World Heritages
Iguazú National Park
Province of Misiones
The famous Iguazú Falls, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, are at the heart of this National Park. An impressive amount of water plunges 70m into the abyss below, breaking into 275 inlets and drops. The border between Argentina and Brazil is marked by the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) drop.The surrounding park has over 2000 species of plants and is home to the region’s exotic wildlife, including more that 400 bird species.
Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis
Province of Misiones
Jesuit Missions of the Guaraní Natives San Ignacio Miní, Nuestra Señora de Loreto, Santa Ana and Santa María la Mayor Jesuit Missions constitute a 296 km long tourist itinerary of incredible scenic beauty. These reductions, settled in Argentina in the 17th century, were part of the 33 villages that formed the Ancient Jesuit Province of Paraguay.
Image by: Photographer Pablo D. Flores
Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks
Provinces of San Juan and La Rioja
The Ischigualasto Provincial Park (San Juan), also known as Moon Valley is one of the greatest paleontological reserves of the world, rich in remains of vertebrates from the Mesozoic Era and early dinosaur footprints. The Talampaya National Park (La Rioja), with cliffs and rock formations that are the perching place for Andean condors, situated in a 5,000 sq. km basin. Petroglyphs of uncertain origin and age are one of Talampaya’s astounding features, along with the massive walls -over 150 meters high- of the 3 km long canyon.
Cueva de las Manos, At the Upper Pinturas River
Province of Santa Cruz
Located South of the Perito Moreno town, by the Alto Río Pinturas Valley,
the Cueva de las Manos (Cave of the Hands) contains one of the most
significant assemblages of cave art in the Patagonia. Vestiges of a 9,300
year-old culture are foundin the caves and the gully’s rocky sides, which show
stenciled outlines of human hands and other rich pre-historic depictions
giving testimony to its past.
Image by: Mariano Cecowski
Quebrada de Humahuaca
Province of Jujuy
The Quebrada de Humahuaca’s multicolored landscapes frame the villages of Purmamarca, Maimará, Tilcara and Humahuaca. Its adobe houses, historical chapels and Pre-Hispanic ruins provide a stunning view. A monolith marks the Tropic of Capricorn, where each June 21st, the celebration of the Inti Raymi (Sun Festival) takes place.
Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba
Province of Córdoba
This magnificent collection of historical buildings include the Church of the Compañía de Jesús, the chapel Capilla Doméstica, the Jesuits Residence and the Rectorate of Córdoba National University, together with the University Council, Conferring Room, the Higher Library and the Monserrat National High School. The Jesuit Estancias Jesús María, Caroya, Santa Catalina, La Candelaria and Alta Gracia are visited in a 250 km itinerary following a hilly landscape.
Península Valdés
Province of Chubut
Two gulfs of Península Valdés, San José and Nuevo, are the meeting points of the Southern Right Whales. They gather here every year between May and December to feed and breed. The fauna concentration in this area is outstanding. Elephant seals, sea lions, and Magellanic penguins, as well as guanacos and maras (Dolychotis patagonum), also known as Patagonian hare. The Isla de los Pájaros reserve protects thousands of bird species.
Los Glaciares National Park
Province of Santa Cruz
Thirteen glaciers, all of them feeding into the Atlantic basin, break into huge towers of ice over the Viedma and Argentino lakes. The front walls of the Perito Moreno, Mayo, Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers topple into the Argentino lake waters. The glaciers may be visited via a boat trip for a closer view of this breath-taking natural wonder. El Calafate, which has an airport, is the closest urban center.
Info and Images: www.argentina.travel
