La Caldera: Chicha, Crafts and Views

When looking for hotels in La Caldera, you can plan your trip around what brings you there: the Festival Nacional de la Chicha, Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario, crafts and viewpoints each offer a different focus. Consider whether you want to plan your days around a festival date, discover local culture or enjoy views over the Valle de Lerma on foot. This makes it easier to think of La Caldera as a destination for a stay focused on culture and scenery.

Festival Nacional de la Chicha

The Festival Nacional de la Chicha is a traditional celebration in La Caldera, held every year. The 35th edition was announced for March 13, 14 and 15, 2026. If you are travelling at a later date, check the festival dates before planning your stay. At the 35th edition in March 2026, producers offered visitors chicha and regional dishes. Festivalgoers could also learn about various stages of the production process at Balcón de Quetzemaní.

Church and Crafts in La Caldera

Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario houses a wooden carved crucifix and stands beside the former Camino del Inca. La Caldera’s cultural heritage thus includes both a specific detail inside the church and a historic connection to a route. A craft fair is held in front of the main square. Along the path to Cristo, there is also a workshop specializing in leatherwork, peleros, horse-riding equipment and basketry. As individual businesses may change, check the workshop details before your visit.

Views and Trails

From Cristo Penitente, you can look out over the Valle de Lerma from the valley’s northern edge. Just a few metres from the town, you can hike on Cerro de la Cruz and enjoy views over the Valle de Lerma. Both places offer views of the valley, but with a different focus: Cristo Penitente is primarily a viewpoint, while a hike is part of the experience at Cerro de la Cruz.

Getting Your Bearings in Departamento La Caldera

In Departamento La Caldera, the Siancas Valley runs parallel to Ruta 9; the Río La Caldera crosses the department from north to south. Dique Campo Alegre lies north of the Río La Caldera. The Embalse Campo Alegre “Ing. Alfonso Peralta” was built in the early 1970s and is 4 km north of the town of La Caldera. It can be reached via a winding mountain road along the Río La Caldera, following Ruta Nacional No. 9 towards Jujuy. As road conditions can change, check the route before setting out.

In Departamento La Caldera, Dique Campo Alegre and its surroundings offer opportunities for sailing, sport fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Birdwatching is also possible there; the protected area includes a variety of woodland and rainforest habitats. These regional activities by the water and in the protected area complement the local crafts, culture and viewpoints of La Caldera itself.

Traditions in Departamento La Caldera also extend beyond the Chicha Festival. The traditional Pachamama ritual in La Caldera was open to visitors in 2024. It included incense ceremonies, the serving of rue tea and singing by local copleros. If you are travelling at a later date, check the date locally. Another historic site in Departamento La Caldera is Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario, built by the Jesuits in the 17th century. Leatherworking traditions in Departamento La Caldera are connected to colonial-era livestock farming. To head towards Jujuy, the Camino de cornisa runs from La Caldera through the Yungas along Ruta Nacional No. 9.

Discover more destinations: Calderilla, Vaqueros.

Go to the main travel overview: Departamento La Caldera.