Northwestern Argentina Bicycle Tour, Day:
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Side Trip: Peru Bucket List Adventures
Argentina: Day 11
Pictures and Stories about Bicycle Adventures
Argentina Bicycle Tour of
Northwest Provinces
September, 2016
Bike to Tafí through Lacute del Valle (Climb 1000m over Infernillo Pass (3042m/9980') and
Stay at Estancia las Carreras en Tafí (100+ Years Old Cattle Ranch); Tucumán, Argentina
Above: We ran the air conditioner all night. Our hotel was simple and comfortable. They had a restaurant that opened at 8pm but we were asleep by then
Above: Moonset, we're looking west from our hotel's hilltop.
Above: We started climbing (eastward) and remained climbing until about noon.
Above Left: There were a few newer and more modern looking homes along the way from Amaichá.
Above Right: Climbing eastward, into the sun.
Above Left: Another nice home.
Above: Our back view, west, looking at Amaichá del Valle.
Above: We climbed enough to reach some low mountain trees and communities. Here they are burning rubbish and the smoke contributes to the Valley's haze and pollution.
Above Left: Roadside Sales Stand, we are up to early for automobile travelers business.
Above Right: There is a stone home hidden back there.
Above Left: Rio Ampimpa crossing, dry now. I think that the mountain's name, to our left/west is the Ampimpa Mountain.
Above Right: Still climbing.
Above Left: Still climbing.
Above Right: It is warm enough for horses to find shade.
Above: Looking north.
Above Left: Argentina has some of the world’s best and most active astronomical observatories; it has to do with its dry clean air.
Above Right: An advisement for the Ampimpa Observatory.
Above Left: Terry and Dennis Struck posing with the Bee (tandem bicycle) in front of the road turnoff for the Ampimpa Observatory, Argentina.
Above Right: The road ahead.
Above Left: Still climbing.
Above Right: A road marker; we are on Ruta 307 generally heading SSW and the marker seems to be a remnant from the older road's name. Our first False Pass is in the background.
Above Left: Enjoying the view.
Above Right: Our First False Pass.
Above Left: Viva la Patria / Long Live the Homeland.
Above Right: Some ranch homes.
Above Left: The second false pass is way ahead.
Above Right: Pascana Cacti grow at altitude.
Above Left: Donkeys and/or Buros on an open range.
Above Right: A structure like home with a lot of semi buried tanks - The reasoning is not clear.
Above Left: A climbing canyon lap.
Above Right: Our first visible remnant winter snow.
Above Left: A back view from whence we came, Amaichá del Valle.
Above Right: Donkeys and/or Burros in an open range.
Above Left: Our Second False Pass.
Above Right: Climbing.
Above Left: Graffiti on an abandoned structure.
Above Right: Kilometers to go.
Above Left: Third False Pass.
Above Right: Two open range Lamas.
Above: Three Lamas, the inside one is the same.
Above Left: Inferno [Hell] Village and I think that the creek is also called Rio Inferno.
Above Right: A road side stand.
Above Left: Our Fourth False Pass.
Above Right: The distances on the old and new road markers are in synch.
Above Left: Árbol Solitario - Solo Tree.
Above Right: Our Ffith False Pass - Our climbing angle just became shallow, we know that we are near the Pass but it is still 3 kilometers further.
Above Left: We enjoyed shallow angle climbing.
Above Right: A Proprietor lived at the pass and put this sign up. We were at 3042m/9980' and we departed from Amaichá del Valle (28k) this morning. We were at Ruinas de Quilmes yesterday at about noon time. The time was about 1 pm in this picture.
Above: The proprietors have eye catching Lamas tethered to road side markers and they have farm animals running about.
Above: Dennis Struck, Terry Struck, and the Bee at Inferno Pass, 3042m/9980', Tucumán Province, Argentina. The sign actually states Inferno Hostel, it was put up by the business proprietor at the pass; I think that they are smart and hard working people.
The reader is also looking down Tafí del Valle toward our destination Tafí (in another 23k).
Above: Dennis Struck, Terry Struck, and the Bee at Inferno Pass, 3042m/9980', Tucumán Province, Argentina.
Above Left: Pig(s), Chickens, and Dogs run about.
Above Right: Our view, looking SSE down Tafí del Valle.
Above: Cattle and Lamas have the same coloration.
Above Left: I cannot remember but I think that she was timing her picture for the Lamas on the road (previous image) and us (on our tandem). Obviously a smart Photographer.
Above Right: 22 k until Tafí and then more kilometers to our Ranch/Estancia.
Above Left: We were moving quickly downhill.
Above Right: Horses.
Above Left: Low Beams (lights) are Mandatory.
Above Right: Cattle - While we are now on the eastern slope of the mountain pass, it is clear that the moisture for this region comes from the east (the eastern side of the mountain has plentiful grass and the western side is arid). All of a sudden, many ranches and farms exist.
Above Left: This is the first natural water run off that we have seen in 48 hours.
Above Right: We were beginning to see the out-skirts of Tafí.
Above Left: Official Tafí is just ahead.
Above Right: Free range miniature horses roam the road.
Tafí del Valle, Argentina
Above Left: Welcome to Tafí del Valle (I think that there is are two Tafís). All of a sudden, traffic got very busy and we could not take pictures.
Above Right: Tafí del Valle is a Tourist Town with a lot of recreational boating sports as well as off and on road cycling, ATVs, and mountain sports. It reminded me of old Winter Park, Colorado (USA).
Here we are at the Popey Restaurant & Pub. We met up with Federico who offered to drive us to the Estancia. At first we wanted to finish biking the route ourselves but after a few Negra Cervezas and a couple of shared pizzas we, later, gladly accepted Federico's offer to take us to our place of stay.
Above Left: A view across the Popey Restaurant
Above Right: A remnant of our Argentine Pizzas.
Estancia las Carreras en Tafí
Above:Estancia translates as 'Stay', but in my experience it means Large Agricultural Establishment or Station. Las Carreras Visitela translates to 'Visit Careers' but I think that it means 'Visitor Education' and appreciation for Farm and Ranch Offerings. Quesos means Cheeses (lots of Cheese is sold directly from here). Desde/From 1779. The 'M' is the Family Brand, Mark, and/or Trademark.
Above Left: This is the establishment's Main Hall and Entrance.
Above Right: Old Family Fans on display.
Above: Old Family Portraits on display.
Above Left: Old Side-Saddle on display.
Above Right: Family heirlooms and ancient native stone implements on display.
Evening Cattle Operations: Groups of cows are gathered, marched through a foot treatment, and then systematically milked in batches by machine.
Above Left: One of a few hacienda court yards, ours for this night.
Above Right: Another courtyard view.
Above Left: The family M symbol dates back to the late 1700s and it is on old materials.
Above Right: Old iron ware.
Above: Yet another court yard.
Above Left: A look at our beds and room for the night.
Above Right: A look at the roof. The roof was old and built in the traditional native method (straw mat over big sticks, over lodge poles) and unseen would be the mud-stucco roof covering.
We had another grand day cycling across Argentina and we have been experiencing more facets of Argentine culture. On this night, we went out to look at the Southern Hemisphere's stars, we saw the Milky Way (which was vertical) and we saw the Southern Cross (a first for both of us).
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