Ischigualasto Provincial Park
Argentina · San Juan · 1300 m
Description
Ischigualasto, known as the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), is a spectacular provincial park in northwestern Argentina and one of South America’s most extraordinary desert landscapes. The park is characterized by ash-grey badlands, spherical rock concretions and bizarre erosion formations that give the landscape its almost otherworldly appearance. Ischigualasto ranks among the world’s most important fossil sites from the Triassic Period and has yielded some of the oldest known dinosaurs. Together with the neighbouring Talampaya National Park, it forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site of outstanding geological and palaeontological significance. The Valley of the Moon is especially striking in the low light of late afternoon, when the barren landscape glows in shades of ochre, red, violet and copper.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: May – July
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Valle de la Luna 4WD circuit
- Ischigualasto Provincial Park (UNESCO World Heritage)
- El Hongo and El Submarino rock formations
- La Cancha de Bochas spherical boulders field
- Dinosaur fossils and paleontological sites
- Red Cliffs of Talampaya National Park(Day trip)
- Ischigualasto night sky stargazing
- San Juan city(Day trip)
- Valle Pintado colorful rock formations
- Cancha de las Agujas rock formations
- Cerro Morado viewpoint hike