Idyllically set on the banks of the La Rioja River, at the foot of the Velasco Mountains, La Rioja is the capital city of the La Rioja province in northwestern Argentina. This charming little city makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding countryside which features an impressive array of outdoor adventure activities, a popular wine region, and the Talampaya National Park. The town itself boasts an attractive tree-lined central plaza with a number of historical buildings including a 20th-century cathedral, and the neo-colonial government buildings of Casa de Gobierno and Poder Judicial. Other points of interest include the Church of Santo Domingo, a quaint stone temple dating back to 1623, and the Museo Arqueológico Inca Huasi, which houses one of Argentina’s most important collections of pre-Hispanic ceramics.
La Rioja is a beautiful province situated in the Andean Northwest region of Argentina. Featuring weird and wonderful landscapes, delicious wines, and fascinating history, the province presents its visitors with an irresistible package. Top natural attractions include UNESCO-listed Talampaya National Park, dotted with dinosaur relics; the ‘Lost City' of Talampaya National Park, a maze of strange formations which appear like an ancient town; and the phenomenal collection of more than 60 cacti at the La Rioja Botanical Garden. Wine lovers can look forward to fruity or green white wines and reds including Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Bonarda, and Syrah.
Set on the bank of the Abaucan River, Tinogasta is a tiny village surrounded by stunning mountain scenery in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. This peaceful pastoral town is encompassed by an agrarian landscape of vast vineyards, olive tree plantations, farms and alfalfa fields making it an ideal setting for numerous outdoor activities such as horseriding, rappeling, sandboarding, and fly fishing. The town also serves as a starting point to the famous Adobe Route, a 50-kilometre-long road that stretches from Tinogasta to Fiambala and dotted with old houses, plenty of churches and historic buildings. On the outskirts of town is the Fiambala Hot Springs, a thermal pool famous for its healing properties. Other popular attractions in the area include several boutique wineries, archaeological museums, the Old Mill and over thirty churches.
At the foothills of the Andes is the village of Nonogasta, a small town in Argentina's fertile La Rioja Province, conveniently set along the nation's mythical Ruta 40. Adventurers who worked up an appetite exploring the spellbinding and dreamlike desert landscape red sandstone cliffs of the UNESCO-listed Talampaya National Park - an hour and a half away - can indulge in authentic local cuisine or stay the night at Nonogasta before continuing to nearby Chilecito city. Admire Museo Cable Carril, an engineering marvel and one of the largest engineering works in the world at the time was built in 1905 and is currently part of Argentina's monuments and historical places. Cristo del Portezuelo, an imposing Christ sculpture that towers over the landscape, can be reached after a rewarding climb of over 200 steps. Wind down the adventure and discover the olive oil-making process at a factory or by sampling wine at a local winery.
Set in Argentina’s La Rioja Province, southwest of La Rioja City, the UNESCO-listed, protected area of the Talampaya National Park is famous for its breathtaking red rock formations, its array of fascinating archaeological sites, and its many dinosaurs’ remains. The 150-metre-high red clay walls of Talampaya Canyon are an incredible sight to behold, with their strangely carved shapes exuding the same splendour they have for millions of years and providing some truly swoon-worthy photographic opportunities. History enthusiasts will delight in the chance to explore the remains of ancient indigenous peoples' settlements (make sure to see the petroglyphs of the Puerta del Canon). There is a gorgeous botanical garden where the canyon narrows and animals such as foxes, condors, hares and guanacos can be spotted. This is also a prime star-gazing location.
