- Address: 4514 Calilegua, Jujuy, Argentina
- Area: 763.1 sq. M. km
- Date of foundation: 1979.
Kalilegua is one of the largest national parks in the northwest of Argentina , located at the eastern foot of the hills of the same name in the province of Jujuy. The National Park was founded in 1979 with the aim of preserving the biodiversity of the Southern Andes and protecting the mouth of the river Kalilegos. Now the reserve attracts tourists with a pristine unique nature, richness of flora and fauna, amazingly beautiful landscapes and fascinating excursions . Special interest in the national park is shown by ornithologists.
Natural features
The vast territory of the Kalillegua National Park is 763.1 square kilometers. km. Most of the square is occupied by the impenetrable forests of the boy. The relief of the mountainous terrain is covered with abundant vegetation. Due to fluctuations in altitude in some parts of the park, climate variations are clearly visible. In the mountains, the amount of precipitation is 3000 mm on average per year, and in lowland areas it does not exceed 400 mm. In winter, the climate is mild and dry, and the air temperature varies between 17 ° C. In summer it is very hot here, the columns of thermometers rise above 40 ° C.
Flora and fauna
Among the representatives of the animal world at all levels of the national park, you can meet various animals and birds. Kalilegua - a real paradise for the ornithologist. There are about 50 species of birds, most of which are endemic. Of particular interest to scientists are the huge predators that live only in this part of Argentina - Eagles Poma. Also in the national park there are often orange, green and red macaws, alder parrot, various kinds of hummingbirds, red-faced guan and other birds.
Among the mammals, bright representatives are the corzuela, a herbivorous tapir, a white-lipped and collar baker, tapeti and agouti. In the mountains, there is an endemic species of deer - taruka, which is under threat of extinction. In large numbers there are predators - jaguar, puma, forest fox and ocelot. Some species of animals settled on the tops of trees and land very rarely. This is the majority of rodents, squirrels and monkeys. In the reserve often there are unusual amphibians, for example, a unique kind of marsupial frog.
The entire fauna of the Kalilegua National Park is conditionally divided into several plant levels. At the foot of the mountain ranges and in the lowlands grows several species of legumes, red and white anadenantera and jacaranda. On the east side of the reserve is covered with impassable jungle. In general, evergreen plants predominate here, such as palms and lianas. Hardly above there are deciduous forests. The flora of this region is not so rich, mostly mountain pine, alder and kueno bush grow here. High in the mountains grow only grass.
Tourist destinations
The management of the Kalillegua National Park offers visitors a variety of activities. The most popular is walking tour. There are many tourist routes laid out here, each of which is of a length and complexity. One of these routes - Mamota - runs near the campsite and is understood at a height of 600 m above sea level. On the trail Lagunita can go far into the park on the coast. For tourists with good physical training more difficult routes are laid, such as the Cascade and La Junta. These trails pass through the jungle and take about 5 hours on the road.
In addition to active recreation , in the national park you can get to know the life and way of life of Indian call tribes. During the tour, tourists can see various adaptations for hunting and fishing, folk art items, and ceramic products. Kalilegua is one of the few reserves where visitors are allowed to spend the night in observance of the basic precautions, as various predatory animals dwell here. For this purpose, there are special camping sites.
How to get to the park?
The Kalilegua National Park can be reached by car or by bus. From the capital of the Argentine department of Jujuy in the city of San Salvador via RN34, the journey time is just over an hour. In itself, the journey to Kalilegua will be fascinating: stunning scenery opens from the window of a car or bus.