Fiambalá

Fiambalá is the last important town before crossing the mountain range to Chile through the San Francisco Pass. Set at 1,505 meters above sea level in western Catamarca, it is a green oasis surrounded by some of the most extreme geography in Argentina: the high altitude desert, dunes that reach up to 70 meters and the mountain range where the highest volcanoes in the world are found after Aconcagua.

The identity of Fiambalá was built around the water that comes down from the mountain. The termas de Fiambalá, natural and known since pre-Hispanic times, are the main attraction: fourteen pools staggered on a hillside, with temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees depending on the altitude, surrounded by native vegetation. They operate all year round and are an obligatory stop for those who visit the region.

What you will find:** ** What you will find:** What you will find:** What you will find:** What you will find

• Hot springs of Fiambalá**: natural hot springs complex 17 km from downtown. Paid access, open all year round.
• Magic Dune**: one of the highest dunes in the world (70 meters), ideal for sandboarding and trekking.
• Seismic Route**: corridor with six volcanoes over 6,000 meters, including Pissis (6,795 m), the second highest active volcano on the planet.
• High altitude wineries**: Fiambalá grows vines at more than 1,500 meters. Guided visits to wineries such as Don Diego and Saleme.
• San Pedro Church** (XVIII century): jewel of the Andean colonial baroque, declared National Historic Monument.
• Hot Springs and Termas de los Volcanes**: natural hot springs without infrastructure, on the route to Paso de San Francisco.

How to get there: Fiambalá is 320 km from the capital of Catamarca and 50 km from Tinogasta, its departmental capital. Access by National Route 60. The nearest airport is the one in Catamarca capital.

When to visit: the hot springs operate all year round, but the best time to combine hot springs and landscape is between March and November. Summer (December-February) has frequent thunderstorms in the mountain range that can close passes and secondary roads.

Local life: Fiambalá retains a strong rural identity and a strong component of descendants of the original Diaguita people. The local cuisine mixes Andean products (humitas, locro, tamales) with colonial influence and high quality wines.