1/2
day Horse-back excursion
This half day excursion through the ravine of the San Marcos River,
follows the river upstream, passing under the carob trees and other
flora typical in the sierras. The excursion passes by "El Agua Mineral"
thermal springs. Leaving the river behind the excursion then follows
the trail up and over the sierra pass arriving at a small farm.
It continues on to an old quartz quarry and an incredible view from
above of the small valley that makes up the Sierras de Cuniputo.. |
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1/2
day horse-back or automobile plus a 2 hr. hike.
SThis excursion follows a country road through the sierras and through
ranches (estancias) opening and closing the gates, arriving at a ranch
(estancia) surrounded by thick autochthonous forest. From here it's
a 2 hour hike through this forest, home to wild boar, deer, eagles,
woodpeckers and kingfishers and other fauna, following a stream until
reaching the "Casacada de los 70 metros" at the bottom of which, next
to the deep pools of clear water is a great place for a lunch break,.
From there the excursion continues on to Casa de Piedra, a site where
the Comechingon Indians left pictographs in a cave formed by rock. Casa
de Piedra means "House of Stone".
Then back to San Marcos. This excursion can only be realized with a
guide.
For reservations call: Sergio "El Gaucho" Pautassi at (03549)- 496272.
.
Horse-back
or automobile plus a 2 km hike.
Full day or half day excursion
"Las Tres Piletas " means "the three pools" in Spanish. This is the
perfect place to spend a day picnicking and swimming and for .
The "Tres Piletas" is located 8 kms. from San Marcos on the crystal
clear Quilpo River.
The excursion leaves town in the morning and returns to San Marcos according
to the desires of the visitors. The excursion includes a visit to the
house of artesian weaver Adela Zalazar.
Specialized guide and horses: Sergio "El Gaucho" Pautasi at (03549)-496272.
.
4 x
4 and an easy hike.
Full day excursion
This excursion takes you through one of the majestic secret valleys
of Cordoba, the Pintos River valley. The first surprise is the sublime
panoramic view from Cuchi Corral out-look, a popular hang gliding spot.
Following the winding road, crossing various streams and through exuberant
vegetation, you come across the Pintos River, with its beaches of white
sand, and transparent waters that invite you to take a dip, tempting
even on a sunny winter day typical to this microclimate.
Following a trail through the native forest you arrive at a quartz vein
where formations and crystal can be observed up close.
A short hike later you come upon Las Cascadas, where the waters of the
Pintos River divide into various cascades and rapids among the ferns
and forest.
Guide required. .
Four
wheel drive and an easy hike.
Full day excursion
In four wheel drive vehicle across the Pampa de Oláen until you reach
the incredible Characato, a site of impressive scenery of rock formations.
Further on, passing the "ghost town" of Iguazu we reach an "estancia"
where gold was mined in more that sixty tunnels by pik and shovel in
colonial times. In one of the mines you can observe the vein where gold
was extracted .
The main house of the "estancia" dates back from 1860 and operates as
a restaurant. Goat, typical Argentine "asado", salads and homemade bread
are the specialties. In the afternoon, a short hike takes you to the
"Casacada de las Aguilas" where the waters of La Candelaria River cascade
down a gray granite wall with white marble veins forming a marvelous
natural pool at the bottom.
Back at the "estancia" you can snack in the "galeria" looking out over
the river, where the flight of numerous species of birds decorate the
scenery along with the multicolored flowers, even in winter, due to
the microclimate the mountains of this area create.
Note: this excursion can also be extended to two days, on La
Candelaria River and visiting the Jesuit Church
and the blue marble quarry.
For more information contact: Munincipalidad de La Falda at (03549)-422764.
Guided
hikes.
1/2 day excursion
Located at 17 km. (12 miles) from San Marcos, in an area known as "Moon
Gulch".
Los Terrones is accessed from Route 38 at Km. 90, until Route 17 and
continuing on 4 km. (2.75 miles) to the entrance of the park. Here the
following services are available: bar, restrooms, guides, museum, photo
exhibition, regional foods, etc..
The scenery is made up of fantastic rock figures caused by erosion at
1,430 meters (approx. 4,290 feet) above sea level and is one of the
most visited sites in the Punilla Valley.
The rock figures are actually red lava dated back to the Primary Era,
some 300,000 years old and were at one point under the waters of the
Pacific Ocean.
The contrast between the panoramic view and the water from springs that
runs through the canyons is imposing. Thanks to wind and water erosion
we may now appreciate the rock formations such as : "The Lost City",
"Devil Throat", "The Boat", "The Mushroom", "God's Finger", "The Watch",
and "Indian Head.
Park entrance is $4 per person
Hours: In summer from 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. In winter from 8 a.m. - 6:30
p.m.
The park is a Nature Protected Zone, please, help us take care of it.
horse-back,
hiking, rock climbing
1 day minimum
"Los Gigantes" are mountains formed of a great batholith (a
mass of intruded igneous rock) belonging to the Precambrian period,
surrounded by sediments from a later time. More than 620 million years
old, it is one of the oldest batholiths on earth, it stands out majestically,
proudly displaying its wrinkles of time. It is the main rock climbing
center in the province of Cordoba.
It's unique silhouette clearly distinguishes it from the rest of the
mountain range of the Sierras Grandes. Los Gigantes can be reached by
automobile. The excursion may be extended; in this case is permitted
in designated areas or in mountain shelters.
Guide for the excursion required.
Mmoderate
hikes
1 day minimum
The Sierras Chicas extend some 200 km, ending in the north with it's
highest point Mount Uritorco which reaches 1,979 meters (appox. 6,000
feet) above sea level. The summit of this mountain is renown as a center
of energy and is chosen by UFO watchers and numerous cosmic cult groups.
There are specialized guided excursions and activities for those who
are interested in this type of alternative tourism. Among these activities
are Tai Chi, astrology, metaphysics, minerals as sources of energy and
other types of alternative therapies.
Several trail options, along with specialized guides, lead to the summit
of this mountain in attempts to reveal some the secrets of it mysterious
halo. It slopes are a display of the different types of native vegetation.
Here, physical activity, as well as, spiritual activity leads the visitor
to value a healthy lifestyle and to get in contact with him/herself.
A permit is required if you wish to camp overnight.
Four
wheel drive vehicle Full day excursion.
Circuit: San Marcos - Quilpo Quarry - Negro Huasi - La Población River-
Estancia La Candelaria
This sightseeing excursion consists of traversing the natural beauty
of the Sierras Cordobesas following the marks and remains of the Jesuit's
Mission.
Evidence of the Jesuits can be seen in the small dams and irrigation
channels as well as in the galleries of Minas de Oro Grueso and Estancia
La Candelaria (Ranch) at the summit of Gaspar, where mules, goats, and
cows were raised in order to supply other Latin American Missions.
During the excursion, La Población River, is visited, stopping along
the way to have lunch at the house of a family of artisans in leather,
iron, and weaving. The final destination is Estancia La Candelaria before
returning to San Marcos.
Specialized guide: Sergio Pautassi. Tel: (O3549) - 496272.
Estancia
LA CANDELARIA
Automobile
1/2 day excursion Circuit: San Marcos - Cruz del Eje - Villa de
Soto - 45 km of dirt road to the estancia |
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Rural Establishment dating
from the XVII century.
This old
ranch or "estancia" is located within a prairie landscape in the heights
of a mountain mass. Its thick walls and small windows and two reinforced
doors provided sufficient protection in case of attacks.
In the
year 1683 it was consolidated as the principle rural producer in the
sierras of livestock, especially mules, that was destined for the transit
of goods to Alto Peru. In 1767, King Carlos III of Spain, after a year
of ferocious plots, signed the resolution for the expulsion of the Spanish
Jesuits in America. That's how the profitable labor of the order founded
by San Ignacio de Loyola, reached its end in these territories.
After
the expulsion of the Jesuits, the Secular Board proceeded to dismantle
the property selling all.
The main
buildings were declared a historic national monument in 1941 and in
1982 were acquired by the government of the Province of Cordoba to serve
as a rural life visitors center.
It was
declared Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in December of 2000,
after gathering world testimonies of natural and cultural character.
A Unique Typology
La Candelaria
Estancia consists of the chapel, the parish house and its annexes, as
well as, the corrals, windmill, the ruins of the small village, and
the dike and irrigation channels.
The village
of small rock houses with straw roofs were the slaves quarters. This
establishment is unique to Cordoba, and is located between the fort
and the main residence.
The church
has a simple facade and consists of one aisle with baroque bell gable
the only feature that stands out among the simplicity of this ensemble.
The interior
of the chapel is covered with wood beams, and its altarpiece conserves
its original masonry work, along with the antique statue of The Virgin
of Candelaria that has been restored.
Its amazing
rural arquetectonic patrimony, along with the archeological testimonies
and the Jesuit's system of production, justify it's worth.
*
Prices: 1/2 day excursion from $ 15 per person, full day excursion from
$ 30 per person.
Prices are based on groups with a minimum of 4 persons.
If you
have any other questions concerning other circuits, registered guides,
etc. please, contact: Oficina de Turismo de la Municipalidad de San
Marcos Sierra. Tel. (03549) 496137. 
Complejo Turístico "Los Quijotes"
San Martín 501
San Marcos Sierra - Córdoba - Argentina
Telefax: 54-3549-496128
