If a delicate combination of culture, nature, recreation, and stunning vistas equate to your perfect South American adventure, exploring Argentina’s newly expanded Nature Route should be on your travel Bucket List.
The Nature Route is Argentina’s first comprehensive program for developing and promoting nature tourism. Its main aim is to consolidate the country as a world-class destination, promoting nature tourism among residents and foreign tourists while supporting the development of territories and communities to guarantee responsible tourism.
Intertwining each region’s attractions and natural experiences with their cultural, historical, recreational, and gastronomic attractions, the Nature Route seeks to boost less popular circuits and destinations, articulate consolidated destinations with emerging destinations, and improve the geographical and seasonal distribution of tourism activity.
The website larutanatural.gob.ar encourages travelers, agencies, and national and foreign operators to discover Argentina’s tourist offers. Available in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, the website has detailed information to plan trips across the country. There are more than 150 must-visit places, circuits with stops and valuable information, adventure tourism activities on land, water, and air, a calendar, and a lot of practical knowledge to explore the most beautiful country in the world.
Argentina has around fifty protected areas, including National Parks and National Reserves spread across the territory. Below are six of them for all travelers willing to challenge themselves in some of the most amazing natural places in the world.
Perito Moreno National Park (Santa Cruz)
The Perito Moreno National Park is one of Argentina’s most unspoiled national parks. It has eight lakes with shades of turquoise, emerald, and grey, all linked by mighty rivers. It is an ideal place for camping and trekking along barely-visited trails.
➔ The park is open from November to April.
➔ During summer (from December to March), the average temperature is around 15 °C. ➔ There are usually strong winds, and it can snow.
➔ There is no entry fee, but registration is mandatory.
For more information on what to do in the Perito Moreno National Park, visit here.
Los Cardones National Park (Salta)
In the Valles Calchaquíes area in Salta, near charming villages, such as Cachi or Payogasta, the Los Cardones National Park invites you to explore an incredible landscape made up of one of the world’s most extensive cactus forests.
➔ The best time to visit it is between April and November.
➔ Summer rains may make some road sections inaccessible.
➔ A tour around the Valles Calchaquíes is excellent for exploring the park.
➔ There is no entry fee. For more information on what to do in the Los Cardones National Park, visit here.
El Leoncito National Park (San Juan)
It is one of the main Astro-tourism destinations in Argentina, a portal to the Universe that attracts astronomy enthusiasts and lovers from all over the world, as well as travelers who wish to discover its magnificent desert landscapes.
➔ It can be visited all year round.
➔ For astronomical observations, try to avoid full-moon nights. For more information on what to do in the El Leoncito National Park, visit here.
Los Alerces National Park (Chubut)
The Los Alerces National Park, saturated with natural beauty, is home to turquoise lakes and rivers, glaciers, waterfalls, and the Alerzal Milenario, a sector of the Valdivian rainforest with larch trees more than 2,500 years old. In 2017, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
➔ Travelers can visit year-round.
➔ If you want to go camping and hiking, a visit from October to April. It is ideal for skiing and snow activities in La Hoya from June to September.
➔ The visitor center and the V. Futalaufquen path are accessible. For more information on what to do in the Los Alerces National Park, visit here.
Talampaya National Park (La Rioja):
With rock faces over 100 meters high and stunning rock formations, the Talampaya National Park (World Heritage Site) embarks travelers from prehistoric times amid landscapes that seem taken out of science fiction. Suitable for all ages, the hiking trails can be followed with guided excursions.
➔ In days of heavy rainfall, the park may be closed.
➔ There are camping sites.
➔ There is an entrance fee.
➔ Always check the park rangers’ recommendations.
For more information on what to do in the Perito Moreno National Park, visit here.
El Impenetrable National Park (Chaco)
One of the newest and largest national parks in the North of Argentina, a natural paradise protecting the largest remnant of Chaco’s mythical Impenetrable, between the Teuco-Bermejo and Bermejito rivers. It is gradually emerging as one of the best destinations for large fauna watching (including tapirs, peccaries, and anteaters), encouraging visitors to learn about the cultural richness of the native and Creole neighboring communities.
➔ It is recommended to visit it from April to October to avoid the hottest months, mosquitoes, and summer rainfall, which can block the access roads.
➔ It is a wild destination that can be visited with guided excursions or on your own. ➔ Always check the park rangers’ recommendations.
➔ There are camping areas.
➔ There is no entry fee. For more information on what to do in the El Impenetrable National Park, visit here.
