”Talampaya ו- Valle de la Luna“

Park National Talampaya is a canyon with red cliffs and all kinds of wierd rock formations, like chimney, gothic cathedral, camel, chess tower, etc, and also petroglyphs. Unless you come with a 4x4 vehicle, you have to take a tour with the rangers, the price depends on the number of people. 

To get there: if you come from the east (Buenos Aires) or north, take a bus to a town called Patquia in the province of La Rioja, and from there you can take a bus that drops you off at the entrance of Talampaya. If you come from the south (Bariloche, Mendoza) or west (Chile) take a bus to San Juan and from there you can take a bus that drops you off at the entrance. The closest village with hospedajes is Pagancillo, you can get a free ride with the rangers from the village to the park in the morning and/or from the park to the village in the evening.

Parque Ischigualasto, or Valle de la Luna (moon valey) is nearby and also worth a visit. It also has some wierd rock formations, fossils of dinosaurs, and a valey with all kinds of colours like red and green. You have to take a tour from the town called Valle Fertil in the province of San Juan, or come with a rented car. There is a tour to the park for 70 pesos divided by the number of people, or to both parks for 110 pesos divided by the number of people (not including the tour with the rangers inside Talampaya). A good guide is Lito, he has an office in the bus terminal of Valle Fertil.