EL REY NATIONAL PARK

ACTIVITIES
The Park has eight walking paths, all showing different degrees of difficulty, distance and duration, all of which makes it very convenient for the observation of animals in general and for bird watching in particular. This paths are also excellent to behold spectacular jungle and sierra landscapes as well as clear water rivers. Journeys can be made on horseback, or on foot; there are vehicles for the lazy ones.
There are two areas for camping, one in the sector of Popayán River and the other near the Park administrative center. Several paths and roads will take yo to different places, allowing you to explore different places on foot, on horseback or on a vehicle:

The Sendero de la Chuña Path: This is a shortcut, splendid for walks, that goes from the area of the Park authorities to the first ford on the road to Pozo Verde, that is the starting point to the Los Ocultos Path.

The Sendero Los Ocultos Path: Pedestrian Interpretation path. 1.5 kms long, that goes through the transition forest starting 3 kms away from the Park administrative center, on the road to Pozo Verde.

The Sendero Chorro de los Loros (Parrot) Path: Ten kms long pedestrian path crossing the transition jungle.

The Cerro Chañar Mountain: This slope is an extension to the road to Pozo Verde. This is a deeply inclined path, covering about a 4 kms distance, through a forest of myrtle trees and mountain pines up to the sierra grasslands.

The Sendero vehicular a Laguna de los Patitos Vehicle Road: Located over the accessing road to the Park, 1,5 kms before reaching the Park authorities, ideal for bird watching.

The Sendero vehicular al Río Popayán Vehicle Road: It starts close to the park authorities and is accessed through a gravel road, where not all vehicles can travel (too many fords), touring around the Chaco forest.

The Sendero vehicular a Pozo Verde Vehicle Road: A 12 kms long road. The first 3 kms are over rough terrain apt for several trucks. The 9 other kms are a vehicle road that can be used only in a restricted way and in winter. It includes the Interpretation Path of Los Ocultos (the Hidden).

The Campo Santa Elena Camp and the Cascada Los Lobitos Waterfall: It is situated some 4 kms from the Park authorities, across a packed gravel road, surveying an area between the Sierra Chaco and the transition jungle (still recovering after eradicating the cattle from it.)

HOW TO GET THERE
In car, from the City of Salta, taking Ruta Nacional No 9 National Route. There is a distance of 100 kms to Lumbreras; from the city of Metán to Lumbreras there are 35 kms; from the city of General Güemes to Lumbreras there are 75 kms. From there crossing the Ruta Provincial No 5 Provincial Route it is 45 kms to reach Paso de la Cruz, from where the gravel road Ruta Provincial No 20 is taken and from there 45 more kms to the entrance of the Parque Nacional el Rey National Park. In summer and early autumn the rains deteriorates the access roads making it almost impossible to reach the Park.

WHEN TO GO
It is open all year round. But the best seasons are winter and early spring (from May to October as we are on the southern hemisphere). Interesting features of the Park are the Pozo Verde, Popayán, and the Cascada Santa Elena Waterfall.