Argentina's Top 5 National Parks

Argentina covers an enormous area and stretches almost 4000 kilometers down the length of the South American continent. Its territory encompasses tropical jungles, desert like flatland expanses, towering mountains and to top it all off glaciers and below zero temperatures! Can you think of any other country in the world that can boast to be home to such a diversity of landscapes and climates? Well that’s what makes Argentina so special and a top destination for tourists travelling to South America. Its nature is like no-other (we know, we might be slightly biased here– but we assure you the 5 million tourists who visit Argentina every year would back us up!) The best part is that Argentina really looks after its nature, with a network of 30 national parks in Argentina, the countries forests, lakes, mountains, glaciers and wildlife are well-protected. We’ve come up with a list of  Argentina's Top 5 National Parks, each with their unique highlights, showcasing the most impressive landscapes Argentina has to offer:

1. Los Cardones National Park (Salta)

This national park in Argentina is located in the Northern Province of Salta (a mere 100 km from the city of Salta itself) and lies within the hugely popular tourist destination the Calchaquies Valleys, where you can find many of Salta’s highlights such as the towns of Cachi and Cafayate. Los Cardones National Park– which is named after the Cardon Cactus – boasts spectacular landscapes! From flat expanses, immense cactus woodlands and colourful mountain ranges, peaking above a dizzying 5000 meters, its views are breathtaking! The varying altitudes of this region, makes not only for a hugely diverse natural environment, but it also allows a variety of animals to exist in such desert-like environments. Over a hundred species of birds were spotted in the park alone. Incredibly the park’s also home to many fossil remains of extinct animals, as well as dinosaur tracks! [caption id="attachment_13727" align="aligncenter" width="675"] The arid expanses of the Los Cardones National park in Northern Argentina / source[/caption]

2. Tierra del Fuego National Park (Ushuaia)

The Tierra del Fuego National Park is famous for being the world’s southernmost national park. Only 11 km from the city of Ushuaia, it stretches from the world famous beagle channel right up to the Chilean border. It lies in the province and island of the same name, which was named by Spanish colonizers, who were on an expedition to the Southernmost tip of South America – to the end of the world, so to speak - and saw the campfires of the native Yaghan Indians, hence calling it Tierra del Fuego or Land of Fire. The park is home to incredibly dramatic scenery, making it popular with adventure seeking travelers–boasting incredible landscapes with waterfalls, forests, mountains, glaciers and breath-taking deep blue lakes. Some of its highlights including the beautiful Lake Fagnano, the famous End of the World Train and not to mention its excursion to visit some of its most charming inhabitants – the penguins and seals! [caption id="attachment_13731" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Tierra del Fuego National park, near Ushuaia in the very South of Argentina / Source[/caption]

3. Nahuel Huapi National Park (Bariloche)

Nahuel Huapi National Park is the oldest national park in Argentina, founded back in 1934. Lying in the foothills of the Patagonian Andes, it surrounds the lake of the same name, which is the biggest and deepest clear water lake in Argentina. Just outside the park lies the popular Patagonian tourism hotspot – the city of Bariloche. There are endless highlights within the Nahuel Huapi National Park! Its unique, breath-taking natural landscapes attract tourists from all over the world and makes it one of the highlights of Argentina! The park is famously home to Villa La Angostura- a lakeside resort on the boundaries of the park, Cerro Catedral, an exclusive ski resort, a variety of stunning deep blue lakes and peaking mountains, with the spectacular Mount Tronador, on the Chilean border. You can even catch glimpses of Patagonia’s most impressive natural wonders – the glaciers! This park is perfect for adventure seeking travelers, as it’s a popular hiking and boating destination, it’s also home to one of South America’s main winter sports resorts! [caption id="attachment_13730" align="aligncenter" width="675"] On the shores of the beautiful lake Nahuel Huapi / source[/caption]

4. Los Glaciares National Park (El Calafate)

Now, if its glaciers you’re after, Argentina has an entire national park full of them! A must-see in Argentina, the Los Glaciares National Park is second on our national park countdown. It’s easily accessible from the nearby Patagonian city of El Calafate and is the second largest park in Argentina, named for the 47 glaciers its home to, that are fed by the largest icecap outside Antarctica. The most famous glacier being Perito Moreno, an immense field of ice which spans an incredible 250 km2 across the Lago Argentino (Lake Argentina). There are several routes within the park, making sightseeing and getting up close to the glaciers easy. You can even hike on and through Perito Moreno and experience this breath-taking spectacle of nature up close! You won’t believe your eyes, witnessing these dream-like landscapes is a truly once in a lifetime experience! [caption id="attachment_13728" align="aligncenter" width="675"] The Spegazzini Glacier in the Los Glaciares National Park / source[/caption]

5. Iguazu Falls (Iguazu)

From icy glaciers and snow capped mountains to tropical rain forests and one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, all in one country - well that’s what makes Argentina so special! In the North of Argentina in the province of Misiones, bordering Paraguay and Brasil, lies the world famous Iguazu National Park, home to the magnificent Iguazu waterfalls. With gallons and gallons of water gushing over a precipice with a width of almost 3km, the falls are gigantic! With just over 20% of the falls on Brazilian territory, Argentina is home to the majority of the falls.Meaning that the best way to see this natural wonder is to cross the border and back, getting the best views of both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides. Also ensure you take some time to explore Iguazu national park beyond the waterfalls – as the dense tropical nature is truly breath-taking! [caption id="attachment_13729" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Cataratas de Iguazú - Misiones / source[/caption]   Well, from cacti, to jungles, to penguins and glaciers; Argentina has something for everyone! Take advantage of the country’s respectfully implemented nature preservation infrastructure and discover its national parks! You won’t believe your eyes!  

Have a look at our website, daytours4u.com to get a better overview of the tours and activities organized in and around Argentina’s National Parks.