Introduction
Los Terrones Park, also known as “Quebrada de la Luna”, named after Don Luis de Luna, is a private park located 14 km away of Capilla del Monte.
It is a private property whose greatest charm lies in its curious rock formations of reddish sandstone, and sedimented colours dating back 180 million years ago.
The site has its own microclimate and houses a rich subtropical flora. The endless rock walls preserve the humidity of the Los Terrones stream, which flows through the park spilling into fountains and waterfalls of fresh water.
The general office and restaurant there were an 120-year-old ranch that has been changed to a Museum in 1995 and later as a Restaurant in 1997.
Table of Contents
Reaching the park
Getting there
There are 4 options to get there:
- By car: You can drive directly there. It is a small dirt road, but any car can access it. Parking spot around the main office
- By Taxi
- By bike or walking: Possible but be aware that one way is 12,5km.
- By excursion: That’s the local way of calling it but it is basically only a transfer from Capilla del Monte to the park and back. That’s the option we choose
The excursion
Cost us 400 pesos (5,7€) each. You can directly book it in Capilla del Monte main square. The tour operator is Nahuan, it is located opposite of the bank.
There are normally 2 departures a day, at 8:30am and 2:30pm (but recheck with them because it changes from time to time).
As it rained all morning, the 8:30am was obliviously cancelled. We then went there for 2:10pm and there weren’t sure the park will open. But ultimately, they opened it and we left at 3pm. At first, we were only 2 then at the last minute another couple joined us. There are no minimum people required and it’s a guy from the park they picked us up with a regular car.
Los Terrones park
The park
Once you arrived, there are 2 trails to do, the main one that must be done with a guide (without additional cost from the entrance ticket) and a small one.
Once you get your ticket (350 pesos, 5€) you join a guide with a group of people. Our group was made of 10 people with a local guide. You cannot access the park without the guide and right at the beginning a family decided to stop, another guide had to come to picked them up.
First trail
Then you follow the guide from point to point (viewpoint to viewpoint). At each viewpoint you make a little break to listen to the story of the place. But the landscape around you are fabulous from the beginning till the end.
The first story was about the indigenous people that lived there and killed themselves in order to not be converted by the Spanish conquistador. But the strange thing is that not a single body was found?
The second story is about UFO that appear on the park leaving a mark on the ground that later when a huge fire devastated the entire park, the spot where the UFO was didn’t burnt.
All along the trek, you can see flying far in the sky, condors. Huge 2 to 3m bird with its wings opened.
At the last point, you make a silent break which was amazing. The sound of the nature was just the best part of the trail.
Its terms of difficulties, yes you walk on rocks but globally it’s easy and family can do it with kids.
We were back at the main camp by 5h30, after 2h.
Note
We did the tour in Spanish with a guide that spoke a bit English from time to time. He was cool and at the end we gave him 100 pesos tips as many others did.
We personally really enjoyed the park and found it totally worth. The sceneries are just beautiful.
“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – Anthony Bourdain
Where to stay in Capilla del Monte
- Budget: Hermosa cabaña de montaña con vista a los Cerros
- Mid-Range: Wilka Pacha – Casas Serranas
