Wine, Trekking and High Mountains

Mendoza welcomes us with its Andean beauty, the Aconcagua keeping watch like a powerful and silent giant that´s been on its feet for thousands of years. This is the land that adopted the Malbec grape as its own and saw it grow till it became the emblematic vine of our country. With plenty of dazzling views it offer to us a Wine, Trekking and High Mountains programme,travelling through unforgettable places.

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Placed among the main wine-growing capitals,this is one of the most important destinations in Argentina, attracting both local and forign tourists that love its wines and its culture and who come here expectantly to experience the adventure and the adrenaline through its diverse mountain activities.

wine-trekking-and-high-mountains-6During this 4 days programme we´ll get on a Mountain Truck taht is a Dakar 4×4 Mercedez Benz Atego 1725 style truck,brand-new and equipped with 25 seats especially designed to be used in the “much less known Mendoza”, a new experience in a new destination, that led us make the High Mountain trip by Villavicencio,a well-known hotel that belongs to the most important Mineral Water Bottling Company, which is now about to be reopened. At this place we´ll visit the beautiful gardens and the sorrounding area situated in  a Biological Reserve by the same name. During this trip we´ll see impressive rock formations,beautiful landscapes and the Aconcagua Mountain in all its glory.

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Something new that we could experience was a visit to Alta Vista Boutique Winery on Eco-motorbikes. These are vehicles that don´t use any kind of fossils fuels nor any kind of oil. As a result we get “neither contaminating gas emissions nor noises that have a negative effect on the environment”. We rode the beautiful paths among the vineyards, tasted first quality wines, home-made liquors and olive oil. We also enjoyed a very good natural lunch at the Mercadito on the way back to the hotel.

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As a farewell we´ll do some trekking in the “del 55 Ravine”. It starts 20kms from Villa Potrerillos along National Route 07, and is an excellent choice for beginners. It takes about 3 hours to complete this trip that begins when we enter the Ravine after which this walk is named. Our walk starts as soon as we enter a narrow ravine “del 50 Ravine” through which the “Arroyo de las Cortaderas” flow. For more than an hour you´ll be able to appreciate the indigenous flora such as: jarrilla, ajenjo(wormwood,used to get the Absinth), thyme, different kind of cacti, the cortaderas(or Pampa´s grass), the colourful muscat rose and the wild arugula. We´ll also catch sight of Condores flying high above. The Andes condor is considered to be one of the biggest and one of the heaviest birds in the world, that can fly more than 4000mts high.

wine-trekking-and-high-mountains-7The terkking goes on following the paths of a stream that will lead us on our trip,enjoying the lush vegetation and the eroded mountain terrain, crossing at one time or another to each side of this strip of water that is born in the Andes´ higher peaks and then turns into a spectacular water-fall, 20mts high. This is a nice and refreshing surprise in the summertime. A gift from Nature to be fully enjoyed.

Well-trained guides will assist us during the different activities in the programme that we´ll treasure for ever. Our main goal is that every guest takes with him or her a little piece of Mendoza in their hearts after having passed through Argentina.

FACT SHEET

TIPS: At the moment of booking one of the trails excursions, some tips are necessary no matter how hard the trail we follow.
RIGHT OUTFIT: Foot-wear must be comfortable and have a good adherent sole. Warm clothing is important depending on the season of the year. A rain-proof or wind-breaker jacket is always  advisable to face the sudden climate changes, especially in mountain areas. Do not forget a cap or a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, bug-spray and a small first-aid kit. We recommend to wear long trousers  to avoid bites  or scratches.
BASIC  ACCESSORIES: A back-pack, whose size will depend  on the excursion  difficulty degree. On the other hand a swiss-knife, a long piece of string, a flash-light and a whistle are necessary elements  that will get us through should we encounter any difficulty. From cutting up food  to helping someone injured  or asking for help.
Walking-sticks, although not everybody carries them, are useful to lessen the efforts, balance our weight or use it as support on the walks to avoid slipping or falling down.
HYDRATION: Last but not least, always bring the necessary water(2 lts per person minimum) and some food or some snacks such as fruits or dried fruits that will provide us  with liquids and energy.
The place: Potrerillos- del 50 Ravine
  • Difficulty degree: easy, made for beginners  in mountain-climbing
  • Minimum age: 14 accompanied by an adult
  • Length: 3 hours approximately
  • Pick-up: 08AM
  • Return: 02PM
  • Included in the fare: transfers  to and fro. Mountain  guide services.
  • Personal life insurance
The program includes:
* Services mentioned in the program
* 3 Nights accommodation at NH Cordillera Hotel

The southern face of the Perito Moreno Glacier

Designed for those with an adventurous spirit, who seek adrenaline without much effort and enjoying the natural environment we have for you the “Adventure by the southern face of  the Perito Moreno Glacier”.

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The trip starts in Calafate. At 09:30AM our tour guide will come and pick us up to begin with the excursion. We´ll drive about 50kms along the Estancias route till we get to Lago Roca(Lake Roca). Along the way we´ll see some characteristic Estancias such as: Nibepo Aike,and Santa Anita. Once we get to the Lago Roca entrance at Los Glaciares National Park we´ll go into the camping area where we´ll rest in the Domo while enjoying of a privileged view. We set off on the right foot,as soon as we arrive we´ll have some welcome drinks and some local cold-cuts and cheeses dishes. This is a good time to relax,enjoy the views and get to know each other.

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We would like to tell you a little bit about the backstage of this trip. In the domo after 20 minutes of having arrived the cooks begin to roast the beefs on a furrow-wheel as well as the grilled veggies such us: succhini,eggplants,red peppers,onions and carrots. The furrow-wheel became a tradition in the countryside for the grilling of beef and vegetables. When everything is ready we´ll go back in the domo where the tables are already set. Everything looks really good. Having lunch in such a beautiful place and sharing time with other people makes of it a unique experience.

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As the local saying goes “when the stomach is full, the heart feels happy”. We leave the domo behind us and we drive for 5kms until we get to the pier.Right here we embark towards Playa de las Monedas on the Brazo Rico River where we´ll disembark and go for a 20 minutes walk in the Lengas Forest until we get to a vantage point from where we´ll have a view of the southern face of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

We then go back and embark again always sailing along the southern face of the glacier.Before the end of the trip the crew “fishes” a floe to have a “whiskey or a vodka on the rocks”. The happy hour on board is at 03:30PM approximate.

On the way back we´ll disembark at the Bajo de las Sombras where a vehicle will be waiting for us to go to the glacier´s boardwalks where we´ll arrive around 04PM. Once here we´ll be able to appreciate the spectacular views of the Perito Moreno Glacier. We´ll stay there until 06:30PM and then go back to Calafate along a traditional road.

An important fact to bear in mind: once we get to the boardwalks around 90% of the visitors that came from Calafate will be gone, so our visit will be a quite one.

FACT SHEET

  • The tours have a capacity up to fifteen passengers
  • Minimun pax requirements: 4
  • Attended by a working group that includes Spanish / English guides.
  • Pick up 09:00 am. Drop Off near 19 hours. The lunch, served in a special area of the Roca Lake Camp, consist on a disk steak served with grilled vegetables and salads, with typical dessert, drinks and wine.
  • To make the tour it is important to bring the adequate clothing. Basically comfortable clothes, for walking in the mountain. Enough coat to withstand temperatures of 0 ° C and intense rains. Also glasses and sunscreen lotion.
  • Tickets to the National Park are not included (USD 35.-)

Ibera wetlands and mocona waterfalls

Driving your car along these roads surrounded by Ibera wetlands and mocona waterfalls is a trip that will keep coming back into our minds.

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The reason for this is that the Fly & drive Iberá wetlands and Moconá Tour will get you closer to the most beautiful destinations in Argentina.

Everything starts when we arrive at our first destination Posadas, where we are given a GPS with all the roads that we should take already loaded. We begin our trip along  a route  that will take us to the San Ignacio Ruins before arriving in Puerto Valle where we’ll put up for the first three nights.

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San Ignacio Ruins are some of the best preserved ruins,among others,in a territory today known as Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. And the most visited because they are within easy reach. Built in the middle of a dense vegetation,the remains of these “Guaraní Baroque Style Construction” were discovered in 1897,although the restoration didn´t begin until 1940.

The public square was surrounded by the Church, the Cabildo(former town hall),the Cemetery,the Monastery and a bunch of houses. The magnificent Church was built by the Italian priest Juan Brasanelli,who used in the construction local red sandstone. The walls 70 meters tall and 24 meters wide are still standing after more than two centuries.

In 1984 the UNESCO declared the ruins as a “World Heritage Site”. Today the ruins hold the “Museo Jesuitico San Ignacio Miní”. After driving for over  120 kilometers we´ll get to Iberá Wetlands and stay in Puerto Valle.

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Iberá Wetlands are the second largest in South America. These “Esteros” are a mixture of swamps,bogs,stagnant lakes and lagoons. Natural wet areas(sloughs) and courses of water of fluvial origins cover an area of 15.000 to 20.000 square kilometers.

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The Natural Reserve is host to a large biodiversity,including four species of animals that have been declared “Provincial Natural Monuments”: the neotropical otter, the maned-wolf, the Pampas deer and the marsh deer. It is also home to two Argentinian species of alligator: the yacaré caiman(or black yacaré) and the broad-snouted caiman(or yacare overo), as well as the capybara(world´s largest rodent)and about 350 species of birds.

There are a lot of activities to be done in Puerto Valle, such as visiting a caymans´farm,going for a ride on a boat made of plastic bottles or going for a horseback ride or a bike ride to stay in touch with nature.

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We go on our trip driving towards El Soberbio in Oberá(Misiones Province) very close to the Moconá waterfalls. Because of its near location a visit to this place is highly recommended, besides the activities in the Lodge.

The waterfalls,10 meters in height,interrupt for about 3 kilometers the course of the Uruguay River,southwest of San Pedro county,in Misiones Province.

A peculiar characteristic about these waterfalls is that they fall perpendicularly and not transversally to the course of the waters. The canal where the water falls is a geological fault and in some places reaches the height of 170 meters. Not every season is good for visiting them. They are at their best when the volume of water is low. A curious fact: the guaraní word Moconá means: “it swallows everything”.ibera-wetlands-and-mocona-waterfalls-6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FACT SHEET

Minimun pax requirements: 1

Prices include:

  • 2 nights in Esteros del Iberá.
  • 2 nights in El Soberbio área.
  • Special fly & drive kit with road maps & tourist information.

Not included:

  • Flights & airport taxes.
  • Optional excursions.
  • Early check-in & late check-out at hotels.
  • Tips & personal expenses.
  • Drinks and meals except when mentioned.
  • Medical insurance.

Deep into the Misiones Jungle

This month come and join us to penetrate deep into the Misiones Jungle and stay at the Moconá Lodge where peace is in perfect harmony with nature.

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The access route into the Saltos de Moconá was still a dirt road. To get to this place was a big challenge that not many people dared to face, but the Moconá Refuge was already a witness to many feats and adventures. This was one of the first undertakings in the Moconá region. Adventurers ,naturalists,guests,neighbours,friends and friends of those friends have dared into this area, who were looking for unforgettable experiences in a unique environment such as the Misiones Jungle.

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Moconá Lodge is in the Moconá Refuge, a private reserve with an area of 8000 hectares dedicated to the conservation of the jungle, where 60 hectares are used for touristic purposes. This lodge is located in the heart of the Yabotí Biosphere within a subtropical ecosystem. The days at the Moconá Lodge go by among pathways,waterfalls, indigenous forests,the chirping of birds,natural lookouts,activities full of adventure,old legends that beat to the rhythm of the ripples of the Uruguay River where nature reigns supreme.

The lodge has 14 bedrooms with 28 square meters each with a view to the jungle and to the Yabotí Stream. The rooms are comfortable and integrated,where nature and resting become one.

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Every room has a 15 squere meters deck where you can appreciate the flora,the fauna and the Yabotí Stream. Although we disconnect ourselves at the Moconá  Lodge we can get connected to internet. You also have air-condioning,safety box,big sommires and excellent amenities.

As well as the lodging, you´ll also enjoy a good gastronomy with different regional dishes cooked by our Chef using fresh ingredients from our organic orchard.

The breakfast is a buffet with many different freshly squeezed juices,fruits,cereals,dairy products,coffe,tea,breads and all kinds of home-made jellies.

Other good dishes are the activities you can make with an additional cost from the Lodge such as:

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Water excursion: you´ll ride on rubber-boats from the Moconá Refuge pier located on the Yabotí Stream.

deep-into-the-misiones-jungleZip-line and rappel: this circuit combines zip-line high up in the trees,dry rappel,rappel over the Horacio Waterfall and zip-line in the middle of the jungle. We´ll penetrate deep into the jungle in a different way. We´ll live the experience of zip-linig above the tree tops along 250 meters going through the Oveja Negra riberbed and over the famous Horacio Waterfall. We also tested our adrenaline rappeling over the  Horacio Waterfall canyon next to the 20 meters high crystal clear waterfall.

Water trips to the Moconá Waterfalls: we´ll sail along 10kms on the Yabotí Stream and the Uruguay River where you´ll get to experience the jungle in its wildest state,the quietness of the Yabotí Stream and the Moconá Waterfalls.

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Interpretive Pathways tours: we´ll disclose the secrets of the jungle along water- rutted pathways spanned by a hanging bridge and the Horacio waterfall. The Oveja Negra(black sheep) pathway in the Moconá Refuge is 2000 meters long and of low impact. During our trips we have been discovering the secrets of the jungle that make it easier to understand the dynamics and the interactions that coexist among the different flora and fauna especies in this kind of ecosystem.

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The walking tour takes one and a half hour and is a good way of relaxing and connecting with nature.

High performance trekking: the most demanding people like us challenge tracks longer than 5kms in the jungle.,where we´ll find the vantage point over the “Arroyo Yabotí”(Yabotí Stream). This challenge has as location the Bella Vista pathway which is 5000 meters long and of medium and high impact.

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Kayak: The best way of experiencing this special connection with the Arroyo Yabotí is riding the “sit on the top kayaks” sailing the waters up to the mouth of the Uruguay River.

During this trip we´ll make a stop for pictures at the Tripartito lookout. The Arroyo Yabotí is one of the most impressive waterways in the Biosphere Reserve.

The water is calm and shallow. This trip lasts around 2 hours.

Excursions on 4WD: To come to a close we visited the Yabotí Biosphere on 4WD vehicles. We rode along roads sprinkled with old saw-mills and timber-yards where the views are strikingly beautiful. All along the way our local tour guides will be with us. We ride through unexplored streams and hills

 FACT SHEET

ACCOMMODATION INCLUDES:

*Breakfast.

ACTIVITIES

*Activities are subject to climate change and variability in tides of rivers and streams

*Disabled people,pregnant women,people with heart conditions and hypertensive people won´t be able to make activities that require physical demand

*All activities are coordinated by professionals

*Children will pay 100% of the cost of any activity regardless of their age