El Encón – Protected Area, Enduro and Rural Heritage

The historical and sporting references should be clearly distinguished: the protected area is designated by a provincial decree, the heritage tells the story of a property’s former use, and the motorsport information refers to specific competitions.

Protected area and rural heritage

Finca La Banda is a private protected area in the “Reserva Natural de Uso Múltiple” category. A provincial decree issued in 2017 grants it protected status and specifies an area of 121.27 hectares. The finca borders the Reserva Finca Las Costas and is intended to serve as a buffer zone for the provincial reserve. Its designated protection category and its intended role within a larger protected-area network are therefore both central.

The Club de Campo El Encón offers another glimpse into the history of a property in the area: its old dairy farm, or tambo, has been converted into a leisure space. The Casco de Estancia forms part of the property’s former agricultural heritage. These two features show different aspects of rural use—an old tambo now serving as a leisure space, and a casco associated with the agricultural past.

The “Michi Echazú” Circuit and Enduro

The “Michi Echazú” Circuit is located in El Encón. The first round of the NOA Enduro Clausura competition was scheduled to take place there on August 8 and 9, 2026, with riders from various provinces in northwestern Argentina expected to participate. As early as May 2018, the circuit had also been designated as the venue for a round of the Argentine Enduro Championship. The Jujeño-Salteño interprovincial competition was also due to take place there. Three laps of 16 kilometers each were planned for the races announced in 2018. If a race is essential to your trip, check the date of the relevant edition in advance.

A merienda in El Encón

A merienda for two is listed at Finca Valentina Casa de Campo in El Encón. It includes a continental snack to share, two hot drinks, a glass of fruit juice, toast and a handmade sweet. Check whether this offer is available before your trip.

More places to explore in the Departamento Rosario De Lerma

The broader travel destination of Departamento Rosario De Lerma has its own historical and cultural attractions. The pre-Columbian settlement of Santa Rosa de Tastil dates back to the 14th–15th centuries. The Museo de sitio Tastil displays pieces and objects from the nearby archaeological site of Tastil. In Rosario de Lerma, the Cementerio del Pueblo is more than 150 years old. The church in Rosario de Lerma was built in the 18th century; its present-day appearance began to take shape around 1940.

Events also vary by season. “Rosario le Canta a la Patria” takes place each year on the eve of May 25 and is free. The Fiesta de la Papa Andina is held in El Alfarcito during the second week of July; dates may vary from one edition to the next. The Fiesta del Choclo Capia takes place in March in Gobernador Manuel Solá and brings together local small-scale producers and families from the community. Here, too, dates may vary by edition. In Rosario de Lerma, a food tour on weekends features the live preparation and baking of empanadas and tamales.

Summer traditions in Rosario de Lerma include Corsos featuring comparsas, murgas, floats and costumes. The summer carpas combine carnival dancing with regional food and drinks from the surrounding area. These events differ both in season and in focus: parades and costumes take center stage at the Corsos, while the carpas bring together dancing and regional cuisine.

The Departamento Rosario De Lerma offers a range of activities. The country roads between Carabajal and El Corralito are suitable for trekking; conditions may vary by season. From Rosario de Lerma, Cerro Negro can be reached on horseback or by mule along an old mule or cattle-driving trail, although access to the mountain depends on local conditions. The MTB Quebrada del Toro mountain-bike route in Campo Quijano passes through natural landscapes within the Quebrada del Toro and is intended for people with some cycling-tourism experience. Campo Quijano is also the first stop on the descent during the Tren a las Nubes excursion, where visitors receive an introduction to the history of the C-14 railway line.

Discover more destinations: Cafayate, El Chañar, Chicoana, Antilla, Cachí, General Güemes, El Molino, San Ramón De La Nueva Orán.

For the broader travel overview: Salta.