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LA RIOJA, ISCHIGUALASCO & TALAMPAYA – 7 DAYS 6 NIGHTS

Travel Program

Up to 8 days

Leisurely

Argentina

Overview

The Ischigualasto Provincial Park or Moon Valley, located in the northernmost part of the province of San Juan, is a protected area, famous at the scientific level, as it shelters an important paleontological reserve.
It is the only place where the entire triassic period can be completely uncovered and perfectly differentiated in a complete and orderly manner. It is estimated that the geological formations of this site have an age between 200 and 250 million years.

In La Rioja predominates a mountainous relief of sparse vegetation without the presence of a permanent water course. Its economy is based on agriculture under artificial irrigation, with the production of vine and olive trees mainly, however, tourism has also grown considerably in recent years, standing out the National Park Talampaya, as the main attraction.

The National Park Talampaya is a nature reserve and one of the seven “Patrimony of Humanity” declared by Unesco in Argentina. It is located in the center-west of the province of La Rioja. It was created in 1975 as a provincial park with the objective of protecting important archaeological and paleontological sites of the area.

 

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    LA RIOJA

    Arrival to the city of La Rioja, reception at the airport or bus terminal and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight in La Rioja, standard room.

  2. Day 2

    LA RIOJA – RIOJA COST – QUEBRADA DE LOS SAUCES – VELASCO COST

    Excursion to Riojana Cost, visiting the residential area of La Rioja Capital, La Quebrada and Los Sauces Dam, Villa Sanagasta, Huaco slope with panoramic views, and a chain of picturesque towns on the Velasco´s Cost: Agua Blanca, Las Peñas, Chuquis, Pinchas, Aminga, Anillaco, visit winemakers and small wineries that produce homemade wines. Return to the hotel in La Rioja alternately by Arauco Flat or Huaco. You can extend the tour opting for a visit to the castle of Santa Vera Cruz and the city of Aimogasta, birthplace of olive, visiting olive plantations and a 400 years old olive tree saved from the massive cut ordered by the Spanish Crown. Overnight in La Rioja, standard room. (B)

  3. Day 3

    ISCHIGUALASTO PROVINCIAL PARK – MOON VALLEY

    Excursion to Ischigualasto: Depart from La Rioja to Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Moon Valley, Province of San Juan), which together with Talampaya National Park (La Rioja) were declared by the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site by its landscape, scientific, archaeological, paleontological and geological value. We enter with our vehicles to a 3 hours circuit with 5 stops, observing unusual geo sculpted by wind and rain forms such as the Worm, Balls field, the submarine, the mushroom and the red canyons. In the afternoon transfer to Villa Union. Overnight in Villa Union, standard room. (B)

  4. Day 4

    TALAMPAYA NATIONAL PARK – LA BANDA FLORIDA

    Excursion to Talampaya: Depart from Villa Union to Talampaya National Park, also a World Heritage Site for being the only place on Earth where on surface are exposed sedimentary layers of the entire Triassic Period. We enter the circuit in park vehicles on groups “Talampaya Canyon” 2.5 hours, entering the dry riverbed of Tala, between straight and imposing cliffs 150 m high, the Grand Canyon, with 4 stops, watching petroglyphs, palpable evidence of the passing of former inhabitants of the region, representative vegetation, fauna and varied geo carved by erosion over millions of years, such as the Wizard king, the Gothic cathedral, the tower and the Monk forms, among others. In the afternoon returning to Villa Union we visit La Banda Florida, curious maze of red canyons, to see petroglyphs. Overnight in Villa Union, standard room. (B)

  5. Day 5

    BRAVA LAGOON – VICUÑAS RESERVE

    Excursion to Brava Lagoon to see the Vicuñas Reserve: Circuit of incomparable scenic beauty in one day ascending the Andes through two very different Valleys, Quebrada de la Troya and the multicolor Quebrada del Penon to reach the vast highland at more than 4,000 meters, where we find the Laguna Brava, surrounded by numerous volcanic peaks, inserted in a high Andean region that has been declared ” Vicuñas Reserve” for the protection of this species, flora and fauna. Leaving Villa Union 8.30 am, visiting Vinchina, Diaguitas Stars, stunning geological folds of the Quebrada de la Troya, Jagüé, the last town and historic shelters, climbing to the mountain by the multicolor Quebrada del Peñon with panoramic views until the Reserve Laguna Brava at 4200 m Tour around the bay of the Flamingos and various other attractions, with sightings of herds of vicunas and guanacos. In the afternoon, return to the hotel in Villa Union, arriving at approximately 7.00 pm. Overnight in Villa Union, standard room. (B)

  6. Day 6

    CUEST DE MIRANDA AND CHILECITO – LOS COLORADOS

    Excursion to Cuesta de Miranda and Chilecito: We leave Villa Union, crossing the mountains of Famatina by the colorful Cuesta de Miranda (Route 40), visiting the historic monument of the Mine La Mexicana, station 1, the mining museum, SamayHuasi museum of Joaquin V. Gonzalez, Santa Florentina winery, Rio del Oro. We also visit a winery where we do some tasting of the famous Torrontés white wine, Rioja authentic strain. In the afternoon return to the city of La Rioja by Los Colorados. Overnight in Los Colorados, standard room. (B)

  7. Day 7

    LA RIOJA

    Transfer Hotel Airport. At the appropriate time, transfers from hotel to the airport of Salta. (D)

What's included in this tour?

  • All services, transfers and excursions detailed in the itinerary, transfers are in regular or private services as it is specifed with English speaking guide excepted were is not detailed
  • Navigations mentioned
  • 06 Nights accommodation as its described in the itinerary in the mentioned hotels or in similar, according to availability at the moment of the booking request.
  • Taxes

What's not included in this tour?

  • International flights
  • National Flights (please ask)
  • Entrance fees
  • Meals and services not mentioned in the programme
  • Early check in/Late check-out at hotels (except where it is specified)
  • Optional tours
  • Any kind of insurances.
  • Circuit inside Talampaya. (Park vehicle, mountain bike or trekking)
  • Entrance Tickets: Valley of the Moon and Talalampaya

Accomodations

Tour Details

Duration
Up to 8 days
Type
Travel Program
Activity Level
Leisurely
Destination
Argentina
Valle-de-la-Luna-II.jpg
Talampaya-canyon.jpg
gTalampaya.jpg

Categories

Request a quote!

Overview

The Ischigualasto Provincial Park or Moon Valley, located in the northernmost part of the province of San Juan, is a protected area, famous at the scientific level, as it shelters an important paleontological reserve.
It is the only place where the entire triassic period can be completely uncovered and perfectly differentiated in a complete and orderly manner. It is estimated that the geological formations of this site have an age between 200 and 250 million years.

In La Rioja predominates a mountainous relief of sparse vegetation without the presence of a permanent water course. Its economy is based on agriculture under artificial irrigation, with the production of vine and olive trees mainly, however, tourism has also grown considerably in recent years, standing out the National Park Talampaya, as the main attraction.

The National Park Talampaya is a nature reserve and one of the seven “Patrimony of Humanity” declared by Unesco in Argentina. It is located in the center-west of the province of La Rioja. It was created in 1975 as a provincial park with the objective of protecting important archaeological and paleontological sites of the area.

 

What's included in this tour?

  • All services, transfers and excursions detailed in the itinerary, transfers are in regular or private services as it is specifed with English speaking guide excepted were is not detailed
  • Navigations mentioned
  • 06 Nights accommodation as its described in the itinerary in the mentioned hotels or in similar, according to availability at the moment of the booking request.
  • Taxes

What's not included in this tour?

  • International flights
  • National Flights (please ask)
  • Entrance fees
  • Meals and services not mentioned in the programme
  • Early check in/Late check-out at hotels (except where it is specified)
  • Optional tours
  • Any kind of insurances.
  • Circuit inside Talampaya. (Park vehicle, mountain bike or trekking)
  • Entrance Tickets: Valley of the Moon and Talalampaya

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    LA RIOJA

    Arrival to the city of La Rioja, reception at the airport or bus terminal and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight in La Rioja, standard room.

  2. Day 2

    LA RIOJA – RIOJA COST – QUEBRADA DE LOS SAUCES – VELASCO COST

    Excursion to Riojana Cost, visiting the residential area of La Rioja Capital, La Quebrada and Los Sauces Dam, Villa Sanagasta, Huaco slope with panoramic views, and a chain of picturesque towns on the Velasco´s Cost: Agua Blanca, Las Peñas, Chuquis, Pinchas, Aminga, Anillaco, visit winemakers and small wineries that produce homemade wines. Return to the hotel in La Rioja alternately by Arauco Flat or Huaco. You can extend the tour opting for a visit to the castle of Santa Vera Cruz and the city of Aimogasta, birthplace of olive, visiting olive plantations and a 400 years old olive tree saved from the massive cut ordered by the Spanish Crown. Overnight in La Rioja, standard room. (B)

  3. Day 3

    ISCHIGUALASTO PROVINCIAL PARK – MOON VALLEY

    Excursion to Ischigualasto: Depart from La Rioja to Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Moon Valley, Province of San Juan), which together with Talampaya National Park (La Rioja) were declared by the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site by its landscape, scientific, archaeological, paleontological and geological value. We enter with our vehicles to a 3 hours circuit with 5 stops, observing unusual geo sculpted by wind and rain forms such as the Worm, Balls field, the submarine, the mushroom and the red canyons. In the afternoon transfer to Villa Union. Overnight in Villa Union, standard room. (B)

  4. Day 4

    TALAMPAYA NATIONAL PARK – LA BANDA FLORIDA

    Excursion to Talampaya: Depart from Villa Union to Talampaya National Park, also a World Heritage Site for being the only place on Earth where on surface are exposed sedimentary layers of the entire Triassic Period. We enter the circuit in park vehicles on groups “Talampaya Canyon” 2.5 hours, entering the dry riverbed of Tala, between straight and imposing cliffs 150 m high, the Grand Canyon, with 4 stops, watching petroglyphs, palpable evidence of the passing of former inhabitants of the region, representative vegetation, fauna and varied geo carved by erosion over millions of years, such as the Wizard king, the Gothic cathedral, the tower and the Monk forms, among others. In the afternoon returning to Villa Union we visit La Banda Florida, curious maze of red canyons, to see petroglyphs. Overnight in Villa Union, standard room. (B)

  5. Day 5

    BRAVA LAGOON – VICUÑAS RESERVE

    Excursion to Brava Lagoon to see the Vicuñas Reserve: Circuit of incomparable scenic beauty in one day ascending the Andes through two very different Valleys, Quebrada de la Troya and the multicolor Quebrada del Penon to reach the vast highland at more than 4,000 meters, where we find the Laguna Brava, surrounded by numerous volcanic peaks, inserted in a high Andean region that has been declared ” Vicuñas Reserve” for the protection of this species, flora and fauna. Leaving Villa Union 8.30 am, visiting Vinchina, Diaguitas Stars, stunning geological folds of the Quebrada de la Troya, Jagüé, the last town and historic shelters, climbing to the mountain by the multicolor Quebrada del Peñon with panoramic views until the Reserve Laguna Brava at 4200 m Tour around the bay of the Flamingos and various other attractions, with sightings of herds of vicunas and guanacos. In the afternoon, return to the hotel in Villa Union, arriving at approximately 7.00 pm. Overnight in Villa Union, standard room. (B)

  6. Day 6

    CUEST DE MIRANDA AND CHILECITO – LOS COLORADOS

    Excursion to Cuesta de Miranda and Chilecito: We leave Villa Union, crossing the mountains of Famatina by the colorful Cuesta de Miranda (Route 40), visiting the historic monument of the Mine La Mexicana, station 1, the mining museum, SamayHuasi museum of Joaquin V. Gonzalez, Santa Florentina winery, Rio del Oro. We also visit a winery where we do some tasting of the famous Torrontés white wine, Rioja authentic strain. In the afternoon return to the city of La Rioja by Los Colorados. Overnight in Los Colorados, standard room. (B)

  7. Day 7

    LA RIOJA

    Transfer Hotel Airport. At the appropriate time, transfers from hotel to the airport of Salta. (D)

Accomodations

Tour Details

Duration
Up to 8 days
Type
Travel Program
Activity Level
Leisurely
Destination
Argentina
Valle-de-la-Luna-II.jpg
Talampaya-canyon.jpg
gTalampaya.jpg

Categories

Request a quote!

Request a Quote