Parque provincial Cumbres Calchaquíes, Provincial park in Tafí del Valle Department, Argentina
This protected area spreads across thousands of square kilometers with mountain peaks and high-altitude lakes. The landscape varies sharply between bare alpine zones, forested valleys, and open spaces with scrub vegetation.
The area received protection status in 1965 with provisional boundaries that were finalized seven years later. These two official decrees established it as one of the region's most important nature reserves.
Local communities regard this place as sacred, with mountain names and traditions rooted deeply in ancestral stories. Visitors can observe traces of this connection at various spots, from ancient pathways to stone arrangements that have endured for generations.
The terrain requires proper gear and preparation due to high elevations and variable conditions. Guided hikes are recommended for more challenging routes, especially for visitors unfamiliar with high-altitude mountain terrain.
A rare plant species found here takes decades to mature and represents the slow pace of growth in this environment. Such long-lived species reveal how stable and ancient these ecosystems have become.
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