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.


trail-of-the-pioneers-safari-iguazu

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.

trail-of-the-pioneers-safari-iguazu-people

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.


Kallpa annual meeting with Tour Leaders

The Kallpa annual meeting with Tour Leaders was organiced at home, here in Kallpa Buenos Aires, last October 2nd to talk about expectations we and our clients have for the upcoming season.

kallpa-annual-meeting-with-tour-leaders-6

 

Great expectation is in the air, certain uncertainty and anxiousness is merged in everybody’s faces, nobody knows precisely how tough the coming season will be! It was already knocking at the door when we recently met for the Intro briefing for season 2014 – 2015.

kallpa-annual-meeting-with-tour-leaders-3Some of the most significant topics we went through were: proactivity (forethoughts), security (anticipation), TL as an example, tools on the road (catalogue + ops. letter + manuals + intro-briefing and daily briefing) and good held lectures among many others.

Some core ideas were also handled to help our Tour Leaders, to make the most of their nice job to our common and distinguished passengers. Always keen to improve their services and represent every part effectively on the ground. It is a privilege to be ambassador at our own country and build up a working team on the field that allows guests to earn positive and human close experiences.

kallpa-annual-meeting-with-tour-leaders-2

10 Tour Leaders could join us for the meeting, in which the experienced TL Daniel showed his personal and very successful way of introducing the trip and himself to a fresh arrived group, one of the most significant moments of their job. Other Tour Leaders could not assist because they were already travelling or split all around Argentina (Misiones, Tucumán, Mendoza, Río Negro, Santa Cruz) and even elsewhere in the World, but were also shared this meeting thereafter.

Expectations came down to the ground, lots of issues became certain and we all know that it is a promising but challenging season. And it is already running …