Alumbrera: Find hotels for your trip

Alumbrera can be understood through two distinct historical points of reference: the Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario in town and the archaeological sites of Alamito nearby. The church was built in 1884.

Alamito: Elevations and time periods

The Alamito sites are spread across three zones southeast of La Alumbrera, at elevations of 1,700, 1,800, and 1,900 meters above sea level. A total of 136 structures have been identified at the archaeological site. Two belong to the Inca era; the rest date to the Formative Period. The three elevation levels define the complex spatially, while the periods distinguish its archaeological time layers. The archaeological sites of La Alumbrera correspond to the Alamito site. Alamito is also part of the archaeological and cultural heritage of the Aconquija district.

Ruta Provincial 48 runs along the western side of the zone at 1,700 meters. This road reference corresponds to a specific elevation zone and provides a concrete spatial point of orientation within the site complex.

Routes and tourism planning

The route information for tourism and events differs in form and status. In 2008, the municipality of Aconquija developed a 13-kilometer tourist route that passed through Alumbrera, El Pantanito, El Durazno, and Buena Vista. A 6-kilometer special stage was planned for the first round of Rally Catamarqueño 2026. The plan called for a start at the entrance to Alumbrera, a route along the river, and a finish at the entrance to town. Thus, a tourist route connecting several locations sits alongside a stage planned for a specific rally round.

In 2026, residents of Alumbrera took part in an initial working meeting in Aconquija to develop the Cumbre de Narváez Tourism Corridor. The meeting focused on developing a planned corridor. It adds the aspect of tourism planning to the two specific route details.

More topics in the Department of Andalgalá

Pucará del Aconquija, a provincial archaeological park and part of the Qhapaq Ñan, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the Department of Andalgalá. Different historical themes therefore come together in the department: Pucará del Aconquija represents archaeological heritage, while Minas Capillitas and Muschaka represent former mining activity.

The Cuesta de Capillitas is a mountain road more than 60 kilometers long. It can be driven in any vehicle; however, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for greater safety and comfort. Check road conditions before setting out. The climb leads to Minas Capillitas, at an altitude of more than 3,100 meters. There, visitors can enter various areas associated with former mining activity.

In Muschaka, old smelting furnaces, chimneys, and slag heaps have been preserved, along with sections of a 33-kilometer cableway and an old chapel. The regional destinations mentioned therefore differ both in their archaeological or mining themes and in the visitor and route information provided for each.

Discover more destinations: Choya.

Go to the main travel overview: Department of Andalgalá.