The mines around the Castaño River are one of the main attractions of the Argentine department of Calingasta. Discover these magical landscapes with this fantastic private trip from Barreal.
Castano River Mines Private Trip
We will pick you up at 10 am at your hotel in Barreal in a 4x4 jeep before heading to an old gold mine north of Calingasta. We will explain the complex and dangerous process that the miners undertook to extract large amounts of this coveted metal.
We will continue the trip by ascending the Timbirimbas hill in the 4x4 vehicle. In the background, we will appreciate the unmistakable landscape of the Andes, whose peaks tower in the horizon. Afterward, we wade through the Castaño River in the 4x4, feeling like real explorers.
On the other side of the river, we will visit the Castaño Nuevo mines, whose gold and silver reserves were discovered in the second half of the 19th century. Although these mines are now in disuse, during the 1950s and 1960s they were in full swing. As we shall see, more than 800 houses were built at the foot of the mountain for the miners and their families. We will also observe the dike that was built over the Castaño River gorge, which allowed better access to the area.
After learning about the mining history of the province of San Juan, we'll regain our strength back with a delicious picada de campo - a picnic lunch in the middle of nature! After lunch, we'll head back to the city, appreciating more wonderful Andean landscapes along the way.
Halfway through the trip we will take a short break for a light snack out in the open. Finally, we will return to your hotel in Barreal, arriving at 10 pm.
