Pierced in the midst of the Valle de Lerma Valley, and surrounded by the immensity of the mountains, Chicoana sleeps a centenarian dream. Its legendary history begins in the year 1535, when the place was known as Quirequire and the Spanish conquistador Diego de Rojas supplied his expedition there.

It is a small and very traditional town. Its foundation, by Gonzalo de Abreu, dates back to the year 1577. It keeps a memory of other times, with big old houses and a well-maintained plaza. It is a gaucho town faithful to their traditions.

It is the centre of the tobacco production in the area, and to celebrate it they have instituted the Fiesta del Tabaco (Tobacco Festivity), on the 1st of August of every year. They also celebrate the Festival del Tamal (Tamale Festival), a traditional dish of Salta, based upon corn.

When travellers arrive in town, they see two buildings at the entrance, with a similar structure, standing at each side of the access road. Galleries with svelte iron columns surround them.

In the small wooded plaza, bordered by very homogeneous facades of Italian style, the neo-colonial church, with its tower and dome covered with tiles, stands out.

There is a small though nice and comfortable camping area on the outskirts of the town. Among other attractions are, a few kilometres away, the Escoipe Gorge and the Valle Encantado Enchanted Valley.

If travellers make up their mind and come to Chicoana, they should not miss the town's lodging house, standing right before the plaza. A centenarian and warm big old house with very good attention, where they can also hire the services of adventure tourism in four wheel drive vehicles.

HOW TO GET THERE
It is 47 kilometres southeast from Salta, going through the Ruta Nacional Nē 68, National Route, and then taking the Ruta Nacional Nē 33 to the right; or at about 25 kilometres from the Coronel Moldes locality, going through the Ruta Nacional Nē 68.