Provincial Park Ischigualasto
Posted 9 months, 2 weeks ago at 4:20 pm. Add a comment
Provincial Park Ischigualasto (Valley of the Moon)
The Ischigualasto Park was officially created in 1971 and works to preserve and conserve this remarkable part of the world. The park covers a large area of 63,000 hectares and is located in the Northeast of San Juan province. This region is commonly known as ‘Valle de la Luna,’ which translates in English as Valley of the Moon and it certainly deserves such a title. This place really is out of this world, you feel like you’re walking on the moon, just with more gravity. The name comes from the unusual formations of rock that characterize this canyon. The Valley of the Moon boasts multicolored rock stripped in red, brown, black and grey, as well as tall towers of sedimentary rock that have been formed by vicious sandstorms and ancient waterways that used to cover the valley.
The Valley of the Moon also has live animals to see too. The arid, desert climate means that all of the flora and fauna are extremely adaptable. You won’t have to go far until you spot a cactus and all the vegetation in the area has tiny leaves to prevent evaporation by the hot temperatures. It’s worth taking your binoculars along to spot some of the wildlife, such as, condor eagles, desert foxes, pumas, alpacas and lizards, snakes and a huge variety of insects.
In order to protect such an incredible and unique place, the park is a protected area and the rules and regulations here are strict. Upon arriving in the Valley of the Moon, you’ll be warmly received by a park warden who will give you plenty of information, recommendations and describe the route around the park. You will be able to explore the park by car, but you have to be accompanied by a specialist guide at all times. At each of the many route’s ‘stations,’ your guide will give you a whole host of interesting information and history of the area. The circuit around the park covers 40 km and is designed to show you Ischigualasto’s highlights.
You can visit this park all year round and the entrance fee costs $ 70 argentine pesos, which includes the guided tour of the park and its highlights. You can also camp here, costing just $ 10 per person, per night. The park also provides other types of services for example; you can take part in a nocturnal visit when there is a full moon in the sky. Entrance to this event only costs $ 40. Argentina travel guide puts Provincial Park Ischigualasto at the top of the list of places to see in San Juan, you won’t see anywhere else that compares.