The case of these two outstanding sites declared Natural World Heritage: Ischigualasto Provincial Park, better known as Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) and Talampaya National Park, is extraordinary. They constitute a unique place, one of the most important paleonological sites worldwide due to its abundance of fossils remains.
Paleontologists have recently discovered new fossils dating from Triassic period (when the dinosaurs appeared). One of the most outstanding specimens found in Talampaya is Lagosuchus Talampayensis that lived in this place 250 millions of years ago, at the beginning of that period, and represents one of the first dinosaurs inhabited the Earth.
The natural formations of these parks, the amazing multi-shaped layers in its high red walls, are a result of erosive processes. Wind, rain and time molded different shapes making up an environment full of mysticism.
With its layers of sediments, sandstones, rock formations, Talampaya tells us the story of the geological evolution that took place in the Earth. It is the chance to know the origin of life in our planet.
And not only geological evolution trace is found. There is also an important archaeological record in Talampaya: figures and engravings found on the rocks give evidence of human occupation dating between the years 120 and 1180. Opencast, on caves and shelters that were used as houses, storages as well as burial sites, lots of zoomorphic and anthropomorphic engravings and abstract geometrical motifs are displayed.
Beauty, traces of the past, magic and energy make this place a great adventure to experience.
Itinerary
Day 1 Departure from Retiro Bus Station, Buenos Aires City, at 8 pm (bus cost not included).
Day 2 Arrival in Patquía, La Rioja Province. Transfer by mini-bus to Talampaya National Park. Light lunch. In the afternoon, mountain bike through Talampaya great Canyon, stopping by typical attractions of the circuit. Then, we will go back and continue to Pagancillo or Villa Unión, where we will stay overnight. Check in at the accomodation. We will go to a restaurant for dinner (cost of dinner is not included).
Day 3 Breakfast. Transfer to southwest area of Talampaya Park. Guided excursion by van to the impressive Arco Iris circuit. It will take us 40 minutes through a sandy ground of dunes until we get to the circuit entrance. The trek will allow us to enjoy one of the new explored zones of the place, where we will see the layers of sediments of the geological formations. Light lunch (sandwich, empanadas, pizzas…) In the afternoon, we will continue the trip through 150 Route to our new destiny: Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Valle de la Luna), San Juan Province side. First, we will make the classic excursion of 40 kilometers stopping by different and famous points such us El Gusano, Valle Pintado, Cancha de Bochas and El Hongo. This excursion will be made by our vehicle with a local guide, and we will get off the bus to see the outstanding attractions that the guide will shows us. We will also visit the paleontologic museum, created a short time ago. Then the afternoon snack: we will have mate (typical beverage in Argentina), cookies, cake, etc. Finally, when it gets dark, we will be ready to make a nighttime trekking, with the ascent to Cerro Morado, enjoying the silence and the magic of the place. Back to Villa Unión, we will stop by the famous restaurant Don Diego for dinner. After that, we will continue to Villa Unión to stay overnight.
Day 4 Breakfast. Transfer to the main entrance of Talampaya National Park. A local guide will take us deep inside the park to know the wonderful world of the place. We will go round the Quebrada Don Eduardo, the dunes and adjacent gullies, the most virgin and wild part of Talampaya. We may catch sight of guanacos, condors and numerous insects. Carob is the predominant tree; some of them are really old. The circuit is circular and on the final phase we will go through the Great Canyon, with its 150 meter high walls, passing through caves and the botanic garden. Light lunch / picnic (sandwiches, vegetables, nibbles, etc) before continuing a 5/6 hours trek. Tea time. Transfer back to Villa Unión. Tour round the town.
Day 5 Early breakfast and for the last time we will be taken to the park, again to the southwest sector to finish knowing and enjoy the best of this place. This time, the circuit will be La Ciudad Perdida.Transfer by light trucks to the east side to start the 2 hours-last trekking. There we will be able to see figures and engravings that will stir up our imagination. Back to the route, lunch. In the afternoon we will make the circuit number 2, one of the classics of the place and also one of the longest. We will travel through the Great Canyon of Talampaya to the sector named Los Cajones, crossing the beautiful formation called El Monje. There, a short interpretative trek. After that, we go back to the park´s entrance and then we will go back to Villa Union to stay overnight after the farewell dinner.
Day 6 Early breakfast. We will take the route through Cuesta de Miranda, that we will ascend to reach amazing views from Famatina. Back to Patquia through Route 74. Lunch in Patquia (cost of lunch is not included). Return to Buenos Aires (arriving thursday 5/26 between 7 and 8 am approximately)
Included Services
-Transfer in private vehicle / shuttle through more than 1000 kilometers (Patquia, Ischigualasto, Villla Unión, Talampaya, Patquia).-
-4 nights of accomodation in Pircas Hotel or Pagancillo Hosteria.
-Breakfasts, lunches, afternoon snacks from day 2 to day 5.
-All the excursions specified in the program: mountain bike in the Great Canyon, Valley of the Moon (40km circuit + ascent to Cerro Morado), trekking Quebrada -Don Eduardo, Arco Iris circuit, Circuit 2 "Los Cajones", Circuit Ciudad Perdida, nighttime trek. Entrance to Ischigualasto Park.
-Security elements, VHF comunication,,
-Guide and constant coordination by AEX-A23 with the group.
-Permanent advising to the group.
