Argentina: Tango with Terrorists

ARGENTINA FMAIA-58A Pucara FMA IA-58A "Pucara" LIGHT ATTACKER Designed for air support of ground forces, reconnaissance and other special tasks. In August 1966, the development of the Argentine attack aircraft began. Prototype under the designation AH-2

Parks of Argentina: national parks, reserves, protected areas of Argentina, natural parks.

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the most unesco

Iguazu Falls

Province of Misiones, Ruta 101 Km 142, 3370 Puerto Iguazu, Las Cataratas del Iguazu

Iguazu National Park is located just 18 km from the city of Puerto Iguazu and 7 km from the airport. Its main attraction is the famous waterfall of the same name, a real wonder of the world. It is located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, not far from the border with Paraguay.

Millions of tourists from all over the world every year overcome countries, seas, continents and oceans to get acquainted with the main attraction of Argentina - its nature. And there really is something to see. The country stretches for a long distance from north to south, thanks to which it fits on its territory the most different forms relief. The northern and eastern regions are characterized by flat plateaus, in the west and in the southern part, elevations predominate. Diverse and vegetable world Argentina, semi-deserts, tropical and subtropical forests often coexist here. The fauna of the country is also rich due to its size, there are many endemic and endangered species, for example, pampas deer, vicuñas, chinchillas, Magellanic dogs, tuco-tuco, Chaco peccaries. A small songbird, a red stove-maker, has become one of the national symbols of Argentina.

Millions of tourists from all over the world every year overcome countries, seas, continents and oceans to get acquainted with the main attraction of Argentina - its nature. And there really is something to see.

Features of the reserves of Argentina

To date, the country has created 33 national parks, four natural monuments, as well as many protected areas of regional significance. The landscapes, flora and fauna of Argentina have long outgrown the borders of national pride and become a world heritage, it is no coincidence that seven natural sites of the country are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The abundance of territories with untouched nature is explained by the difficult climate, the inaccessibility of many areas and the relatively low population density of the country.

Popular national parks

It is difficult to say which of the Argentine reserves is the most important, they are all beautiful in their own way and are proud of their unique natural monuments. The main advantage of the Los Glaciares National Park is the glaciers, the most famous of which is the giant Perito Moreno. It slides down at a constant speed of 1.5 m per day, periodically separating with a thunderous crackle pieces the size of a 20-story building.

American Nanda ostriches, Andean condors, Patagonian hares, guanacos, cougars and rare gray foxes have taken root in the park.

In the dry bed of the Talampaya River, scientists are examining dinosaur fossils; the remains of ancient settlements have been preserved in Puerta del Canyon.

The oldest nature reserve in Argentina, Nahuel Huapi stretches from the southeastern territories of the province of Neuquen to the northeast of the province of Rio Negro. Its main "chips" are the extinct volcano Tronador, 3.5 km high, covered with glaciers, and the mountain lake of the same name, Nahuel Huapi. Another reserve in the province of Neuquen - Lanin National Park - is known for forests of rare tree species: oblique and alpine nothofagus, Chilean araucaria. In addition, on its territory there is a huge volcano Lanin, glacial lakes Lakar, Uekulafken, Alumine and many rivers.

You can see giant cacti in Los Cardones Park. Here, at an altitude of 3 to 5 km above sea level, entire cactus fields stretch.

Cacti of a special type cardon in the form of branching pillars reach a solid 300-year-old age and three meters in height there.

Other reserves and parks in Argentina

The Chaco National Park is located in the central part of the South American continent, in the east of the Gran Chaco plain, and the Valdes Peninsula Reserve in the northeast of the province of Chubut is washed by the waters Atlantic Ocean. The peculiar high-water Ibera National Park in the province of Corrientes ranks second in area among all wetlands in Latin America.

The natural parks of Ischigualasto and Talampaya are famous for their archaeological excavations, preserved relict flora and fauna, as well as unearthly mountain landscapes.

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 mainland of Antarctica to the impenetrable jungle in the north.

On its territory there are 33 national parks and four natural monuments, not counting the 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 the second largest national park in Argentina. The park owes its name to the huge ice cap in the Andes, which feeds 47 large glaciers, of which only 13 flow towards the Atlantic Ocean. This ice mass 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, due to the size of the ice cap, glaciers start at 1,500 m and slide down to 200 m, eroding the slopes of the underlying mountains.

For the first time, the territory between the lakes Viedma and Lago Argentino was taken under protection by the Argentine state in 1937. However, this territory was declared a national park only shortly before the end of World War II in April 1945. Modern borders Los Glaciares National Park were statutorily established 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 belongs to its own lake. The largest lake in Argentina, Lake Argentino (area 1466 km²) is located in the southern part of the park, and Lake Viedma (area 1100 km²) is located in the north. Both lakes feed the Santa Cruz River, which flows to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Between these two parts is the Central Zone closed to tourists.where 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 trip includes a tour of the otherwise inaccessible Uppsala and Spegazzini glaciers. The Perito Moreno Glacier can be reached by land.

Three thousand years ago, the Indians lived in the area of ​​​​Lake Argentino, who were engaged in hunting and gathering. The population was highly mobile, which made it possible to consume both the resources of the steppe and the highlands. The ancient inhabitants of these places used stones to produce tools, took refuge in numerous caves, where even now you can find ancient drawings - traces of their stay. One of the examples of rock art can be seen near Lake Roca, where abstract motifs are depicted on a stone canopy - straight and wavy lines, dots, as well as human and animal figures.

Los Glaciares Park is a popular international tourism destination. Tours start in the city of El Calafate, located on Lake Argentino, and in the village of El Chalten, 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 or three days to explore. For lovers of mountains in the northern part of the park, there are many mountain routes of varying degrees of difficulty, and the abundance of lakes allows you to make water walks.
If you have more than three days to explore the park, you should look for the cave paintings of the Indians in order to freeze in front of them and for a moment imagine the life of ancient people.

Iguazu

This national park was created in 1934 in order to preserve one of the most beautiful places in Argentina: waterfalls on the Iguazu River, surrounded by 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 runs 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 a World Natural Heritage Site.

On the banks of the 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, a huge number of butterflies. There are especially many of them near puddles of water, where they get dissolved minerals.
The national park is home to many rare and endangered species, including the jaguar, oscelot, anteater, and tapir.

Traces of human presence here are 10 thousand years old, evidence of the prehistoric era are 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. from the north came the Guarani, who drove out the tribes that had lived here before. The Guarani had advanced technology Agriculture, grown 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 falls, thereby greatly facilitating the path for the next travelers.

50 meters from the entrance to the park is the visitor center "Ivira Reta", which translates as "country of trees". Here you will learn that, in addition to magical waterfalls, unique flora and fauna are protected in the national park, that the history of these places began many millennia ago, and its heroes were Gaurani Indians, Jesuits, European colonists and ecologists who have been working here since its inception. parka.
The park has many trails, paths, bridges, viewing platforms that will allow you to see different waterfalls up close. From the entrance to the park to the beginning of hiking trails, tourists are transported by a small eco-train.
The lower path will allow you to enjoy the view of most of the falls from above and from the front. From a distance, the Devil's Throat and the Brazilian waterfalls will open in front of you, and if you wish, you can get wet under the jets of the Bosetti waterfall.
The upper path will lead you along the fall line of the main waterfalls and allow you to enjoy their panorama.
You can approach the Devil's Throat by walking about a kilometer along the walkways that end in a wide balcony right 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 climb to the very top, but they will be rewarded with an unforgettable view of the Three Musketeers waterfall.
The Macuko trail was created specifically for wildlife lovers. The trail passes through an old clearing in the heart of the selva, 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

The Nahuel Huapi Park extends from the southeast of the province of Neuquén to the northeast of the province of Río Negro and is the oldest national park in Argentina. It was founded in 1934 and covers an area of ​​7050 square kilometers. Within the park is the main tourist city of the region - Bariloche. Another city popular with 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 with a height of 3554 m above sea level (in Spanish, tronador means 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 sheer cliffs, eight glaciers slide into deep gorges. In the glaciers of Tronador, the Frias River is born, 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, navigable.

Forests of huge cedars and evergreen beeches are well preserved here. The age of some beeches 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 beeches. They look like California redwoods. Their trunks are braided with vines, various epiphytes settle on them.

There are many car tours in the national park. But the "circumnavigation" with a length of 280 km is in the greatest demand.

There are mammals 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, the regulation of their numbers was begun). Occasionally, one can see a pudu deer here, only 30-35 cm tall, with short horns. Mouse opossums live in the forests. In the streams - Darwin's rhinoderm frog, hippocamelus, guanaco, vicuña, 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 at the end of the season. A large ski station is located 20 km from the city. Lifts have been built for the convenience of tourists.

Lanin

Lanin National Park is located in the province of Neuquen, covers an area of ​​380 hectares and is known 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 Lakar, Uekulafken and Alumine, as well as many rivers where sport fishing for salmon and trout is allowed.In addition to beautiful forests, unusual animals can be found in the Park, as Pudu is the smallest deer on earth and the most wanted by all visitors.

Everyone who wants to get acquainted with 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 (Terra del Fuego)

The archipelago that makes up Tierra del Fuego was discovered in 1520 by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, and he got this name because of the fires lit by the Indians along the coast when Magellan sailed through the strait that now bears his name.
The young Charles Darwin also visited here, who 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 has risen - a system of mountain ranges that surround forested valleys, cut by rivers and lakes, swamps and outcrops rocks.
In the coastal part of the park there are bays of Lapataya and Ensenada, in which ravines alternate with small beaches - ideal places bird habitat.
The climate of the region is cool, humid, with a maximum of precipitation in autumn. In winter, a lot of snow falls, which accumulates in the valleys and on the slopes.

Up to a height of 600 meters above sea level, dense forests are common, and shrubs grow higher. characteristic feature The landscapes of the national park are peat bogs. The process of peat formation is possible only in a humid environment with low temperatures, which prevent the decomposition of organic matter, and such conditions are typical for Tierra del Fuego.
The diversity of the animal world here is not so great - about 20 species of mammals and about 90 species of birds. Distinctive feature ecosystems of Tierra del Fuego is the lack of amphibians. The most common is the red fox. Another mammal, the guanaco, lives in the mountains almost all year round and only descends into the interior valleys for the winter.
Of the birds, three species of South American geese, which live in open areas and on beaches, attract the most attention. Woodpeckers can be found in the forests, and condors fly high in the sky over 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 the environment, which we now perceive as very unfavorable. Numerous archaeological finds point to the ancient connection between man and the nature around him.
Ancient people equipped their dwellings on the coast, traveled by sea in canoes, hunted seals and collected shellfish. The Indians lived in huts built from trunks and branches, and their clothes 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 a significant role.

Several short walks have been developed for travelers, including along the banks of the Lapataya and Owando rivers; to the Black Bay, whose waters are characterized by very dark color due to peat at the bottom; to the panoramic point of Lapataya bay; former settlement of beavers, along the swamp. These are small trails up to one kilometer long.
In addition to them, you can walk along routes from 5 to 10 km long, which will allow you to enjoy the views of the Beagle Channel, Lake Roca and climb Mount Guanaco with a height of 970 meters.

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, unique forests in most of the plain had already been cut down.
In the central, eastern and southern parts of the park, forests and light forests of Kebracho trees grow. It is a tree with very hard wood of dark red color (the name comes from the Spanish expression "break an axe"). The height of the trees reaches 15 meters. The most valuable are white and red quebracho, containing a large amount of tannin. Due to the dense and virtually non-rotting wood, quebracho wood is in great demand, which was the reason for the massive cutting down of these trees.

Talampaya
Talampaya Provincial Park was established 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.
Under the open sky, on vertical walls and huge stones, you can see many abstract and drawings of animal and human figures, which makes 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. Often there are strange forms of sand and stone, as, for example, in the area that is known as the "Lost City".
The climate of the region is characterized by extreme temperatures, significant temperature differences during the day and in different seasons. Summers are hot, daytime temperatures rise above +50ºС, and the minimum temperature in winter drops to -9ºС. The territory is characterized by low humidity, and only in summer there are powerful downpours, often accompanied by hail.

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

The uniqueness of the park lies in the huge wealth of fossils 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 when dinosaurs appeared.
One of the most notable finds at Talampaya is the fossil 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 210-million-year-old Palaeocheris talampayensis fossil turtle.
After visiting the information center, tourists are offered a walk through the park, during which you can see various archaeological rarities.
The Lost City is one of the most interesting places, attracting with excellent panoramic landscapes and mysterious geoforms.

Peninsula Valdes

Protected area " Peninsula Valdes» was established 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 Valdes Peninsula received the status of a World Natural Heritage Site.
The protected system of the peninsula includes four protected areas that attract various species of marine and terrestrial animals.

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 José and Nuevo.
The relief of the territory is a typical Patagonian plateau, which breaks off into the sea with sheer shores. 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 temperate climate the central part of the country, with a maximum of precipitation in the hot months and a cold climate with winter rains, which is more characteristic of Patagonia. Summers on the peninsula are hot but short, and winters are cold.

The main vegetation of the seashores is algae. They cover the rocky shores with colorful blankets: blue-green, green, brown, red or yellow-green, depending on the pigment in the plant cells.
The Valdes Peninsula in Patagonia is of great importance for the conservation of marine mammals. The population of the endangered Australian right whale (Eubalaena glacialis australis) breeds here. The peninsula is known worldwide for its excellent opportunities observing these giants. They come ashore in June and stay until December to breed. The southern whale reaches a length of about 14 meters and weighs up to 50 tons. Females bear cubs for a whole year, and at a time give birth to only one offspring.
Southern elephant seals and southern sea lions also breed here, and the killer whales living here use a unique hunting strategy adapted to the conditions of the local coastline.
The peninsula is also home to many species of birds and land animals such as guanaco, fox, American rhea, American (pampas) partridge, and Patagonian hare.

There are not many places in the world where you can see so many animals in their natural surroundings. On a boat excursion or walking along the steep coast, you will be so close to them that you can learn all their habits.
Scuba diving is also possible on the peninsula.

Ibera

The Ibera Marshes are the second largest marsh area in Latin America, covering almost 1,400 thousand hectares of area, in the province of Corrientes. Over a long period of time, the old channels and channels of the Parana River have formed this complex network of swamps, swamps, small lakes, dams and rain streams.

The Iber 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. On such layers, over time, the earth brought by water and wind accumulates, 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, Eastern Chaco in the west, and the provinces of Paraná in the north.
This diversity is expressed in the plant richness of the territory, which is represented by reeds, water lilies, water lentils, irises, water hyacinths, small ferns. Reeds, laurel trees, yatai palms (in other words, colored palms), entire galleries and islands of closed trees grow here. Among various kinds trees that can be seen on the territory: tekoma (Indian jasmine), urundey, black laurel, white quebracho (Kutraceae family), ombu (phytolacca dioecious), jacaranda, erinthrina, willow.
Two species of caimans live in swamps (reptile families of alligators, differ from other alligators in 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. He has a narrow jaw, dark skin, and a yellow belly. The other is the broad-faced caiman (Caiman latirostris). It was the latter that was most destroyed because of the very valuable skin.
Among other species, the river wolf cub, capybara (capybara) - the largest modern rodent, swamp deer, big fox (Chrysocyon brachyurus), black howler and others are common. Also here you can meet smaller species: small gray fox (Dusicyon griseus), armadillo, ferret, weasel, hare, viscacha, lizards, turtle. Among the reptiles: water boa constrictor, common boa constrictor, nyakanina (large poisonous snake), as well as various poisonous snakes: rattlesnake, keffiyeh and others.
There are more than three hundred species of birds in the swamps: various herons, goldfinches, cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and other colorful species.

Considering the diversity and uniqueness of the fauna of the protected area, the most exciting activity here will be observing wildlife. Tourists are offered classic birdwatching programs; boat trips, with which you can get to know the inhabitants of the water expanses better; horseback riding and leisurely walks.

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, a real cactus field stretches with bright flashes of yellow daffodils. Cacti of a special kind 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 the cactus fields. And until now, some residents of the region consider plants to be strict keepers of the tranquility of 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 chock 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. Fossils of long-extinct animals and traces of dinosaurs have also been found here. The park was founded in December 1996.

The cultural heritage of Argentina is not only tango.

A peculiar mixture of traditions 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 a clear impression of it by seeing Buenos Aires with your own eyes, walking along its streets and throwing a coin into the fountain on Plaza Square del Congresso.

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

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

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

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

Under certain lighting, the comparison with the lunar surface seems quite justified. A particularly strange place is the Bowling Ball Court (Cancha de bochas).

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

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

AT Ischigualasto park expanse for archaeologists: ancient rock paintings were found here, traces of the Incas were found.

This desert area was once inhabited by proto-Indian tribes. Dinosaurs used to live here even earlier. Their bones are perfectly preserved as fossils.

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

The park is included in the UNESCO World Heritage catalog, and it is forbidden to travel here without a guide - in case you steal a stone ball.

Talampaya National Park

Ischigualasto is adjacent to another park - Talampaya. This is an amazingly landscaped valley among red-brown sandstone cliffs.

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

The most infernal are located in the Ciudad Perdida area.

In addition, in Talampaya you can see the 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 for an 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 includes other lakes:

• Gutierrez.
• Traful.
• Mascardi.
• Correntoso.
• 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 the Scandinavian fjords. There are islands on the lake, some of them even became 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 by converted Indians, they were forced to flee home.

re 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 - Nahuelito(after the name of the lake).

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

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

This does not bother people who want to believe in a miracle - enthusiasts regularly appear who claim to have seen a creature that looks like a dinosaur. The tourism business is just on hand.

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 a while 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 dismissed in disgrace.

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

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

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

Fitzroy National Park

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

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

Climbers first conquered this peak only in 1952 (Lionel Terray 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 due to the clouds that almost always surround the summit.

Fitzroy is visited not only by fearless climbers.

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 photos.

Getting to Fitzroy follows from the village of El Chalten, and to El Chalten - 4-5 hours by bus from the city of El Calafate, which has an airport.

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 the Nahuel Huapi.

The view from the 100-meter cliff is an obligatory photo that those who have already been here brag about.

divers talk about the amazing underwater world, where trees grow from the bottom, and flocks of unseen fishes swim in this magical forest.

Punta Tombo

But what 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 kids gathers - up to a million individuals.

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

For people, special bridges have been laid so as not to accidentally harm the “indigenous population”.

Magellanic penguins in the last century were on the verge of extinction, but gradually demographic situation flattened out. Now there are about 1.8 million pairs.

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

In any case, this is more correct than releasing winged rats into the sky at the 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 not closer - 110 km to the place).

In Trelew you can buy handicrafts 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, consider these features.

Endurance will require not only a long flight, change of time zones, acclimatization, but also the fact that the air is rarefied in mountainous areas.

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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