Parque Nacional Los Cardones

Welcome to Parque Nacional Los Cardones, a protected expanse of high altitude desert that presents one of the most surreal and captivating landscapes in South America. Having crested the Cuesta del Obispo, we have now fully…

Let us focus our analytical attention on the biological marvel that dominates this landscape, the Cardon Grande cactus. Scientifically classified as Trichocereus pasacana, this plant is an evolutionary masterpiece, perfectly…

As you survey the vast expanse of the park, notice the distinct spatial distribution of the cacti. You will never see two large Cardones growing immediately adjacent to one another. …

We now transition from biological marvels to an astonishing feat of ancient human engineering. We are traveling along a section of the road known as the Recta del Tin Tin, pronounced Rek tah del Teen Teen. …

Despite the severe aridity and extreme temperatures, the Parque Nacional Los Cardones is not entirely devoid of animal life. The fauna here is sparse, highly elusive, and brilliantly adapted to the harsh conditions. …

Because the vegetation in Los Cardones is so incredibly sparse, the fundamental geology of the earth is laid bare for our inspection. The lack of a thick topsoil or dense plant cover reveals a vibrant, startling palette of…

As we conclude our specific sections within the park, we must address the overwhelming sensory experience of simply being in this high altitude desert. The most profound characteristic of Los Cardones is not visual, it is…

As we depart the vast, silent expanse of Parque Nacional Los Cardones, we must synthesize the extremes we have witnessed. We have traversed a high altitude desert that, at first glance, appears utterly hostile to life. …