|
Talampaya National Park, is located in the sierras
of the central western region of the Rioja Province, with a
surface area of more than 430,000 acres. The beauty of the
landscape is notably integrated with the cultural and
archaeological interest that the region provides, transforming
itself into an ideal tourist attraction. This zone is over 220
million years old. One can appreciate the erosion processes that
have taken place over time to form ravines surrounded by tall,
thick walls, such as the Talampaya river. The wind and erosion
have created oddly-formed columns that serve as condor nests.
Preserved on these walls are pictograms and petroglylphs from the
prehispanic natives. Between 120 and 1180 A.D., human settlements
utilized caves and other sheltered areas as homes, storage, and
tombs. Any visitor can appreciate this archaeological landscape in
either of the two public locations: Talampaya Gate and Los
Pizarrones.
Within the natural landscape are vast sectors practically void
of vegetation, designated badlands,
where few plants stand out, like the purslane or pig-weed.
Sandstone formations and unusually shaped rocks are abundant here
as well.
The vegetation consists of many bushes and shrubs. Some frequently
observed animal life such as the gray fox, the black-legged
Seriema bird (classification: chunga burmeisteri),
and the calandria
mora (Patagonian mockingbird), are common in these
areas.
In 1975, Talampaya Provincial Park was created. Its main objective
was to conserve the important pale ontological and archaeological
fields in the area. Due to the conservationist value and tourist
potential, the opportunity to promote Talampaya to include it
among the ranks of National Parks of Argentina in 1997.
|
Location
La Rioja Province. It is located in the General
Lavalle region 200 km (125 mi) from the capital Riojana.
When to go
Year-round.
Attractions
Archaeological richness, Talampaya Canyon, Talampaya Gate
and Los Pizarrones, The Lost City is of one the main tourist
attractions.
How to get there
You can access the national park from Provincial Route 26
between Villa Unión and Los Baldecitos. This last locale
within the limits of the La Rioja and San Juan provinces,
crosses through the National Park.
Activities
Excursions, camping, circuits of archaeological interest.
Services
Accommodations, food, and transportation.
Surroundings
Ischigualasto, Villa Unión, Valle de la Luna (Moon
Valley).
Climate
Dry and warm. Precipitation varies from 80 to 250 mm annually, while the average
temperature fluctuates between 13ºC and 16ºC (55ºF and
60ºF).
|
|
|
|
|
Español 
