TREKKING TO THE CLOUDS 2020 DATES

A Kallpa classic, the Trekking to the Clouds returns as every year. Find out the dates, available routes of choice and highlights.


Going across the mountains and through the ancient roads of the Inca Empire, this journey will make you discover ruins, views and magnificent landscapes. To do so, the Trekking to the Clouds offers three different versions with different lengths: 

Sillón del Inca – 2 days / 1 night:

Ideal for those looking for two days of activity to train the body and the senses. This version of the Trekking to the Clouds is intended for those seeking for a mountain experience within the immensity of Quebrada del Toro.

The trail- that once was part of the ancient roads of the Inca Empire- will lead us in a moderate ascent up to a peculiar panoramic lookout point where the old villagers installed an observatory (El Observatorio) in order to anticipate the presence of visitors.

Then the path will take us to the ruins of Sillón del Inca, where we will spend the night. The way back is through Mount Golgota, passing by Abra del Caminante, a milestone which today’s climbers use to frequent. The day ends descending through Golgota’s slope down to the picturesque town of Ingeniero Maury. 

Confluencia – 3 days / 2 nights:

Intended for those looking for a more active experience and in contact with the actual inhabitants of the hills. This version of the Trekking to the Clouds will guide us through the landscapes of Quebrada del Toro passing by El Observatorio (panoramic lookout point of the ancient villagers).

The first night we will camp next to the ruins of Sillón del Inca. During day two, we will continue our ascent up to Abra de la Cruz, the highest point of the trail. From this point, if the sky is clear, we can appreciate all the immensity of Valle de Lerma, where Salta city is located.

By the afternoon, we will be welcomed in by the Reinaga family, with whom we will share a dinner full of experiences and histories and with a privileged view of the hills. During day three, we will go from the dry areas to the beginning of the Yunga.

We will descend alongside Río Astilleros, where the vehicle to return to Salta will be waiting.

San Lorenzo – 4 days / 3 nights:

Descending through San Lorenzo’s Gorge after four days walking among practically uninhabited mountains and valleys is an unrivalled sensation. A memorable contrast between the immensity of the hills, the loneliness of the villagers and the sudden presence of Salta city ahead of us.

This version of the Trekking to the Clouds will also guide us through the landscapes of Quebrada del Toro passing by El Observatorio (panoramic lookout point of the ancient villagers).

The first night we will camp next to the ruins of Sillón del Inca. During day number two, we will continue our ascent up to Abra de la Cruz, the highest lookout point of the trail. From there, if the sky is clear, we can appreciate all the immensity of Valle de Lerma, where Salta city is located.

By the afternoon, we will be welcomed in by the Reinaga family, with whom we will share a dinner full of experiences and stories and with a privileged view of the hills. During day three we will leave the dry area to enter the density of the Yunga.

We will share the night with Miss Feliciana Sarapura. During day four, our walk through the edge of the hills begins until we conquer, in the afternoon, our arrival to San Lorenzo, next to the city of Salta.

If you´re willing to adventure yourself into the clouds, we offer a monthly Sillón del Inca tour from January to December, and a monthly Confluencia and San Lorenzo tour from April to November. These are the departure dates for 2020:

Please, contact us to make your reservation.


 

LLULLAILLACO VOLCANO BASE CAMP IN SALTA

LLULLAILLACO VOLCANO BASE CAMP IN SALTA

Ideal for adventurous travelers who want to live a unique experience in a special off the beaten track place, directly benefiting the local community. 


The Llullaillaco Volcano -with 6,739 masl- is the highest in the province of Salta and the second highest active volcano in the world after the Ojos del Salado, on the border between Argentina and Chile. 

Considered the Incas’ sacred volcano and the highest sanctuary of its empire, its fame grew even more after the Children of Llullaillaco were discovered: three mummified children were found in March 1999 close to the summit. They were perfectly preserved by cold and next to more than 150 objects that made up their funeral trousseau, consisting of miniature human and animal figures, utensils and food. Today they are exhibited at the Museum of High Mountain Archaeology (MAAM) in Salta and the ceremonial complex of Llullaillaco was declared a World Heritage Site. 

There are many reasons why mountaineers from all over the world venture to ascend to the summit of this Sacred Volcano. Being so, now we can find at its base the first Tourist Camp in the Argentine puna.

The Llullaillaco Base Camp project was created with the purpose of promoting the sustainable development of the local communities connected with active tourism in the region. Together with Tolar Grande community leaders, the “Puna Vision Foundation” was born with the aim of training local young people to continue the development of this activity in the area, being the ones who will welcome and assist guests at the camp.

Regarding the campsite amenities, it is prepared to provide quality personalized service and comfort for 24 people at the same time. For safety, there’s permanent connection to a base in Salta via satellite phone, allowing 24/7 communication regarding information about expeditions, weather conditions and efficiently coordinate potential evacuations. The service is also available for visitors to contact their families. 

Meals are carefully prepared in the kitchen tent, fully equipped to provide fresh food, complying with hygiene and safety standards. The in-camp chef offers a wide menu including red and white meat, pizza and pasta, cakes, fresh fruits and cereals among other options. All meals are served at the dining dome. 

There are 1200 liter drinking water supply for guests and solar energy provides power with low environmental impact, available to charge small electronic devices. There is also a toilet (with no showers) to avoid travelers’ impact in the area. 

The camp is located at 4500 masl, which is ideal for mountaineers’ good acclimatization willing to climb the volcano, as well as for those adventure travelers in 4×4 vehicles, motorbikes or MTB travelers passing by the area. 

Using it as a base also enables new trekking possibilities. Just to mention a couple of them, a 6 hour hike to Tambo -an Inca ruin at the foot of the volcano- which starts at 5000 meters and ascends to 5300 meters. And a one hour night walk ascending to the viewpoint in front of the camp to contemplate the starry sky (which may also be done during the day to get a completely different view).

Please, ask your executive about the Kallpa programs already available to get to know the Puna through different activities, visiting and staying at the camp from November to March. An unmissable experience for every adventurer!


NEW DINING DOME IN TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK

NEW DINING DOME IN TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK

A new dining dome with an updated menu, perfect to complement visits to the Park and recharge energy after activities in contact with nature.


The Tierra del Fuego National Park is located in the southwest corner of the homonymous island, on the Beagle Channel and next to the city of Ushuaia. It preserves about 70,000 hectares of Patagonian forests that invite you to enjoy hikes in contact with virgin nature.

Recently, a new dining dome was inaugurated, with more space and better amenities so that passengers who join Canal Fun half or full-day trekking and canoes excursions can enjoy them.

The menu, also renovated, includes healthy options that are better suited to the most frequent dietary restrictions, while maintaining dedication and attention to detail.

With a privileged view of the Lapataia River and the Condor Hill, passengers enjoy the new lunch place in a warm and relaxed atmosphere, before continuing to discover the wonders of Tierra del Fuego National Park by expert guides.

We invite you to visit the dome! Ask your Kallpa executive for half-day or full-day Canal Fun excursions that include lunch at the new facilities.


 

BIRDWATCHING IN THE CLOUD FOREST IN SALTA

BIRDWATCHING IN THE CLOUD FOREST IN SALTA

The perfect place for bird watching enthusiasts, in a unique natural environment.


The Huaico Natural Reserve protects a remnant of mountain jungle in a very good state of conservation, adjacent to Villa San Lorenzo, just 8 km from the city of Salta.

It is a private reserve, whose land was donated by its owners to the Yuchan Foundation, the NGO responsible for its management and administration. It comprises 51 hectares of cloud forest, destined for conservation, scientific research, environmental education and ecotourism.

It is a place to enjoy nature, where jungle vegetation unfolds and surrounds you. In each corner you will enjoy the sounds of the river, waterfalls and the fauna of the place.

One of the main attractions in the reserve is the great diversity of birds. Whoever wants to visit and conduct the bird watching circuit, must do so accompanied by an authorized guide. You will be able to observe and learn about the birds that inhabit the amazing environment of the mountain jungle.

The proposal to visit the reserve participating in this activity can be half or full day:

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up to drive you to the Huaico Natural Reserve, only 15 minutes northwest from Salta downtown. We will spend about 3 hours birding along the trails that will permit us to walk from the lowest strata to the highest elevation of this cloud forest. Amongst the 220 species recorded here, there is a fine selection of colorful parrots, tanagers, hummingbirds, furnariidae and antshrikes.

We will be in search of forest birds such as yungas dove, dusky-legged guan, ocellated piculet, dot-fronted and cream-backed woodpeckers, mitred parakeet, scaly-headed parrot, slender-tailed woodstar and the rather confiding gray-necked wood-rail.  

We hope that our sightings on passerines -strongly influenced by the time of the year and weather conditions- will include many attractions such as white-winged and crested becards, stripe-crowned and azara’s spinetails.

Before midday, we plan to be at the “raptor’s watch deck”, from where we stand good chances to see Andean condor and/or the majestic black-and-chestnut eagle soaring around. As usual, these rare species are never assured but other birds of prey sightings can include swallow-tailed kite, roadside and short-tailed hawks and the shy barred forest-falcon. 

This is the final stop for the half day excursion, but if you are willing to go on into a full day birdwatch, after picnic-lunch in the reserve we will drive eastwards again into the Sianca Valley to yet another private protected wetland. 

An amazing abundance of waterfowl concentrates here including the rosy-billed pochard, white-cheeked and brown pintails, speckled and cinnamon reals, Brazilian and lake ducks, white-faced ibis, coots, herons and storks. 

The reeds and rushbeds give shelter to occasional southern screamer, snail kite and wren-like rushbird, while the surrounding thickets will provide chances for the attractive red-legged seriema, whistling heron, red-crested cardinal, lined seedeater, and many others.

Later in the afternoon, we will drive back to your hotel, perhaps doing the checklist of a very productive day! Without a doubt, an amazing experience with a wonderful staging of these winged creatures.


GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Includes: Round trip transfers from the hotel. Spanish/English bilingual guide. Entrance fee to the Huaico Natural Reserve. Birdwatching checklist.
  • Not included: Lunch, snacks or beverages. Tips or any other extra costs.
  • Operation: From January to September.
  • It is recommended to all visitors to bring: Hat or cap. Sunscreen. Insect repellent. Sufficient drinking water for the day. Comfortable and suitable clothes and shoes for hiking.