209 – Valles Andinos de La Rioja, San Juan y Mendoza

209 – Andean Valleys of La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza

A 5-day journey with 1 night in La Rioja, 2 nights in Villa Unión, and 1 night in Barreal, ending in Mendoza. The program may also operate in reverse, starting in Mendoza and ending in La Rioja It follows a scenic route through the Andean valleys of La Rioja, San Juan, and Mendoza.

DAY	Day's Detail
1	Arrival in La Rioja and transfer to your hotel for overnight accommodation.
2	La Rioja – Valle de la Luna – Villa Unión. Depart from La Rioja for Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Valle de la Luna, San Juan), part of the UNESCO-listed Ischigualasto/Talampaya Natural Parks. Explore the park’s remarkable 3-hour internal circuit in our own vehicles, with stops to admire unusual rock formations shaped by wind and erosion, including the Worm, the Bowling Court, the Submarine, the Mushroom, and the Red Cliffs. In the afternoon, continue to Villa Unión for overnight accommodation.
3	Villa Unión – Talampaya – Villa Unión. Depart for Talampaya National Park, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important Triassic geological areas in the world. Join the classic Talampaya Canyon excursion in park vehicles, traveling along the dry riverbed between towering canyon walls, with stops to view petroglyphs, native flora and fauna, and remarkable formations such as the Wise King, the Gothic Cathedral, the Tower, and the Monk. Return to Villa Unión in the afternoon.
4	Villa Unión – Rodeo – Calingasta – Barreal. Journey through the Iglesia and Calingasta valleys in San Juan Province. En route, visit the unusual formations of Vallecito Encantado near Guandacol, last village before entering the Calingasta Valley, visiting the historic mill in Huaco, Jáchal, Cuesta del Viento Dam, and Rodeo. Continue through the Quebrada del Río San Juan into Calingasta Valley, with visits to Cerro El Alcázar and the ruins of Hilario, before arriving in the peaceful town of Barreal for overnight accommodation.
5	Barreal – Uspallata – Aconcagua – Mendoza. Depart for El Leoncito National Park and the vast Pampa del Leoncito, an ancient dry lake bed famous for land sailing. Visit the Carlos U. Cesco Astronomical Complex based at 2250 m.a.s.l., renowned for the exceptional clarity of its skies. Continue to Uspallata and follow the international road that leads to Chile into the high Andes to visit Puente del Inca and Aconcagua Provincial Park, where you can admire the highest peak in the Americas. In the afternoon, descend to Mendoza via Potrerillos. End of services.