Hualco

Information

It is an archaeological site in the north of the province of La Rioja, located 5-10 km from the urban area of San Blas de los Sauces. It is to the north of the Sierras de Velasco (a mountain chain). The culture that developed there corresponds to a period linked to Aguada from 500 AD to 1000 AD, followed by another known as Regional Developments.

There is a car park at the entrance and in front of it is the interpretation centre. There is a museum there with posters explaining the archaeological site and the original cultures of the place, and objects found at the site are exhibited. On the other side of the car park there is a sort of balcony that allows a view of the Quebada de Hualco (a ravine), where a stream runs below. There is a stairway to go down and see how the water course runs in a box and forms pools.

The ruins can be reached by a trail that leaves from the interpretation centre, which you must do with a local guide. It takes about 50 minutes one way and follows a mountain path with some gentle slopes. There are information signs along the way. You arrive at the site, which has structures consisting of stone enclosures above the hills, resembling an ancient village.

To get to Hualco, from National Route 40 there is a secondary paved road that crosses the Los Sauces River and after 3.5 kilometres you reach the site. It can also be reached by a paved road of about 2.3 kilometres that leaves from the Andolucas camping site.