Argentina Travel: National Parks of Las Yungas

Standing in stark contrast to the arid puna and Quebradas in the Salta region, Las Yungas are areas covered with cloud forest jungle lying on the eastern side of the region. Contrary to its neighboring rocky areas, Las Yungas receive a high amount of rainfalls allowing for lush forests inhabited by a rich wildlife and vegetation, as well as isolated indigenous communities which have manage to survive assimilation into the mass culture, retaining their old traditions and lifestyle. This spectacular yet fragile land is home to three beautiful natural parks dedicated to protecting its inhabitants, whether animals, plants or humans. Although access is limited in these remote destinations, all three parks are definitely worth the effort.

Parque Nacional calilegua covers an area of peaks, sub-tropical valleys and cloud forest on the eastern slopes of the Serrania de Calilegua. Adventure seekers can trek up the impressive Cerro Amarillo (3,720m) or Cerro Hermoso (3,200m) which are uncommon yet stunning routes offering breathtaking vistas of the valley. Home to several rivers, the park offers a perfect environment for wildlife which is prosperous in the area. Here you will have the chance to spot unique birds among the 300 species that inhabit the region, including the red-faced guan and condor, or some of the 80 species of mammals. There are over 20km of trails in the park, perfect for trekking.

Argentina's only tropical park, Baritu lies just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, and is home to amazing species, many of which are dangerously close to extinction, such as the yaguarete, close to the puma. Here you can also spot a number of birds and rare plants and tree species, making it a real paradise for true nature lovers. Although the park lies in the Salta region, it is only accessible from Bolivia. As heavy rainfalls usually overflow the roads, this is one of the most inaccessible parks in the country, but truly wonderful and well worth the trouble.

Parque Nacional El Rey is the closest park to Salta city, covering 44,000ha, and was once a private property belonging to a Spanish conqueror, Coronel Fernandez Cornejo. Exploring the park, you might stumble across the remains of his 18th century house. The park's vegetation is extremely diverse thanks to the warn climate and frequent rainfalls and it protects several eco-systems, from arid lands to mountainous regions.