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Andean experience Buenos Aires to La Puna

Read more about our Andean Experience Buenos Aires to La Puna. One of the most interesting fixed departures of Kallpa.

Our experience starts in Buenos Aires, one of the more cosmopolitan cities of South America which holds a great cultural and architectural richness. Wandering around its streets in the City Tour we find a landscape marked by the history, good cuisine and culture.

After our first night in Buenos Aires, we left early towards the city of Salta. When we arrive there the local guide, who was waiting for us, takes us to the hotel and explains to us in more detail the important aspects of the trip we are about to start. During the afternoon we had a City Walk through Salta that was founded in 1582 and, that currently continues having a marked and distinguished Hispanic character that distinguishes the other Argentinian cities. During the tour we walked up to 9 de Julio square where we observed the most important buildings: the Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Church of San Francisco, San Bernardo Convent -the oldest one of the city. Then we took the Cable Railway of San Bernardo Hill from where we had an incredible panoramic view of the City.

We spent an excellent free day in Salta, visiting “peñas” (folk club), testing the well-known “salteñas empanadas” (pasty meat-filled) and having different encounters with the local culture. Some other people chose to discover the charms of Cafayate or Cachi in the Calchaquíes valleys. Afterwards, our trip to the “Quebrada de Humahuaca” (ravine) started going through different towns during the trip such as Purmamarca, there we appreciated its famous Seven Colored Hill and visited the craft stalls arranged in its principal square. In Maimará, we took pictures in the Painter’s palette picture frame. Its colorful cemetery -this region’s peculiar characteristics- was also a bedazzling experience. At Tilcara we encountered the Pucará ruins -some amazing rebuilt indigenous ruins- and the archeological museum. After visiting Huacalera and Uquía, we reached Humahuaca, where we went trekking together with our guide to discover some picturesque corners.

The fifth day of our journey took us to La Quiaca, located on the north of the province of Jujuy, which functions as a crossing border to Villazón (Bolivia). From there we took the train to Uyuni and we said goodbye to the Argentinian guide. Upon arrival to Uyuni, we met our local guide who will be with us in this part of the trip.

On the morning of the sixth day, after breakfast the journey to Colchani started. There we are going to see the local settlers in the salt production process and we are going to penetrate the immense “Salar de Uyuni” (salt mine) up to the Incahuasi Island. Such journey took us approximately 2 hours and we appreciated the presence of volcanic rocks and an enormous cactus. Afterwards, our trip continued towards the North to see the mummies of Coquesa and then to east, approximately 2 hours, to visit Tahua, a village in the coasts of the salt evaporation ponds and on the base of Tunupa Volcano.

There is one more night at Uyuni in our trip and very early in the morning we leave heading south through the salt ponds, leaving Chuvica behind entering the highlands and the ramifications of the occidental mountain range going through the villages of San Juan and San Agustín until reaching the valley of Alota in a 5-hour journey. To the south, large rock formations produced by the erosion are observed. Finally, we arrived to Villamar for spending the night.

This trip is the tiring, but very satisfying, type, the diversity of landscapes and natural wonders motivates us everyday to continue travelling and discovering. This morning we are awaken very early for the journey to the Eduardo Avaroa reservation where we visit the Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon), which has entered on the list of wetlands of international importance and which has been declared a Ramsar site. Later we visited the Morning Sun Geysers, the Chalviri Lagoon and its natural hot springs of Polques. After a three-hour trip we reached the Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) that is located at the bottom of the Licancabur Volcano. Our trip continues to the border of Chile, “Hito Cajón” (Milestone) where we changed car to further continue to “San Pedro de Atacama” together with our driver.

For the next two days, we stayed at San Pedro de Atacama and visited the “Valle de la Luna” (Moon Valley) -one of the most amazing phenomena of the desert of Atacama- because of the incredible forms the landscape shows due to erosion and the climate effects throughout thousands of years. On our free day at San Pedro de Atacama, some people opted for visiting the Tatio Geysers and other opted for discovering Atacama’s Salt Pan. The trip ended at San Pedro de Atacama. Some people decided to continue its journey to Calama and to connect to Santiago or other destinations in Chile. Some others returned by bus to Salta and to follow to other destinations such as Iguazú or Mendoza.

On this trip we had the opportunity of visiting natural places, meeting people and taking with us memories of one of the most incredible trips due to the diversity of the landscapes, the warmth of its people and the immersion in the Andean culture that this trip has to offer.

Program includes:

Transfers & excursions as detailed in the programme.
English speaking local guides (except services that are mentioned unescorted in the program) from Day 1 to day 10.
Public bus tickets and train ticket where mentioned.
Meals as described. (B) Breakfast continental type, (BL) Box lunch, (D) Dinner
Entrance fee to Moon Valley.
San Bernardo Hill Chairlift ticket
10 Nights accommodation in tourist-class hotels, hosterias, or mountain lodges, in double twin basis with private WC/ shower. Likely hotels are good 3-star middle-range hotels and/ or hosterias.

Not included in the program:

Flights & airport taxes.
Optional excursions.
Early check-in & late check-out.
Tips & personal expenses.
Drinks and meals not specified.
Medical insurance.

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES & USEFUL INFORMATION

Minimun Pax Requirements: 2.
Departure once a week, every Saturday (day 1 of the program from Buenos Aires).
It is not convenient to carry a lot of money in traveler’s checks. They are usually not accepted at shops in Argentina & Bolivia.
US Dollars are accepted readily and credit cards such as VISA, MASTERCAD and AMERICAN EXPRESS can be used in larger cities.
The climate varies substantially, from 25 °C or more during the day to near 0 °C or less at night. Excursions are subject to weather conditions.

Suggested clothing & equipment:

Water-bottle, 3 to 4 cotton sleeved shirts, heavy wool socks, light socks, sunscreen, rain and wind-proof jacket, rain trousers, wool cap, rucksack, polar-fleeces, jeans, t-shirts, shorts, swimsuit, trekking shoes. No sleeping bag needed.
Roads: Some sections of the trip can take place in off-road conditions.

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A new experience in whale watching

We invite you to a new experience in whale watching. Our adventure starts really early when we are picked up at the hotel to get to “Puerto Pirámides”. We had heard about this new way of whale watching and we were very excited about the trip.

We decided to embark at 11:30 in the morning, from the Southern Spirit’s office at “Puerto Pirámides” where we had to show up one hour before leaving. Besides, there is another departure time at 13:30 in the afternoon which is ideal for those who find difficult waking up and getting up early. During September, October and November there is a schedule of two departures a day and in December there is only one at 11:30 am.

The boat –we are embarking- is yellow which reminds us of one of the most emblematic Beatles’ songs. It is the first semi-submersible model specially designed for watching the Southern Right Whales and Sea Lions. It offers the possibility of having an underwater view since the hull is designed with windows which enable you to watch the whale in a unique way. This possibility is not offered by the rest of the traditional whale watching trips at “Puerto Pirámides”. At the under the water level, passengers have 40 windows for submarine watching, each one with his/her own seat.

You also have the possibility of watching the natural spectacle from the boat deck which also offers a more panoramic and not less attractive view.

The combination of submarine whale watching together with panoramic view from the deck has really been an unforgettable experience!

The trip took us through “Golfo Nuevo” [New Gulf], within 10 miles from the starting point, depending on the location of the animals, for an hour-fifty minutes.

After having sailed for some minutes we reached the whale area and we started the whale watching. During the whole journey the guide explained the behaviour and uses of the animals, he was interpreting the whale activity at that time and responded each of our questions very professionally.

Our experience was incredible therefore we share it with you. In addition, we also want to profit this opportunity to remind you ok the Kayak Whale Watching, an experience suitable for those who love to be more adventurous.

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Exclusive Wine tasting Mendoza

We dedicate this article to present the exclusive wine tasting Mendoza. Mendoza is one of the largest winemaking regions of the world. With more than 1500 wineries distributed in three regions -Luján de Cuyo, Valle de Uco and Maipú– large open fields together with grapevines, mountains and blue skies.

The Vines of Mendoza, a place difficult to forget for those who have the possibility to lodge there, since it offers the perfect balance between a natural landscape surrounded by vineyards with a first class cuisine. Lots of wine lovers recommend staying here so as to enjoy of one of the 33 hotels selected by Condé Nast.

On this opportunity we are focusing on The Vines of Mendoza Tasting Room where wine tasting is offered with more than 100 products from regional “Boutique” wineries. Visiting the Tasting Room is like visiting several wineries all in the same place.

Each wine tasting includes detailed and personal information on the wines from the specialists who conduct the experience in a very amusing and entertaining way.

Since we are also travelers, we like getting more involved therefore we joined the experience and prepared our own wine with The Vines of Argentina. We elaborated our own wine with the help of experts in the high tech The Vines of Argentina laboratory and got to take the wine bottle with us in order to share it with our friends.

Every Wednesday 20 pm from October up to May, the Tasting Room receives enologists from prestigious “boutique” wineries of Mendoza, who talk about their wines. This bilingual guided wine tasting called “The night of the oenologist”. This is the only event of this type in the city, and it is considered to be a unique opportunity to share and learn from the best enologists of Mendoza. There you have the direct opportunity of discussing about their wine production. When organized with time your clients may participate of this differentiating opportunity.

Wine tasting is a must-do in our journey, as well as wine-tasting from the best enologists of the world. We have learnt more about wine through the tasting: comparing it, analyzing it, interchanging opinions with others and sometimes making new blends. We believe Mendoza is one of the most interesting places to directly learn from relating with experts.

At night we can enjoy the best cuisine at the “Siete Fuegos” Restaurant from the well-known Chef, Francis Mallmann. You can always have dinner inside the restaurant or for those people who wish to eat in the outdoors area, you can enjoy of a front line seat at the open air kitchen watching how fire artisans passionately transform Argentinian foods into delicious meals.

We invite you to share with your clients a perfect combination of rustic experience and unique flavors, offering a visit to the Tasting Room of The Vines of Argentina in Mendoza where wine and nature become a real experience.

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Whales and lakes district fly and drive

Whales and lakes district fly and drive takes you to visit the two extremes of the Argentine Patagonia is a unique and worthy experience for those travelers who love culture and landscapes of the destinations they visit, as it is our case. During this trip we venture to cross the Patagonia from Valdés Peninsula up to San Martín de los Andes, in the lake region and we designed this original Self Drive journey.

When we arrived to the City of Trelew we were received by our guide who came with us to the car rental to pick up our car and we started our journey to Peninsula Valdés, one of the most relevant natural destinations of the Patagonian Coast. Our stay there took two nights. From that location we could go whale-watching in a semi-submersible boat to observe these species from a different perspective or to venture on a kayak trip to be closer to the whales. We also visited the town of Gaiman, which stands out for keeping customs and traditions of the Welsh settlers and where it is possible to treat yourself to a tea with delicious cakes.

Our next destination was the city of Esquel in the Andean Patagonia. After leaving very early in the morning we drove approximately 599 km on a paved road through several landscapes. One of the most important attractions of this destination is the “Parque Nacional los Alerces” (National Park of Larch Trees) created for protecting the wood forest of Larches -one of the trees with the longest longevity of the planet- that reached the danger of extinction.

Our journey took us to the north of the province of Río Negro. 286-km paved road heading the city of Bariloche, located by the impressive Nahuel Huapi Lake. We have profited the opportunity in our trip to visit el “Parque Nacional Lago Puelo” (Puelo Lake National Park) and the town of Bolson. These are two must-see attractions that have left their footprint in the culture of the region. It is our suggestion to stay for at least three nights in Bariloche since the destination has many different activities to offer. For example, one of the options is visiting the “Cerro Catedral”, with a trekking for half a day or a whole day to enjoy the impressive regional landscapes or even to go to “Puerto Pañuelo” and embark and visit Victoria Island and the Myrtle wood forest “Arrayanes”. Our next destination: Villa la Angostura.

We continued our trip to the north in order to reach that villa surrounded by wood forests and snowy peaks. We stayed there for two nights. We have profited from the second day to visit the Arrayanes National Park (Myrtle. It is possible to visit this attractive wood forest following a 12-km path from Villa La Angostura or in an excursion by boat.

The Villa La Angostura is the starting point of the Road of the Seven Lakes, which is now part of the 40 Road, which connects the Villa with San Martín de los Andes. We have initiated our journey to this Mountain Villa in the Province of Neuquén not without crossing through Villa Traful and enjoying the impressive views offered.

The Road of the Seven Lakes offers a variety of incredible landscapes. The people who had the chance of visiting it on the different seasons have been amazed by a variety of colors offered by the forests contrasting the intense colors of their lakes.

San Martín de los Andes also hosted us for two nights. From this location we could visit different places. The journey may continue towards the Huilo Huilo natural reserve or visit Villa Pehuenia. On the second day there we visited the Lanín National Park which was created in 1937, where the majestic Lanín Volcano is located. The latter dominates the horizon and attracts the looks of all visitors with its astounding beauty. We have also visited, another must-see of the area, the Huechulafquen lake.

During the whole trip we have counted with the assistance of the Self Drive map and kit with a GPS supplied by Kallpa. This is a journey that undoubtedly fascinates travelers no matter where they are from.

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