Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mendoza
335
8
Salta
382
10
San Juan
240
6
Santiago del Estero
303
7-8
Tucumán
205
6½
Getting Around
Aeropuerto Vicente Almonacid
( 442-7239)
is 7km east of town on RP5. A taxi costs
around AR$50. From the bus terminal to downtown is about AR$20. Local buses
(AR$3.50) run between terminal and center, including numbers 2, 6, 7, 8 and 4B.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Chilecito
03825 / POP 33,700 / ELEV 1080M
With a gorgeous situation among low rocky hills and sizable snowcapped peaks, Chile-
cito, a stop on spectacular RN40, has several interesting things to see, including an amaz-
ing abandoned cableway leading to a mine high in the sierra. With the intense heat, min-
ing heritage and slopes around town dotted with cardón cactus, Chilecito has a Wild
West feel and is definitely the most appealing place to spend a few quiet days in this part
of the country. It's also a base for worthwhile excursions into the sierra.
History
To enable the mining of gold, silver and copper from the Sierra de Famatina, a cablecar
was constructed running from Chilecito, at the end of the railway line, to La Mejicana, at
an altitude of 4603m, more than 3.5km above Chilecito and nearly 40km away. With
nine stations, a tunnel and 262 towers, the amazing project was completed in 1904. Men
and supplies were carried to the mine, operated by a British firm, in four hours. WWI put
an end to it and the line started to decay, although local miners continued using it until
the 1930s.
Sights
Museo del Cablecarril
MUSEUM, CABLECAR
