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Man on the moon

December 7, 2021 | Michael Turtle | 27 Comments

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

Ischigualasto National Park, Argentina

They say that it’s like standing on the moon, being in Ischigualasto National Park. The grey sand at your feet can seem white in the right light, the rock formations seem unworldly against the sky, and everything is quiet. Oh, so quiet.

There’s a reason the locals have named part of the park ‘Valley of the Moon’.

Ischigualasto National Park, Argentina
Ischigualasto National Park, Argentina

Not far from the valley, against the ridge of mountains that stretch for more than twenty kilometres, the space theme continues. It feels like being on Mars, with the red rock formations creating an impenetrable boundary that traps you in the heat of the sun.

Ischigualasto National Park, Argentina

Argentina’s national park

Ischigualasto National Park is one of the secrets of Argentina. Barely mentioned and hard to access, it’s rarely on the itinerary of the average traveller.

It is worth the effort, though.

The moonscapes turn into stunning valleys. Rocky outcrops named for the shapes they resemble (the sphinx, the submarine…) appear seemingly from nowhere.

Ischigualasto National Park, Argentina
Ischigualasto National Park, Argentina

In the rocks, hidden from view for millions of years, are the remains of dinosaurs. Many have been discovered and moved for scientific research. Undoubtedly many more remain beneath our feet.

The rocks are up to 240 million years old – and this is the world’s most complete fossil record of the Triassic Era. Nowhere else on the planet reveals so much about the evolution of vertebrate life.

Ischigualasto National Park, Argentina
Ischigualasto National Park, Argentina

Because it is such an important area, access to the park is only under the supervision of a ranger and in a vehicle. Cars line up at the gate and each hour a ranger will guide everyone through Ischigualasto, stopping at the most significant landmarks to allow everyone to get out and walk around.

I had hired a car and a driver with two other travellers who were also keen to walk the moonscapes, in the shadows of the Martian red rocks and above the skeletons of dinosaurs.

Ischigualasto National Park, Argentina
Ischigualasto National Park, Argentina

Our group of cars was small. The park was enormous. It was a long way off the tourist trail to make the expedition here and the feeling of isolation made it seem even more remote.

It’s not quite the moon, but for a moment it felt a bit like it.

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more info click here. You can see all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve visited here.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Andrea |

    February 17, 2012 at 2:15 pm

    Reply

    We totally missed this place – looks awesome! Is it near Neuquen where the other dinosaur sites are? We had the opportunity to visit a real excavation – it was exhilarating!

    • Turtle |

      February 20, 2012 at 3:02 am

      Reply

      A real excavation would be awesome! I was disappointed they weren’t doing anything like that when I was there.
      This park is near a little town called Valle Fertil and a few hours drive from the nearest city, San Juan.

  2. Angela |

    February 17, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    Reply

    Beautiful landscape and great shot, would love to go there!

    • Turtle |

      February 20, 2012 at 3:05 am

      Reply

      You should give it a go sometime. It’s definitely worth it!

  3. Rease |

    February 18, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    Reply

    Wow, I have never even heard of this place. Pretty impressive, really surreal. Thanks for the photos. I really like the sphere rocks.

    • Turtle |

      February 20, 2012 at 3:07 am

      Reply

      The sphere rocks were the coolest! Let me know if you’re ever back in Argentina and want to check it out. I’ve got all the tips now!

  4. Patricia GW |

    February 18, 2012 at 1:40 pm

    Reply

    Sounds “out of this world” 😉 The photo of the rounded stones really does look like a lunar landscape.

    • Turtle |

      February 20, 2012 at 3:08 am

      Reply

      I was a bit dubious about the name ‘Valley of the Moon’ but it lived up to the title.

  5. Chris |

    February 18, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    Reply

    Holy crap! I need to go there 😮

    • Turtle |

      February 20, 2012 at 3:08 am

      Reply

      Do it!! 🙂

  6. Bret @ Green Global Travel |

    February 19, 2012 at 1:16 am

    Reply

    Great photos, Michael. Looks like a very unique place. Argentina is gradually moving up our list of places we want to visit…

    • Turtle |

      February 20, 2012 at 3:09 am

      Reply

      You should move it right up to the top! Although it’s such a huge country with so much to see, you’ll want to stay forever! 🙂

  7. Stephanie - The Travel Chica |

    February 22, 2012 at 9:15 am

    Reply

    What?!! You found a cool place in Argentina I know nothing about?!! Guess I’ll have to keep coming back 🙂

    • Turtle |

      February 23, 2012 at 3:28 am

      Reply

      It kind of seems like you keep looking for excuses to come back. I’m getting the feeling you wish you’d never left…

  8. rdsean |

    February 23, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    Reply

    wow, great capture on this amazing place.. i love the first pic, really cool.. 🙂

    • Turtle |

      February 25, 2012 at 1:22 pm

      Reply

      Thanks. That first picture is one of my favourites too!

  9. Kurt |

    February 24, 2012 at 6:08 am

    Reply

    Nice photos. I can say this makes me even more excited to see Argentina come the beginning of next year when we head there.

    Thank you for the heads up.

    • Turtle |

      February 25, 2012 at 1:25 pm

      Reply

      Oh, you’ll love Argentina! And try to get to this park… not many people make it there so you’ll really appreciate it.

  10. Jade - OurOyster.com |

    March 3, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    Reply

    Wow this looks amazing! Stunning photos!

    • Turtle |

      March 6, 2012 at 10:44 am

      Reply

      Yeah, it was stunning. Made for photography!

  11. Ayngelina |

    March 5, 2012 at 5:06 am

    Reply

    I missed this place too and I knew about it but didn’t have time!

    • Turtle |

      March 6, 2012 at 10:45 am

      Reply

      It was pretty out of the way. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone on a tight schedule. But that’s what helps make it so special…

  12. Deb |

    March 7, 2012 at 3:17 pm

    Reply

    Gorgeous. We want to start putting more of South America into our travel plans. Looks like Argentina is shooting to the top of our SA itinerary. Great shots! my kine of place

    • Turtle |

      March 7, 2012 at 10:38 pm

      Reply

      Oh, you’ve got to spend some time down here. The only problem is that there’s never enough time to do everything. I’m already starting to plan my return trip here, with all the things I’ve missed the first time!!

  13. Zia Courtney |

    March 28, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Reply

    What a wonderful God’s creation. This is really beautiful and I want to see this place. Thanks for sharing the photos and your experience as well.

    • Turtle |

      March 29, 2012 at 3:18 am

      Reply

      Thanks, Zia. Hopefully you get a chance to go sometime!

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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