Talampaya National Park: 7 Reasons Why it is One of the Seven Natural Wonders of Argentina
Seven reasons that have an easy answer: the Talampaya National Park is a well-kept treasure in the country with the End of the World and, so much so, that it has been declared with honours a natural wonder. Dreamy landscapes, ancient stories, clear skies, and colours that suit the province of La Rioja very well.
Talampaya means “dry river of spiny hackberry” in the language of the native peoples of the region. It is a dried flow due to the aridity of the place, and the spiny hackberry is one of the most common trees in La Rioja. Yet, beyond its literal meaning, the true definition of the Talampaya National Park can only be elaborated by venturing into the heart of its red rock faces, its whimsical shapes, and the magic its sky hides. This is how special this area is, where nature is the star due to its adjustments to survive in a desert environment. In addition to the striking red shades, there are also green tones from the trees that exude the oxygen the space offers. Everything is carefully designed so that the tourist absorbs ancestral energy, connects with prehistoric cultures, and enjoys an unprecedented natural work of art.
For all these reasons, and several more, it is no wonder that the park is considered one of the seven natural wonders of Argentina. It meets all the necessary requirements to be in the ranking: spectacular scenery, geological originality, relevance, biodiversity, sustainability, accessibility, and potential. Words that go hand in hand with the essence of this must-visit destination. In 2019, it earned its place among other giants, such as the Misiones Rainforest (Misiones), the Mina Clavero River (Córdoba), the Salinas Grandes (Jujuy and Salta), Bañado de la Estrella (Formosa), the Nahuel Huapi National Park (Río Negro), and the Perito Moreno Glacier (Santa Cruz).
Below are some of the reasons why we’re making a special mention of this place, among the endless nature offers in Argentina.
1) It is the Land of Dinosaurs and Palaeontological Relics
The cracks of Talampaya’s red rock faces hide the oldest stories of all, those that date back to the Mesozoic Era and the giants inhabiting 180 million years ago. Walking through the land of one of the most exciting parks in Argentina equals following the footprint of dinosaurs. This national treasure is old, isn’t it? And so, its strong patrimonial imprint: the title of palaeontological treasure falls short for a site that hides archaeological remains from 225 million years ago. Fossils are of worldwide relevance, and in fact, one of the most important findings involves one of the first Archosaurs to inhabit the Earth: Lagosuchus talampayensis. So, fans of ancient history remnants can’t miss a tour here. The true paradise for geologists, scientists, and scholars of the subject.
2) Its Red Shades Are a Unique Visual Spectacle
Camera in hand: that is rule N. 1 if the compass points to the province of La Rioja and, specifically, the Talampaya National Park. Photographic opportunities abound in this rocky surface: its intense reds decorate the scene, turning it into a parallel universe in the Earth. The reddish colour leaks out among curious shapes and rock faces of 150 metres high, resulting in a wonderful spectacle.
3) It Has Amazing Geological Forms Shaped by the Wind
Gusts that, over the years, eroded rock structures and gave them the most striking forms. Water also played its part. A teamwork that has created natural sculptures. Amid coppery walls matching the blue of the sky, geological figures rise up that capture visitors’ attention. The most popular in the area are El Monje and El Rey Mago, which stand out in the middle of the most imposing red desert in Argentina.
4) It Was Declared a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site
Something valuable to humanity, and a cultural and natural component that makes this place unique. These are the recognitions of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which carefully selects works of nature that add extra value to the world. And such honours were awarded to Talampaya in 2000. In that year, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site and sealed off what was common knowledge: the Talampaya National Park is a phenomenon worth recording, visiting, and admiring.
5) It Can Be Visited at Night and under the Moonlight
An experience under the stars? Camping on historic lands under the moonlight? All this is possible in the Talampaya National Park. The available campsite has showers, electric power, grills, and grocery services. Everything you may need to enjoy an evening where a starry sky is the main figure of the scene, guiding the night and exuding the charms around it. The experience is tinged with an exceptional mystique: silence, marking the rhythm of nature; calmness, to appreciate the surroundings and keep them in the memory; and the moonlight, like a lighthouse, illuminating and reflecting shadows on the red earth.
6) It Enables a Magical Tour on Two Wheels
In addition to covering it on foot and getting your shoes full of red dirt, the Talampaya itinerary also includes an adventurous option for those who want to have an experience with a twist. In this case, on two wheels: bicycles are more than welcomed in the vicinity of the place, and many people choose them to tour the park together with a tour guide. The orange face rock light up, the adrenaline takes over the body, and pedalling in the middle of the lunar landscape is almost done without any effort.
7) It Houses Cave Art
A journey through time: this is Talampaya. And the seventh reason only reaffirms this theory because the prehistoric culture is present with a different language, which was immortalised in the hundreds of rocks in the park. The petroglyphs are on faces, rocks, and natural eaves and make up the rock art that adds an extra value to the area (as one of the most important sites in the entire country). Shapes and engraved drawings display the presence of ancient civilisations that inhabited the area, and upon reading each of these messages, details of their lifestyle, habits, and traditions are unveiled, enduring over time.