Argentina's Dinosaur Route

Long before the Andes rose out of the Pacific Ocean and before there were pampas in Argentina, the world's largest dinosaurs rumbled throughout Patagonia. Paleontologists are only beginning to uncover what roamed what are now beautiful landscapes, and insist that there is still more to find in the region's red-rock badlands. The arid Patagonian steepe was once humid and warm with swamps and forests and enormous dinosaurs. Now it is a vast, magnificent destination that draws travelers to its glaciers, lakes, and mountains. What many do not realize is that there are monumental dinosaur discoveries on display in northwest Patagonia.

Argentina is an excellent place for fossil discoveries, especially because of Patagonia. Over 50% of Argentina is comprised by Patagonia, where well exposed rocks make it relatively easy to find dinosaurs. Scientists have uncovered dinosaur wonders like the largest dinosaur, found near Plaza Huincul, in the badlands of northwest Patagonia. Argentinosaurus huinculensis lived 90 million years ago, and weighed more than 20 adult elephants. In the outskirts of a nearby town, scientists unearthed the skeleton of Giganotosaurus Carolinii, a frightening carnivore and predator of the herbivore, Argentinosaurus. The Giganotosaurus was three tons heavier than North America's Tyrannosaurus Rex. The town of Plaza Huincul, is known for political unrest but their paleontological museum is a star in the oil town.

Travelers can these miraculous discoveries on the dinosaur route during an Argentina vacation. The fossilized skeleton of Giganotosaurus is housed at the dinosaur museum at Villa El Chocón, a small town on the shore of a lovely lake. Follow the lakeshore to the outskirts of Villa El Chocón, to the footprints of Iguanadon, another prehistoric monster. The herbivore had conical spikes for thumbs, which it used to defend itself from predators. Its massive footprints have remained perfectly preserved here for some 120 million years.

Another site on the dinosaur route is Lago Barreales Paleontological Center. Located on the northern shore of a dazzling lake surrounded by red and orange rock faces, a giant femur bone propped against a rock-face will signal that you're in the right place. The femur belongs to Futalognkosaurus, an herbivore with a powerful tail that was found at this spot. Travelers can stay overnight on rustic trailers on the site, and join paleontologists in the field. Working side-by-side with scientists with the backdrop of the Andes Mountains, it is truly an once-in-a-lifetime experience. After a hard day's work under the intense desert sun, you can enjoy a meal at an Argentinean asado under the Patagonian stars.