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]

 

W Trekking Circuit in Winter

Summer is not the only time to hike in Patagonia! Kallpa took part of a trip to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, to walk the W Circuit in winter time. We want to share this different trekking experience with you.

From May to August it is possible to experience a rare trekking adventure in Torres del Paine: a 6 days hiking wintry version of the famous W Circuit in the cold, through an inhospitable and deserted environment, snow-covered mountains, crowdless sceneries and surrounded by nature. Also, enjoy delicious meals and drinks, spend unforgettable moments and rest the nights in comfy mountain lodges.

Felipe, our Kallpa member that took part on this adventure, describes the ambience: “Such a wild and unique environment allows you a close encounter with guanacos, condors and -of course- with the spirit of the puma, that is present in each and every moment of this great wintertime trekking. At the feet of the bicolored Horns and at the top of the white and blue Grey glacier, in the depth of Ascencio Valley and in the face of Francés Valley, the Andes are overwhelming.”

The journey takes you to the three exceptional spots in the park: the base of the Towers, the French Valley and the Grey Glacier; always in the company of a specialized and expert mountain guide. The last day and for the final picture, a ferry boat ride across Pehoé Lake.

Overall, this unique adventure provides a defiant winter trekking challenge on ascending and descending mountain trails towards impressive lookouts with fantastic views of the amazing Paine Towers, glaciers, lakes and icebergs. Full contact with nature when the park is nearly empty.

Despite the cold, the weather and the fatigue, according to Felipe nothing could make you quit this challenge: “No glacier ice could freeze your sensations. No weather conditions, rain or snow would stop your intentions. On the contrary, they will most probably bring up to the top your physical capacity, internal feelings and strength to walk and fulfill the W Circuit”.

Don’t miss the chance to feel the power of nature along the intense and crowdless W trekking in winter at the southern side of the Torres del Paine Massif, one of the most beautiful natural environments of the World!