The observatories
Night-sky viewing.
El Leoncito National Park was created on 18 September 2002 over 89,706 hectares of the western slopes of the Sierra del Tontal in San Juan province, protecting Puna and Andean steppe scenery and historic and fossil sites, including a stretch of the Inca road network. The air is dry, clean and far from pollution, giving clear skies on more than 300 days a year. That is why the park holds two international observatories, CASLEO and the Carlos U. Cesco Observatory, which offer day and night visits to watch the sky through telescopes. Beside the park lies a vast dry plain, the Pampa del Leoncito, where wind-driven land yachts race. Park entry is free. Night visits to the observatories must be booked ahead, sometimes months in advance, and are not held at full moon. Nights are very cold, even in summer.
Night-sky viewing.
Land yachts.
A preserved stretch.
Calingasta department, about 34 km from Barreal, San Juan
Yes, by advance booking, sometimes months ahead; visits are not held at full moon.