Capayán Department: Nature Trails and the National Mandarin Festival

Capayán Department brings together several travel interests: nature trails and wildlife watching, the National Mandarin Festival in Chumbicha, and historically significant buildings. When planning your trip, it is worth considering these different highlights: some focus on landscape and outdoor activities, others on festival culture or architecture.

Nature Trails and Wildlife

Reserva Natural Municipal Los Capayanes is a nature reserve in Capayán Department. Its landscape includes sierras as well as native flora and fauna. The reserve offers hiking trails for nature tourism. Visitors interested in the area's natural environment will find a focus here on landscape and outdoor activities.

Another natural area is the planned Arrayanes de Concepción protected area. It includes southern remnants of the montane forests of the Yungas and cloud grasslands. Around 200 bird species, including migratory birds, are found in the area. Representative mammals include the guanaco, taruca, collared peccary, South American gray fox, oncilla, honey bear and small armadillo.

From the town of Concepción, Bosque de Arrayanes can be reached on foot or on horseback via a moderately difficult, 11-kilometer route, accompanied by an authorized operator or guide. The route passes between two ravines, following the Pampichuela River and Arroyo del Bosque stream. Since river conditions can change seasonally, check conditions before setting out. The tourist attractions in the area of the planned Parque y Reserva Nacional Arrayanes de Concepción also include hot springs. The area of the planned Parque y Reserva Nacional Arrayanes de Concepción also contains archaeological remains of the Aguada culture dating from around 600 to 900 AD.

Festival, Regional Products and Architecture

The National Mandarin Festival has been held annually in Chumbicha since 1974 and was declared a National Festival. It celebrates the rural work associated with mandarin cultivation. Craft fairs and stalls selling regional products are part of the event, as is a food court serving regional dishes, where you can sample the area's typical flavors. If you are planning your trip around the festival, check the dates for the relevant year.

The Iglesia de San Pablo offers a different perspective on the history of the department. The church is designated a Provincial Historic Monument. Its Italianate style and construction date, which is estimated to be around the end of the 19th century, give it a distinctive architectural character.

Routes and Getting Around

National Route 60 leads to Chumbicha and is part of a corridor connecting Cuyo with the Argentine Northwest. Check current route conditions before traveling. Another route starts in Miraflores and winds through the mountains to the small town of Los Ángeles. These different routes provide useful reference points for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Huillapima, Andalgalá Department, El Alto Department, Ambato Department, Valle Viejo Department, Paclín Department, Ancasti Department, Belén Department.

For the main travel overview: Catamarca.