← San Juan Marathon·3 nights

Ischigualasto and Talampaya: Two UNESCO Parks in One Trip

Three nights across two desert parks, the Triassic badlands of San Juan and the red canyons of La Rioja, with winter hours that suit a slow pace.

Duration3 nights
TransitHire car or private driver; Ruta Nacional 150 to Ruta Nacional 76
DepartsSan Juan

After the San Juan Marathon: Ischigualasto and Talampaya

The Route: San Juan → San Agustín de Valle Fértil → Ischigualasto → Villa Unión → Talampaya → onward Logistics: A hire car or private driver is the practical choice. Ruta Nacional 150 joins Ruta Nacional 76 at Los Baldecitos, which leads to Villa Unión and the park. Marathon Month: July Duration: 3 nights

San Juan ──> San Agustín de Valle Fértil ──> Ischigualasto ──(Ruta 150)──> Los Baldecitos
                                                                               │
                                          Talampaya ◄──(Ruta 76)──── Villa Unión

Two parks share the same UNESCO listing, and they sit on either side of a provincial border. Ischigualasto is in San Juan. Talampaya is in La Rioja. Doing both takes three nights and a lot of driving, so this trip is for a runner who has days to spare and a driver.

July in the desert: The parks run winter hours. Talampaya's protected area is open from 08:30 to 18:30 in winter, and winter nights can fall to -10°C according to the park's visitor information. Ischigualasto runs its circuit from 09:00 to 16:00 from late March, with tours leaving each hour. Days are short and dry, and nights are cold. Take warm layers and a hat.

The first leg follows the Valle Fértil route: about 250 km from San Juan to San Agustín de Valle Fértil, then about 75 km to the Ischigualasto park. The Valle Fértil itinerary covers the village and the park circuit in more detail; this one continues beyond it.

Night One: San Agustín de Valle Fértil

Arrive on the Monday after the marathon, check in and walk the plaza. Level pavement and the Cristo de la Hermandad nearby are enough. Eat early.

Night Two: Ischigualasto day, then Villa Unión

Spend the day on the Ischigualasto circuit, a guided tour of eroded Triassic formations with short walks at each stop. Foreign visitors paid about ARS 62,000 (about £31) at the last published tariff. Check the current price.

After the circuit, continue on Ruta Nacional 150 toward Los Baldecitos, where three lodgings stand on the San Juan side, and then on Ruta Nacional 76 to Villa Unión, the town closest to Talampaya, with hotels in several categories, cabins and family lodgings. Fuel is available at Valle Fértil, Pagancillo and Villa Unión, and the nearest cash machines to the park are in Pagancillo and Villa Unión. Carry cash.

Night Three: Villa Unión, after Talampaya

Talampaya National Park lies about 59 km from Villa Unión to the Cañón de Talampaya service area. Guides are mandatory on all excursions, and private vehicles cannot enter the circuits. Only the paved Ruta 76 can be used outside the guided routes.

The shortest circuit, Naturaleza y Cultura, takes about one hour and is included in the entry price. The Cañón de Talampaya excursion takes about 2.5 hours, and the Cañón Arco Iris about 2 hours 45 minutes. Paths are sandy, so wear shoes with non-slip soles. Water is available only at visitor sites. There is no mobile signal in the park.

Park entry was priced per person at the last published tariff for foreign visitors; check the current figure on the national parks ticket site before travelling.

Getting Home

The route out depends on where the flight leaves. Retracing the road to San Juan (UAQ, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento) is possible but long. La Rioja city lies about 220 km from the Talampaya service area. Check current road conditions, coach services and flights before booking, and leave a day in hand before an international departure.