A destination to disconnect and reconnect with nature, a curious pyramid and the art of Creole looms

Everyday life and the modern world They made us slaves of technology, social networks and dependence on cell phones. However, in such a fast-paced world, in which instantaneousness prevails, there are some places that invite you to disconnect from all that.

One of those places is Villa Uniona city of no more than 6,000 inhabitants located in the province of La Rioja, and which functions as the head of the General Department Felipe Varela.

It is 270 km from La Rioja capital and offers peace of mind about which little is usually said when the tourist attractions of Argentina are mentioned.

The inhabitants of the city told Clarín that in Villa Unión there are almost no thefts or insecurityso they often sleep with the doors unlocked, and motorcycles or cars can even be left with the key in the ignition without anyone touching them.

This place stands out for its proximity to the most prominent tourist attractions in the province.

With 213,000 hectares, this park located 50 km from Villa Unión is known as “The Grand Canyon of the Argentine Colorado” for the similarities between its red walls and those of the famous American canyon. Standing next to such geological formations that are more than 250 million years old, one feels small and insignificant in the history of the Earth.

A must-see in the park is the night visit of the Talampaya Canyon. This tour can only be done when there is a full moon, and it allows you to see how little by little the reddish walls are illuminated.

Being in an arid area whose fauna includes pumas, vicuñas, red foxes and reptiles, among others, Talampaya at night allows absolute silence and a view of the stars that seems like something out of a movie..

Just close your eyes and take a second to appreciate that absolute silence under the starry night, while the moon acts as the only light among so much darkness, to feel that the trip is completely worth it.

In the department of Vinchina you can tour the Route of the Three Lagoonsan excursion that allows you to discover natural salt flats, see wild animals and be in the presence of places that seem taken from another planet, worthy of Christopher Nolan’s film, Interestellar.

To reach these tourist spots it is mandatory do it with a guide, in a 4×4 truck. If you want to do it with a personal vehicle, the presence of a guide is also mandatory, as is having two spare wheels just in case, since the road is ascending, made of gravel and stones, and there is no cell phone signal.

The Three Lagoons circuit is a journey that culminates with Laguna Bravalocated 4,500 meters above sea level. It is for this reason that, As one increases in altitude, the temperature decreases, going from 30°C in the city to around 2°C. It is important wear a coat because, even though the route begins with dry heat, temperatures decrease drastically to the single digits.

Another precaution to take is that you also there is a risk of stabbingso it is important carry coca leaves to prevent the lack of oxygen at high altitudes from causing dizziness. In that sense, it is also recommended not to make sudden movements and take care of the air to keep the greatest amount of oxygen in the body.

The first stop on the Route of the Three Lagoons is in the Salar El Leoncitoa place where you can witness a dry lagoon that became a natural salt flat. By law, it is prohibited to exploit that point, but lithium exploration is carried out.

The next stop is Veladero Lagoona body of saline water that allows you to see flamingos of different species. Since there are no predators, these animals arrive in the area between October and November and stay until April.

Due to the salinity that reaches 75%There are no fish in the lagoon and it is recommended not to touch the water because the flamingos feed on the microorganisms in it.

The third and last stop is Laguna Brava. With 22 km of extension, crystal clear water and surrounded by volcanoes with peaks of more than 6,000 meters, this natural beauty is home to the remains of an airplane fuselage which fell in 1964. In summer, there are excursions to visit the lagoon and see part of the aircraft up close.

Furthermore, on the way back, you can see a surprising natural pyramid which was produced by wind, erosion and rain in one of the rock formations.

In Guandacolthe town next to Villa Unión, there is a group of eight women between 50 and 70 years old who are dedicated to working with fabric in Criollo planted stick loom.

As they told Clarín, The Teleras de Unay group was formed in 2010 and they themselves are in charge of the entire process, from shearing the sheep, cleaning the wool, spinning, dyeing and only then starting to weave on that large and heavy loom.

“It is more difficult for the new generations to have a little patience to do this work. They are anxious“, commented Agustina, one of the eight women of Teleras de Unay, about the passing of her trade to the following generations.

Natural wonders, snow, aridity, heat, tranquility. All that and more in Riojaa province that attracts more and more tourists. It has what.

One of the main hotels to stay in Villa Unión is Cuesta de Miranda 1which has a large pool, breakfast included and parking. The double room rate is between $64,880 and $81,850.

• At the entrance to Villa Unión you will find Route 40 Grilla restaurant where, in addition to meat, you can eat regional dishes such as Rioja empanadas, tamales and sweet cayote with cheese.

• In front of the main square of the city, 1833 Bistro is a more gourmet restaurant that features a empty to torronteswith sweet potato toffee and grilled carrots that explodes with flavor.

• To eat an exquisite lentil stew, the restaurant is recommended “Base Camp”.

• To witness a live show with tango and folklore singers, you have to go to “Rioja flavors”.

• The Talampaya National Park can only be visited by hiring some type of excursion, from a bus tour with stops, to walks or bicycle circuits. The cost of the excursions varies a lot: for adults it ranges between $44.000 a $64.200

• Entrance to Talampaya National Park: $7,000 per day, per person. Students, $5,000. Children up to 5 years old and retirees, free
• Night walk in Talampaya only on a full moon: $75,000.
• Talampaya Canyon: $45,500. You can see the petroglyphs, the botanical garden, the Gothic cathedral and the star of the park, the Monk.
• Talampaya Canyon + Shimpa Canyon: $58,700. A 4×4 ride and a tour of the dry riverbed are added.
• Talampaya Canyon + Los Balcones Trekking: $66,500. It is a one-hour walk, of low difficulty, to admire the Talampaya Canyon from above.
• Outside the park, the 3 Lagoons circuit costs $110,000. It is a full-day excursion that is done in 4×4 trucks and with specialized guides.