| DAY | Day's Detail | 1 | Arrival in La Rioja, welcome transfer, and check-in at your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. |
2 | La Rioja – Valle de la Luna – Talampaya – Villa Unión. Full-day excursion to Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Valle de la Luna, San Juan) and Talampaya National Park, with overnight stay in Villa Unión. Depart from La Rioja for Ischigualasto, part of the UNESCO-listed Ischigualasto/Talampaya Natural Parks, renowned for its complete Triassic sedimentary sequence and outstanding scenic, geological, paleontological, and archaeological value. Travel the park’s unique 3-hour internal circuit in our own vehicles, with five stops to admire extraordinary rock formations sculpted by wind and rain, including the Worm, the Bowling Court, the Submarine, the Mushroom, and the Red Cliffs. Around midday, continue to Talampaya National Park, where you will join the classic Talampaya Canyon excursion in park vehicles. This 2.5-hour route follows the dry bed of the Talampaya River through towering canyon walls up to 150 meters high, with stops to view petroglyphs, native flora and fauna, and iconic formations such as the Wise King, the Gothic Cathedral, the Tower, and the Monk. In the afternoon, transfer to Villa Unión. |
3 | Villa Unión – Laguna Brava – Villa Unión. Full-day excursion to the Laguna Brava Vicuña Reserve, with overnight stay in Villa Unión. This spectacular Andean journey climbs through two strikingly different gorges — Quebrada de la Troya and the multicolored Quebrada del Peñón — to reach the high-altitude plateau at over 4,000 meters above sea level, where Laguna Brava lies surrounded by volcanic peaks. The reserve is both a protected vicuña habitat and a RAMSAR site of international importance. Departure is at 8:30 a.m., with visits to the dramatic geological folds of Quebrada de la Troya, and Jagüé, the last mountain village on the route. Continue ascending through Quebrada del Peñón to Laguna Brava at approximately 4,200 meters above sea level, where we will explore the area, including Flamingo Bay, while spotting vicuñas and guanacos in their natural habitat. Return to Villa Unión in the afternoon, arriving at approximately 6:00 p.m. |
4 | Villa Unión – Chilecito – La Rioja. Scenic journey through Cuesta de Miranda and Chilecito, with overnight stay in La Rioja. Depart from Villa Unión and cross the Famatina range via the colorful Cuesta de Miranda along National Route 40. Visit key highlights including Station 1 of the historic cableway to La Mejicana Mine, the Mining Museum, the Samay Huasi estate of JoaquÃn V. González, Santa Florentina, Cuesta de Las Talas, and RÃo del Oro. The day also includes a winery visit with a tasting of the region’s emblematic Torrontés Riojano. In the afternoon, return to La Rioja via Los Colorados. |
5 | Breakfast and departure transfer to the airport or bus terminal. |
