Aonikenk Chalten

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Aonikenk Chalten! These were 2 expressions, ussually related to each other, used by the Tehuelches, the natives of the Patagonia Steepe. It is believed that Aonikenk means “us, the people” in Tehuelche.

Aonikenk-Chalten-1The exact meaning of the Word “Chalten” remains unknown. The most accepted theory tells us that the tehuelche people used this term to refer to the “smoking mountain” or “mountain that smokes” for the Granite tower that signalled the westernmost frontier for the Tehuelches on their nomadic route, since the mountain always has thin clouds coming from the top, creating the sensation we are in prescence of a Volcano.

Hundreds of years later, The Chalten Mountain Range, with its hanging glaciers and century-old Lenga forest, remains imposing and defying for all visitors magnetically drawn to the small Mountain Village of El Chalten. As the laguna de los tres trail, the most popular and beautiful path, makes its way through the Lenga forests, the Towering granite peaks appear totally dominating the scene, and a small though of give it a try and attemp the climb to the top starts to grow inside of oneself, from the casual hiker to the most seasoned climber.

Aonikenk-ChaltenAfter a strenuous Last trekking hour through a rocky zigzag steep stairs, the reward, the emerald Green Laguna de los Tres is the mesmerizing end of the trail for the hikers, or the base jump for the climbers looking to conquer the peak´s Summit.

Kallpa annual meeting with Tour Leaders

The Kallpa annual meeting with Tour Leaders was organiced at home, here in Kallpa Buenos Aires, last October 2nd to talk about expectations we and our clients have for the upcoming season.

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Great expectation is in the air, certain uncertainty and anxiousness is merged in everybody’s faces, nobody knows precisely how tough the coming season will be! It was already knocking at the door when we recently met for the Intro briefing for season 2014 – 2015.

kallpa-annual-meeting-with-tour-leaders-3Some of the most significant topics we went through were: proactivity (forethoughts), security (anticipation), TL as an example, tools on the road (catalogue + ops. letter + manuals + intro-briefing and daily briefing) and good held lectures among many others.

Some core ideas were also handled to help our Tour Leaders, to make the most of their nice job to our common and distinguished passengers. Always keen to improve their services and represent every part effectively on the ground. It is a privilege to be ambassador at our own country and build up a working team on the field that allows guests to earn positive and human close experiences.

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10 Tour Leaders could join us for the meeting, in which the experienced TL Daniel showed his personal and very successful way of introducing the trip and himself to a fresh arrived group, one of the most significant moments of their job. Other Tour Leaders could not assist because they were already travelling or split all around Argentina (Misiones, Tucumán, Mendoza, Río Negro, Santa Cruz) and even elsewhere in the World, but were also shared this meeting thereafter.

Expectations came down to the ground, lots of issues became certain and we all know that it is a promising but challenging season. And it is already running …

Architecture Bike Tour Buenos Aires

We love bikes, the genuine contact with nature and culture and, of course, You have to do our Architecture Bike Tour Buenos Aires. With this tour we achieve to combine our passions and to describe them in this article by experiencing the Bike Architecture Tour through the City of Buenos Aires.

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The tour runs on Saturdays at 13 p.m. from the Botanical Garden, in the neighborhood of Palermo. This garden, called since 1937 “Carlos Thays” honoring the landscape designer who created it and that is close to the tree-covered parks (“bosques”) of the neighborhood of Palermo.

From this point we start the bike tour, after meeting the guide and the people who will come with us throughout the whole round, receiving an introductory talk about the city and the general recommendations on the bike use.

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Most people call Buenos Aires the “Paris of Latin America” or “The French City built by Italians” at the time when Argentina was considered one of the nations with greater economic boom between the years 1890 to 1930. This is also reflected in the architecture of the buildings observed during the excursion.

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Ride started around the Botanical garden towards the south of the City of Buenos Aires and sight-seeing some of the most well-known and emblematic city buildings such as the National Library, “El Ateneo Grand Splendid” (bookstore in an old theatre), “Barolo Palacio” (Stylish Building), the National Congress building, among others. The ride took approximately 5 hours ending in Palermo.

The Architectural Bike Tour throughout the City of Buenos Aires is an excellent option to have a greater comprehension of Buenos Aires and its architectural landscapes.

 Some Highlights of this tour and aditional information:

  • Start by cycling to the building where the Eva Perón museum resides
  • Learn the twisted history of Mario Palanti’s buildings in several stops, one of which directly influenced from Dante’s Inferno.
  • Witness the brutalist style of architecture of the National Library of Argentina and which famous political couple used to live on that property
  • Discover where much of the city’s water is filtered, one of the most detailed, eclectic buildings in Buenos Aires
  • Cycle from Colon Theatre to see the cúpulas of Congress and historic Avenida de Mayo
  • See one of the world’s most famous bookstores, El Ateneo.

 Fact Sheet

Inclusions

  • Minimun Pax Requirements: 1
  • Bilingual guide(s)
  • Bicycle – beach cruisers with comfy seats
  • Bell, basket and helmet
  • Water
  • Yerba mate – local traditional tea and a traditional Argentine merienda
  • Rain poncho & gloves – just in case!

Additional Information

  • Although we ride at an easy and comfortable pace, we ask that you at least know how to ride a bike.
  • Should you feel uncomfortable riding a bike, we may require you to ride a bit more before assuring that you’re comfortable with the bike before the tour begins.
  • Rain Policy- Customers are allowed to decide whether or not to reschedule the tour depending on the conditions of that morning. If he decides to cancel please tell them to contact us in short notice
  • Passengers must be 15 years of age or older to ride.

 

Kkala Boutique charming Hotel in Salta

This month we would like to share with you Kkala Boutique charming hotel in Salta, Argentinian Northwest. This hotel is located at the city of Salta, in the heart of Tres Cerritos, in one of the most picturesque and quiet neighborhoods, located at the bottom of the hill with incredible views of the city. This is a house that combines tradition with craft in a perfect balance.

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It is a hotel with charm, where noble materials, antiquities and regional crafts are present. The library and the meeting room with a fireplace stylishly decorated invited us to relax on its sofas.

This hotel is only at a 10-minute distance from Salta’s downtown with an easy access to visiting the city during the break of the activities. By the way, maybe you already knew this, but Salta means “the most beautiful” in the indigenous language. And this is the most adequate description for the homonymous city and province, that also offers travelers the opportunity of becoming in contact with ancient traditions still alive and present in the population.

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In the morning the day started with a delicious home-made breakfast offered in the hotel breakfast room with impressive views of the city and hills. There are guests who prefer to have breakfast in their room.

The hotel has got 10 rooms, each with its own character and personality. For their identification the names of the National Parks and privileged and “magical” areas that deserve to be visited of the province. The hotel has suite, deluxe, superior and classical rooms. The rooms are very spacious, comfortable and located on the slope of the hill with amazing views of the city, access is through stairs (not recommended for people with reduced mobility)

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For travelers who cannot live without being connected, the Hotel has Wi-Fi connection in the whole building. The bilingual staff was very kind and we were treated as at home all the time.

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If you are considering the option of a warm, refined and selected accommodation in Salta, do not miss Kkala Boutique Hotel, our secret of November that we are sharing with you. Your Kallpa personal officer will answer to all of your queries you may have or send the Hotel technical card that is available upon request. We will continue travelling and adding experiences.

 FACT SHEET & ADITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Hotel Rooms: 10
  • Type of Breakfast: Buffet Regional

Outdoors
BBQ facilities, Outdoor pool (all year), Garden, Sun terrace

Activities
Solarium, Massage, Hot tub, Bicycle rental, Library

Food & Drink
Breakfast in the room

Internet
Free! WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking
Free! Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Services
    Room service
  • Car hire
  • Shuttle service (surcharge)
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Tour desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Laundry
  • Ironing service
  • Fax/photocopying
  • Gift shop

General

  • Safety deposit box
  • Shops (on site)
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Facilities for disabled guests
  • Heating
  • Allergy-free room
  • Non-smoking throughout
  • Air conditioning