A true one-of-a-kind experience! Fly Tour Argentina

Flying over the Salta region is an invitation to feel, at least for a while, like a Condor over the wonderful Andes Range.

You can choose from three fixed experiences that will allow you to connect different locations in a very short period of time.Buckle up as we take off from Salta City  Enjoy the wonderful views as you climb up heading towards the Calchaqui Valleys or The Puna. 

On this occasion, we present one of the Jewels of Northwest of Argentina. 

Calchaqui Valley Program – Cachi & Cafayate – Route 40. Covering in one day amazing Northwest highlights.You will take off from Salta heading west enjoying the breathtaking view of the Quebrada de Escoipe as we approach Cachi. We will descend on Cachi Colonial Town and you will have some free time to discover this charming and peaceful town. Its cobblestone streets,  its main square, the church declared a national monument, the archaeological museum at your own pace.Then we head back to Cachi’s airfield and fly to our next destination, Cafayate. We head on south flying above the memorable Route 40, over the towns of Molinos,  Seclantás, Angastaco and San  Carlos. The surreal  Quebrada de las Flechas with its white sedimentary rock formations and their tips rising to the sky will undoubtedly stand out in this stretch.Once we arrive in Cafayate, there will be a car waiting to take you to the village for a short visit of the main square. Later you will be taken to Piattelli Vineyard where you will enjoy one of the best views of the Cafayate Valley vineyards while having lunch, enjoying young, fresh, aromatic and floral wines of varietals grown in the estates located in Cafayate and Mendoza. After lunch, the same vehicle will take us back to the airport and then on to Salta City, arriving at 3 pm at Salta Airport.

Further details of the tour: 

Departs from Salta 9:30 hours 

10:00 hs arrival to Cachi. 1.30 hs permanence in Cachi.

12:00 hs Arrival to Cafayate. 2.30hs permanence in Cafayate for Lunch. Lunch is included in Piatelly or El Esteco winery.

15:00 hs Arrival to Salta

Contact us for prices (Min 4 travelers required)

Total flight time: 1 hr

Distance covered: 400km

** We have other programs available which will include lunch in Cafayate or Cachi with the overflight the Cono de Arita or Volcan Galan in the Puna **

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!

KAYAKING IN THE RIO DE LAS VUELTAS IN EL CHALTÉN

This is a unique and unforgettable experience, sailing on Patagonian lakes and rivers by kayak for an enriching visit of the El Chaltén area.

The Rio de las Vueltas is born in the Lago del Desierto lake and, as the name implies (literally, river of turns) descends towards Lago Viedma lake, making numerous curves through leafy forests of lenga trees and vertical walls. It is one of the most important rivers in the area as it transports the meltwater from glaciers in the region.

This experience provides a privileged position aboard a sit on top kayak, for about  20 kilometers enjoying the best views of Mount Fitz Roy and its satellite needles, with a totally different point of view from the one that you get from a trail. This is an excellent complement to the traditional trekking trip to El Chaltén!

In the morning, the adventure begins at a local tourism office in town, where we take a transfer to Laguna Cóndor. After a 17 km drive, we arrive at the mountain refuge where we meet Loli, our expert guide for the day. While we drink a hot cup of coffee or tea, he introduces us to the activity; a full briefing including the itinerary, paddling instructions and safety techniques to keep in mind during our kayaking excursion. 

We try out the equipment and put on the full outfit (neoprene wetsuit, boots and gloves, safety vest and helmet) and we’re ready to rehearse the paddling movements before boarding the river.  

Finally, we get on the kayaks and properly practice our recently acquired paddling skills in the Laguna Cóndor (Condor Lagoon). If you never paddled before, it might take a couple of minutes to get used to, but overall it’s an easy task.

We follow a unique descend through the river and, if the weather allows it, we’ll get breathtaking views from the Fitz Roy Massif along the sail. Nature all around and the subtle sound of our gentle paddling is all we hear and observe, feeling really small at this environment surrounded by giants. 

Wind may blow and make the adventure more fun trying to keep the kayak on track. Don’t worry, Loli is there at all times to help and guide you! The kayaking route is 20 km but the paddling is really easy going. There’s no time pressure as the activity’s duration is adapted on the way according to the group’s size and skills.

The descent and paddling end at El Chaltén, where after a short walk we reach the office where we change our clothes, enjoy a deserved snack to recharge our energy and continue our friendly chat, joking around and remembering the experience that now has become a trip anecdote of an amazing day. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Included services: Transfers El Chaltén – Laguna Cóndor mountain refuge. Enabled expert kayak guide with basic technical English. Full neoprene-suit, gloves and boots. Jacket. Personal safety gear (life vest and helmet). Snacks, tea and coffee  in El Chalten. Radio contact with El Chaltén.
  • Not included: Transfers not detailed specifically. Tips. Box lunch (travelers have to take their own box lunch or book it through Kallpa in advance!). Services not specified in the program.
  • Please make sure to bring: Small backpack 20 lts. Extra clothes and shoes. Sunglasses. Sunscreen. Cap or hat. Jacket. Waterproof camera or protection. Box Lunch.
  • Level of difficulty: Moderate. Activity for people with good physical condition but not necessarily with rowing experience. Both beginners and experienced rowers can enjoy it. Requirement: ability to Swim.

 

 

SNORKELING WITH SEA LIONS IN PUERTO MADRYN

Snorkel surrounded by curious and playful sea lions, who willingly take photos, hug and even smother you with kisses.

Puerto Madryn is the mecca of Argentinian diving activities and only 15 km from Punta Loma, a rookery of Southern Sea Lions. There are not many places in the world where it is possible to snorkel with these marine mammals, but this is one of them. That is why this experience is one of the highlights in the city.

From the service provider office on the coast in Puerto Madryn, we board speedboats and navigate for 25 minutes towards Punta Loma Provincial Reserve, a protected natural area that restricts the permanence time and allows 18 people at the same time. 

On the way, we enjoy a maritime scenario of beaches, cliffs, shipwrecks, whales, dolphins, cormorants and seagulls. Also we receive a briefing including an explanation about the animal’s behaviour, how we must conduct ourselves within the protected area and an introduction to the snorkeling activity and equipment. The neoprene suit we wear maintains body heat and also provides positive buoyancy, therefore, it is not a requirement to know how to swim (although advisable).

As we get closer to the spot, the sea lion noises get louder and louder. Soon, hundreds of them are all around! Adults and cubs. It’s time to get ready and dive in.

If you never snorkeled before, it might be a little uncomfortable at first to get used to the sensation and trying to breathe through the tube, but just try to relax and remember the instructions. Enjoy the experience, look around, paddle softly and when you feel more at ease, you’re good to go.

It’s a surreal feeling to be up close with these creatures, touching and playing with them, going underwater and see them swim so gracefully. Everywhere we turn, there are more sea lion cubs playfully swimming around us. It’s clear that they are used to divers and comfy enough to even kiss us and take selfies.

We remain in the water with the sea lions for 40 minutes, always joined by the instructor. We guarantee that in the end you will wish that the experience lasted longer, even if at first you thought that snorkeling isn’t your thing. To be able to have such an intense and close-up encounter, to observe and play with these curious marine mammals is a fantastic and cherished experience.

After the diving ends, we go back onboard and return to the office, where we return the equipment and change our clothes.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Duration: 3½ hs
  • This activity operates daily in the morning. Depending on the time of the year, departure time is adjusted according to high tide.
  • Difficulty: Moderate The passenger must be able to move with the diving fins for 40 minutes, taking into account that it is within a medium in constant motion.
  • Age restrictions: Minimum 7 years old – Maximum suggested 60 to 65 years old.
  • Min. 2 pax required.
  • The current regulations allow visits of no more than one hour and fifteen minutes in the area. The contact activity with the sea lions takes maximum 40-45 minutes.
  • Included: Neoprene suit, two pieces, helmet, boots and gloves. Coat jacket for round trip transportation on the boat. Snack service on board: water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, alfajores and pastries. Instructor and necessary briefing according to the activity.
  • Not included: Transfers to the service supplier office in Puerto Madryn. Dry suit. DVD with HD photos and videos.
  • The program may be modified or suspended depending on weather conditions, in which case the amount paid will be refunded if it’s not possible to reschedule. Sighting and interaction with the fauna depends on uncontrollable factors, such as climatic changes or reproductive time.