The Parque Nacional Los Cardones will celebrate this Saturday, June 20, from 6 PM to 11 PM, an astrotourism evening at the emblematic Recta del Tin Tin.
The activity coincides with the 30th anniversary of the park, under the motto “This landscape is ours”, and seeks to connect the community with the vastness of the cosmos and the preservation of natural heritage.
Sky Observation
The trail “The Secrets of the Cardonal” will be the setting for this experience that combines landscape and science. Specialists from the Observatorio Proyecto Tonco, Paraíso Astronómico will provide state-of-the-art telescopes to observe:
- The moon and visible planets.
- Deep space objects.
- Talks about the Milky Way and constellations.
- Stories about the Inti Raymi and its connection to the winter solstice.
Additionally, an exclusive space will be reserved for night photography, ideal for capturing the silhouettes of the cardones against the starry sky.
Access and Services
- Free entry and complimentary astronomical guided tours.
- Limited slots to ensure safety and quality of the visit.
- Reservations via email: [email protected] or on official social media @parquenacionalloscardones.
- Optional gastronomic services offered by local families: mate cocido, tortillas, homemade bread, and high-altitude wines.
Park History
Created on November 20, 1996, Los Cardones is the third national protected area in Salta, alongside El Rey and Baritú. It protects 64,117 hectares representative of the main Andean biomes of Northwestern Argentina: Puna, Prepuna, Altoandina, and Monte Occidental.
The park owes its name to the cardones (Trichocereus pasacana), giant cacti that, according to local legends, represent indigenous people guarding the valleys and mountains.
Geography and Climate
The park’s geography ranges from 2,600 meters above sea level in the Tin Tin Valley to 5,226 meters above sea level at Malcante Hill. Its natural boundaries are defined by mountain ranges, peaks, and valleys that give it a unique identity.
The climate is arid and dry, with average temperatures of 11 °C in winter and 18 °C in summer. Rainfall is scarce and concentrated between November and March. In the higher areas, exceptional hail and snowfalls can occur.
Natural and Cultural Wealth
- Geology: hills with reddish, green, and dark hues, and fossil deposits of gastropods, algae, fish, and dinosaurs.
- Flora: species adapted to extreme conditions of altitude and aridity, with the cardonales standing out as a landscape icon.
- Main access: Provincial Route 33, which connects Salta with Cachi and crosses the stunning landscapes of the Calchaquí Valleys.
The astrotourism proposal in Los Cardones combines science, culture, and nature in a unique setting.
Under the clear sky of the Calchaquí Valleys, the experience promises to be a bridge between the contemplation of the cosmos and the appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage of Salta.
