Dinosaur Footprints at Cal Orck'o
Chuquisaca
Cal Orck'o is a remarkable fossil site located near Sucre in Bolivia, featuring an extensive vertical limestone wall that preserves more than 12,000 dinosaur footprints. These tracks date back to the Late Cretaceous period, roughly 68 million years ago, within the El Molino Formation. The site provides a unique glimpse into an ancient lacustrine environment where various dinosaur species, including theropods, ornithopods, ankylosaurs, and sauropods, once roamed. The limestone wall, nearly 300 feet high, was originally a flat lake shoreline that was tilted by tectonic activity over millions of years. The diversity of footprints and trackways offers valuable evidence of dinosaur behavior, including possible social movement among juvenile ankylosaurs. Cal Orck'o is protected as a National Monument and features a dedicated museum, Parque Cretácico, which offers guided tours and educational exhibits for visitors. Despite some damage from a partial collapse, the site remains a crucial paleontological and tourist attraction showcasing prehistoric life in South America.
Plan your trip to Bolivia with AI
Create a detailed itinerary in minutes. AI suggests the best places, restaurants, and an optimized route.
Tip: Visitors are advised to visit Parque Cretácico museum for guided tours that provide close views of the footprints and detailed explanations. The best time to visit is during the dry season to avoid weather interruptions. Tickets can be purchased onsite, and group discounts may be available. Early arrival is recommended to avoid crowds and to fully enjoy the educational exhibits and viewing platforms.
Interesting facts
- •Cal Orck'o contains over 12,000 dinosaur footprints across 465 trackways, the largest such site globally.
- •The limestone wall is nearly vertical due to tectonic tilting over millions of years.
- •Nine distinct dinosaur track morphotypes have been identified, including theropods, ornithopods, ankylosaurs, and sauropods.
- •Parallel trackways of juvenile ankylosaurs suggest evidence of social behavior among dinosaurs.
- •The site was discovered during limestone quarrying in 1994 and declared a National Monument in 1998.
History
Cal Orck'o was discovered in 1994 during limestone quarrying activities by FANCESA.
The site is part of the El Molino Formation dating to the Middle Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous, approximately 68 million years ago.
Over the years, tectonic forces tilted the originally horizontal lakebed to a near-vertical position, exposing the fossilized footprints on a 300-foot-high wall.
Recognized for its paleontological significance, Cal Orck'o was declared a National Monument in 1998 and has since been protected within the FANCESA Paleontological Reserve.
Extensive mapping between 1998 and 2015 documented over 12,000 tracks, confirming it as the world's largest dinosaur tracksite.
Place Guide
Vertical Dinosaur Track WallLate Cretaceous (~68 million years ago)
A nearly 300-foot-high limestone cliff displaying thousands of dinosaur footprints preserved in multiple layers, offering an unparalleled view of prehistoric activity.
Parque Cretácico MuseumEstablished post-1998
A dedicated museum adjacent to the site providing guided tours, educational exhibits, and close-up viewing platforms of the dinosaur tracks.
Contact
Phone: 4 6457392
