism, but it never happened. The pandemic caught me here, and that’s when I decided to do it,” says Paola Arias, who turned her family’s farm into an ideal place to disconnect. The highlights of the snacks are homemade hot chocolate in bowls and brownies with walnuts from the farm itself. On the property, there’s a hill perfect for trekking and enjoying one of the most beautiful sunsets in the area.

Tip: Open on weekends only, by reservation at 3804813630 or 3825677519.

Where: Calle Pública s/n, Sañogasta.

History runs through the entire route, even in gastronomic stops like this one. Lídoro is located in Anguinan (about 6.5 kilometers from Chilecito) and is a restaurant operating in a more than 200-year-old adobe house. The soul behind the project is Francisco Rivas, a native of Chilecito who decided to do something with his family’s legacy. Lídoro was the name of his uncle, the last person to live in and care for the house.

“It started small but grew, and today we keep putting a lot of effort into it. My mom really loves cooking and makes many of the recipes we serve,” Francisco explains, welcoming every guest. The house is a true gem: it has an internal patio with outdoor tables, string lights, and lavender plants. Some visitors settle under the trees; others in a gallery that invites staying much longer than a lunch.

The cuisine deserves a special mention: regional, tasty, and generous. The cabrito (kid goat) with Torrontés is the specialty, served with vegetables, sauce, and mashed potatoes, but lentil stew, locro, and vegetable cannelloni are no less. For dessert, there’s always flan, crepes, and dulce de leche with cheese.

Tip: Open only on weekends.

Where: Nuestra Señora de la Merced s/n, Anguinan.

The images, colors, and nature also play a special role in this route, which follows a scenic road that looks like a painting. It’s a 32-kilometer stretch along the imposing Route 40, starting near Sañogasta, crossing the Famatina mountain range.

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It’s a winding route that passes between reddish mountains and the Miranda River. This tour has no fixed endpoint: the idea is to enjoy the road, the landscapes, and stop at some viewpoints along the way.

Tip: This route doesn’t require altitude sickness precautions as it is at 2,000 masl. It can be driven by car as it is fully paved.

Where: It starts a few kilometers from Sañogasta, a town about 30 kilometers from Chilecito. This is the way to go from Chilecito to Talampaya.

Works like an oasis to return to after a day of excursions. Located in Famatina, this rural tourism option operates in an old traditional farm that had been abandoned for a long time. It offers lodging and a country restaurant where lunches and snacks are served. You can accompany your mate basket with homemade bread, butter, and freshly made quince jam.

The farm also produces organic walnuts, which can be bought at the shop at the entrance. Another part of the country’s history is present here: the frame of an old door belonging to a Jesuit rest house that operated on the same site is still preserved.

Tip: We recommend booking in advance at +54 9 380 444-6050.

Where: Camino a Carrizal s/n, Famatina.

It’s a curious sight: a yellow river meets a whitish river, creating a striking contrast. The first takes its color from iron and sulfur sediments, while the second from copper and limestone in its bed. In the background, the Famatina mountains provide the perfect frame for a visit that can be made as a stop on another excursion or simply to enjoy nature and have a picnic by the river.

Tip: The water from this river is not drinkable, although after a long treatment process it supplies the local residents.

Where: To get to Unión de los Ríos from Chilecito, it’s about 13 kilometers total. The first stretch is paved until Santa Florentina.