A HIDDEN TREASURE IN IGUAZÚ

In Misiones Province, you can find the ideal place for nature lovers, birdwatchers, photographers and anyone willing to isolate themselves from everyday life: La Lorenza.

Emilio and Picu, a couple passionate about nature, share their private reserve with those who are willing to discover a different Iguazú. They define it as a secret spot beyond the famous waterfalls and off the beaten track.

La Lorenza is 50 minutes away from the city of Iguazú, immersed in a forest rich in biodiversity, medicinal plants, orchids, bromeliads, butterflies, and birds, many of them endemic to the ecoregion. Located on the Paraná River, the reservation is also a rural area where local families live and work the land.

It is possible to discover La Lorenza, through Half Day or Full Day discoveries which include a close encounter with nature within the reserve. We would like to recommend two of them.

LA LORENZA WALK & KAYAK, starts with a 30 min walk through the forest that will take you to the Urugua-i river bank where the kayaks will be waiting. Its calm waters are easy to paddle, an  invitation to observe the forest in a different perspective and to perceive with all your senses the surrounding nature.

You will have the chance to watch the second largest river in South America go by: the Paraná river. After 2.5 miles of kayaking, you will be back on land. A 45 minutes guided walk through the forest, immersed and surrounded by local flora and fauna to observe and learn, will take you to a deck overlooking the river with a privileged view. The visit ends at this unique place with a local appetizer. Although this activity i s suitable for beginners, it is required to be able to swim.

The other recommendation is LA LORENZA BY WATER. Upon arrival at La Lorenza a motor boat will be waiting for you to navigate up the Paraná River. After 15 minutes you will reach the Yasy cascade, a local hidden gem. In the intimacy of this breathtaking natural landscape, you can go for a swim and maybe even allow the waterfall to give you a massage. On the way back, you can enjoy a brief float down the Paraná River as we enjoy its calm waters. With a view of Paraguay on our private deck, by the bank of the Paraná River, a local appetizer will be offered. This is a good time to share endless local stories and curiosities.

A swim in the river or bathing under the Yasy cascade is possible and enjoyable as there are no aggressive animals in its waters.

If you would like to take part on any of these options at La Lorenza or learn more about other possible discoveries in this unique location, please contact us for more information.

GENERAL INFORMATION

LA LORENZA BY WATER

OUTINGS . It is offered 2 daily outings: 

AM: from 9.00am to 12.30 pm. PM: from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. During the winter season, from May to August, it is suggested to depart 1 hour before.

INCLUDED IN THE EXCURSION : Private bilingual guide English/Spanish. Hand sanitizer, hand fans, poncho raincoat. Private motorboat ride. Simple local appetizer. Water, and natural juice with seasonal fruit. Transfers. 

NOT INCLUDED

Transfers to La Lorenza

“Picada de la Selva” -Heavy appetizer with drinks.

LA LORENZA WALK & KAYAK

OUTINGS . It is offered 2 daily outings: 

AM: from 9.00am to 12.30 pm. PM: from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. During the winter season, from May to August, it is suggested to depart 1 hs before.

INCLUDED IN THE EXCURSION : 

Private bilingual guide English/Spanish. 

Simple local appetizer. Water, and natural juice with seasonal fruit. 

Hand sanitizer and poncho raincoat. 

Sit on top kayaks.

NOT INCLUDED

Transfers to La Lorenza

“Picada de la Selva” -Heavy appetizer with drinks. 

 Be aware that from Iguazu to La Lorenza are 45/50 min drive.

CLAY AND LIVING CULTURE IN THE NORTH

Learn about the secrets of artisanal pottery and get your hands dirty with the red-colored clay of this enchanting northern town.

Placed in the north-west and almost in the middle of Jujuy province, we find the colorful town of Purmamarca, embraced by the well-known Hill of the Seven Colors. In one of its many mud houses lives Maby, a local artisan that invites us to learn her pottery techniques.

Maby has been a clay artisan for many years and knows a lot about modeling and decoration with local pigments and materials. She is happy to share not only her craft knowledge but also her culture; believing that there is nothing more moving and rewarding than creating something with our own hands.

She warmly welcomes us to her home and workshop to teach us the whole artisanal pottery process, which -according to her- requires enthusiasm and patience.

First, we learn every step to prepare the material that we need to model with, from mud to clay. Then, Maby shows and helps us with the modeling technique to create a small original pottery piece by ourselves, such as bowls, plates, cups or decoration items. Once we’re done, she will take care of the final touches to dry and bake the piece for us.

You can take a piece of art that has been made by someone else and that is already finished. Yours will stay in Purmamarca until the whole process is complete and will be taken by another person that visits Maby some other time after you.

It is not a simple workshop, but the experience of sharing stories, knowledge and techniques of an art that has been alive from our cultural roots. In Maby’s own words: “you will take an indelible memory of my Purma; a space of living culture!”  

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Difficulty: intermediate. No previous experience required.
  • Duration: 2 hours.
  • Min. 2 pax required.
  • Indoor activity. No smoking allowed.
  • Includes materials, apron to protect your clothes, a piece made by someone else as a souvenir of this experience and a snack.
  • Recommendations: bring hands cream, comfortable clothes and shoes.

 

RAFTING ADVENTURE OVERLOOKING MT. FITZ ROY

A great rafting day is all you need to feel alive and full of energy. Experience El Chaltén and get up close to nature in the shadows of Mt. Fitz Roy while navigating hair-raising Class III rapids.

Live an adventure full of adrenaline and a different way to enjoy El Chaltén and its mountains view, rafting through the clear blue waters of the Río de las Vueltas.

This full day program starts picking you up from any hotel in El Calafate and arriving to El Chaltén village around 11 am. Here, you will have four hours free to walk around and get information about the different hikes and must-sees.

Then, we will meet again and go towards the operational base where expert guides will welcome and explain a bit about the rafting activity of the day. You will also be provided of all the required technical equipment: thermal and dry suits, helmet, life jacket and neoprene boots.

After making your way to the river’s shore, the guides will conduct a safety and technical briefing, and you will head out on some calm waters -ideal for practising your paddling techniques and learning how to manoeuvre running rapids. Be prepared to get wet and laugh a lot: the course is full of exhilarating twists and turns!

The first 4 km are on tranquil waters, ideal to familiarise yourself with the raft, the river and practice the necessary paddling techniques; but also to soak in the extraordinary views of Mt. Fitz Roy.

The next part is challenging as it becomes more turbulent and thrilling for an 8 km stretch of exciting Class III rapids that will be sure to test your new rafting skills.

The final stage is a gentle 2 km coast down the meandering river, perfect to catch your  breath and contemplate the breathtaking landscape once again.

After the adventure in the river, a lunch box is provided in the headquarters and the vehicle will be waiting for you to take you back to El Calafate, arriving around 8:30 pm.

Book this experience and take back home a unique perspective of this spectacular National Park and a memorable thrilling rafting adventure.

It is also possible to book this tour starting/ending in El Chaltén, with 2 daily departures (except Thursdays). This option does not include transfers and box lunch.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Difficulty: intermediate-moderate. No previous rafting experience required.
  • Fitness level: medium.
  • Duration: full day or half day starting in El Chaltén.
  • Duration of rafting tour: 2 hs.
  • Season: from November to March.
  • Operates every day except Thursdays.
  • Min. 3 pax required.
  • Max. capacity per raft: 8 pax.
  • Minimum age required: 18 years old. Minors must be accompanied by their parents or legal tutor.
  • Equipment included: waterproof dry suit, boots, life jackets, helmets.
  • Full day excursion includes transfer from and to El Calafate + 2 hs rafting + Lunch box (meat or vegetarian sandwich + fruit + beverage).

 

IBERÁ NATIONAL PARK WILDLIFE RESTORATION

Finally, the natural and cultural heritage of Iberá is protected for future generations in a tourist attraction of international level.

The Iberá Wetland is the second largest of South America, with an extension of 12.000 km2 that keeps great biodiversity and a rich cultural heritage.

After a long time, in December 2018, the National Congress in Argentina approved the creation of the Iberá National Park in Corrientes, aiming to expand and upgrade conservation protections for land within the Iberá Provincial Park. The result: a natural park of 712.800 hectares that hosts 4000 species of flora and fauna in its wetlands, pastures, spinal forests and small jungles.

This was one of the focuses of the Conservation Land Trust Argentina (CLT), created in 1992 by the late entrepreneur and ecologist Douglas Tompkins and his wife Kristine, for which the NGO donated the lands for.

The CLT is dedicated to the creation and/or expansion of national or provincial parks to ensure the perpetuity of their ecological and evolutionary processes with the strongest long-term protection guarantee possible. Also, it supports programs for the protection of wildlife, reintroduction of locally extinct species, land restoration and programs for local development, normally involved in ecotourism, sustainable farming and environmental education.

In the new national park there are ten reintroduction projects for local species already: the yaguareté, the deer of the pampas, the anteater, the tapir, the collared peccary, the great red macaw, the muitú, the giant otter, the aguará guazú and the chuña with red legs. According to CLT, it is “the largest project of reintroduction of locally extinct fauna of America, and the only one in Argentina of this magnitude”.

In 2007, the first release of anteaters was made, a species that had disappeared throughout the province. And in 2012, with the support of the provincial government and other foundations and companies, a breeding program for yaguaretés began on the island of San Alonso -for which the Yaguareté Reintroduction Center was created. In June 2018, the first two specimens were born after decades of absence of the species in the province.

The CLT offers the possibility of becoming a part of their projects of ecosystem restoration by discovering and experiencing the Iberá through any of the selected accommodations available: Rincón del Socorro Lodge, San Alonso Lodge, Iberá Lodge and Uguay Lodge.

Because of the unique character of each one, and the wide array of rates they offer, these options complement each other well and may also be combined during a single stay for a varied, colorful experience.

All the accommodation options offer not only very comfortable and warm lodging facilities surrounded by nature, but also meals and activities to discover the wetlands. Boat rides, horseback riding, guided hiking, kayaking…fauna sightings guaranteed!

One of the benefits of Iberá, is the possibility of visiting the wetlands for a few days. Three to four days of stay are enough to enjoy this natural environment and participate in the activities offered.

We invite you to visit this new attraction in Argentina, a unique place to be more in contact with nature than ever.