Valley of the Moon in Argentina: tickets, hours and route

In the Argentine province of San Juan, there is a place that looks like the surface of Mars. Locals call it the Valley of the Moon, and the official signs read Parque Provincial Ischigualasto.

The park lies 80 km from the small town of San Agustín del Valle Fértil, at an altitude of about 1,300 m. Rain is rare here. People come to see the red and gray rock formations, Triassic fossils, and complete silence.

What to expect: one loop route with stops and a museum with local finds. You move through the area only as part of a caravan, and the tour is led by a park guide.

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Description of the Valley of the Moon

💡 In short:

• The route takes about three hours.
• Tickets and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official park website.

The Valley of the Moon is covered with boulders, blocks, and mounds of all kinds of shapes. Red shale gives the rocks crimson and lilac hues, and the color changes depending on the angle of the sun.

On the walls of the monoliths you can see parts of fossilized mollusks and imprints of ancient plants. The age of the rocks is estimated at about 230 million years: this result came from potassium-argon dating. This was once a river valley full of life.

The park museum (Museo de Sitio Dr. William Sill) displays bones of reptiles that lived before the dinosaurs and models of more than 50 species of ancient animals. Some of the figures are made life-size.

© user:idobi · CC BY-SAPhoto: user:idobi, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Excavations in Ischigualasto

Paleontologists from around the world continue to work in the park, and there are indeed many finds here. Among them are ancient reptiles and early dinosaurs.

In 1959, a 4.5 m long Herrerasaurus skeleton was discovered here. In 2010, a team of paleontologists led by Ricardo Martínez from the University of San Juan and Paul Sereno from the University of Chicago published a paper on the differences between the ancestors of carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs. The conclusions were based on excavations in this very area.

Where Ischigualasto Park is located

The park occupies the north of San Juan province and lies in the arid Monte Desert. There are areas here where rain has not fallen for years.

At the same time, several rivers and streams flow through the reserve. Because of this, the Argentine fox, llama, puma, and Patagonian hare live here. Among the birds you will encounter the condor, vulture, and many songbirds.

The vegetation is desert-like: low-growing trees, thorny shrubs, and large cacti. Many of the local plants are actively used in medicine.

Attractions of the Valley of the Moon

All the main views open up from the five stops on the route. The first well-known stop is called Valle Pintado, or the Painted Valley. These are hills of multicolored rock: the shades change depending on the angle of the sun's rays and the clouds. There is nothing living here, only stones and wind.

Next, the caravan arrives at Cancha de Bochas, the "field of bowling balls." Its surface is strewn with large smooth stones of spherical shape. The origin of these balls is still debated. Some scientists consider them volcanic and polished by weather, while others believe that grains of sand accumulated rock around them and gradually worked their way to the surface.

© CecyZerda · CC BY-SAPhoto: CecyZerda, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The park of stone figures is no less intriguing. The most famous figures are La Esfinge, El Submarino, and El Hongo. Huge blocks were shaped by sun, wind, and water for millions of years until they turned into whimsical sculptures.

In the evening, when the sun sets, the valley fills with many shadows of different shapes. Against the backdrop of constantly changing colors, this gives the park a special mood. Local guides like to repeat that the landscape here is so similar to Mars that NASA tested its rover in the valley. There is no official confirmation of this story, but many feature films and popular science documentaries have indeed been filmed here.

At night, tourists are not allowed into the park. However, during the full moon, a separate night route is offered, which you will read about below.

An indigenous legend is connected with the stones: the stone giants served as landmarks for the flights of astral spirits of ancient shamans. The fact that indigenous tribes inhabited these places is proven by found fragments of rock paintings. The name of the park is also indigenous: in the language of the Diaguita tribe, "Ischigualasto" means "the place where the moon rests."

Tickets, opening hours, and tours

The park is only accessible as part of a caravan with a guide. You travel along a 40 km loop, and you are allowed to get out of the car at five stops. Admission for foreign visitors costs 55,000 Argentine pesos, for citizens of Argentina 38,000 (as of: 09/2026, park rates for 2026).

Opening hours depend on the season. From September 21 to March 20, the park is open from 8:00 to 17:00; from March 21 to September 20, from 9:00 to 16:00 (as of: 09/2026, schedule on the park website). In hot weather, daytime departures are suspended, so plan to set out before 11:00. The park is closed on December 25 and January 1.

The ticket already includes a guide (as of: 09/2026, San Juan tourism office rates). No advance booking is needed: groups are formed on a first-come, first-served basis, and departures run every hour. The catch: in summer the sun is very harsh, so it is better to arrive early for the morning departures.

In addition to the main loop, there are separate routes: trekking to Río Salado, a climb to Cerro Morado, a cycling tour, and a night excursion during the full moon. The night route lasts 2.5 hours, costs 40,000 pesos, and requires booking at least two days in advance (as of: 09/2026, description of night routes).

Inside the park there is a museum, a café, and a paid camping area. There are no shops or grocery stores here, so you bring your own water and food.

The easiest way to get there is through a ready-made tour from San Juan: see excursions to the Valley of the Moon.

Before you set out, check the forecast and availability for the night excursion. If you are traveling on your own, leave Valle Fértil with extra time: the road is unpaved.

Valley of the Moon on the map

Below is a map of the park. For navigation, use the name Parque Provincial Ischigualasto, and set the entry point before the turn onto the caravan loop road.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to enter the Valley of the Moon?

For foreign visitors, the ticket costs 55,000 Argentine pesos; for citizens of Argentina, 38,000; for residents of San Juan, 9,000. Children under six enter free. The price includes a guide along the route (as of: 09/2026, prices according to the tourism office).

Can I come to the park in my own car?

Yes, but you will travel as part of a shared caravan. The 40 km loop takes three hours with five stops. Your car must be in good condition, because part of the road is unpaved and rocky.

When is the best time to go to Ischigualasto?

The most comfortable months are autumn and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. In summer, departures are suspended at midday due to the heat, so take a morning slot. In winter, the entrance is open from 9:00 to 16:00 (as of: 09/2026, park operating hours).

What should I see first in the valley?

The main points are Valle Pintado, Cancha de Bochas, and the stone figures La Esfinge, El Submarino, and El Hongo. All of them are part of the standard loop, so you won't have to choose between them.

Can I enter the park at night?

Regular evening and night visits are prohibited. The only exception is the full moon route. It lasts 2.5 hours, costs 40,000 pesos, and requires booking at least two days in advance (as of: 09/2026, description of night routes).

In short: what to book

Ischigualasto can be seen in half a day, but it is better to plan the trip in advance. Take a morning departure before the sun gets high, and bring water, a hat, and sunscreen with you.

• If you have one free day, the standard loop will be enough.
• If you want stars and silence, add the full moon night route.
• If you are traveling with children, book the first morning group and bring more water.

Excursions from San Juan with transfer and guide are available on GetYourGuide.