Learning to cook empanadas at House of Jasmines

Today’s special: A private class from a master of traditional cooking and the secrets of the famous empanada Salteña

When visitors come to the Argentinian north, there is one dish that everybody loves, and that is the empanada. In this opportunity, you will be able to learn the secrets of this delicious and traditional meal and delight your guests when they come to dinner. The main idea is to provide not only a cooking class but a whole experience that you will enjoy to the fullest.

The appointment is at House of Jasmines, a Maison de Charme located in the outskirts of Salta. Now an inn, this place used to be the residence of actor Robert Duvall until it was purchased and turned into what it is today. The place itself is an invitation to all bon vivant lovers. Surrounded by green hills and eucalyptus trees, House of Jasmines is a true refuge just a few miles away from the city.

Once in the residence, the chef welcomes you in the kitchen and shows you the ingredients that will be used in the preparation, such as flour, grease, meat, potato, onion sprouts, and spices. Then, the action begins with the making of the dough; there are some that say that here is where the true secret of a good empanada lays. When the dough is ready, you will continue with the filling and then, the traditional `repulgue´ (the technique that consists in pinching the edge, crimping, and sealing it). Expert tip: the perfect empanada should have thirteen repulgues (crimps).


The class ends with the cooking of the empanadas and its degustation with a cup of wine from the Salta Valleys in the beautiful La Table (the restaurant of the Inn). Located next to the main house, La Table of House of Jasmines has a view to the hills and a warm atmosphere that invites friends to relax and enjoy good conversation.

If you want to make the best of this visit, you can combine the cooking class with some other activities, such as walking through the garden, horseback riding, or enjoy a massage in the SPA. The fees do not include transfer services. If you wish more information on this experience, please do not hesitate to contact us at  Kallpa Tour operator.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • The experience length is 1.30 to 2.00hs.
  • Private cooking class
  • Minimum 2 pax to max 10 pax.
  • Roundtrip Transfers to/from House of Jasmines are not included.
  • Difficulty: Low

INCLUDES

  • Cooking gear and materials.
  • English /Spanish speaking chef
  • Cup of Wine for the empanadas tasting

 

Casa Santa Ana: charming lodge in Iberá

Imagine being in a place where wildlife is the lead. Let yourself get surrounded by the fascinating animal species of the estuary and live nature to the fullest in this magical resort

Located in Carlos Pellegrini, on the banks of Iberá Lagoon, Santa Ana is a typical house from the estuaries. In this peculiar Inn, you will experience the wilderness of a natural environment, yet having the facilities of a luxury hotel.

The area itself is something unique: the variety of the local fauna, which is one of the kind, is as rich as the variety of the landscapes. You can appreciate rivers, lagoons, mounts filled with lapachos (local tree) with the most colorful blossoms, meadows, and beautiful palm trees.

Casa Santa Ana, as other houses in the area, used to belong to a rural family until it was purchased and turned into an ecological lodge. Still preserving its rustic spirit, it has been restored to fulfill the needs of the guests. Its unique location, between the town and the lagoon, offers the possibility to have direct contact with nature and at the same time, with the traditions of the Correntinian culture.

The Inn features comfortable and simple rooms decorated with tin lamps and antique pieces of furniture. It has three triple rooms with a double and a single bed, and one double room with twin beds. All the rooms have private bathrooms with a bathtub, direct access to the gallery and view to the lagoon. There is also a separated house with two bedrooms connected by a living room. This house has also a kitchen and a semi-private garden, ideal for families with children.

When not involved in some excursion, the guests may enjoy sitting in the living room of the main residence next to the fireplace and reading a nice book from the house’s library. For the hot days, you can swim in the pool or take a walk around the lagoon and its private dock. Don’t be surprised if a carpincho (capybara– typical animal of the area) joins you through your walk around the garden or while you are having tea at the gallery.

To delight your palate, the inn’s chef offers a tour through the most traditional flavors of the Guaraní cuisine. All the ingredients are produced locally and the menu is prepared according to the season’s products. There are also special menus for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten intolerant.

Casa Santa Ana is not only an inn but a complete experience in the wild that will allow you to live nature like you’ve never done before. Among the many activities that the inn offers, there is horseback riding, cultural walks joined by a local guide, bird watching, photographic safaris, kayak, trekking through different paths, nautical safaris, boat riding, and many others.

If there is a word to describe Iberá, that is intense. The uniqueness of the region is positively one of the most amazing in the planet. If you visit Argentina, Iberá is without a doubt an obliged stop for nature lovers. And at Casa Santa Ana, you have full nature contact guaranteed.

The fees cover a full board stay with excursions included. Transfers in/out have an additional cost.

For more information, do not hesitate to contact us at Kallpa Tour operator!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Feasable all year
  • Transfers available from Mercedes or Posadas
  • Transfers in/out not included

INCLUDES

  • Full board
  • Excursions

 

AUSTRALIS launches the ventus at the end of the world

When it comes to exploring the most remote corners of the earth, Australis gets the job done better than anyone else. With over twenty-five years in the market, the cruise company has built a reputation as the ultimate Patagonian experience. 

The Australis cruises literary sail to the end of the world, formally known as Cape Horn. Through this southernmost itinerary, which allows disembarkments with Zodiac boats, the passengers will be able to scout all the important sites of these virgin lands. From the Magellan Narrow to the Beagle Channel, Australis offers different excursions that cover all the wonders of Patagonia.

But, leaving generalities aside, the big news is that the Australis fleet has a new member:  the Ventus Australis, which will be setting sails for the first time this January. The Ventus was built at Asenav, internationally known Chilean shipyard. It has one hundred cabins, each one with a private bathroom and a panoramic view of the ocean. Passengers will be able to choose between three different cabin categories, nonetheless, the only difference lays in the space and not in comfort.

But, even though the rooms are really comfortable and have a magnificent view, most people prefer to relax outside. Among the many conveniences that the Ventus offers, there is a bar, a restaurant, and several lounges and relaxation areas where passengers can get to know each other, yet enjoying comfort and space. Australis also provides several on board entertainment options, such as a library filled with material on the flora and fauna of the region, as well as different board games. The crew is also in charge of organizing lectures for those interested in learning more about the characteristics of the area.

The service also includes international level gastronomy with thematic buffet lunches. You can take a tour through the flavors of Italy one day, and visit Japan on the next, just to give an example. For dinner, there is a la carte menu that will provide delicious options each day.

To guarantee that passengers enjoy this trip to the fullest, the Ventus, as well as the other Australis cruises, has a permanent crew of sixty-six members, including a special team of Patagonia experts that will lead passengers through the different expeditions providing details of the flora, fauna, and geological conditions of the area.

A lot more can be said about the conveniences of this cruise, but there is no doubt that the star here is the journey itself. This experience will allow you to grasp this mysterious sanctuary in the most profound way. Let yourself be surprised by the wilderness and get on board for an adventure that will stay with you for life.

If you wish to know more about Australis Cruises, please do not hesitate to contact your Account Executive at  Kallpa tour operator.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Feasible from September to April
  • Restrictions: None
  • Diverse itineraries may be chosen

INCLUDES

  • Full board
  • Excursions in Zodiac boats
  • Bilingual specialized guides

Walking with Llamas in the Northwest

Take a hike joined by llamas among ancient ruins, salt lakes, valleys, and gorges. An ancestral activity to connect with the Pachamama and the most amazing landscapes in the northwest.

Ever since the beginning of time, the Andean men and the llamas traversed the harsh terrain in the mountains and the high plateau. These particular animals were used not only to transport commercial goods but for their wool, their meat, and their guano.

Nowadays in Tilcara, Santos Manfredi has settled a rural and ecological establishment specialized in taming llamas as a freighting animal, to recreate this ancestral practice. Caravana de Llamas, as it is called, is also dedicated to promoting the conjoint work with local communities, for which they rely on different routes where local families provide their homes and tour guiding.

Santos has developed different trails to hike with the llamas around the Humahuaca Gorge and the Puna Jujeña. With a variety of difficulties and durations (from half day to several days), there are multiple options for everyone, including families. Each hike is developed to satisfy the expectations of the many visitors.

A recommended half day hike is the one towards Salinas Grandes, the salt lakes. Along the way, you have panoramic views of the Humahuaca Gorge. Once at the Salinas, a tent is lifted to provide shadow and to have a well-deserved picnic in the middle of the 45.000 hectares of salt.

For a short and family alternative, a one hour and a half walk around the colorful town of Tilcara will do. You might feel funny walking around the town’s main square right beside a llama, but believe us, is a once in a lifetime experience!

Different paths around the region take you towards ancient ruins, valleys, volcanoes, gorges and salt lakes. While hiking, you learn about the local culture and history. The lamas are always used to carry all the camping equipment, food and personal belongings for the journey, you can’t ride them.

For those travelers in the search of original experiences, walking with llamas is an unforgettable experience in the northwest.