List of nature reserves and national parks in Argentina. Argentina, endless natural attractions. What to do in Tierra del Fuego National Park

Its nature is considered, for the sake of it millions of travelers from all over the world come here. The country has many pristine places that have not been touched by human hands - these are forests and jungles, lakes and mountains, semi-deserts and deserts.

Main National Parks of Argentina

In this country, a national park is a protected area located in various climatic zones (from subtropics to tropics) and altitude (from 6.96 m above sea level to -48 m under water). The fauna of the state is very diverse, endemic and endangered species live here (tuco-tuco, Magellanic dogs, vicuñas, etc.), and the red ovenbird bird has become a real symbol of the country.

Seven environmental objects were included in the list at once. The country has 33 national parks. Let's look at some of them in more detail:

(Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi). It is one of the first protected parks in the country and is located in the area of the lake of the same name. Its area is 7050 square meters. km, it is located in the north, in the provinces of Rio Negre and Neuquen. An interesting object is.
(Parque Nacional Iguazú). This National Park in Argentina is famous for Iguazu Falls. Located on the border with Brazil, near Paraguay.

(Parque Nacional Predelta). It is located in the Parana River delta and includes three islands, swamps, a lagoon, and has interesting flora and fauna.

(Parque Nacional Los Glaciares) in Argentina. Located in the province of Santa Cruz, it has an area of 4459 square meters. km and is famous for two large lakes: and, as well as for its glaciers.

(Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego). The park is located on the island of the same name and is the southernmost on the planet. Its area is 630 sq. km. The Pan-American Highway ends here.

(Parque Nacional Monte Leon). This is the youngest National Park in the country. It is located along the Atlantic Ocean and is famous for being home to the fourth largest colony of Magellanic penguins in South America.

(Parque Nacional Los Alerces). This is one of the most picturesque parks in the country. Its area is 193 thousand hectares and includes the Arrayanes River and 5 reservoirs.

(Parque Nacional Sierra de las Quijadas). The park is located in the paleontological zone, in the province of San Luis. Its area is 73,533 hectares. Dinosaur tracks and other ancient fossils can be seen here.

(Parque Nacional Talampaya). Officially, it was given the status of a National Park in 1997. The park is located at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level. The remains of Lagosuchus (the ancestors of dinosaurs) were discovered here.

(Parque Nacional Chaco). The main goal of the park is to protect the pristine plains of the Eastern Chaco and the unique savannah landscapes. A river flows on its territory, around which dense jungle grows.

Ibera (Parque Nacional Ibera). The territory of the park is a swampy area. This is the heritage of all Latin America. Several species of rare caimans, more than 300 species of birds live here, and unique plants grow.

(Parque Nacional El Palmar). The main goal is to preserve the local ecosystem and palm groves. The park is located on the banks of the Uruguay River and consists of wetlands, rocky banks and water streams.

(Parque Nacional El Leoncito). It has an area of 90 thousand hectares and is located on the slope of the Sierra del Tontal mountain. It has been open to visitors since 2002; before that, visits were prohibited here.

(Parque Nacional Rio Pilcomayo). This area is home to humid forests, as well as entire fields of water hyacinth. The park is listed as an international wetland.

(Parque Nacional Laguna Blanca). A huge number of bird species live here. The park is also famous for the pre-Columbian sites of the Mapuche Indians and ancient rock petroglyphs.

(Parque Nacional Los Cardones). Its main pride is its cactus fields. These plants are up to 3 m tall and live for about 300 years.

What other environmental institutions are there in the country?

In Argentina, in addition to National Parks, there are also nature reserves. The most popular of them are:

Laguna de los Patos (Reserva Natural Urbana Laguna de los Patos). The reserve is located in and includes a steppe and a reservoir. This is a favorite habitat for birds.

(Reserva natural Cabo Virgenes). The reserve has an area of 1230 hectares and is located on the ocean coast. A colony of penguins lives here, the number of which exceeds 250 thousand individuals.

Cabo dos Bahias (Reserva Cabo Dos Bahias). This is one of the most beautiful natural reserves in the country, where you can meet representatives of the Patagonian fauna: guanacos, sea lions, penguins, etc.

Corazon de la Isla (Reserva Corazon de la Isla). The reserve is located in the province of Tierra del Fuego. Special walking routes have been developed here for wildlife lovers.

Laguna Oca del Rio Paraguay. A biosphere reserve that is located perpendicular to the Paraguay River and covers its tributaries, swamps, canals, dams, oxbow lakes and branches. Water spaces are interspersed with palm groves, forests and meadows.

Costa Atlantica (Reserva Costa Atlantica). Located in the province of Tierra del Fuego. It is home to many migratory wading and water birds, some of which are endemic. The area of the reserve is 28,500 hectares, it covers areas of forest and steppe overgrown with shrubs.

(Punta Tombo). A popular place among tourists who want to get acquainted with the life of Magellanic penguins, who are accustomed to people and boldly approach them. The reserve is located in the province of Chubut.

Punta del Marques (Reserva Natural Punta del Marques). The main goal of the reserve is nature conservation. A colony of sea lions lives here, and there are especially many of them from August to December. To observe them, special platforms with powerful binoculars were built.

Punta Bermeja (Reserva Faunistica Punta Bermeja). Located 3 km from La Loberia beach. The reserve is home to numerous birds and sea lions, and the coastal waters are home to dolphins, whales and killer whales. There is a scientific center here where ornithologists and oceanologists conduct their research.

(Parque provincial de Ischigualasto). This provincial park, which is located in the area, can also be classified as a nature reserve. It is included in and features a picturesque landscape.

In Argentina, nature reserves and national parks are national pride. When going to the country, be sure to visit the protected areas, because here you will not only see pristine nature, wild animals and various plants, but also relax in the fresh air, get acquainted with the history of the country and simply have a wonderful time.

Argentina is a silver country of adventure, whose geography we studied together with the children of Captain Grant. Moreover, it attracts not only tango and football, the best meat in the world and dozens of varieties of ice cream. The diversity of its nature is simply unique. Argentina stretches for thousands of kilometers from the southernmost continent of Antarctica to the impenetrable jungle in the north.

On its territory there are 33 national parks and four natural monuments, not counting numerous protected areas of regional rank. There are currently seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Argentina.

Los Glaciares

Los Glaciares (Spanish: Los Glaciares , glaciers) is a national park located in the province of Santa Cruz, along the Chilean border. The area of the park is 4459 km². Founded in 1937, Los Glaciares is Argentina's second largest national park. The park gets its name from the huge ice cap in the Andes, which feeds 47 large glaciers, of which only 13 flow towards the Atlantic Ocean. This ice massif is the largest after the ice of Antarctica and Greenland. In other parts of the world, glaciation begins at least 2,500 m above sea level, but in Los Glaciares Park, due to the size of the ice cap, glaciers begin at an altitude of 1,500 m and slide down to 200 m, eroding the slopes of the mountains underlying them.

For the first time, the territory between lakes Viedma and Lago Argentino was taken under protection by the Argentine state in 1937. However, this area was declared a national park only shortly before the end of World War II in April 1945. Modern borders Los Glaciares National Park were established by law only in the fall of 1971. In 1981 Los Glaciares National Park was included in the List of World Natural Heritage Sites.
The territory of Los Glaciares, which is 30% covered with ice, can be divided into two parts, each of which has its own lake. The largest lake in Argentina, Lake Argentino (area 1,466 km²) is located in the southern part of the park, and Lake Viedma (area 1,100 km²) is in the northern part. Both lakes feed the Santa Cruz River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean. Between these two parts is the Central Zone, closed to tourists., in which there are no lakes.

The northern half of the park includes part of Lake Viedma, the Viedma Glacier, small glaciers and several mountain peaks popular with climbers and mountain hikers, such as Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

The southern half of the park, along with small glaciers, includes the main glaciers flowing into Lake Argentino: Perito Moreno, Uppsala and Spegazzini. A typical boat tour includes exploring the otherwise inaccessible Uppsala and Spegazzini glaciers. The Perito Moreno Glacier can be reached by land.

Three thousand years ago, Indians lived in the area of Lake Argentino and were engaged in hunting and gathering. The population had high mobility, which made it possible to consume both the resources of the steppe and mountainous areas. The ancient inhabitants of these places used stones to make tools and found refuge in numerous caves, where ancient drawings - traces of their presence - can still be found. One example of rock art can be seen near Lake Roca, where a stone canopy depicts both abstract motifs - straight and wavy lines, dots, as well as human and animal figures.

Los Glaciares Park is a popular international tourism destination. Tours begin in the city of El Calafate, located on Lake Argentino, and in the village of El Chaltén, located in the northern part of the park at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy. The main attraction of the park is the majestic glaciers, which are worth spending at least two to three days exploring. For mountain lovers, in the northern part of the park there are many mountain routes of varying degrees of difficulty, and the abundance of lakes allows for boat trips.
If you have more than three days to explore the park, it’s worth finding Indian rock paintings to stand in front of them and imagine for a moment the life of ancient people.

Iguazu

This national park was created in 1934 with the aim of preserving one of the most beautiful places in Argentina: the waterfalls on the Iguazu River, surrounded by a subtropical jungle.
The park is located in the north of the province of Misiones, it covers an area of 67 thousand hectares. Along the northern border of the park flows the Iguazu River, which separates Brazil and Argentina, and is the southern border of the Brazilian national park of the same name. Both parks are now World Natural Heritage Sites.

On the shores of Iguazu and the islands of its delta, many moisture-loving plants grow, many of which are not found in other parts of the country. This is the most unique place in the world, as 5 forest species are concentrated on one piece of land.
The fauna of the park is also diverse; during walks you can see colorful parrots, lizards, and a huge number of butterflies. There are especially many of them near puddles of water, where they obtain dissolved minerals.
The national park is a refuge for many rare and endangered species, including the jaguar, ocelot, anteater, and tapir.

Traces of human presence here go back 10 thousand years; evidence of the prehistoric era are the found remains of vessels. Already in historical times, the selva was inhabited by Indians who were engaged in hunting, fishing and gathering. Around 1000 AD. The Guarani came from the north and displaced the tribes that had previously lived here. The Guarani had developed agricultural technologies and grew various vegetables.
The first tourist expedition to the waterfalls was organized at the end of the 19th century. One of its participants, Victoria Aguirre, donated money for the construction of a road from the port of Iguazu to the waterfalls, thereby greatly facilitating the journey for subsequent travelers.

50 meters from the entrance to the park there is a visitor center “Ivira Reta”, which translates as “land of trees”. Here you will learn that, in addition to magical waterfalls, the national park protects unique flora and fauna, that the history of these places began many millennia ago, and its heroes were the Gaurani Indians, Jesuits, European colonists and ecologists who have been working here since its creation parka.
The park has created many trails, pathways, bridges, and viewing platforms that will allow you to see different waterfalls up close. A small eco-train transports tourists from the entrance to the park to the beginning of the hiking routes.
The lower trail will allow you to enjoy views of most of the falls from above and in front. From a long distance you will see the Devil's Throat and the Brazilian waterfalls, and if you wish, you can get wet under the streams of the Bosetti Falls.
The upper trail will take you along the fall line of the main waterfalls and allow you to enjoy their panorama.
You can get closer to the Devil's Throat by walking about a kilometer along the walkways, which end in a wide balcony directly above the gorge where the waterfall falls.
If you still have time, be sure to visit San Martin Island, where you will be taken by boat. It will take a lot of effort to get to the very top, but you will be rewarded with an unforgettable view of the Three Musketeers waterfall.
The Macuco trail was created specifically for wildlife lovers. The trail runs along an old clearing in the very heart of the jungle, and at the end of it a 20-meter waterfall awaits you. This is a great opportunity to get to know the subtropical forest and, if you're lucky, its inhabitants.

Nahuel Huapi

Parque Nahuel Huapi extends from the southeastern territories of the province of Neuquén to the northeast of the province of Rio Negro and is the oldest national park in Argentina. It was founded in 1934 and covers an area of 7,050 square kilometers. Within the park is the main tourist city of the region - Bariloche. Another popular city among tourists, Villa La Angostura, is also located on its territory and is located right on the lake.
The attraction of the park is the extinct volcano Tronador, 3554 m above sea level (translated from Spanish tronador - loud, thundering). It rises above a belt of forests and numerous lakes of glacial origin. The main peak of Tronador is El Principal. From the top of Tronador, from its steep cliffs, eight glaciers slide into deep gorges. The Frias River originates in the glaciers of Tronador, carrying matte green waters.

Another attraction of the park and its decoration is Lake Nahuel Huapi, located at an altitude of 767 m, about 70 km long and with an area of 530 sq km. It is very deep, with steep banks, and navigable.

Forests of huge cedars and evergreen beeches are well preserved here. The age of some beech trees up to 40 m high and 2 m in diameter reaches 500 years. In the forests of the Andes, Patagonian larches 30-35 m high and 2-3 m in diameter rise above the southern beech trees. They resemble California redwoods. Their trunks are entwined with vines, and various epiphytes settle on them.

There are many driving tours available in the national park. But the greatest demand is for the “around the world” trip, which is 280 km long.

Mammals are found in the park. But there are no large ones, except for the acclimatized European deer and fallow deer, which have bred in large numbers (therefore, regulation of their numbers has begun). Occasionally you can see a Pudu deer here, only 30-35 cm tall, with short horns. Mouse possums live in the forests. The streams are inhabited by Darwin's rhinoderma frog; hippocamelus, guanaco, vicuna, and chinchilla also live.

Nahuel Huapi National Park is open all year round, but there are two tourist seasons: winter (July-September) and summer (January-March). National ski competitions are held here at the beginning and end of the season. A large ski station is located 20 km from the city. For the convenience of tourists, lifts have been built.

Lanin

Lanin National Park is located in the province of Neuquen, covers an area of 380 hectares and is famous for rare species of trees, many of which do not grow anywhere else in the country. The park was founded in 1937 with the aim of preserving the ecosystem, fauna and flora of the area. The park is also home to the famous Lanin volcano, lakes Lacar, Weculafken and Alumine, as well as many rivers where sport fishing for salmon and trout is permitted.In addition to the beautiful forests, you can find unusual animals in the Park, as Pudu is the smallest deer on earth and the most wanted by all visitors.

Anyone who wants to get to know the park more thoroughly usually stops in the city of San Martin de los Andes, which is located right on the shores of Lake Lacar.

Tierra Del Fuego

The archipelago that makes up Tierra del Fuego was discovered in 1520 by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, and it received this name because of the fires lit by the Indians along the shore when Magellan sailed through the strait that now bears his name.
Young Charles Darwin also visited here and was very impressed by the landscapes of the island and the harsh lifestyle of the local Indians.
The national park of the same name with a total area of 63 thousand hectares was created in 1960.
The landscape of the park was formed under the influence of erosion and ancient glaciers, which no longer exist. After a series of geomorphological processes, the Andes mountain range rose - a system of mountain ranges that surround forested valleys, cut by rivers and lakes, swamps and rock outcrops.
In the coastal part of the park there are Lapataya and Ensenada bays, in which ravines alternate with small beaches - ideal habitats for birds.
The region's climate is cool, humid, with maximum precipitation in autumn. In winter, a lot of snow falls, which accumulates in the valleys and on the slopes.

Dense forests are common up to an altitude of 600 meters above sea level, and shrubs grow above. A characteristic feature of the national park's landscapes are peat bogs. The process of peat formation is possible only in a humid environment at low temperatures that prevent the decomposition of organic matter, and such conditions are typical for Tierra del Fuego.
The diversity of fauna here is not so great - about 20 species of mammals and about 90 species of birds. A distinctive feature of Tierra del Fuego's ecosystems is the absence of amphibians. The most common species to be found is the red fox. Another mammal, the guanaco, lives in the mountains almost the entire year and only descends into the inland valleys for the winter.
Of the birds that attract the most attention are three species of South American geese, which live in open areas and on beaches. Woodpeckers can be found in the forests, and condors fly high in the sky above the valleys and mountain peaks.
The large island of the archipelago was inhabited by humans about 10 thousand years ago. The ethnic diversity of the settlers suggests that they interacted quite effectively with an environment that we now perceive as very unfavorable. Numerous archaeological finds indicate an ancient connection between man and the nature that surrounded him.
Ancient people built their homes on the shore, moved around the sea in canoes, and hunted seals and collected shellfish. The Indians lived in huts made of trunks and branches, and their clothing consisted of seal skins.
The disappearance of these groups dates back to the arrival of the first European colonizers in the 1880s. Epidemics are considered the main factor in the destruction, but the so-called “shooting exercises” of travelers and poisoning by hunters, for the free hunting of seals, played an important role.

Several short walks have been developed for travelers, including along the banks of the Lapataia and Ovando rivers; to the Black Bay, the waters of which are characterized by a very dark color due to peat at the bottom; to the panoramic point of Lapataia Bay; former beaver settlement, along the swamp. These are small trails up to one kilometer long.
In addition, you can walk along routes ranging from 5 to 10 km in length, which will allow you to enjoy views of the Beagle Canal, Lake Roca and climb the 970-meter-high Mount Guanaco.

Chaco

Chaco National Park is located in the central part of the South American continent, in the east of the Gran Chaco plain. This name can be translated as "Big hunting field." Chaco Park was founded in 1954. The park was established by the Argentine government to protect the unique landscapes of the most elevated parts of the Eastern Chaco.

By the time the park was created, the unique forests on most of the plain had already been cut down.
The central, eastern and southern parts of the park are home to forests and woodlands of Quebracho trees. It is a tree with very hard wood that is dark red in color (The name comes from the Spanish expression "break the axe"). The height of the trees reaches 15 meters. The most valuable are white and red kebracho, which contain large amounts of tannin. Due to its dense and virtually non-rotting wood, quebracho wood is in great demand, which has become the reason for the massive cutting down of these trees.

Talampaya
Talampaya Provincial Park was created in 1975, and in 1997 it received the status of a national park. Its main goal is the protection of unique paleontological and archaeological monuments - rock outcrops with preserved remains of flora and fauna of ancient times.
Together with the adjacent Ichigualasto Provincial Park, this area is a World Natural Heritage Site.
In the open air, on the vertical walls and huge stones, you can see many abstract and drawings of animal and human figures, making this area one of the most representative in terms of rock art in Argentina.

The landscape diversity of the park is very large; there are flat and low-mountain areas, depressions and plateaus. Strange shapes made of sand and stone are often found, such as in the area known as the "Lost City".
The climate of the region is characterized by extreme temperatures, with significant temperature changes during the day and in different seasons. Summers are hot, daytime temperatures rise above +50ºС, and minimum temperatures in winter drop to -9ºС. The territory is characterized by low humidity, and only in summer there are heavy downpours, often accompanied by hail.

The territory is dominated by shrubs and many cacti. Rare trees grow near rivers. A number of plants are endemic to this region and country.
Among the animals in the park you can find the gray fox and lark. The Andean condor, falcon and eagle are found on the vertical walls of the canyons.

The uniqueness of the park lies in the enormous wealth of fossil remains found here. In recent decades, this area has also received scientific recognition due to the fact that the fossils found here date back to the Triassic period, the time of the appearance of dinosaurs.
One of the most notable finds at Talampaya is the fossil remains of Lagosuchustalampayensis, which lived here 250 million years ago and was one of the first dinosaurs to inhabit the Earth. Another interesting find is the fossil turtle Palaeocheris talampayensis, 210 million years old.
After visiting the information center, tourists are offered a walk through the park, during which they can see various archaeological rarities.
The Lost City is one of the most interesting places, attracting with excellent panoramic landscapes and mysterious geoforms.

Peninsula Valdez

Protected area " Peninsula Valdez" was created in 1983, in the province of Chubut. Currently, the reserve occupies almost 400 thousand hectares of land and 176 thousand hectares of water space.
In 1999, the Valdez Peninsula received World Natural Heritage status.
The peninsula's protected system includes four protected areas that attract a variety of marine and terrestrial species.

The peninsula is located in the northeast of the province of Chubut, and is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. From the north and south, its coasts are washed by the bays of San Jose and Nuevo.
The relief of the territory is a typical Patagonian plateau, which ends in the sea with steep banks. The coast is composed of marine sediments, which are subject to constant erosion. Part of the coastline is represented by beaches, among which rocky ones stand out - a favorite place for elephant seals.
The climate on the peninsula is transitional between the temperate climate of the central part of the country, with maximum precipitation in the hot months, and the cold climate with winter rains, which is more typical of Patagonia. Summers on the peninsula are hot but short, and winters are cold.

The main vegetation of sea shores is algae. They cover rocky shores with colorful blankets: blue-green, green, brown, red or yellow-green, depending on the pigment in the plant cells.
The Valdez Peninsula in Patagonia is of great importance for the conservation of marine mammals. The population of the endangered Australian subspecies of the southern right whale (Eubalaena glacialis australis) breeds here. The peninsula is famous all over the world for its excellent viewing opportunities for these giants. They arrive on shore in June and stay until December to give birth. The southern right whale reaches a length of approximately 14 meters and weighs up to 50 tons. Females carry their young for a whole year, and give birth to only one offspring at a time.
Southern elephant seals and southern sea lions also breed here, and resident killer whales use a unique hunting strategy adapted to the local coastline conditions.
The peninsula is also home to many species of birds and land animals, such as guanacos, foxes, rheas, pampas ptarmigan, and the Patagonian hare.

There are not many places in the world where you can see so many animals in their natural environment. In a boat on a boat excursion or walking along a steep shore, you will be so close to them that you will be able to study all their habits.
It is also possible to organize scuba diving on the peninsula.

Ibera

The Iberian Marshes are the second largest wetland in Latin America, covering almost 1,400 thousand hectares in the province of Corrientes. Over time, the old channels and channels of the Paraná River formed this complex network of swamps, swamps, small lakes, dams and rain streams.

The Iberian marshes are reservoirs of stagnant water, the depth of which varies from one to three meters. These water surfaces are covered with two types of aquatic plants: some rise from the bottom, forming thickets along the banks, while others stay on the surface, sometimes reaching great thickness. Over time, soil brought by water and wind accumulates on such layers, and then new plants and even trees begin to grow on it. Sometimes such layers grow into real islands that move along the water surface, guided by wind and currents.

The system includes three botanical provinces: Espinal in the south, Chaco Oriental in the west and Paraná in the north.
This diversity is expressed in the plant wealth of the territory, which is represented by reeds, water lilies, water lentils, irises, water hyacinths, and small ferns. Reeds, laurel trees, yatai palms (in other words, colored palm), entire galleries and islands of interlocking trees grow here. Among the different types of trees that can be seen in the area are: tecoma (Indian jasmine), urundea, black laurel, white quebracho (Cutraceae family), ombu (phytolacca dioecious), jacaranda, erinthrina, willow.
Two species of caimans live in the swamps (reptiles of the alligator family, distinguished from other alligators by the presence of a bony abdominal shell). One of them is the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger). It is the largest, can reach 4 - 5 meters in length, about 30% of the length is the tail. It has a narrow jaw, dark skin and a yellow belly. The other is the broad-faced caiman (Caiman latirostris). It was the latter that suffered the greatest destruction due to its very valuable leather.
Other common species include the river wolf cub, capybara (capybara) - the largest modern rodent, swamp deer, large fox (Chrysocyon brachyurus), black howler monkey and others. You can also find smaller species here: the small gray fox (Dusicyon griseus), armadillo, ferret, weasel, hare, viscacha, lizards, and turtle. Among the reptiles: aquatic boa constrictor, common boa constrictor, nyakanina (a large poisonous snake), as well as various poisonous snakes: rattlesnake, keffiyeh and others.
There are more than three hundred species of birds in the marshes: various herons, goldfinches, cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and other colorful species.

Considering the diversity and uniqueness of the animal world of the protected area, the most exciting activity here will be observing wildlife. Tourists are offered classic birdwatching programs; boat trips, from which you can get better acquainted with the inhabitants of the waters; horseback riding excursions and leisurely walking tours.

Los Cardones
100 km from the city of Salta, in the mountains, at an altitude of 2700 to 5000 m above sea level, on an area of 65 thousand hectares, there is a real cactus field with bright flashes of yellow daffodils. Cacti of a special type in the form of slender columns, found in abundance up to 3400 m above sea level, reach 250-300 years of age and three meters in height. In the past, the road from the Inkaiko Empire to the Enchanted Valley passed through cactus fields. And to this day, some residents of the region consider plants to be strict guardians of the tranquility of the mountains and valleys, scaring away strangers. Currently, cacti of this species are on the verge of extinction due to the irrational use of their fiber.
In the national park you can also find churka trees, which belong to the legume family and form small forests. Due to its special geographical location, the park is home to vicuñas, wild donkeys, foxes, parrots, armadillos, about 100 species of birds, condors, etc. Fossil remains of long-extinct animals and traces of dinosaurs have also been discovered here. The park was founded in December 1996.

Tango is not the only cultural heritage of Argentina.

The peculiar mixture of traditions of different peoples - from the Incas to the Welsh - who lived on this land in different periods of history is such that you can only get some clear impression about it yourself by seeing Buenos Aires with your own eyes, walking along its streets and throwing a coin into the fountain in Plaza del Congreso.

The city is amazing, the architecture is unlike anything else in the world, the Puente de la Mujerno pedestrian bridge alone is worth it!

But still, this is not why travelers go to Argentina. Home and unique The attraction of this country is its natural reserves.

Ischigualasto National Park in the province of San Juan (or, in other words, the Valley of the Moon), occupies an area of 603 sq. km and reveals a completely Martian landscape.

Geologically, Ischigualasto is an old river bed that was formed many millions of years ago. During this time, wind and precipitation amazingly transformed the relief.

In certain lighting conditions, a comparison with the lunar surface seems quite justified. A particularly strange place is the Skittles Ball Area (Cancha de bochas).

Stone balls up to half a meter in diameter form themselves in the ground and are pushed to the surface by an unknown force. Their composition is the same as that of the surrounding soil.

This phenomenon is natural, but inexplicable. There is a version that something in the bowels of the earth begins to become overgrown with rock and over time crystallizes, like pearls. But scientists cannot answer more precisely what the mechanism is. Mystic.

IN Ischigualasto Park is a haven for archaeologists: Ancient rock paintings have been discovered here, and traces of the Incas have been found.

This now deserted area was once inhabited by proto-Indian tribes. Dinosaurs lived here even earlier. Their bones are perfectly preserved as fossils.

Some of the species found here are unique and not found anywhere else. Recreated prehistoric reptiles can be seen in the local paleontology museum.

The park is included in the UNESCO World Heritage catalog, and traveling here without a guide is prohibited in case you steal a stone ball.

Talampaya National Park

Ischigualasto is adjacent to another park - Talampaya. This is a valley with an amazing landscape among red-brown sandstone rocks.

As a result of erosion, unusual figures were formed from them, as if created by someone’s inflamed imagination (which would not be surprising - this is where peyote grows).

The most infernal ones are located in the Ciudad Perdida area.

In addition, in Talampaya you can see fossils of various fossil animals: dinosaurs and giant tortoises.

Talampaya Canyon, which is up to 140 m deep and 80 m wide, no less interesting to the inquisitive mind than rock forms and ancient fossils.

In addition, traces of Neolithic settlements have been preserved here, in particular the famous petroglyphs in Puerta del Canyon.

Nahuel Huapi National Park

Nahuel Huapi National Park is the oldest (founded in 1934) and the largest in Argentina.

Nahuel Huapi is a lake in northern Patagonia, but the park also includes other lakes:

Gutierrez.
Traful.
Mascardi.
Correntoso.
The extinct volcano Cerro Tronador (height 3491 m).

The depth of Lake Nahuel Huapi is 464 m, and the shape surprises with its sleeves, similar to Scandinavian fjords. There are islands on the lake, some of which have even become famous in history.

Jesuit monks settled in Argentina in 1670 and brought the word of God to this region. They founded a Christian mission on the island of Huemul.

However, in 1718, after a massacre carried out by Indians who were converting to the true faith, they were forced to flee home.

Repeatedly this region was discovered by Francisco Moreno in 1876. during his Patagonian expedition.

The local Indians have a legend about the spirit of the lake, which was almost confirmed in 1922, when several eyewitnesses noticed a huge creature with a long neck on the water surface - Nauelito(based on the name of the lake).

Experts were urgently called from the capital, but no traces of the unknown animal were found.

However in the 60s 20th century photographs of Nauelito appeared(skeptics, of course, recognized them as fakes).

This does not bother people who want to believe in a miracle - enthusiasts regularly appear claiming to have seen a creature similar to a dinosaur. This is only beneficial for the tourism business.

Right here on Lake Nahuel Huapi, in 1948, Argentine President Juan Perron created a secret laboratory.

The invited German physicist Ronald Richter promised the head of state a controlled thermonuclear fusion reaction and after some time even reported on the result.

However, an independent examination convicted the physicist of falsifying the results. The laboratory on the island of Huemul was destroyed, and the physicist was fired in disgrace.

The picturesque ruins are now shown to tourists who come to the lake for kayaking.

Small steamboats also sail on the lake - walks on them are a must for those who want to see all the beauty from the water.

One of them, the Modesta Victoria, carried young Ernesto Che Guevara on board in 1952. The navigation veteran is still functioning.

Fitzroy National Park

Those for whom the only thing better than mountains are mountains should visit Fitzroy National Park in Patagonia.

Fitzroy Peak (3375 m) is considered one of the most difficult to climb in the world: some areas are sheer granite cliffs.

Climbers first conquered this peak only in 1952 (Lionel Terrey and Guido Magnon).

Francisco Moreno, during the Patagonian expedition in 1877, “discovered” this peak and gave it the name of the captain of the British brig “Beagle” Robert Fitzroy.

The Indians called the mountain differently - Cerro Chalten, which means “smoky mountain”; the impression of eternal smoke is created by the clouds that almost always surround the peak.

It's not just intrepid climbers who visit Fitzroy.

Travel agencies organize walking tours in the foothills for 2–4 days for everyone who would like to personally appreciate the beauty of the mountain landscape, and not from other people’s photographs.

You can get to Fitzroy from the village of El Chalten, and to El Chalten it takes 4-5 hours by bus from the airport of El Calafate.

However, agencies warn in advance that during the season there may be a shortage of air tickets from Buenos Aires to El Calafate.

Lake Traful

For lovers of scuba diving in the Argentine province of Neuquen there is Lake Traful.

The lake gives rise to the river of the same name, which flows into Nahuel Huapi.

The view from the 100-meter cliff is a must-have photo that those who have already been here boast about.

Divers talk about the amazing underwater world, where trees grow from the bottom, and in this magical forest, schools of unprecedented fish swim.

Punta Tombo

But what little fish! In Argentina you can meet penguins. Not visiting Punta Tombo, the habitat of these amazing creatures, is like flying to the ends of the world in vain.

Punta Tombo is just rocks, but it is here that every year (from September to April) the largest colony of Magellanic penguins with their babies gathers - up to a million individuals.

Penguins are not shy and are very curious. When tourists study penguins, they in turn study tourists.

Special bridges have been laid for people so as not to accidentally harm the “indigenous population”.

Magellanic penguins were on the verge of extinction in the last century, but gradually the demographic situation leveled off. Now there are approximately 1.8 million pairs.

Interestingly, Magellanic penguins are monogamous, and coming to see them is very symbolic for a honeymoon.

In any case, this is more correct than releasing winged rats into the sky at a marriage ceremony.

You can get here by plane to the city of Puerto Madryn (and another 180 km to Punta Tombo) or by another plane to the town of Welsh settlers Trelew (this is no closer - 110 km to the place).

In Trelew you can buy handmade items made from sheep's wool in memory of Argentina.

Experienced travelers know that in the Southern Hemisphere the opposite is true - when we have winter, they have summer. But even if you are not a member of a geographical society, when planning a trip, take these features into account.

Endurance will be required not only by a long flight, changing time zones, acclimatization, but also by the fact that in mountainous areas there is thin air.

Stock up not only on sunscreen, but also on some pills if your heart requires it.

Admire the penguins at Punta Tombo Argentina

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Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world, but its entire population is concentrated mainly in cities, and therefore has vast and almost uninhabited areas. Although this is one of the countries that supply pulses in the world, only 30% of its territory is converted into arable land, the rest of the territory has completely diverse landscapes: deserts and semi-deserts, jungles and forests, where nature is a complete mistress. From the highest point in the Americas (Mount Aconcagua - 6,962 meters above sea level) to the lowest point in the country (Salina Grande on the Valdez Peninsula - 48 meters below sea level), from the tropical to subarctic climate of Tierra del Fuego, there is a great diversity of natural diversity.

Iguazu National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Iguazú) is a national park in Argentina, located in the department of Iguazu, in the northern part of the province of Misiones, in the Argentine Mesopotamia. The park was created in 1934 and partially contains one of the natural monuments of South America, Iguazu Falls,

Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Spanish: Parque provincial de Ischigualasto) is a conservation area in Argentina, located in the province of San Juan, in the north-west of the country. Together with Talampaya National Park, located within the same geological formation,

Los Glaciares National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, glaciers) is a national park located in Patagonia (South America), in the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. The area of the park is 4459 km². In 1981 it was included in the World Heritage List.

Nahuel Huapi (Spanish: Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi) is a national park in Argentina. Founded in the Lake Nahuel Huapi area in 1934, it is the country's oldest national park. Today the protected area covers an area of 7,050 km² in the provinces of Neuquén and Rio Negro in northern Patagonia.

Tierra del Fuego (Spanish: Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego) is a national park in the southern part of the Argentine sector of the island of Tierra del Fuego (Isla Grande), located 11 km west of Ushuaia. The park was created on October 15, 1960 and expanded in 1966.

Sierra de las Quijadas (Spanish: Parque Nacional Sierra de las Quijadas) is a national park located in the center of the province of San Luis, Argentina. Founded in 1991. The area of the park is 73,533 hectares. The park is located in a paleontological area

1. Los Glaciares National Park

"Los Glaciares" means "glaciers" in Spanish, and that's about it. This is a huge national park, the main tourist attractions of which are glaciers. Unlike most of their counterparts in the rest of the world, the glaciers of Los Glaciares are among the easiest to visit, as they descend from the mountains to the shores of the lakes. Thus, anyone can see them, even those with disabilities. The main thing is that you have enough money to get to one of the southernmost parts of Patagonia.

What to do in Los Glaciares National Park?

Go to the Perito Moreno glacier - the most popular, picturesque and closest to the mainland. In addition, there is excellent infrastructure in the vicinity of the glacier. Anyone can walk along the paths and observation platforms around the glacier. Also, when sailing on a catamaran, you can find yourself in close proximity to a 60-meter wall of ice. People with average physical fitness should go on a 3-4 hour trek along the glacier itself.
See the Uppsala glacier - the largest glacier in South America, the size of 3 Buenos Aires (!!!).
Go to the Spegazzini Glacier - a wall of ice that reaches 135 meters in height (more than twice as high as Perito Moreno or 30 meters higher than St. Isaac's Cathedral!). Technical climbing, trekking, walks along lakes are possible.
Visit the Argentine trekking paradise around Mount Fitz Roy.
Among the adventure activities in Los Glaciares National Park, bicycle rides, kayaking, rafting on lakes and rivers, tours on off-road vehicles, and ATVs are available.

How to get to Los Glaciares National Park?

The base city for visiting the national park is El Calafate. You can fly here from several major cities in Argentina. Tours to some glaciers and Mount Fitz Roy operate from the tourist village of El Chaltén, which is 2-3 hours away by car or bus from El Calafate.

When to visit Los Glaciares National Park?

The ideal months to travel to the glaciers are from November to March, although it is also possible to come from September to May. Despite the huge number of glaciers, low sub-zero temperatures are not often found here. Even directly on the glaciers in good weather you can get pretty sweaty.

2. Iguazu National Park (Parque Nacional Iguazu)

What to do in Iguazu National Park?

Admire the waterfalls. For ease of viewing, there are many observation platforms, equipped paths, and developed park infrastructure.
Take a shower under the waterfalls while taking an extreme boat tour.
Take a ride on a train through the jungle, which will take you to the most powerful of the 200 waterfalls, the Devil's Throat.
Go on a short walk along the Macuco road and take a dip under one of the waterfalls.
Take a helicopter tour and experience the power and beauty of the waterfalls from a bird's eye view.
See the local fauna: here you can find coatis, iguanas, many butterflies and birds (more than 400 species!).
Visit the bird park on the Brazilian side.
Swim in the river with crocodiles.

How to get to Iguazu National Park?

The ideal base point from which to explore all the attractions of the parks is the city of Puerto Iguazu. There is a good selection of accommodation and restaurants, and the local airport receives many flights from Buenos Aires and some other cities in Argentina.

When to visit Iguazu National Park?

You can visit Iguazu National Park all year round. In winter it is relatively warm and there are significantly fewer tourists, and in summer it can be very hot (above +30°C). Traditionally, the rainiest month is November, although no one has canceled the increasingly frequent natural anomalies. Rain has its pros and cons. Of course, few people want to walk in cloudy weather. On the other hand, the river is especially full these days, which means you can see the waterfalls “on” at full capacity. In addition, even in the rainiest months, clear days are not uncommon.

3. Provincial Reserve La Payunia (Reserva provincial La Payunia)

In Argentina, in addition to national parks, nature reserves and provincial parks (i.e. regional-level parks) are also organized. Among them there are unique places that could easily qualify for country-level attractions. The Payunia Nature Reserve is the most striking example. It is still rarely talked about, but the place itself is undoubtedly worthy of a visit. This region of Argentina is the second largest in the world after Kamchatka in terms of the number of volcanoes. There are more than 800 of them here!

What to do in the Pajunia Nature Reserve?

It is not difficult to guess that the main sight here is the volcanoes and the unique landscapes created as a result of the eruptions. These views are absolutely surreal! In some places of the reserve there are black fields where nothing but black ash is visible to the horizon.
During an excursion, go down into the huge crater of one of the volcanoes.
View places of Argentine oil production.
Photograph guanacos, armadillos and Patagonian hares.
Go on an off-road tour. They also offer minibus rides, which are not for the faint of heart!

How to get to the Payunia Nature Reserve?

The base town for visiting the reserve is Malargüe. People usually get here from Mendoza, located 350 km to the north (buses). The place is quite remote, but from Malargüe you can also go to explore the mountain valleys and the most famous ski resort in South America, Las Leñas. So a trip for a couple of days will be quite justified.

When to visit the Pajunia Nature Reserve?

The best time to visit the reserve is the Argentine summer and off-season, i.e. from November to April.

4. Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi

Nahuel Huapi National Park is the main holiday destination for most Argentines. Unless, of course, you take into account a beach holiday. The park occupies a large part of the Argentine lake district - a place where the combination of mountains and lakes creates absolutely fabulous pictures. According to many travelers, and even more so Argentines, these places are not only as beautiful as the Swiss Alps, but even surpass them in beauty.

Nahuel Huapi is one of the most developed and well-maintained national parks in Argentina. The large city of San Carlos de Bariloche is located on its territory. A description of the activities that you can do here will take more than one hour. So we'll try to be selectively brief.

What to do in Nahuel Huapi National Park?

First of all, admire the classic views. This is extremely easy to do: both in the park and in the city of San Carlos de Bariloche there are numerous observation platforms. The main postcard view of the park can be found on the mountain Cerro Campanario.
Tracking. In the park you will find many routes lasting from an hour or less to 5-6 days. They are suitable for people with any physical fitness: there are both regular walks and professional climbs. They all have one thing in common – beautiful landscapes.
Drive along the Road of 7 Lakes, included in the list of the most scenic roads in the world. This can be done either in a rented car or as part of an excursion. As a rule, a full circle along the road takes from 300 to 400 km. In fact, this route also covers part of the Lanin National Park.
Tours of the lakes will not only give you a new perspective on Nahuel Huapi Park, but will also allow you to visit the islands and see the hidden gems of the lake district in the form of waterfalls and forests of arrayanas (unusual myrtle trees).
Sports activities in Nahuel Huapi are simply off the charts: kayaking, kitesurfing, scuba diving, sport fishing, paragliding, horseback riding, rafting, mountain biking, canopy (rape abseiling) and much more.

How to get to Nahuel Huapi National Park?

The city of San Carlos de Bariloche is located in the middle of the Nahuel Huapi National Park and is easily accessible by plane from many of Argentina's major cities. Most of the park's attractions can be reached by car.

When to visit Nahuel Huapi National Park?

The best time to visit the national park is from November to March. During the cold season, lovers of ski holidays and other winter sports come here.

5. Lanin National Park

Lanín National Park borders Nahuel Huapi Park and is also an important part of Argentina's lake district. In many ways, it repeats its southern counterpart, both in landscapes and in activities. Going to Lanin is worth a quieter and more measured life. Its central town of San Martin de Los Andes is a much quieter place than San Carlos de Bariloche, but not without its charm. San Martin really wants to be like European mountain towns, although it mainly resembles them only with rather high prices :)

What to do in Lanin National Park?

Again, the beautiful lakes framed by mountains act as a magnet here. There are many viewing platforms around San Martin with unforgettable views.
Lanin is the name of a volcano located exactly on the border of Argentina and Chile. Its almost perfect cone rises 3,700 meters above the park and is considered the main local decoration. You can make a technical climb to the volcano, which usually takes 1.5-2 days.
Go on excursions around the lakes.
The choice of sports activities is also large: trekking, horseback riding, kayaking, rowing, canopy, golf, many types of winter sports, etc.
The park has a large number of campsites to suit every taste and budget.

How to get to Lanin National Park?

20 km from San Martin de Los Andes there is a small airport called Chapelco, where you can fly from Buenos Aires. Another option is to travel from San Carlos de Bariloche by car or bus.

When to visit Lanin National Park?

The ideal time to visit the park is from November to March. In winter, people come here mainly for mountain sports.

6. Tierra del Fuego National Park

There are plenty of national parks with mountains and lakes in Argentina. But in the very south of Patagonia, nature becomes more and more harsh, which fascinates travelers who come here. There is nothing further south from here except a few islands and Antarctica.

6. Tierra del Fuego National Park. Photo by Petr Meissner.

What to do in Tierra del Fuego National Park?

Go trekking. The park has over 40 km of well-marked hiking trails. There are several organized campsites.
Take a ride on the world's southernmost train, which goes right through the national park.
From the city of Ushuaia, which is located near the entrance to the national park, you can take a lot of interesting excursions: sea trips with a visit to penguins and fur seals, helicopter rides (here they are some of the best in the world!), if there is snow, husky sled rides and etc.

How to get to Tierra del Fuego National Park?

Due to the remoteness of the region, people mainly fly to Ushuaia by plane from many cities in Argentina, as well as from Chile.

When to visit Tierra del Fuego National Park?

If winter adventures are not interesting to you, then it is better to come to the national park from November to March. It's almost never hot here. In summer the temperature usually does not exceed 10-15°C. Winters are rarely harsh: at this time the normal air temperature is from 0 to -5°C.

7. Los Cardones National Park

It’s hard to imagine that people are willing to travel hundreds of kilometers for cacti. However, this is exactly what is happening in Los Cardones National Park in northwestern Argentina. There are so many cacti here that entire valleys are occupied by them. The height of many of them is more than 15 meters! Well, where else can you go to the cactus forest? 🙂

What to do in Los Cardones National Park?

Admire cacti among the vast expanses of desert mountains. The spectacle is especially impressive when the cacti are in bloom.
Stop by the cute colonial town, or rather even the village, Kachi.
Tour the wineries near the town of Cafayate.

How to get to Los Cardones National Park?

Most travelers enter the park through the city of Salta, where there is an airport with good connections to other regions of the country. You can also get to Salta by bus, which will generally take many hours.

When to visit Los Cardones National Park?

The park can be visited all year round; daytime temperatures here are above zero. There may be cold nights in winter.

8. Talampaya National Park and Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Parque Nacional Talampaya y Parque provincial Ischigualasto)

Despite their different levels of national importance, the national and provincial parks can be called twins. By local standards, they are located close to each other and attract travelers with the same thing - unearthly landscapes. Local residents even nicknamed Ischigualasto the “Moon Valley,” although it would be more correct to call this place a Martian valley. The fact is that the rocks here are of a brownish-red hue, which turns fiery red at dawn and sunset. And then the brain begins to go crazy, completely not recognizing the visible picture as what we are used to seeing on planet Earth.

These deserted and almost dead places were a real cradle of nature more than 2 million years ago. The territory was covered with dense vegetation, the fossilized remains of which can still be found, and among all this plant diversity dinosaurs ran and flew, the skeletons of which are often found by paleontologists.

What to do in Talampaya and Ischigualasto parks?

In Talampaya Park, the main attraction is a canyon with reddish cliffs up to 150 meters high.
Both parks contain surreal rock formations, the result of centuries of soil erosion. They look like man-made monuments and this makes them even more impressive (for example, a submarine, a mushroom, a tray, a sphinx, etc.).
On the list of the main attractions of Ischigualasto, the leader is the field with “bowling balls” - a rock that has acquired an almost perfect ball shape over time.
All of the above can be seen during trekking, car excursions, and cycling.

09. Rock formation "Mushroom" in Ischigualasto Park. Photo by Pedro Reyna.

How to get to Talampaya and Ischigualasto parks?

Both parks are quite remote from civilization. You can get to them from two cities where there is good bus service and airports: San Juan (closer to Ischigualasto), and La Rioja (closer to Talampaya). Getting to the parks by public transport is problematic. So you need to take a car or an excursion from nearby cities.

When to visit Talampaya and Ischigualasto parks?

The best time to visit is from September to December and from March to May. In most parks you cannot move around on your own and you need to buy one of the tours offered upon entering their territory (transport, walking tours, bicycles).

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