Baritú National Park Voyage Tips and guide

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Baritú National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Baritú) is a protected natural area in Salta Province in the northwestern corner of Argentina. The park protects the eastern foothills of the Andes mountains and is a transitional zone with highland mountain forests, sheer cliffs and fast elevation drops leading to hot, humid tropical forests. The ecosystem is referred to as the Southern Andean Yungas.

The park was created as part of the Argentina national parks system in 1974. The park covers an area of about 720 km².

This is rugged Backcountry with steep hillslopes covered in tropical creepers and waterfalls. Rivers and fast-moving streams cascade down the mountain slopes with frequent waterfalls. Mountain heights range from 1,500–2,500 m (4,900–8,200 ft).

Endangered species in Baritú include the white-lipped peccary and the lowland tapir. Rapid deforestation has threatened the habitat of many native animals in this region.

Mammals include the jaguar, puma, as well as smaller wildcat species, such as the margay and the jaguarundi. The park is also home to a species of deer called the red brocket, the white lipped peccary, collared peccary, and the tapir. Foxes inhabit the lowland forests.

The park is home to more than 100 species of bird plus additional season migrants. Most famous is the Andean condor. Other frequently sighted birds include the forest falcon, blue-capped puffleg, Andean slaty thrush and various warblers and pigeons. Endemic birds include the red-faced guan, Tucuman amazon and rufous-throated dipper.

A number of reptiles and amphibians can be found in the park including endemic species unlikely to be spotted elsewhere, such as the Andean milk snake and the venomous Andean Forest-Pitviper, also known as the Dusky Lancehead.

Conditions vary by elevation. Mountain ridges are cooler while the lower tropical forests are hot and humid with frequent rains.

The park is in a remote, mountainous area with dense forests. Access is challenging. The only vehicle access point is in Bolivia, off Ruta Nacional 1. In the dry season, it is possible to ford the river to the Park Administration office if you have a 4WD truck with a breather that can cross the Rio Lipeo and deal with roads that are essentially just a miles-long continuous muddy pothole.

4WD truck or hike.

• El Rey National Park
• San Antonio de los Cobres
• San Lorenzo