Aconquija National Park

Tucumán

This national park in Tucumán protects Argentina’s highest and most southern
Yungas. Overflowing with green lush jungle on the eastern slope of Sierras del
Aconquija and more than 900 species of native animals and plants, its trails are a trip
to nature and some pre-Hispanic cultural treasures.

The best time of the year to visit it is from April to November, during the dry season. Check the gate openings and the state of the roads. Entrance is free, but pre- registration is required.

What to see

Campo de Los Alisos Gate (former Campo de Los Alisos National Park)

It allows you to explore the Montana Rainforest, above 500 metres above sea level.
In a humid climate, plants hang from branches and lianas, and vines climb up the
trunks.

At this gate (the only one with services), you will find short low-difficulty trekking
trails, such as La Selva Misteriosa, El Pozón, and Puesto Los Chorizos. A more
challenging one is Puesto La Mesada (24 kilometres in total, around 8 hours).
From this gate, you will also find the archaeological site La Ciudacita (one of the
most important Inca sites in Argentina), and a section belonging to Qhapaq Ñan (a
pre-Hispanic road network, built by the Incas in the 15th century), declared a World
Heritage Site. To get there, you have to walk along a demanding and long (5 to 7
days) path, beginning and ending in the El Tesoro village in Catamarca. For this

journey, it is mandatory to register and go with a qualified High Mountain Site Guide,
as you will be reaching up to 4800 metres above sea level.

When to visit this gate: it is generally open from April to November (depending on the
rainy season). Access allowed only for walkers and 4x4 vehicles.

Cochuna Gate

From here, you can cross the Yungas rainforest from 1,000 metres above sea level.

There are two trails: one of low difficulty and one-kilometre long that gets to the El
Colao stream, and another of medium/high difficulty that allows you to reach Puesto
Zárate (7 kilometres in total, 3 hours one way). If you go on along this path, you will
go up to the Tesoro Lagoon (24 kilometres in total, 6 hours one way), located at the
foot of the Aconquija snow-capped mountain (FYI: to get to the lagoon, you will have
to cross the El Sonador stream several times, making the ascent more complicated
during the rainy season).

When to visit this gate: all year round. Access allowed for all types of vehicles.
Check if trails are open.

Piedra Labrada Section

The trail Campo de Las Azucenas begins here. It is of medium difficulty, with 12
kilometres in total (2 hours one way). It is one of the most sought-after views in
September and October, when the madonna lilies bloom at 1437 metres above sea
level.

The trail crosses a meltwater river several times that is knee-deep at times. It has a
steep 367-metre-long slope. It is mandatory to do it with a guide authorised by
National Parks.

When to visit this section: open only between August and November. Access
allowed only for 4x4 vehicles.

Although the Aconquija National Park stands out for its hiking options, there are also
roads to cover by car and/or bicycle.

How to get there and move around

It is ideal to use your private car, although there is also public transport that leaves
from San Miguel de Tucumán and the towns of Concepción and Monteros.
The nearest village to reach the Campo de Los Alisos and Cochuna gates is

Alpachiri, 17 kilometres from Concepción and 98 kilometres from San Miguel de
Tucumán.

To get to the Campo de Los Alisos Gate: from Alpachiri, ride for 10 kilometres to Jaya River along Provincial Route 330. To enter this gate, you must cross a ford (weather permitting), which is only enabled for walkers and 4x4 vehicles.

To get to Cochuna Gate: from Alpachiri, take National Route 65 for about 15 kilometres to the west. It is a grave road, enabled for all types of vehicles.

To get to the Piedra Labrada Section: the closest town is Monteros (from San Miguel de Tucumán, 57 kilometres along Provincial Route 38). Then, after 17 kilometres along Provincial Route 325, you get to the town of Yacuchina, and after 20 more kilometres (4x4 vehicles only) to the Toma del río Los Reales.

Where to stay

Inside the national park, there are two wild campsites: one in Campo de Los Alisos Gate, and another in Tesoro Lagoon, within the Cochuna Gate. Just one kilometre from this gate, there is a municipal campsite.

In the surroundings, there are accommodation options in the villages of Alpachiri (13 kilometres away), Concepción (30 kilometres away), Aguilares (40 kilometres away), and Monteros (64 kilometres away).