Discover Capayán Department

In Capayán Department, natural experiences and regional culture go hand in hand: the Sierras, native wildlife and plant life, hiking trails and the tradition of mandarin growing lend different character to a trip. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, you can start by considering whether nature or cultural experiences will be the focus of your stay.

Sierras, Yungas and wildlife

Reserva Natural Municipal Los Capayanes is a nature reserve in Capayán Department. Its landscape includes the Sierras and native flora and fauna. Hiking trails for nature tourism offer a way to explore the area on foot. The reserve is therefore a practical option for travellers who want to combine nature and activity during their time in the department.

Another natural area lies near Concepción: the planned Arrayanes de Concepción protected area encompasses southern remnants of the montane forests of the Yungas and cloud grasslands. Around 200 bird species occur in the area, including migratory birds. Representative mammals include guanacos, tarucas, collared peccaries, red foxes, ocelots, honey bears and small armadillos. This diversity also makes the area appealing to visitors with a particular interest in habitats and wildlife.

The Bosques de Arrayanes in Concepción are designated as natural and cultural heritage in a provincial initiative. Access to the Bosque de Arrayanes runs between two ravines, along the Pampichuela River and the Arroyo del Bosque stream. From Concepción, the forest can be reached on foot or on horseback via a moderately challenging 11 km route, accompanied by an authorised operator or guide. This information can help you plan the hike as a distinct part of your trip. Thermal springs are also among the tourist attractions in the area of the planned Parque y Reserva Nacional Arrayanes de Concepción.

Mandarin Festival and historic architecture

The Fiesta Nacional de la Mandarina has been held every year in Chumbicha since 1974 and has been declared a national festival. It celebrates the rural work associated with mandarin growing. Craft fairs and stalls selling regional products are part of the festival, as is a courtyard serving regional dishes, where visitors can sample the area’s typical flavours. The festival thus offers a cultural counterpoint to the natural areas and brings local produce and crafts into the experience of the trip.

Another cultural discovery is the Iglesia de San Pablo in Capayán Department. The church is designated a Provincial Historic Monument. Its architecture is Italianate, and the building dates from around the late 19th century. For those interested in historic architecture, it offers a specific architectural attraction alongside the landscapes and nature.

Getting your bearings between Chumbicha and the mountain routes

For finding your way on arrival, Chumbicha is an important point of reference: National Route 60 leads to the town and forms part of a corridor connecting Cuyo with the Argentine Northwest. Another route described here starts in Miraflores in Capayán Department and winds through the mountains to the small town of Los Ángeles. These different route options show that trip planning can be oriented around both Chumbicha and the mountain landscapes, without presenting the two routes as a single combined route.

The archaeological history also forms part of the profile of the planned Parque y Reserva Nacional Arrayanes de Concepción: archaeological remains of the Aguada culture, dating from around 600 to 900 AD, have been found there. Together with the forests, hiking trails and thermal springs, they make up a natural and cultural theme that extends beyond a single activity.

You can also discover Huillapima, a directly subordinate destination within the department. Other destinations at the same level: Antofagasta De La Sierra Department, Belén Department, Santa María Department, Tinogasta Department, Paclín Department, Andalgalá Department and El Alto Department.

For the wider travel overview: Catamarca.