Calilegua National Park
Calilegua National Park was created in 1979 to preserve a representative area of the “Oranense Forest”, also known as the “Yungas”. This forest is the most biologically diverse environment of Argentina along with the Misiones rainforest. The Park offers many excursions attracting nature lovers who comes to the area for trekking, hiking, birdwatching and horse riding.
Calilegua got its name from the surounding mountains, which also took the name from a wellknown aboriginal chief who inhabited the area in the old times.
Calilegua is the largest national park in Northern Argentina and it represents the sub tropical jungles of the Yungas ecozone. The parke features numerous endemic birds and plants as well as tapirs, jaguars, giselles and foxes.
Flora and fauna
It is possible to see certain species of birds and mammals in particular, which makes this site an ideal place to observe wildlife, especially birds, about 270 species were identified and its estimated that 230 more could inhabit the area, which makes Calilegua the home of 50% of all bird species in the country and a paradise for birdwatching. Regarding mammals, it should be noted the presence of the largest predator of America, the jaguar, also known as “Tiger” along with other cats like the jaguarundi, ocelot, puma and cat of grasslands inhabit these forests. The tapir or “anta” is the largest of all mammals in the Yungas and you could see their footprints in the mud of the riverbanks and lakes.
The jungles of Calilegua has a subtropical climate with the dry season between April to November. The rainy season falls in summer (December-March).
From San Martin Libertador either by taxi or with a bus once a day. There is a bus going to San Martin Libertador from Jujuy Capital.
Native Guarani indians run guided tours through the land with explanations about their culture.