Outings and excursions · San Juan
Ischigualasto: San Juan's Moon Valley
Photos: littletroll / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Rock formations from another planet and the most complete Triassic fossils, a World Heritage Site together with Talampaya.
In north-east San Juan, Ischigualasto Provincial Park, known as the Moon Valley, is one of the strangest landscapes in South America. Together with neighbouring Talampaya National Park, in La Rioja, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.
An open book of the Triassic
These parks hold the world's most complete continental fossil record of the Triassic period: mammal ancestors, dinosaur remains and plants showing the evolution of vertebrates.
The circuit
A driving circuit of about 40 km (around three hours) covers five stops: El Gusano, Valle Pintado, Cancha de Bochas (with its round stones), El Submarino and El Hongo.
Getting there from Chile
From La Serena and the Elqui Valley, in summer you can cross via the Agua Negra Pass, one of the highest in the Andes; at other times check whether it is open.
Tips
- The park is about 330 km from the city of San Juan: the nearest base is San Agustín del Valle Fértil.
- Bring water, a hat and sunscreen: the sun is strong.
