SAN ANTONIO DE LOS COBRES

If travellers wish to get out of Salta and take a ride which involves going across small agricultural oasis, valuable pre-Hispanic archaeological deposits, and above all, experiencing the adrenaline flowing while going through rough roads, they only have to come and visit San Antonio de los Cobres.

It is a 136 kms trip from Salta to the plain highlands across the Ruta Nacional Nº 51 National Route. It is a dirt road in fair conditions, except in the sectors where it overlaps the riverbed.

In spite of its innumerable fords through the river, and the frequent roadblocks during the rainy season, it is the shortest way to get to Chile, through the Paso de Sico Pass.

San Antonio de los Cobres is known to be a compulsory stop for the Tren a las Nubes (Cloud-Bound Train). It stands at 3744 m.a.s.l. and owes its name to the famous Sierra de Cobre, rich in copper, overlooking the surroundings.

The town offers itself with of its legendary splendour and mineral wealth. Its indigenous physiognomy catches the eye for its simple architecture and its surrounding scenery.

Weaving is the main occupation and source of income for women living in the area. It is an ancestral aptitude passed on over many generations. Here the renowned barracán is weaved, a thick cloth made of llama or sheep wool, characterized by the natural colours grating where white, and black and brown predominate.

The barracán is used to tailor suits, jackets, headscarves and ruanas (a kind of shawl). During the last years, some local, national and international designers have used it to make their garments, and have showed them in catwalks at fashion shows.

The village has all the services travellers and car drivers need, and on it they can acquire very nice typical articles of clothing weaved out of alpaca, llama and vicuña's wool and fibre. The economic activity is also based upon mining and stockbreeding.

FESTIVITIES
June: Fiesta de San Antonio de Padua.
August: Fiesta de la Pachamama.

HISTORICAL SITES
The territory surrounding the city of San Antonio de los Cobres was part of the Andean National Territory until the year 1943. It comprised the Salta, Catamarca and Jujuy Provinces. The capital city of all the circumscription was San Antonio.

Long before those days, during the 19th century, anyone born in the area could claim the Bolivian, Chilean or Argentinean citizenship, as he wished. This gives an idea of how isolated the place was.

PLACES TO GO
If travellers arrive to San Antonio de los Cobres by the Tren a las Nubes train, the tunnels, the viaducts and zigzags of this magnificent and continually ascending itinerary will have surprised them. They will enjoy the changing colours of the cross-sectioned rocks, the huge Andean Bulwark, and the whiteness of everlasting snows. When the train returns from the La Polvorilla viaduct, travellers will have the chance of buying locall craftsmanship from the artisans. This journey will stop at the village for an hour.

SURROUNDINGS
Snow-Capped Mountains
The village is placed on a bucolic valley. From there, the Acay Mountain (5716 m.a.s.l.), a real test to mountain climbers, can be contemplated when going 30 kms past the Abra de Acay pass, through the Ruta Nacional Nº 40. Further on, the snow-capped mountain of Chañí (5896 m.a.s.l.) can be watched. Temperatures unfailingly drop during the night, with continuous winds and frequent blizzards; rain is scarce.

The Fuentes Termales de Pompeya Hot Springs
They are about 10 kms north of San Antonio, going through the Ruta Nacional Nº 51. Their medical waters, of excellent quality, will boost up the recovering or reinforcement of health.

Salinas Grandes and Santa Rosa
From San Antonio, it is only an 80 kms long journey to Salinas Grandes, but it would take at least an hour and a half of journey, minimum. Travellers can visit the town of Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes (Santa Rosa of the Big Pastures), an adobe ghost. It has a 70 student school and a medical post, but nothing can remove its ghost town aura.

Termas de Incachuli Hot Springs
The Incachuli Hot Springs are sulphurous, and are located 28 kms away from San Antonio through the Ruta Provincial Nº 129, which starts 14 kms to the west going across the Ruta Nacional Nº 51, bound to the Sierra de los Pastos Grandes. West of the hot springs, the Queva snow-capped mountain (6130 m.a.s.l.) stands majestuosly.

The Abra de los Chorrillos Mountain Pass
It stands at 4855 m.a.s.l. and is 25 kms away from San Antonio, through the Ruta Nacional Nº 51. An amazing scenic view can be admired from here. The snow-capped mountain of Queva can be seen towards the south.

The Abra de Muñano Mountain Pass (28 Km)
It is 28 kms away from San Antonio and at 4180 m.a.s.l.. It has unusual characteristics.

The Viaducto La Polvorilla Viaduct
A curved railway bridge 224 ms long that allows passengers to take the Tren a las Nubes train, to see the convoy over the bridge, and simultaneously, the bottom of the canyon 63 msbelow.