Family friendly

Colonial Tucuman

Ibatin, Yungas and Jesuit Estates

Duration 10 hours

Departure 8:00am

Difficulty Easy (suitable for all ages)

Max group 6-8 people

The experience

This excursion takes you to the origins of Tucuman, to understand the decisions, failures, and adaptations that shaped the province. We begin by visiting the ruins of Ibatin, where San Miguel de Tucuman was founded for the first time in 1565.

Ibatin was abandoned in 1685 after 120 years of existence. The reasons were multiple: attacks by indigenous peoples, floods, plagues. The city was relocated to its current site, leaving behind the remains of the first founding in the middle of the jungle.

We traverse the Quebrada del Rio Los Sosa, one of the most impressive landscapes of the Tucuman yungas, before arriving at the Tafi Valley to discover the Jesuit legacy that transformed the region with its system of productive estates.

What will you discover?

Ibatin Ruins - First Founding (1565-1685)
Quebrada del Rio Los Sosa (Tucuman yungas)
Tafi del Valle
Jesuit Museum of La Banda
Historic Chapel of La Banda

Images from the route

Colonial Tucuman - photo 1

Colonial Tucuman - photo 2

Colonial Tucuman - photo 3

Colonial Tucuman - photo 4

Colonial Tucuman - photo 5

Colonial Tucuman - photo 6

Colonial Tucuman - photo 7

Your day, step by step

08:00

Departure from Tucuman

We leave the city heading south, toward the place where it all began. The road crosses sugarcane fields and the landscape becomes increasingly green and jungle-like.

09:30

Ibatin Ruins

We enter the jungle where 460 years ago Tucuman was founded for the first time. Among the vegetation, the foundations of what was once a complete colonial city appear: church, town hall, plaza. We explain why it failed and what it teaches us.

11:30

Quebrada del Rio Los Sosa

The road plunges into one of the most spectacular gorges of the yungas. Giant ferns, waterfalls, the river running alongside the road. We stop at viewpoints where the jungle opens up and reveals the mountain.

13:00

Lunch in Tafi

We arrive at the Tafi Valley hungry and with scenery as a backdrop. We have a leisurely lunch, surrounded by mountains and clean highland air. All included.

14:30

Jesuit Museum La Banda

The La Banda chapel holds centuries of Jesuit history. We tour the museum where the story of how the Jesuits transformed the valley with their system of estates and missions is told.

16:00

Valley tour

Time to walk around Tafi del Valle, feel the afternoon breeze, and explore a town that lives between mountains and tradition. Free pace, no rush.

17:00

Return

We head back through the gorge with the light changing over the jungle. The return is also part of the experience.

18:00

Arrival

Back in Tucuman with a new perspective. The city you know today was born from a colonial failure you visited this morning.

Included in your excursion

Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle transportation
Guide specialized in colonial history
Admission to the Ibatin site
Admission to the Jesuit Museum
Full lunch with beverage
Liability insurance

Not included

Tips (optional)
Personal expenses
Additional meals not mentioned

Prepare for the experience

What we recommend to make the most of the day

Wear comfortable clothing

Closed-toe shoes (some dirt paths)

Sunscreen

Insect repellent (yungas zone)

Camera

Ready to live this experience?

Write to us and we'll tell you everything about the next departure.

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