Experience a true nature immersion at Bahia Bustamante!

Bahia Bustamante is a Patagonian seaside Lodge and town surrounded by pure nature well known for its biological biodiversity. Few places in the world can offer such a number and diversity of seabirds and marine mammals. You will find yourself surrounded by magnificent white sandy beaches with  crystal clear water, framed by red rocks reaching inland and the lunar landscapes of the great desert.

Bahia Bustamante was founded in the 1950s as a seaweed settlement, inhabited by more than 400 seaweed workers and their families with everything this small “town” needed. The old houses which used to belong to the first inhabitants are now renovated to receive guests and nowadays Bahia Bustamante offers:


4  spacious and cozy Superior Sea Cabins and 2 standard Sea Cabins. Both Sea Cabins categories offer Ocean front view terraces. Each Cabin has 2 double bedrooms with capacity for max 4 adults, a living room and 1 fully equipped bathroom, Minibar, full board (except beverages) & activities inside the property – coordinated the night before. Mountain bikes are available and the living room features a small window overlooking the sea.

5 Steppe Cabins located just behind the Sea Cabins, these are much simpler. Steppe Cabins have 1 double room with maximum capacity for 3 people, a dining room, a small living room with a single bed, a bathroom and a kitchen with cook top & basic tableware. This option does not include activities or meals.

The Main Lodge Located where the town had its old General Store, today holds the common areas of the Lodge, preserving a typical Patagonia atmosphere. The Restaurant serves local food in a menu based on seaweed, lamb meat, fish & other sea products, and fruits & vegetables from the organic garden.

The Bar & Living Room is the perfect place to relax with a view to the sea through the immense windows. 

In the library it is possible to find books, bird guides and magazines. 

The Memorial Room is where you can find an introduction to the early days of the town in the 60s & the daily life of more than 400 workers. 

The Club: A game room with Pool, ping-pong, table-football & board games.

What activities can be done at Bahia Bustamante?

Bahia Bustamante offers exploration activities proposed on a day-to-day basis (operation is subject to tides and weather conditions). Guests can choose from half day to full day explorations from:

  • Navigations visiting Sea Lions, Magellan Penguin and Seabirds colonies.
  • Biking, trekking or touring on 4×4 trucks to discover wonderful beaches, great archaeological and geological sites and petrified forests
  • Self guided trekking and biking trails are available to discover the place at guests’ own pace.

What species can be found at Bahia Bustamante?

  • Magellanic Penguin colony (spheniscus magellanicus), which reaches up to 100.000 individuals. 
  • Significant colonies of Blue-eyed Cormorant (Phalacrocorax atriceps), . 
  • 2 endemic species: The Chubut Steamer Duck (Tachyeres leucocephalus) and the Olrog´s Gull (Larus Atlanticus). Red knot (Calidris canutus), the White-rumped sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis) and the Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica)  
  • The Sea Lions colony on the islands (Otaria Flavescens) reaches up to 4.000 individuals. 
  • The richness of the area also attracts the presence of killer whales, dolphins and Commerson’s dolphin. 
  • With a little bit of luck, on their way from or to Valdes Peninsula, a Right Whale or an Elephant Seal may visit Bahia Bustamante shores as well.
  • Regarding Steppe wildlife, you will be surprised to see all kinds of native animals that live in this part of Patagonia: Patagonian Cavy, lesser rheas, guanacos are easy to spot and, occasionally, some restless armadillo or skunk may lean out of a thorny bush. 

Due to its biodiversity richness it has been included in ´Patagonia Austral´ National Park & ´Blue Patagonia´ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and listed as an IBAs (Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas)

Staying in Bahia Bustamante Lodge also means taking a journey to the past, to discover the amazing life of the pioneers of this truly remote place in Patagonia. Don’t miss the opportunity to discover Bahia Bustamante in your next Patagonian Adventure!

Rural Tourism Network in the Calchaqui Valleys, Salta

Over the last few years, we have learnt that a different, accessible and more responsible way to travel is much needed.

 

In Kallpa we understand that we can contribute to transform our industry by developing experiences that enhance this trait.

More travellers are looking to go beyond just visiting a new foreign country. 

They are starting to look for different ways to enrich their experience by

 learning  and experimenting with locals, sharing activities as well as getting knowledge of rural and native communities lifestyle. The cultural exchange and mutual respect between local people and visitors, provides real  growth for both parties and a true development opportunity.

Salta has been a leading destination in Argentina for rural community tourism. Twelve local communities from the Calchaquí Valley joined to create a cooperative organization that is self-managed by families of farmers and artisans who open their doors to share different activities and experiences with visitors from all around the world.The whole network contributes with part of their income for a common purpose decided by all families involved in the project. It can be providing solar panels to a specific area where there is no electricity available  or making the necessary infrastructure to get drinkable water.

These communities are open to visitors to experience rural tourism, taking part in daily farming activities, visiting artisans and doing outdoor strolls or horseback rides. Cook and taste the local typical dishes such as empanadas, locro (meat and vegetable stew) tamales and humitas.  Using a mud oven, sharing  local traditions, taking care of a flock of goats, learning about grapevine and artisanal winemaking, visiting archaeological sites, hiking through the hills, learning craftworks like pottery, using a loom or sharing a religious festivity, among others. Wine tasting is also available in certain communities.

A once in a lifetime experience to be a local for a few memorable moments and enhance the travel experience in a sustainable way.

NOTE

  • Available options: Half day experience, including an activity and lunch with local family. Full day experience including overnight at a local family home, full board and activities.
  • Travellers are assigned to Communities depending on their availability and the activity that the visitors would like to take part in.
  • It is important to book the experience in advance, so that the community families can be prepared for the visit, and also for the visitor to read the Ethical Code of Conduct that will be provided.

Taste Iconic dishes while walking though singular markets in BA

Enjoy a culinary proposal now included in the Michelin Voyage guide.

Discover the history, beauty and flavors of San Telmo, one of Buenos Aires’s oldest neighborhoods that recently has turned into a foodie-hub.

Have a taste of Buenos Aires in this 4 hours walking tour. Try more than 10 delicious dishes, good  wines,incredible stories and  special quirks!

As you explore San Telmo´s cobblestone streets and century-old marketplaces you will visit one of the oldest houses of the city and have a Vermouth at a colonial courtyard. Discover the San Telmo Church and Plaza Dorrego.  Be delighted by the most iconic market of Argentina: the  ancient San Telmo Market.

Indulge yourself and try:

  • Local drink Mate.
  • Empanadas.
  • Argentine Wine, Craft Beer and Vermouth.
  • A Dulce de Leche (milk caramel) tasting, complete with dulce de leche filled alfajores.
  • Traditional Picada cheese and cured meats tasting.
  • A full asado, with chorizo, morcilla, provoleta,local cuts of meat like bife de chorizo, tira de asado or mollejas at a renowned steak-house.

Dare to try the most iconic dishes of Argentina and learn about the quirks, stories and traditions of the porteños.  It is a great opportunity to meet the locals behind the food stands and learn their stories of food and feelings.

DAYS OFFERED:

Wednesday-Sunday.

 

START TIMES:

11-13 or 17-18

Solar del Tropico where Nature, Art and Sustainability blend together

In Huacalera, only 15 km from Tilcara, you can find 4 comfortable rooms at Solar del Tropico Bed and Breakfast, to enjoy in a sustainable way your visit to Quebrada de Humahuaca.

What it’s owners, Analia and Remy, do to preserve the environment and contribute to the local community?

  • They are Pioneers in organic agriculture free of pesticides and chemicals.
  • Meals offered in the restaurant are based on seasonal and fresh products.
    1. This helps to save energy needed to preserve off-season food. 
    2. Ingredients used are self-produced or from local producers. Slow food concept.
    3. It is possible to adapt the fix menu offered to vegetarian, vegan, tacc free, according to guest needs.

 Water heating is carried out with solar panels, considerably reducing the use of gas heating. 

  • The hotel is a bio-built, adobe house with a mud roof. Oriented to the north for the maximum use of light and heat from the sun as well as having aesthetic benefits. The walls are trombe walls, which allows a greenhouse effect inside. 
  • All lighting is led.
  • Garbage worries. Organic waste goes into compost to fertilize the soil. Plastic is accumulated and personally taken to a recycling center. Glass bottles of beverages are kept to make a greenhouse, in the coming years.
  • Art is present. It is possible to attend a Painting workshop. Remy Rasse, graduated from the School of Fine Arts of Lyon (France), guides the workshop which will cover from landscapes to abstract themes. Several different techniques can be used: watercolors,  gouache,  ink, and oils, working both outside from the subject and in the workshop.

Energy saving, responsible use of water and avoiding garbage footprints is vital in Solar del Tropico B&B., and so is for us in Kallpa. We  care about the ecological and social impact that our activities have on local communities, choosing carefully people like Remy & Analia with whom we share this sustainable vision of travel.