- Date of foundation: 1997.
- Area: 2150 sq. M. km
- Height above sea level: 1500 m
- Phone: 8 (0382) 547-03-56
- Opening hours: from 8:30 to 16:30 from May to September, from 8:00 to 17:00 from October to April
- E-mail: talampaya@apn.gov.ar
The large national park Talampaya is located in the central and western part of the province of La Rioja in Argentina . Its area exceeds 2000 square meters. km. The reserve was established to protect the archaeological and paleontological research sites and in 2000 was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List .
Location of the park
The reserve is located in a valley bordered by two mountain ranges. The area is characterized by a desert climate, which, under conditions of a considerable temperature difference (-9 to +50 ° C), resulted in considerable wind and water erosion. This also led to a peculiar relief of the park, where in the summer there are heavy rains, and in the spring strong winds blow.
Local Attractions
The Talampaya Nature Reserve is known for the following places of interest:
- The dried up bed of the Talampaya river , where dinosaurs lived tens of millions of years ago, is confirmed by the fossils of that period and the found remains of prehistoric animals. In the Triassic period, the ancestors of dinosaurs-lagozukhi-were born here. They lived in this area about 210 million years ago. In the park were discovered their skeletons, which are already exploring the scientists.
- Canyon Talampaya , whose height is 143 m, and the width reaches 80 m.
- Ruins of settlements of ancient tribes. "Lost City" is surrounded by giant stone boulders, differing in the quaintness of forms, and brown-brown fossilized walls retained traces of rock paintings of Aboriginal people.
- The Botanical Garden , located in the narrowest point of the canyon and containing many representatives of the local flora, is mainly cacti and shrubs.
It is home to the most exotic birds and animals of Argentina: condors, mara, guanaco, as well as falcons, larks, foxes and hares.
Tourist attraction of the reserve
The park Talampaya in Argentina attracts thousands of travelers annually. In order to preserve the pristine nature of the movement can only be accompanied by a guide. The most popular tour is called "The Way of Dinosaurs of the Triassic Period". During it, a detailed study of archaeological and paleontological finds is expected. Also you can see copies of giant ancient reptiles and reptiles in full size. At the entrance to the park, tourists are greeted by a mock-dessaurus dinosaur, found here in 1999.
You can also join the excursion "Nature and Culture of Talampaya": in winter the set of groups takes place from 13:00 to 16:30, in the summer - from 13:00 to 17:00.
On the territory of the reserve there is a cafe where tourists order food and drinks. During the visit, take with you drinking water and a hat from the sun: the park is dominated by open spaces. It is strictly forbidden to visit it with pets. In small shops tourists are offered souvenirs with a picture of rock art or petroglyphs.
How to get there?
You can get into this beautiful park in several ways:
- By private car - from the town of Villa-Union. It is located at a distance of 55 km from the reserve. It is convenient to spend the night here, and in the morning to go on a trip along the route.
- By bus from Villa-Union, and you can book a roundtrip transfer.
- Order at local travel agencies an excursion to San Juan or La Rioja , including a visit to the Talampaya National Park.