Villa Union

Ville Union

Left Barreal and had a beautiful drive with some red painted mountains and amazing desert views. Part of this trip allowed us to drive on a dirt/gravel road for nearly 4 hours without seeing more than 2 other cars. We were lucky we didn’t have any complications. We kept seeing signs for a radio station used for people in need of help, however, after driving by this particular location it looked like someone decided they needed the equipment more than anybody else. Let’s say this road was so dirty/dusty that we lost our brakes for a short period of time. Luckily no big hills!

We stayed at a beautiful hotel just outside of National Parque Ischilguista. This place is famous for its red rock canyons and native petrogleyths. In the guidebook they said this place resembled Bryce canyon in Utah. The National Parque actually outsourced (even in Argentina) the tourism, which translated into one company performing tours inside the park. It is required to take a bus tour in the park and to leave your own vehicle. This is the only way to see the park. Very frustrating for us because having Payton on a crowded tour bus isn’t fun for her or us. All in all it worked out for everyone. There were some beautiful sites, however, this place was greatly over exaggerated in the brochures and guidebook. I’ve never been to Bryce Canyon, but from the pictures and people I’ve actually talked to that have visited Bryce Canyon, Bryce has amazing slot canyons and Ischilguista did not.

After visiting the first park we left and drove to the second park in the area at Valle de Luna (valley of the moon). We had been told that we should see both national parks, that they were very different from each other and both were amazing. Well once again…It was pretty, however, after being at the first park (which was better) we could have passed on this one. The only nice thing about this park was that we were able to bring our car inside the park. It was a driving tour and the only stipulation was that you had to be lead by a national park personnel who rides in the lead car then gets out at designated spots and speaks about the interesting rock formations and history of the land etc. Nearly 2/3 of the way into the tour we saw some other Americans who with with their own Argentine paid guide drive away and leave the national park ranger. We decided that we wanted to do the same, so we left too. No problems. Only in Argentina.

We drove to La Rioja that night and found it to be a Shit hole! We stayed in a 5 star hotel for 100 USD which was really nice and had some amazing food.