Quino & Mafalda

This 30th of September, the Argentine cartoonist Joaquín Salvador Lavado, known as Quino, who created the character Mafalda, has died aged 88 in Mendoza, the city where he was born. Mafalda, the cartoon about the adventures of a six-year-old girl of the same name, is immensely popular in the Spanish-speaking world.

Quino wrote and drew the comics between 1964 and 1973 but they are still being reprinted to this day.

Mafalda is so popular she even has her own statues in Argentina and in Spain.

The comic, that first appeared in the Argentine weekly Primera Plana in 1964, features the daily life of Mafalda, the daughter of a typical middle-class Argentine couple, whom she often baffles with her insightful questions.

Mafalda hates soup and wants world peace.

Mafalda’s wit and her sharp observations of the adult world ensured the comic’s popularity, which was translated into 26 languages. She has become one of the cultural icons of Argentina.

Quino drew the comic strips for nine years until in 1973, he decided to stop. Asked about his decision, decades later, the graphic artist said he wanted to avoid repetition.

We share some Quino’s comic strips with you…


Kallpa obtained Safe Travel Stamp by WTTC

We are glad to announce that Kallpa is certified with ‘Safe Travels Stamp’, provided by The World Travel & Tourism Council. The specially designed stamp will allow travelers to recognize governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols – so travelers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

We have implemented our Health and Safety protocols, which are available and regularly updated in the Health & Safety section.

Trekking

Obligations in Trekking Services 

  • During the briefing / welcome of the passengers, inform about the sanitary measures that govern each place in addition to their planned activities.
  • Implement a temperature measurement system at the beginning of the activity (if possible). 
  • Have alcohol gel at the disposal of the paxs throughout the tour.
  • Try to keep the required social distancing during the trail or if there is any stop for panoramic viewpoints.
  • In case of providing snacks, these will be individual for each traveler. It is not allowed to share drinking-glasses, cups or “mate”. It is not allowed to drink or eat anything during the transportation.  
  • Each traveler will have to take enough food & water for himself/herself. Drinks will have to be taken in individual bottles. It is not allowed to share recipients or utensils.  
  • Check that the travelers take with them enough and correct clothes according to the area where the activity will take place. Sharing clothes need to be avoided.  
  • Report and leave a record of any COVID-19-related incident that may take place during the tour or guided visit (to the authorities & the agency).
  • Attention to injured persons must be carried out according to the protocol of each activity. When it is not possible to maintain social distancing, respiratory protection, hygiene and disinfection measures must be taken to the extreme.

Recommendations for Trekking Services

  • Inform the cancellation or rescheduling  policy  of the provision of the service in the presence of symptoms compatible with COVID -19 disease in passengers, visitors or guides.
  • It is suggested that each passenger bring their own equipment and personal items to carry out the activity such as binoculars for birds watching, trekking pole, sanitary kit, individual box lunch, individual waste bag, among others. If provided by the guide ensure the correct disinfection.
  • Use a checklist to make sure that all safety and personal protection equipment required for performing the activity and preventing spread of COVID-19 is available
  • Be aware of the responsibility involved and the role appointed in the crisis committee to guarantee compliance with the protocol to be followed. 
  • In activities that involve picking up passengers at accommodation facilities, tour guides should approach the front-desk staff to give their name and wait for the passenger outside the facilities, as long as permitted by weather conditions.
  • Check that passengers and/or visitors use their personal protection equipment properly throughout the activity. Make sure that face masks cover nose, mouth and chin and that the required social distancing is kept.
  • Count with contact of local sanitary service & emergency phone numbers. 

Transfer and excursions

Obligations for transfers and excursions SIB/Privates providers 

  • Passengers with similar symptoms to COVID-19 will not be admitted. 
  • All the passengers must wear face covering.  
  • When receiving the passenger at the beginning of the service, inform the preventive measures for minimizing the chances to spread the COVID-19 virus.
  • Post signs in visible places of the vehicle (entrance and toilets) displaying the COVID-19 prevention measures
  • Make alcohol-based hand sanitizers available for all passengers when they get on the  transportation units.
  • Advise the group to observe the required social distancing measures while waiting for the vehicle, at the several stops, when getting on and off, and while inside the vehicle.
  • Social distancing measures will be required while descending the vehicle to observe the landscape, birdwatching or similar situations. 
  • The guide will sit alone or next to the driver.
  • Personnel will wear cloth face covering and have available alcohol-base sanitiser to disinfect luggage, bags and other elements that can be handled by the personnel. 
  • In case of regular tours, when passengers are not part of the same group, seats will be assigned in advance. The seat assigned to each passenger must be respected throughout the tour. 
  • Implement vehicle sanitizing procedures. This includes all elements that were in touch with passengers and workers (pens, folders, microphone, mobile phones, bags, etc.). In addition, ensure the overall cleaning of the vehicle before and after each service, including, without limitation, seats, head restraints, banisters, glasses, door handles, toilets (if applicable).
  • Drivers should be trained on the use of gloves when cleaning and disinfecting the vehicle.
  • The luggage will be handled only by the driver and must be transported in the hold, including hand luggage. Passengers will have to drop it at the indicated place. To get your luggage back you will have to respect social distancing measures. 
  • When the tour includes in its route: Restaurants, tea houses, national or public parks, or any shop that is planned to be visited, its operation must be authorized and must strictly comply with the protocol defined for each activity.
  • If a person exhibits respiratory symptoms or has a fever during the service, such person will have to be isolated in a place specifically set aside to such end, or kept separated from other people, by at least 2 metres/6.5-ft. The local Health Emergency System should be immediately contacted to have the person assessed.

Recommendations for transfers and excursions suppliers

  • It’s suggested to implement a temperature measurement system when passengers are getting on the vehicle.
  • Avoid as much as possible direct contact between passengers and staff. 
  • Passengers will have to clean their shoes on a sanitizing mat everytime they get on and off the transport. 
  • It is recommended that the seats adjacent to solo passengers should remain free. Only both seats will be occupied in the case of passengers traveling together and sharing a hotel room.
  • It is recommended that seats that can and cannot be occupied are pre-marked.
  • When possible, the driver will ventilate the vehicle.
  • It is recommended that the vehicle has a divider between the driver’s compartment and the passengers (in small vehicles).
  • Avoid any snack service, etc. to minimize the manipulation of elements and thus reduce the chances of direct contagion.