Parque Nacional Quebrada del Condorito
VISITOR INFORMATION
The Park was created in November 28th 1996, by law number 24749 with the general objective of natural and cultural diversity conservation, providing sustainable development of activities to each zone of conservation area. The National Park among the Hydric Reserves of Achala Province, are noted for their value as protectors of the headwaters of river basins which supply more than 60% of the population of Cordoba.
Is located in the west of the province of Córdoba, in the departments of Punilla , Santa María and San Alberto, including a portion of the Pampa de Achala -between 1.900 and 2.300 meters high- and neighbors brook over the central cord of the Sierras Grandes of Córdoba.
It belongs to dry Chaco eco-region, in the Chaco sierra district. This eco-region it’s made of a vast plain gently sloping to the east.
The dominant vegetation is tall pastures with isolated tabaquillo groves, similar to the characteristic Argentinean Northwest. For its quality of "biogeographic island," one of the most remarkable features of the area is the presence of an appreciable number of endemic species and subspecies of the high peaks of these mountains. For example, fauna has two amphibians – two kinds of toads – and two reptiles Achala own –a green lizard and a listed snake-. The red fox presents a typical breed of these mountains. Among the birds we have recognized several exclusive breeds from this place.
The Quebrada del Condorito, which gives its name to the protected area, it’s a deep ravine in V shape of 800 meters high and 1500 meters in its widest part; from upper edges is feasible to observe almost at the same level the smooth glide of Andean condors. This specie, typical from the Cordillera, has here a population that in the last decades showed its decline for the killing that was subjected by farmers.
NORTHERN AREA ACCESS Northeast Area Access to Quebrada del Condorito National Park
The entrance to the National Park Northeast Area is made up at “Paraje La Pampilla" (between 60 and 59 kilometers) above the Altas Cumbres Road and from there you can reach to Quebrada del Condorito.
To enter the National Park, going from Córdoba to Mina Clavero, you should make a left turn. La Pampilla area does not have overtaking visibility – and also the route has overtaking ban billboards in this sector. For this reason, you must continue about 200 meters, to where the route has a straight, there carefully turn and retake to La Pampilla From La Pampilla an internal vehicular road, of gravel, will take you to the parking lot in front of the Visitor Center. We request that there you register and also may receive information and recommendations to enjoy your visit to the National Park
On the route circulate regular bus lines, from “COATA” and “Ciudad de Córdoba” companies. Buses can be taken in the cities of Cordoba, Villa Carlos Paz and Mina Clavero
DISTANCES TO "LA PAMPILLA" FROM
BUSES
- Companies that come to Paraje La Pampilla-
Córdoba Bus Station: 90 KM
CIUDAD DE CORDOBA 0351-4282811 0351-4282812 0351-4240048 Mina Clavero Bus Station: 65 KM
ACCES TO CENTRAL SOUTH WEST AREA Access to central area of Quebrada del Condorito National Park
The entrance to central area of national park, from Córdoba to Mina Clavero, is located on Altas Cumbres Route and must turn left, at the area known as DOS PUERTAS (kilometer 47)
From there, you enter Camino N° 2 which is also leading to Ceferino Namuncurá Hostel School (at 38 kilometers from Altas Cumbres route). It goes through the West National Park area and is a road not suitable for low clearance vehicles especially after Km 15, because you have to go through at least fords
Paso de las Piedras ford is located at 8 km from Altas Cumbres Route and is a place suitable for daytime picnic and practice Salmon sport fishing under National Parks Regulations. This sector is disabled for camping. Care must be taken with the flooding of the streams on rainy days which increases their wealth in a very abrupt way in this area.
ACCESS CHARGE NO INCOME CLAIMS OR OTHER RIGHT in the park
It is expected that when the works are completed visitor attention begins to collect the right of entry as is done in the rest of the National Park System
PARKING Where can park vehicles to enter the northeast area of Quebrada del Condorito National Park?
There is a parking enabled by the access road to the national park and only 2 km from the Altas Cumbres Route, (in front of the Visitor Center)
It has no overhead protection for vehicles and their size and arrangement, is not conditioned for large vehicles to maneuver. (buses and trucks: maximum length 8 meters)
For road safety reasons DO NOT leave your vehicle in the area where the access gate to the National Park is (closed curve on Altas Cumbres Route).
OPENING TIME What schedule is more prudent to enter the northeast area and visit the northern Balcony sector of Quebrada del Condorito?
Even if there is no set schedule to enter the area, you should come to “La Pampilla” place before 10:00 am in order to have enough time for a comfortable visit and to have sunlight on your way back. The Visitor Center is open EVERY DAY, Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 4 pm, SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM
We recommend to note that the duration of time walking back and forth is: - Northern Balcony: 4 hs. (are 6km from Visitor Center to the balcony)
- Los Condoritos River: 6 hs. (from Northern Balcony to the river are 1200 meters downhill) - Southern Balcony: 8 hs. (1300 meters from Los Condoritos River to Southern Balcony, uphill)
RECOMMENDATIONS
BY THE DAY The essential elements for visiting northeast park area BY DAY are Minimum elements:
Comfortable clothes
Warm clothes (the temperature reaches -20 ° C minimum in winter and -1 ° C minimum in summer) Suitable shoes for trekking, with good traction
Sunscreen Hat
Small backpack (not recommended carry bags, to leave your hands free) Lightweight rain coat
Light lunch, water bottle Flashlight
CAMPING RECOMENDATIONS Is MANDATORY to bring Heater (remember it is not allowed to fire
)
Minimum elements for 48 hours camping: PLEASE NOTE THAT ARE WILD CAMPING AREAS Comfortable clothes and a change of
Warm clothes (In Winter and summer) Suitable shoes for trekking with good traction Sunscreen
Hat - backpack
Gardener shovel, to bury feces (cat hole technique). Rain Coat
Good quality tent to withstand strong winds and storms Quick cooking
Flashlight
Good quality sleeping bag (reaches -20 º C in winter and -1 ° C summer season) Heater.
CAMPING AREAS
If camping, in the Visitor Center will be drawn a camp registration form, for statistical purposes and visitors safety reasons.
Enable camping areas: Northeast sector:
La Cañada (near station n° 3)
Pampa Pajosa (near station n° 10 and Northern balcony) South-Central sector:
In the vicinity of sectionals: Ensenadas, Trinidad, San Miguel, Condorito and Rodolfo Giménez post.
Remember in high risk index fire season, Pampa Pajosa and Rodolfo Gimenez areas, remain closed. For any other inquiries or emergencies, in Northeast area go to the Visitor Center or Achala Operations Center (in the vicinity of Station No. 3) where the park staff lives; in case you are in Central area, please contact Trinidad Operations Centre
.
RESTRICTIONS For safety and/or conservation reasons, some activities are restricted
It is not allowed To set fire
Camping in not enable places Leave residues
To enter with pets Making tents ditches
Wash dishes or personal toilet in watercourses
Remove any species of plants, animals and other elements of the area
Fishing without permission
Climbing related activities
Conduct overflights in the jurisdiction of the National Park ( C10 F.A.A. Norm)
Perform La Cuesta de Argel path without hiring providers authorized by Quebrada del Condorito National Park. Conduct tours, provide services, or commercial activities within the park without proper qualification or
authorization
WATER ¿ Is water on camping sites?
There is water courses in all camping sites, is advised not to use water from low flow streambeds or standing water It is recommended to treat drinking water with purification tablets or boiling it.
WEATHER Information about the weather in the National Park region
To know about Pampa de Achala weather, you may access the following website: http://www.infoclima.com/pronosticos/argentina/cordoba/?l=964#.ULzuLuQsBmk
ACTIVITIES In the park you can do the following activities
Hiking, biking and walking, along the paths demarcated.
Birth watching. Flora observation.
Sport Fishing: season only, meeting the regulations of the National Parks Administration and with the appropriate permission in established sectors. ASK FOR PERMITS
PATH TO LA QUEBRADA DEL CONDORITO Departure: from the National Park Visitor Center, in the Northeast Area
The trail is divided into 10 stations, the first in the gateway to the National Park, the second in the Visitor Center and so until access the station number 10. These stations are separated by a walking time of 15 minutes from each other. On the way up you will find the signs in refractory white color with the silhouette of a condor, and back are orange, data to take into account during very cloudy days. The Balcony area is a cliff area. keep children watched.
BICYCLE PATHS To visit the Park in your bike, fist register at Achala Visitors Center.
You can enter in a bike from access to the North Balcony (Station No. 10), as long as there is no rain or mud on the road, this is because the need to preserve the paths due to the fragility of the soil throughout the region and for their safety
.
The path to the Quebrada del Condorito presents characteristics of "technical" driving, with locked ups and downs making difficult a smooth flow. We recommend the use of helmets and bicycle front suspension. Accessing from Dos Puertas (west area of the park), you can go to San Miguel and Condorito Sectionals for consolidated roads Condorito by making a more pleasant ride and good attractive practice of Mountain Bike (uphill, downhill, crossing streams). From Condorito sectional to Rodolfo Gimenez Refuge has a high degree of difficulty, as the path is NOT checked and maintained.
Competitions, declines, drifting, etc. are not permitted, because produces unnecessary path erosion or inconvenience to walkers. On rainy or muddy days, we only allowed admission to the Achala Operational Center (see page 2 sketch) where you can leave the bike and walk to the Quebrada del Condorito.
NOTE: The park does not have a bike rental service.
PERFORMING TRAILS Options to discover our heritage.
“Un encuentro con los cóndores” located on the main road to Northern Balcony, which include the characteristics and particularities of the region, birds, especially the Andean Condor ubicado en la senda principal hacia el Balcón Norte, en el que se cuentan las características y particularidades de las aves de la región, y especialmente del Cóndor Andino.
“Secretos bajo nuestros pies”With couplets, we narrate the soil role and erosion and water retention process, in the area located in front of the Visitor Center.
Piedra libre al Zorro: An opportunity to know a very common practice in the area, until last century. Begins from the main trail and you can go in approximately 40 minutes.
Baño de las ovejas: unlike the other trails, this is located in the west-central area of the National Park and allows the visitor to know a cultural resource of great significance for the history of the area, as it is the old bath Sheep of the former Estancia La Trinidad. It has a total length of 300 meters of low difficulty, lasting approximately 30 minutes.
GUIDES Guide visits to the National Park (optionals)
Even though is not required hiring a guide for visiting the National Park, you can hire the services of a enable one, for a better visit.. You can choose for different categories: tour guide, guide site, specializing in trekking guide and / or specializing in fishing guide. If interested, you can contact a qualified professional to appear in a listing is available. In that case, ask for the list on the Intendancy of the park.
Enables Guides
To perform tasks as Tour Operator or Tour Guide in the jurisdiction of the National Park Administration, you should get the corresponding authorizations at the Intendancy of Quebrada del Condorito National Park.
EDUCATIONAL VISIT Educational facilities, scouts, organizations, institutions, interest groups (gyms, businesses, clubs, etc.).
If you wish to come with a group (Schools, friends, work colleges, etc) ASK FOR REQUERIMENTS via e-mail to: quebradadelcondorito@apn.gov.ar.
TOURS Alternatives to know the park from other way
Trekking:You can make trekking trips of different lengths and difficulty, for the extensive use areas of the park, joined by qualified providers only. Order list to the Intendancy.
Terrestrial Tours West and Central areas of the National Park with "El Oso eco-aventuras" 03541-429244/15636458 eloso@elosoviajes.com.ar . Visit Sectionals, historic roads and Biological Station.
VAN Service to Quebrada del Condorito National
Park Alternatives to Access the area
If you wish to come with a group (Schools, friends, work colleges, etc), you can hire an authorized Vans Service. Ask for the Authorized Van List at the Intendancy , by quebradadelcondorito@apn.gov.ar.
WATCHING
CONDORES and other birds ¿Is common watching Condors in the Quebrada del Condorito
?
In the walls of Quebrada del Condorito are the colonies of condors. Usually the condor leaves the colony by morning in search of food, and can reach more than 50 km at its normal route back in the afternoon
It is difficult to specify a schedule for observation or ensure the possibility of watching, because there are many factors that influence it, such as temperature, wind and weather, etc
For all this, although you can ensure condor watching in Quebrada del Condorito, there are also possibilities to observe in other sectors, such as in Altas Cumbres Route, Quebrada del Río de los Sauces, Quebrada del Batan , among others.
Other birds fly over the landscape as the blackberry Eagle, common harrier, Jote, Real Carpenter; Catita Serrana, Silver Peak, Loica, etc.
CONDORITO RIVER CROSSING
To go from Northern area to South balcony.
It should be noted that for crossing the river must descend 500 vertical meters for a rough path (about 40 minutes walk) and, after crossing a gateway or bridge, back up for a similar slope, at least another 40 minutes.
Estimated Time of walk: about 4 hours round trip: from the beginning of path in station 10, in Northern Balcony area to Southern Balcony (see diagram on page 2).
Due to the high degree of difficulty and physical effort required, it is recommended to take precautions for this activity, considering personally, skills and / or particular abilities that each one posses. Furthermore, this Intendancy suggests hiring enabled Trekking Guides for safety, to have a better visit and enjoying the area.
INFRASTRUCTURE The infrastructure that now owns the northeast area of the park and construction projects
Until today it has been completed the construction and marking of trails and viewpoints, staff housing at Achala Operating Center (COA), an Information Center and a group of toilets in the vicinity of Station No. 2, and Stables building and maintenance workshop for the area.
The works planned to be implemented are: the construction of a vehicular access BRIDGE on the Altas Cumbres Route, in the area of “La Pampilla" by Provincial Highway Administration, and private investment works to provide services to the visitors (Dining and two mountain refuges).
Until the works is done, the park does not have services for suppliers or food or lodging in the North East
area.
ACCOMMODATION. In the area near the park
There are several options in the neighboring towns as Icho Cruz, Villa Carlos Paz and Mina Clavero. For more information, please contact:
Tourism Secretary 0810-888-2729 Villa Carlos Paz turismo@villacarlospaz.gov.ar Tourism Secretary 03544-470171 Mina Clavero informes@minaclavero.gov.ar
DRAFT OF GUMPS
RE-INTRODUCTION Large Herbivores in the National Park
Under the Pilot Project of Gumps Reintroduction, on March 27, 2007, was held in the national park, the first release of a wild gumps group. They were brought from the Río Negro Province and released after successfully completing the necessary health controls (quarantine period). In 2012, the group is reinforced with 25 more gumps.
This large-sized herbivore, lived in historic times in the area where today is located the Condorito National Park and was absent for more than 100 years.
The reintroduced population of guanacos, today occupies the central area - intangible zone- of Condorito National Park, and the monitoring of their movements, is done through radio-telemetry.
In Argentina there are no precedents in guanaco resets or other large herbivores within a protected area. The information generated by this unprecedented driving experience will serve as a basis for future development and planning stages or new projects.
For this reason, we request you to immediately notify Rangers or Intendancy about any sighting of these animals within or outside the area, to improve our monitoring and conservation work.
COUGAR PROJECT Our Sierras Grandes house the largest feline of Cordoba
Since year 2004, within the national park are made tracking of cougar populations, under the Cougar project. To do this, we study the diet, take traces and we count with camera traps at various sites, with which we can photograph and get information about their hours of greatest activity.
Recently, it acquired a GPS telemetry tracking equipment, with which we can know where, how and how much cougars move in these mountains. To use these equipment will be place radio collars, which send signals and allow knowing the cougar walking areas.
A long term goal is to know everything about Cougar life in the Sierras Grandes to conduct a management plan to improve the coexistence between the cougar and the residents of Pampa de Achala.
DANGEROUS ANIMALS
Are there any dangerous animals in the area?
Since the region is Cougar habitat, please follow these guidelines: Do not walk alone
Do not allow children to stay away from your side Do not bring pets
IN CASE OF ENCOUNTER WITH A COUGAR Stay calm, do not run
Take immediately small children in your arms, (their size and behavior make them vulnerable).
Try to look bigger than you really are. Raise your arms. Do not bend. Move away slowly without giving back to the animal.
If the cougar is coming at you, move your arms and hands, shout, and throw stones.
Furthermore, in the area is often present Yarará Ñata, although not an aggressive species (if it is not annoying), take the necessary precautions when walking through pastures, stone cairns, etc.. and look great when you move a stone or trunk.
PLEASE REPORT TO THE NATIONAL PARK PERSONAL ABOUT OBSERVATIONS OR ENCOUNTERS
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
The nearly 40 000 hectares of the park, belong to the domain and jurisdiction of the National Parks Administration, who is on his management, through the Administration, based in Villa Carlos Paz (address at bottom of page).
TRAINING FOR CONSERVATION AGENTS (Ranger Career)
The National Parks Administration provides training for rangers and other conservation agents in the Education and Training Center located in Embalse, Argentina:
