Kayak & Trekking Experience Río La Leona

A 14 km full day adventure to discover the delightful La Leona River and take a hike through Los Hornos Mount. Explore a glacial river surrounded by the Patagonian steppe and learn about geology!

In the Santa Cruz province it is said that Río La Leona is one of the most beautiful rivers in the Patagonian steppe. With a 70 km flow of turquoise waters, this glacial river is born at the Viedma Lake and discharges at the Argentino Lake.

An interesting fact: its name was given due to a female puma attack (colloquially called “leona”, which means lioness) that suffered Francisco Pascasio Moreno, the famous Perito Moreno, on an expedition towards the Santa Cruz River in the summer of 1877.

Surrounded by the most arid steppe, with no trees and framed by a wide tiered valley, La Leona provides the scenery for today’s adventure.

After an early pick up from the hotel in El Calafate, we are driven towards Luz Divina, a rural inn. On the way the guide tells us about this faraway place and the river we are about to navigate. Glaciers, flora and fauna complete a very interesting informative talk.

Once at Luz Divina, we get familiar with the kayak equipment and pay attention to the technical brief to know the paddling basics. Even if you don’t have any previous experience kayaking, this activity can be easily done by anyone!

All equipped and instructed, we finally go down to La Leona River. The first paddling stretch takes about an hour and a half. Until we get used to this activity, which for some is the first time ever to get into a kayak, it’s impossible not to be captivated by this outstanding landscape of natural beauty and geological history; to take in this vast environment where the sound of silence is so overwhelming. An untouched scenery that many years ago astonished explorers such as Darwin or Moreno with the contrast of the ocher steppe and the turquoise glacial waters.

The next stop is at Los Hornos Mount, one of the oldest formations in the world. At this mount we take a 2 hs hike discovering the beginnings of Patagonian geography. Petrified trees and dinosaur fossils are witnesses of ancient times where the Earth’s conditions and weather were very different than nowadays.

At this place we will also have a brief lunch (not included) and a hot tea to regain energies for the next paddling stretch.

Back again on our kayaks, after 45 minutes more navigating through La Leona, we reach the final stop of the adventure at Arroyo Turbio. We are welcomed at Estancia La Irene and after settling in and putting away the kayak gear, the team bids farewell with a delicious cold beer before returning to El Calafate.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Daily departures. Full day excursion.
  • Operates from October to April.
  • Requires Min. 1 pax – Max. 8 pax.
  • Min. age required is 12 years old.
  • Very active excursion. Implies moderate physical effort. No previous trekking or kayaking experience needed.
  • Pax should wear trekking shoes, comfortable clothes for paddling (thermal t-shirt, polar jacket or sweater, etc.), thermal or lycra leggins, additional underwear (in case it gets wet while kayaking), sunglasses and sunscreen, backpack or bag to keep personal items in the vehicle.

SERVICES INCLUDED

  • Calafate Hotels pick up (starts at 7:30 am) & drop off (4:30 pm). Can be arranged to and from airport depending on flight schedule.
  • Double Kayak and paddles.
  • Safety briefing & Technical equipment: neoprene suit and boots, semi-dry jacket, cockpit cover, helmet, mittens, life jacket, waterproof bag.
  • Bilingual guides (Spanish-English)
  • Snack (hot drinks, cookies or brownies, nuts).
  • Insurance pack for tourism activities.

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

  • Box lunch.
  • Transfers from/to El Chaltén.

 

Comfort & Relax in the Rainforest

Travelling is all about experiences, and when accommodation services meet or go beyond our expectations, the journey’s memories enrich. Such was the case with the Yvy Jungle Hotel, where our stay was very enjoyable. That’s why we want to share it’s story with you.

The Yvy Jungle Hotel is located in a beautiful and natural environment in the region of the Iguazu Falls: the Iryapú Jungle Reserve, an outstanding natural site that comprises 3 acres of lush greenery. An ideal place for nature lovers, since it is shared with many Guarani villages and countless species of native flora and fauna, like the Caraguatá, the Pink Lapacho and the Harpy Eagle among others. The route to the Hotel is a highlight itself.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a friendly staff member who took us to our rooms on a small cart. In the room we were surprised with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and some petit fours, which we thought was a nice gesture included with all Deluxe Room Reservations. Standard Rooms come with complimentary bottles of water and petit fours.

A close encounter with nature, 24 nicely decorated beautiful rooms and the comfort of privacy get together to create a wonderful experience. We liked the bungalow style rooms in the jungle setting and it only took an easy walk getting to the main area of the hotel for meals. The rooms are very spacious and the jungle views through the windows are great. The bathrooms are small but adequate. The rooms have air-conditioning, a safety box, a TV and free Wifi.

This hotel is a couple of kilometres away from the downtown area, that’s why both nights we had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. The on-site Mua Restaurant offers regional and international delicious dishes and we were able taste some of the best national and international wines at the Itakua Cava. The restaurant’s service was very good and the waiters were very helpful.

Yvy Hotel de Selva also features an outdoor swimming pool, which is a bonus for guests when they come back from excursions. It was awesome to dive in the water and watch Mother Nature all around us.

Event facilities are available and there is a 24-hour front desk assistance. The hotel is located only a 10-minute walk from the city centre and 3,6 km from the bus station. Puerto Iguazú airport is 20 km away and Iguazu National Park is at 17.9 km.

If you like walking, you should go to the City Centre and visit the Three Borders Boundary Post, which is one of the few places in the world where you can watch three countries at the same time.

We invite you to ask your Kallpa Account Executive about this and other experiences in accommodation to enlighten your traveler’s experience.

 

 

Andean Flavours & Refined Wines in Cafayate

Salta´s wines are a true reflection of the colorful andean scenery, history and ancestral traditions. Such are the ones produced by Finca Quara in Cafayate. This is their story.

It is well known that Cafayate is one of the most important wine production areas in Argentina, where the special weather conditions and terroir originate high quality and refined wines. Warm sunny days, cool nights, dry climate and low rainfall make of this town the home to 70% of the vineyards in the Calchaqui Valleys.

José Fortunato Lavaque arrived from Lebanon towards the end of the 19th century and decided to settle in Cafayate, the most prosperous town in Salta at that time. Attracted by the Valley’s´ unique landscape, he begun his new life here and started his own winery, which was kept on going during the next century.

In the 80s, Rodolfo Lavaque (4th family generation) took over the family business and a few years later acquired a piece of land from another winery, where he established Finca Quara. Rodolfo is known for being one of the main characters in the reactivation of the wine industry in the North of Argentina in the 90s and the years to come.

Nowadays, inspired by their father’s example and vision, the 5th family generation makes world famous high quality wines: Alpaca, Quara Single Vineyard and Quara Reserva.

Finca Quara is open to visitors to enjoy different activities to learn about wine production, the winery and vineyards and the Finca’s history. In their own words, Quara designs experiences to combine rural tourism, culture, regional cuisine and wine.

The winery itself is a genuine architectural monument worth of visiting; one of the oldest and best preserved building in the region and inspired by the Renaissance style developed by Andrea Palladio in the Cinquecento.

The wine cellar, surrounded by French oak barrels, creates a unique and mysterious environment with toasted aromas, which makes the perfect place to know and taste Quara’s refined wines.

Under the Glorieta (arbor), it is possible to explore regional flavours paired with the perfect selection of wines, whilst enjoying the delightful mountain scenery.

Wine tasting is always present at any of Quara’s proposals. Even if it is just the guided tour around the finca or including the “Picoteo Salteño” with empanadas or the special Finca Quara Lunch. There are options for every palate!

To find out more about Finca Quara and its visiting and wine tasting alternatives, please contact us. Cheers!

 

Boho Chic Break in José Ignacio

Spend a few days at this enchanted, sublime and privileged corner of the Uruguayan Atlantic Coast.

Only 40 km away from the famous Punta del Este, this low-key and exclusive coastal town has been chosen by many Argentinean celebrities to settle their beach homes and also is a recurring destination for the international stardom to relax.

The town owes its name to a settler that inhabited the area during the Spanish conquest era. The namesake lighthouse -and local symbol- located at the rocky edge of the foreland, was built in 1877.

Jose Ignacio Faro_Posada Paraiso
José Ignacio´s Lighthouse

Little more than 30 years ago this place was just a fishermen’s village. As time went by, the land was occupied with magnificent homes. Even though services might still be a bit rudimentary (electricity may be off sporadically, there’s low mobile and Wi-Fi signal and there’s only one gas station at the entrance that could be out of gas for a whole day), people from everywhere arrive to this remote country and beach town to enjoy its exotic beauty, virgin beaches & deep blue sea, green country field and incomparable tranquility. The perfect spot to rest and let go.

This little peninsula placed between two lagoons (the Garzón and the José Ignacio) is only 2 km long and 800 metres wide. To the west, there is Playa Mansa (Quiet Beach), with its petit and colorful fishing boats and magical sunsets. To the east, the opposite Playa Brava (Rough Beach), wider and with imposing waves, ideal for surfers.

Jose Ignacio Beach_Posada Paraiso
Beach in José Ignacio

We would like to recommend staying at Posada Paraiso, a lovely small inn with a bohemian, natural and relaxed environment. Located just 50 meters away from the ocean, Posada Paraiso offers a quiet and cozy space with just few rooms elegantly decorated with a rustic beach style. An exterior seasonal swimming pool surrounded by a lush garden and hammocks, a bar and also a gourmet restaurant complete the inn’s postcard. Paraiso’s purpose is to spoil guests with a personalized attention and make them feel at home.

DBL Room with balcony_Posada Paraiso_Jose ignacio
Posada Paraiso room
Rest at Posada Paraiso
Rest at Posada Paraiso

Gastronomy in José Ignacio doesn’t go unnoticed. Gourmet cuisine including fresh fish and seafood, original and trendy dishes, renowned chefs’ signature restaurants, grills, hotspots and subtle on-the-go places…the culinary offer is exquisite and diverse.

What else can you do in José Ignacio besides having delicious meals? Essentially, this is a beach destination. Whether you visit the Brava or the Mansa, resting at the beach, sunbathing and swimming in the refreshing waters is a must for the summer (from november to march). It is also possible to practice water sports such as sailing or rowing boats, wind and kitesurfing.

Jose Ignacio Sea_Posada Paraiso
The Atlantic Ocean in José Ignacio

But this is an ideal place to stop by year round and be mesmerized with its sunsets at the beach, ride horses and visit the famous lighthouse, main square and art galleries, walk and shop around too.

From gauchos to surfers, hippies to supermodels, families and business men, class A celebrities and young people, José Ignacio appeals to those who look for bohemian but glamorous and enchanting beach places with dirt roads and nature, where silence is only disturbed by the wind whistling and the waves crashing.

Contact your Kallpa Executive for an exclusive itinerary in José Ignacio.

Jose ignacio green_Posada Paraiso
Green, beige & blue!