Baritu National Park

Baritu National Park is the only tropical park of Argentina, due to Tropic of Capricorn influence. Many species in danger of extinction, as the “yaguareté” subsist in far away Los Yungas zone.

GENERAL INFORMATION OF AREA

The National Park was created in 1974. It is bordered by mountains more than 2000 meters high, is surrounded by a group of geographical features that is difficult to arrive there. Its area is 72000 hectares, placed in Santa Victoria department, to the north of Salta province next to Bolivia’s border.

The protected area if from to eco-region of Yungas or mountain jungle of Argentinean northwest that belongs to sub-Andean mountains whose measure from 400 and 300 meters. The climate varies from hot, wet, and sub-humid with summer rainfall that goes from 900 and 1300 mm.

The “salteños” cedars, valuable wood, are impressively high. In the fauna of cloudy jungle, many endangered species live.

NATURAL RESOURCES
Landscape, flora and fauna
The most important rivers are: Lipeo on the north, Porongal and Pescado that flow into Bermejo River whose stretch forms the park’s northeast limit.

It is the most northern national protected area that shelters mountain jungles, an arborescent fern and the “maroma” stands out in this zone. This one, just like fig trees or native rubber plants, is very singular specie because can germinate onto another tree (it lives epiphyte its first years) while is taking roots.  Once it is planted, the “maroma” grows up fast, damaging the tree which feed it from, and frequently die it.

The “salteños” cedars, valuable wood, are high impressive. In some humid zones- generally 800 meters above sea level- there are myrtle forests with horco molle, amto and güili, among others.

The transition jungle consists of tipas, pacaráes, cebiles, tarcos and cochuchos trees.

On the rivers and springs shores, some small trees as “la tusca”, pájaro bobo and bushes as the turpentine lives on. Close to clear water swells (where leporinus and shads live), there are aquatic carnivorous species as “lobito de río” and mayuato or osito lavador, easy to recognize by its black mask and its tail.

The fauna of cloudy jungle zone, has several endangered species as yaraguaraté, that live in far Yungas region, the puma represent carnivorous species. There are also smaller felines as: tirica, margay, ocelot, yaguarundi and wild cat.

Among the bigger mammals of the region are the tapir. Its tracks will be seen on the paths and spring’s shores. Other common species are: pecari de collae, wild fox, coati, agutí, caí monkey, pescador bat that eat fish and aquatic insects, and so on.

Among the most singular birds are: The aquatic blackbird that lives between rocks and springs; the yapú, a big boyero that make suspended nests; the “pescador grande”, bat that eat fish and aquatic insects, parrots; toucans; magpies; tijereta falcons; ducks and herons. It is important to stand out the bird of prey presence, a great predatory.

This rich place has a great variety of reptiles as the rattlesnake, the urutu and coral among others; there are also amphibians as “sapito de panza roja”, marsupial frog and rana mono. In the rivers, there are species like bogas, shads, dorados, bagres, yuscas and viejas del agua.

ACCESS

The access is from San Ramón city of Nueva Orán, along the national route Nº50 to Aguas Blancas locality. From there, -previous customs process- you will go 100km along a beauty paved mountain road, by Bolivian territory, going round Bermejo river to El Condado-La Mamorra international bridge. After crossing it, you will continue 17Km along the provincial route Nº19, arriving to Los Toldos( Argentina). Finally, after going 26Km you will arrive to sector N.O. of National Park, Lipeo Area. (Los Toldos – Lipeo: 26 Km)

Access by car: the dirt track is appropriated for vans and four-wheel-drive vehicle (only light vehicles on winter, if it is possible). It lasts 2:30 minutes approximately (there aren’t public transportation that covers the route). On foot or horseback riding, it lasts from 6 to 7 hours. It is advisable to visit from June to September (because of the summer rainfall and the road in good conditions).

WALKS AND SERVICES

Long walking

The northwest park’s area offers several alternatives for people who like to have long walking, bird watching and nature observation. One alternative is visiting the Thermals of Cayotal, only two hours away from “Destacamento de Guaradaparques”, located on “El Lipeo” village.

Other route is towards “Campo Grande” that let you know the culture, along the spectacular Strait of Lipeo River. (Minimal duration: seven hours).

Four hours approximately from Lipeo River, you will find “Baritú” village, a singular spot in a unique landscape that offers several short walking from two to three hours (Strait of Baritú, El Cedral and Los Helechos Gigantes), and also knowing and share the ancestral customs.

On the way between these spots, it is possible to appreciate the impressive forest of Baritú, with cedar samples to 2 meters high.

Horseback ridings

Although, the activity is not organized, it is possible to let animals for horseback ridings for covering routes surroundings, in Lipeo and Baritú.

SUGGESTIONS

- Carry all personal and your vehicle documents and for entering to Los Toldos.
- The most appropriated season for visiting the National Park is from June to beginnings of October.
- In winter season, carry warm clothing.
- In summer season, don’t forget repellent. Fill up fuel in Orán or Aguas Blancas, since in Los Toldos it is difficult to find this service.
- Before entering to park, check if the road is in good conditions in the Maintenance Park.

CONTACTS