A specific reason to travel to Aniceto Arce is the pilgrimage to Chaguaya. The Santuario de Chaguaya is located in Arce Province and is the destination of the annual pilgrimage in honor of the Virgen de Chaguaya. This connection gives the trip a clear point of reference in time. For further discoveries in the Department of Tarija, other themes are available: artisanal singani, winegrowing, and diverse natural landscapes. This makes it possible to first decide whether the religious occasion, a tasting, or nature experiences should be the main focus.
Plan the pilgrimage to Chaguaya
Every year, between August 15 and September 14, the Virgen de Chaguaya is celebrated in Tarija, including a pilgrimage to the Santuario. If you are coming specifically for the pilgrimage, you can plan your stay around this period. Check the current dates and arrangements before making specific plans. The weeks mentioned indicate the recurring timeframe of the festival, not the required length of stay: how long you stay depends on the rest of your travel plans.
Artisanal singani and wine
In the wider travel destination of Tarija, the Ruta del Singani Artesanal y los Molinos de Piedra leads to Bodega Artesanal El Galeán. It is located in Sub Central de Yesera, in the Municipality of Tarija. Visitors can learn about the production of artisanal singani there and take part in a guided tasting. This option depends on the season and the organized route, so coordinate your visit with the current arrangements. This experience has a different focus from a wine tasting: at La Casa Vieja in Valle de la Concepción, wines are sampled in an artisanal winery. Here, too, it is advisable to check the current operating arrangements before your visit.
Valle de la Concepción as a winegrowing region
Valle de la Concepción is 25 kilometers from the city of Tarija and is one of the Department of Tarija’s major tourist attractions. It is an important winegrowing region: it has the largest area under vines in the department, and some of Bolivia’s most important wineries are located there. This makes it a regional winegrowing hub, rather than just a single tasting destination. La Casa Vieja offers a specific opportunity to sample wines in an artisanal winery. The Ruta del Singani Artesanal y los Molinos de Piedra, in turn, focuses on singani production and a guided tasting. The two experiences therefore differ both in the drink and in the setting of the visit.
Lagoons, mountain terrain, and forests
The nature destinations in the Department of Tarija also vary in their landscapes and the activities on offer. The Reserva Biológica de la Cordillera de Sama is characterized by steep slopes, high plateaus, and high-Andean lagoons. At Laguna Pujzara Tajzara, visitors can watch birds and hike in the surrounding area. By contrast, the landscape of the Reserva Nacional de Flora y Fauna Tariquía is shaped by mountainous terrain and mostly well-preserved forests. Visitors can camp in Sidras, and hikes are also possible within the Reserva. For specific access regulations in Tariquía, ask locally. Those comparing nature experiences will therefore find lagoons and birdwatching on one side, and mountain scenery, forest, and hiking opportunities on the other.
Discover more destinations: Bermejo, Gran Chaco, Cercado, Jose Maria Aviles.
Return to the wider travel overview: Tarija.
