Amaicha Del Valle, Indigenous Community in Tucumán

If you are planning a trip to the province of Tucumán, you have probably heard of the Calchaquí Valleys. A must for a holiday that, among other attractions, houses Amaicha del Valle, an indigenous community that you will find fascinating to discover and we will tell you why.

It is a tourist destination full of the wonderful history of the indigenous cultures of the north, highlighting its archaeological richness, majestic landscapes and a spectacular climate that, together with the warmth of its people, gives us an experience like no other.

Not for nothing, Amaicha del Valle is getting more and more famous. This population is an indigenous community in all its senses, the only one in northwestern Argentina. Amaicha was not part of the resistance that the Calchaquís offered in the Spanish occupation of the sixteenth century.

That is, although the local communities resisted for a time –successfully– the Spaniards conquest, when they finally won, they offered the peoples of Amaicha a Royal ID for non-participation in the conflict, where they are recognized as possessors of those lands. This is how many of its traditional institutions are preserved in this town, e.g., the Elders Council and the Cacicazgo. Without a doubt, a scenario that you cannot stop living because Moebius includes this destination in all its travel itineraries. Consult with us!

WHAT TO DO IN AMAICHA DEL VALLE?

Amaicha del Valle has a strong cultural and emotional bond with the Pachamama, Mother Earth. From there that one of the main places to visit is the Pachamama Museum. Its paintings, sculptures, performances, sounds and buildings will catch your attention! For more details about this place, just check out our article on the best museums in Tucumán.

Another must-see is Los Cardones which, in addition to its magnificent ruins, enchants with its fauna and natural landscapes. In fact, during the visit you will get to see the cactus species that gives name to this place, the Cordon, which grows in very few places in the world due to the specific weather it needs for its preservation.

This visit is ideal for those who enjoy adventure tourism, as it is made on board of 4×4 vehicles due to the aridity of the terrain. Once in Los Cordones, you can do activities on bicycles, trekking or horseback riding with the incredible landscape as the background.

You can also include the Los Zazos Dam on the visit and, from there, make the ascent to the Ruins. It really is one of the activities that we recommend most to connect with nature and, in turn, to know more about how the ancient population of the place lived.

Other suggestion if you travel to Amaicha is to visit the Ampimpa Astronomical Observatory. Located 2500 meters above sea level, this place was created –originally– to observe the passage of Halley Comet. But, after its strategic location to observe the skies, it’s preserved and used for astronomical research.

And that’s not all! One of the highlights of this Observatory is that it offers its visitors the option to stay overnight and contemplate the magical sky whenever you want.

Please note that Amaicha del Valle can be combined with other wonderful tourist destinations in Tucumán province. We are talking about Tafí del Valle and Ruinas de Quilmes. Click on the links to learn more about each place.

WHERE TO STAY TO VISIT THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OF TUCUMÁN?

Amaicha del Valle is a small town that is still opening up to tourism, which is why the available accommodation is few and simple. The best lodging options are located in the historic center and surroundings of the main square.

Likewise, you can consider staying the night in San Miguel de Tucumán, the capital of the province, taking advantage of the day with an Amaicha tour. Distances between both are not long. In this sense, we invite you to consult the best hotels in San Miguel de Tucumán.

WHEN TO VISIT AMAICHA DEL VALLE?

As we told you at the beginning, the weather is one of the many nice things of Amaicha del Valle. It’s estimated that, throughout the year, it rains only five days; which means that this destination can be visited at any time of the year (or, rather, 365 days of the year!).

In short, it’s dry. This makes summers humid and you can tour and make all visits without worries, same for winter. Take advantage and see what clothes to wear on your trip to Tucumán.

However, it’s appropriate that you consider February for your trip to Amaicha del Valle. During this month (dates vary every year), is celebrated the National Festival of the Pachamama. It is a very special event, given the magnitude of the celebration and the importance of Mother Earth to this indigenous community. Learn more in our article on the most important holidays of Tucumán.

To sum everything, discovering the indigenous community of Amaicha del Valle can be a fascinating experience. If you’re ready to be a part of its history, culture and natural charm, just contact our travel specialists so we can help you put together the best of travel itineraries!