East of Samaipata

Twenty kilometres east of town, on the road to Santa Cruz, is the pleasant CuevasWaterfall - two waterfalls and pools, one of which has a small sandy 'beach'. It's a great spot for a swim but watch out for ticks. A third, more beautiful waterfall, can be found at the end of a short, steep path. Note that the river and falls may have very little water during the dry season.

Further east towards Santa Cruz, just before Bermejo(42 km from Samaipata), is the turning to Laguna Volcán, a beautiful lake with four species of duck. A new hotel was under construction here in 2008, and 1 km after Bermejo is the turn-off left to Refugio Los Volcanes, about 4 km uphill from the main road .

For views of this fantastic volcanic landscape, turn left just after Bermejo, at the blue and white sign. It's a 12-km drive up a very steep track to El Sillar and Serranías Volcanes, best done in a jeep, but the scenery is worth it, even just 4 km up the track.

Forty kilometres south of Samaipata is La Pajcha, an impressive 40-m-high waterfall. You can swim, hike and birdwatch but beware of snakes. Another 20 km south is Postrervalle, around which are many interesting walks and mountain bike trails. There's a small hostel and camping. La Vísperain Samaipata organizes horse riding tours to La Pajcha, Postrervalle and back via Quirusillas.