The 44,162 hectare national park El Rey National Park is lying in central to eastern part the province of Salta in Argentina. He protects the landscape of the so-called Yungas or cloud forests and is quite easily accessible.
background
history
The park was established in 1948 on the site of the old finca El Rey which was founded in 1767 as a fortress by the Spaniards.
landscape
The national park is located in a slightly mountainous area in the border area between the Yungas and the ChacoLevel and is therefore somewhat drier and less jungle-like than the parks further west. The lowest vegetation zone is therefore also occupied by the Chaco dry forest, which merges into the cloud forest at an altitude of 800 m, followed by mountain forests at 1400 m.
Flora and fauna
Each vegetation zone has its own fauna and flora. In the Chaco dry forest, thorn bushes and low trees like Algarrobo and Quebracho, The cloud forest is home to dense vegetation and several species of orchids. Firs, alders and some native species can be found in the mountain forests. The fauna is also rich in species with numerous bird, small animal and insect species as well as some large carnivores such as the puma.
climate
The climate is subtropical, with 500 to 700 mm of precipitation per year not too humid, with the main part falling in the summer half-year. In summer it is hot and humid, in winter it is often pleasantly warm and sunny, but cold spells with frost do occur.
getting there
Public transport does not serve the park, but it is easy to get to by car.
Of Salta from you take the RN 34 bis Lumbreras (approx. 100 km), then turn off via the RP 5 and RP 20 to the park entrance, 80 km from Lumbreras. The visitor center is 11 km into the park and the campsites are also located there.
Fees / permits
Entry to the park is free.
mobility
There are several driveways and footpaths.
Tourist Attractions
There are no special sights in the park - nature is the protagonist here.
activities
From the visitor center there are several paths and paths that can be hiked and partly accessed by bike, some can also be tackled by car. The path to the bird-rich stand out Laguna Los Patitos (1 hour), to the Río Popayán with another campsite (10 km, possible by car), Pozo Verde (12 km, with forest nature trail), Cascada Los Lobitos (4 km, possible by car) and Chorro de los Loros (higher degree of difficulty, only on foot, 10 km).
shop
kitchen
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
There are no towns with hotels near the park. Las Lajitas The nearest town is already 90 km to the east.
camping
There is a free campsite at the visitor center. It is comparatively well equipped, has drinking water and sanitary facilities as well as a fireplace.
