In the previous post we talked about the route made in Catamarca, so we must take into account that this be a retreat in a rural setting is sure to be some things you should know before you arrive and for this we have the following points try:

Photography by mazcue.com

Anillaco Three miles to a roadside, a precarious about protecting the remains of the city of Watungasta diaguita, built in adobe. Its origins date back to the early first millennium and are believed to have been inhabited continuously for five or six centuries, until 1650. The present condition of Watungasta is ruinous, is not much, but remains in the ground part general structure became the city with the arrival of the Incas in 1480.

Among the ruins stands a mound 30 meters high filled with stones by the natives. Archaeologists identified the foundations of high chief’s house and houses common in the lower level of the city, and two seats. It is believed that Watungasta flourished as a center specializing in ceramic pottery that was exported to Chile and Upper Peru. In 1500 it is estimated that Watungasta had a population of 4000 inhabitants, but in 1630, the war unleashed calchaquíes, the population began to shrink and expand Spanish for gold and silver. And according to Spanish chronicles of the time, the bloodshed in one of the battles of Watungasta was such that the river that runs alongside the city turned red and the killing appeared to be «greater than that of Troy.» Hence the name of the river, called the Trojan. In 1713, when the Spanish Tinogasta demarcated village, there were only 37 inhabitants Indians.

Useful Information:

Getting there:

The company General Urquiza has daily buses to the bus mode to be a bed, which takes about 13 hours from Buenos Aires to San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca. From the capital of Catamarca special services can be transport or can be reached by bus to Tinogasta (280 miles west of San Fernando de Catamarca). To visit the Adobe route can hire a guide.

Where to stay?

Casagrande Hostel, built entirely with Adobe in 1897 as a historic building is part of the Ruta del Adobe. A double room costs $ 150. More information phone: 03837421140.

Olives: This excellent campsite has a pool, volleyball courts and soccer. More information phone: 03837420949 / 15488444.

Inn At six thousand: a simple and nice alternative accommodation with good food. A double room costs $ 140.

Threshold of the Moon Cabins: Fully equipped with kitchen and tableware. More information by phone: 03837496056.

Where to eat?

Weekends, «Los Pereyra» is the most popular Tinogasta, is going to eat and dance folklore on a dirt floor in front of live musicians. There are empanadas ($ 15 a dozen), roast ($ 30 for two people) and locro «pulsudo» (ie very complete, with all its ingredients.) More information phone:. 0383715478996.

Photography by www.rallydakarcatamarca.com.ar

When to go?

The best season is from October to May in which temperatures can be 35 degrees and sometimes a little more, this is a dry heat.

Diaguita – Quechua is the name with aymara etymology, meaning «mountain» imposed by the Incas and then released by the Spanish, a set of independent nations with a common language, Cacan, they called themselves or paccioca paziocas and thought that Eric Boman living west of the Andes were called chili.

In northwestern Argentina and northern Chile Chico, especially in the Valleys Calchaquíes, from 850, the diaguitas developed a rich culture, which corresponds archaeologically Culture Santa Maria. They lived in organized villages, were used metals and pottery.

Initially resisted the Inca conquest (1471 to 1533) and then in Argentina, managed to resist more than one hundred years the progress of the Spanish: Calchaquíes Wars, which highlighted the heads Kipildor or Quipildor, Viltipoco (1561), Chalemín, Juan Calchaqui Koronhuila (called by the Spanish «Crown»).

Currently there are about 62,000 Spanish speakers in the Argentinean provinces of Catamarca, Tucumán, La Rioja, Santiago del Estero and Salta is considered to belong to this ethnic group.

Photography by www.buenosairesstay.com

Good luck!