A voyage to the past in Candelaria del Monte

A voyage to the past in Candelaria del Monte. Sofisticated rusticity. Opposites complement each other. A sofisticated and elegant countryside estate. Also very comfortable and considered even in every detail to be intensely lived.


This is how “Estancia Candelaria del Monte” [estate] is: “A place where the experience of the Argentine countryside tradition may be lived”.

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In the middle of a dense park, from 1830, that zealously protects the privacy of the principal manor and its big swimming pool, with centennial banana trees, gingko bilobas, casuarines, eucalyptus and a large variety of pines that give off their perfume in the air. Walking in this park gets us more in contact with more intense scents and colors of the nature.

a-voyage-to-the-past-in-candelaria-del-monte-1Further away, rustic and timeless, the landscape of the wide prairie of the Pampas opens where the green of the land merges with the intense blue of the sky with scattered stains of game, native horses and infinite number birds.

The estate is 120 km from the city of Buenos Aires, 90 Km away from Ezeiza airport and 10 km away of San Miguel del Monte. San Miguel del Monte is a typical town of the Argentine Pampas with the remains of the colonial architecture evident in the church and in the Town hall [“Intendencia”] opposite to the square and many other buildings in the downtown area. The town stands out historically because of its important history under Juan Manuel de Rosas. Because of this the town has got a long and rich tradition reflecting the different traditionalist celebrations.

An interesting aspect and highly valued is their specialization in small groups. They generally host not more than 10 people. Turning the service highly personalized and focused on offering a genuine “product”. Visitors who stay mainly do so, to disconnect from the stressful life and to rest in a peaceful and quiet environment.

Depending on the visitor interest, they are invited to take part in some rural tasks (light ones) horse riding. Therefore, travelers who have never seen cows from close distance, find themselves herding cows along the Pampas on their own. This is one of the most commented activities later while having a beer and laughing of the performance in these new skills.

In the polo season there are daily practices in the nearby polo clubs, for example Santa María de Lobos. This visit takes two hours and has only got the cost of transportation from and to the estancia. (Transportation is provided by the estancia and has got an additional cost). This is an excellent alternative for people interested in sports: watching polo from first-hand, walking among horse stables, talking with polo players, etc. It is also possible to take a coffee or cooling beverages at the club House.

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The gastronomical proposal generously, healthy and creatively reflects the traditional Argentinian food. The estancia has got an organic vegetable garden which offers all kind of vegetables. Free-range poultry are also raised and the own honey production is offered.

Another interesting option is a “Countryside Day” what includes the activities at the estancia and the use of common areas. This plan is ideal for those who have the time to stay and wish to live a different and special experience in the Argentine country side.
It is important to take into consideration that the Estancia Candelaria is not open throughout the whole year. It opens from October to May. It closes from June to September and, also, on New Year’s Eve.


 

Some important information about the Estancia (Fact Sheet)

Minimum pax required for accommodation: 1
Minimum pax required for Countryside Day: 1

Accomodation fees include:

Accommodation with full pension and non-alcoholic beverages with meals.
Activities in the property (horse-riding, swimming pool, tasks with farm animals depending on the skills of each visitor)
Not included:
Bar expenses and personal expenses nor any extra expenses
Wine menu
Trips
Tips
Other activities not included in the fees:

Fees for a Countryside Day

It includes: activities in the estancia, use of common facilities and lunch with non-alcoholic beverages.
Not included: Alcoholic beverages (unless wine is ordered), room use, tips.

Trail of the pioneers safari Iguazu

The peculiar sound produced by the giant Tiger ant when it gets angry. Hamadrya butterfly curious camouflage disguises it on the tree bark. The characteristic smell that a herd of peccaries to mark its territory. The softness layer of thick gross on the tree trunk. These are some of the experiences in this adventure trip along the Trail of the Pioneers Safari Iguazu.


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We ride towards the waterfalls through the jungle in a 4 x4 vehicle. Differently to other excursions, this one has a special and theme characteristic, where you enter the Argentine Waterfalls Area by an ancient dirt road (today closed to the access of private vehicles). This trip recreates the experiences that the first visitors had been through at that time, when there was no paved road but only the one “carved” on the hill.

It is interesting to know that until 1974, that road connecting the Iguazú Port to the waterfalls was a dirt road. In spite of this, tourists from all over the world walked along this trail to delight themselves with the new Wonder of the World, the Iguazú Falls.

This trail is closed to private vehicles due to safety reasons. Therefore we had the possibility of travelling through it all in absolute solitude. The old “Forest Rangers Station” is still present among the lianas, surrounded by citrus and banana trees. This station is a mute witness of a past surely filled with adventures that the forest is trying to throw a blanket of silence on. Right there our 4×4 truck stops and walking starts.

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A few steps ahead we see a wild old “Yerba Mate” tree where the Tiger ant amazes us with its colossal size. Afterwards, some miles ahead we will recognize, due to its color contrast with the characteristic red soil of the region, the “Ñahú”, a clay used by the native guaraní tribe to model jars. The tree ferns accompany us all along the journey with exuberant leaves that continue vigorous in spite of their own age.

In our journey we come closer to our final destination. An old sign hidden in the jungle of plants indicates the proximity of the Iguazú Falls, transporting us to the past in our mind, imagining the natural beauty of this destination before the man.

This is a different way of visiting the Iguazú Falls, away from crowds, in the intimacy of the jungle and the nature. When entering the Iguazú National Park, you can combine this tour with the regular excursion to the argentinian side of the falls.


FACT SHEET

Regular tours every day in Spanish and English (subject to previous confirmation and a minimum of 2 pax).

NOTE: the tour provides mineral water, insect repellent, binoculars, birds guide, mammals guide and footprint guide, rain poncho, etc.

Departure time from Iguazú Port Hotels: 07:30 am.

Arrival to the Yacaratiá trail: 08:00 a.m.

Arrival to the Access Entry to the Waterfalls: 09:30 a.m.

Seats per vehicle: 8 passengers.

Duration: Two hours

There is no guide in the park. If you want to request for it, there is an extra cost.

The tour finishes at the entrance of the National Park. Is to be combined with the regular FD Argentina Iguazu Falls or with the Jungle Safari which includes the transfer Out.

Vip regular tours

This month we highlight the new VIP Regular Tours available from the Salta city, in semi-private vehicles with a seating capacity of 4, to the principal tourist attractions of the region.

We are seeking to add value to each of the visits and to turn them into a truly memorable experience. The differentiation will be given by the type of vehicle it is used. This vehicle will offer as a result: more punctual pick-up times, maximization and better use of the excursion time, more luggage space availability for trips of 2 days or more and guarantee a more personalized guiding service.

In addition, VIP Active tours are offered for reduced groups, they include lunch (either at a local restaurant or as a Box Lunch, depending on the case) and a 40-minute to 1-hour light hike in a unique surrounding.

vip-regular-tours-2The driver, who is also our bilingual guide during the whole trip, is a connoisseur of the history, geography and culture of the region and through the tour will share his/her experience in the different destination visited. Either we decide to visit the following sites: Cafayate, Quebrada de Humahuaca, Salinas Grandes or Cachi offering in each of these experiences an active and/or culturally relevant component to the visited destination.

This is a personalized treatment and the experience allows to a better comprehension of the destination and of its characteristics. We invite you to check with your Kallpa’s personal executive officer by the VIP regular excursions and the VIP regular active available in Salta and other services tailored–made for your clients.


FACT SHEET // VIP Regular Tours

Min 2 pax
Max 4 pax
English/Spanish Speaking Driver/Guide
Only REGULAR VIP ACTIVE includes Lunch or Lunch Box. REGULAR VIP no meals included.
The tour is in 4X4 or 4X2 Vehicles

 

 

 

Aonikenk Chalten

Aonikenk-Chalten-2

Aonikenk Chalten! These were 2 expressions, ussually related to each other, used by the Tehuelches, the natives of the Patagonia Steepe. It is believed that Aonikenk means “us, the people” in Tehuelche.


Aonikenk-Chalten-1The exact meaning of the Word “Chalten” remains unknown. The most accepted theory tells us that the tehuelche people used this term to refer to the “smoking mountain” or “mountain that smokes” for the Granite tower that signalled the westernmost frontier for the Tehuelches on their nomadic route, since the mountain always has thin clouds coming from the top, creating the sensation we are in prescence of a Volcano.

Hundreds of years later, The Chalten Mountain Range, with its hanging glaciers and century-old Lenga forest, remains imposing and defying for all visitors magnetically drawn to the small Mountain Village of El Chalten. As the laguna de los tres trail, the most popular and beautiful path, makes its way through the Lenga forests, the Towering granite peaks appear totally dominating the scene, and a small though of give it a try and attemp the climb to the top starts to grow inside of oneself, from the casual hiker to the most seasoned climber.

Aonikenk-ChaltenAfter a strenuous Last trekking hour through a rocky zigzag steep stairs, the reward, the emerald Green Laguna de los Tres is the mesmerizing end of the trail for the hikers, or the base jump for the climbers looking to conquer the peak´s Summit.