Península Valdés Adventure

A thrilling close encounter with Patagonian nature and marine wildlife.

Península Valdés is a natural reserve in the Patagonia, located on the Atlantic coastline. It is renowned for the marine fauna that inhabits its beaches and surrounding waters, such as whales, penguins and many other seabird species, sea lions and elephant seals. Few places offer the possibility to observe so many animals in their natural habitat; this is a true and unique wildlife reservoir in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For the chance to appreciate the abundant local fauna, we recommend our featured product “Peninsula Valdés Adventure”, tour that stands out from others because of the variety and quality of experiences included.

The first adventure of the day takes us to Estancia San Lorenzo, a pioneer sheep ranch located on the coastline of the San Matias gulf and 160 km away from Puerto Madryn.

This working ranch not only produces Australian merino sheep wool but it is also the home of a 600.000 Magellanic penguin colony, which brings us to this spot. On a 4×4 Overland truck we will reach the reserve and then trek towards the rookery, guided by naturalist guides. This may be the closest you will ever be of a penguin. Without altering their habitat, we will pass by and observe them.

Then, we will hop back on the 4×4 truck and go through the Cañadón de Fósiles, a fossil canyon witness of a million year history.

After the active part of the tour, we will get back to the estancia and enjoy an exquisite lamb on the spit in the old shearing barn, which was reconditioned to serve as a country restaurant, visitor centre and mini shop for local products and ranch souvenirs.

To finish the day, a 2 hour boat ride at sunset in Puerto Pirámides to watch Southern Right whales jumping and swimming around for the best pictures you could ever take. If we´re lucky, maybe these huge and majestic cetaceans will just pass us by so close to almost reach them. As close a you can be of wildlife itself.

For nature lovers, discover Patagonian marine fauna and fossil history as in no other place in Argentina.  

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Operates from September 15th to November 30th on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Full day tour, 12 hs. From 7:30-8 am to 8 pm.
  • Book in advance; only 20 paxes allowed per day.
  • Basic service includes only 4×4 ride.
  • With additional cost: Access to Peninsula Valdés, visit to San Lorenzo and penguin rookery, lunch at San Lorenzo without beverages, whale watching boat ride.

 

A KAYAK DAY AT NAHUEL HUAPI LAKE

Join us for a kayak ride in the Argentinian Lake District, an experience to train the body and the senses.

Touring the Lake District in the summer certainly is a favorite for those who visit Patagonia. In this opportunity, we had the chance to spend an amazing kayaking day at the coasts of Lake Nahuel Huapi and we want to share that experience with you.

We started early in the morning with a pick-up from our hotel in Bariloche and went straight to lake Nahuel Huapi. Once at the lake, we were provided with all the equipment and the kayaks. After a brief instruction by a certified guide, we were ready to go into the water. Kayaking in that crystalline water is an experience that you can’t miss, it will let you be closer to the fauna of the area and appreciate it from a whole different perspective

A few hours after we started to row, we found a calm and beautiful beach, the ideal spot to stop for lunch. At that coast, we enjoyed some pies accompanied by a glass of wine and water, we relaxed under the sun and got ready for the second lap of our itinerary. As we rowed, we could delight ourselves with the astonishing views of Mounts Tronador, López, and Capilla, though the landscape is amazing all the way! After having spent a day within the immensity of this natural environment, we went driven back to our Hotel.

The experience was incredible, the best thing about kayaking in this lake is that it is really easy and doesn’t require previous experience nor big physical effort. It is important though to consider the temperature and weather conditions so we can enjoy the water, which is really cold with the mellow weather. Nevertheless, the kayak can be also done in Lago Moreno or Lago Moreno Este. About this last matter, it is important to remark that the lake in which the kayak is done, will be determined at the moment of the pickup and will depend on the weather conditions and on the physical conditions of the passengers.

As a final tip, if not too tired, you can end this magnificent day enjoying a cold draft artisan beer in downtown Bariloche.

If you wish to obtain more information about this tour, please contact us at Kallpa Tour.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  •         Duration: 6-8 hrs.
  •         Length: 10- 18 kilometers
  •         Difficulty: Easy
  •         Feasible from October to May
  •         The exigency level of the kayak crossing is adjusted to passenger’s experience.

SERVICES INCLUDED:

  • Certified kayak guide
  •   Kayaks and equipment
  • Lunch (picnic style)
  • Snacks (fruit, cereal bars), Water + hot tea
  •  First Aid kit
  • Safety equipment (VHF Radio, maps, gps)
  • Insurance for guide and passengers
  • Entrance fee for park

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:

  •  Tips and extra expenses

 

ICE AND ADVENTURE IN PATAGONIA

In the heart of chaltén, ice and rock merge into this extraordinary Patagonian experience to make you live an authentic mountain adventure.

We invite those wanderlust spirits to traverse the outermost places of Chaltén, to climb rock and ice, to cross thick forests, and to spend the night at a mountain refuge. Certainly, this is a program that promises an unforgettable experience.

This fresh proposal consists of a two-day experience that includes a guided trekking that starts at Estancia Los Huemules and leads to the impressive Cagliero glacier. The Trekking offers a variety of landscapes, including the possibility to walk the immense Cagliero’s ice cap.

Our adventure begins early in the morning at Los Huemules visitor’s center. From this meeting spot, we start a 2-hour walk through a thick lenga’s forest crossed by a well-maintained trail up to the first lookout point: Laguna Diablo (Devil’s Lagoon). This stretch of the trail is smooth therefore it doesn’t require too much physical effort. From Laguna Diablo, we can appreciate the Cagliero Refuge, where we will spend the night, and part of Valle del Diablo (Devil’s Valley), named after the lagoon.

As we skirt Laguna Diablo’s northern margin and leave Estancia Los Huemules’ property to access Campo Gorra Blanca (a private property), the path gets irregular and a bit more demanding up to Via Ferrata where the second instance of this activity takes place. Vía Ferrata is a one-kilometer rock stretch with a two hundred meter slope. Nevertheless, it was adapted with iron rungs and steel cables to ensure a secure and comfortable climbing, though it demands physical effort since the rocky and icy paths are irregular. At this stage, the guides will provide us will all the necessary equipment for the climbing and instruct us on its use.

After an hour climbing Vía Ferrata, we reach the second lookout point: Mirador del Glaciar, where we will be able to contemplate Cagliero’s unexplored southern side, the immensity of the valley and the walls of Treinta Aniversario and its attendant peaks, especially Diente Del Diablo (Devil’s tooth). A short walk later, the third instance of our experience takes place: the trekking through the glacier itself. This stretch will last approximately two hours and, if the weather conditions are favorable, there is the possibility to have lunch at the glacier’s surface and enjoy its unique scenery.

Lunch finished, we take the same path to return to Puesto Cagliero, arriving approximately at 16:00 pm. Puesto Cagliero is an authentic mountain refuge that offers the possibility to spend the night in its compact yet cozy rooms. At the refuge, we will enjoy a simple and tasty dinner that can be either pasta, homemade pizzas or a warm vegetable soup.

The second day of our excursion starts with breakfast at the refuge, where the guides also provide the box lunch for the day. Then, we have free time to explore by ourselves and take one (or more) of the different self-guided paths that cross  Estancia Los Huemules, perfect opportunity to get familiar with the beauty of this natural environment and its fauna.

As a final observation, it is important to mention that the ice trekking requires great physical demand, therefore, it is important to check your physical conditions before signing up for this program. If Chaltén is your next destination, this is an extraordinary opportunity to make the most of this icy region and feel like a true explorer!

For more information on this program, please contact us at Kallpa Tour Operator.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Feasible from November to March Duration: 2 days
  • Does not operate on Sundays
  • Difficulty: Moderate

SERVICES INCLUDED:

  • Bilingual high mountain guides.
  • Climbing equipment
  • Night at Puesto Cagliero
  • Dinner, breakfast and lunch box for day 2
  • Round trip shared transfers from meeting point in El Chalten town to Estancia Los Huemules

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:

  • Box Lunch for day 1
  • Entrance fee to Estancia los Huemules

 

PUNA: THE TREASURE IN THE NORTH

Adventure yourself into the heart of this northern jewel. From the harshness of its arid valleys to the colors and shapes of its mountains, volcanoes, and springs of water, this mind blowing environment captivates the eyes of visitors every year.

It is difficult to put the beauty of Puna into words. Certainly, this is one of Argentina’s favorites for travelers all over the world. And once you find yourself surrounded by the most colorful mountains, or standing in the middle of a white ocean that runs as far as the eye can see, you understand why it is so impressive.

The territory called Puna covers the north of Argentina, part of Bolivia, Chile, and Perú. In Argentina, it is crossed by mountain ranges and volcanoes up to 6.000 meters tall, as well as endorheic drainages that gave origin to a variety of lagoons and thousands of hectares of salines.

The vastness of this land allows as many landscapes, so the options for visitors are a lot. Just to mention a few, we recommend visiting the Arizaro Saline (Salar de Arizaro), The Labyrinth Desert (Desierto del laberinto), or the fascinating Laguna Grande Reserve, which hosts one of the biggest populations of pink flamingos.

Nevertheless, Puna is not only amazing views. The local communities offer a wide range of activities for all tastes and ages. For those looking for a challenge, there is an enormous amount of trekking routes, climbing volcanoes or mountains while traversing the most diverse scenery. If you prefer a more relaxed journey, you can take one-day visits along the circuit  that will take you to the main spots of the region and, by the end of the day, you can delight yourself walking through the narrow streets of the Andean villages and enjoy the richness of its culture; or you can also taste a typical dish in a family house and share their stories.

There is no doubt that Puna is not only an excellent place if you enjoy adventures but it is also a way to connect with an ancestral culture that has endured since before the conquest of America. The uniqueness of this land is something beyond imagination. It is a magical place that will refresh your mind and your spirit. You will end this journey with renewed energy and a feeling you will never forget.

For more information or detailed suggested program, do not hesitate to contact your Kallpa Tour operator at [email protected]