A guided tasting of artisanal singani, winemaking in the Valle de la Concepción, hikes around high-Andean lagoons and a pilgrimage held during a set period offer different ways to experience Tarija. When planning your trip, it is worth considering these experiences according to their distinct features and conditions: tasting arrangements may vary, natural areas offer different activities, and the pilgrimage takes place on specific dates.
Winemaking and Tastings
On the Ruta del Singani Artesanal y los Molinos de Piedra, you can learn about the production of artisanal singani at Bodega Artesanal El Galeán and take part in a guided tasting. The route is located in the Sub Central de Yesera, Municipio Tarija. The visitor experience may vary depending on the season and the organized route, so check the arrangements for your visit in advance. The focus is both on learning about the production process and on guided tasting.
La Casa Vieja offers another wine tasting in an artisanal wine cellar. The winery is located in the Valle de la Concepción, 25 kilometers from the city of Tarija. Check the current operating arrangements before your visit. The valley is one of the department’s main tourist attractions and an important wine-growing area: it has the largest vineyard area in the department and is home to some of Bolivia’s most important wineries. This gives you a choice of two different tasting experiences when planning your trip: artisanal singani with a guided tasting on the Ruta del Singani Artesanal y los Molinos de Piedra, or wine in the cellar at La Casa Vieja. The winemaking profile of the Valle de la Concepción also gives the second location a broader regional context.
Lagoons, Forests and Trails
The Reserva Biológica de la Cordillera de Sama is characterized by steep slopes, plateaus and high-Andean lagoons. At Laguna Pujzara Tajzara, you can watch birds and hike along the shore. In Sama, you can therefore take in both the lagoon landscape and two specific ways to experience the area.
The Reserva Nacional de Flora y Fauna Tariquía offers a different landscape: its terrain is mountainous, and its forests are largely well preserved. You can hike in the reserve, and camping is possible in Sidras. In terms of activities, Tariquía differs from the lagoon hike described in Sama: here, hiking is complemented by the option to camp in Sidras. Check the specific access arrangements locally. This gives you a choice between birdwatching and hiking along the lagoon shore in Sama, and hiking and camping in Tariquía.
Pilgrimage to Chaguaya
The pilgrimage to the Santuario de Chaguaya in honor of the Virgen de Chaguaya takes place during a fixed annual period: in Tarija, it runs from August 15 to September 14. If you would like to include this event in your travel plans, confirm the current dates and arrangements before setting out. This distinguishes the pilgrimage from the wine tastings and nature experiences: it has a recurring annual period and a specific religious occasion, while wine experiences may vary depending on the season or organized route.
Discover more destinations: Cercado, Aniceto Arce, Gran Chaco, Caraparí, Jose Maria Aviles, Cochabamba, Pando, Beni.
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