La Rioja

It is a province in northwestern Argentina. It is bounded to the north, east and south by four provinces (Catamarca, Córdoba, San Luis and San Juan), and to the west by the Andes Mountains, which serves as the international border with Chile.

In the northwest of the province is the Andean zone where there are peaks over 6000 metres high, such as the Cerro Bonete Chico (6760 metres above sea level) and the third highest peak in America Mount Pissis (6795 metres above sea level, on the border with Catamarca). The Laguna Brava Provincial Reserve stands out with its spectacular landscapes, especially its main laguna (a swallow lake) with flamingos, geysers and wildlife species such as vicunas and guanacos.

In the centre and part of the east are different mountain ranges that correspond to the Sierras Pampeanas (Pampean Mountains). A special feature is that in one of them, in the Sierras de Famatina, is the Cerro General Belgrano, which at 6250 metres above sea level is the highest non-Andean peak on the continent. Among the activities is the vehicular route through the Cuesta de Miranda with its reddish landscapes. The locality of Chilecito, with excellent views of the Sierras of Famatina, has yellow rivers to visit, as well as the stations and the cable car of the abandoned mining enterprise of La Mejicana.

An unmissable destination is the Talampaya National Park. There you can go on tours to see its imposing reddish coloured cliffs, geological forms and petroglyphs.

Among the archaeological areas stand out the Estrellas Capayanes made by native peoples located in the outskirts of San José de Vinchina, and the archaeological site of Hualco located near San Blas de los Sauces.

Regarding the climate, summer (December to March) tends to be very hot (sweltering in some lowland areas of the province) and is the season with the most rainfall. Winter, on the other hand, tends to be drier and colder (in this season there are areas with very low temperatures and snowfalls).