SNORKELING WITH SEA LIONS IN PUERTO MADRYN

Snorkel surrounded by curious and playful sea lions, who willingly take photos, hug and even smother you with kisses.

Puerto Madryn is the mecca of Argentinian diving activities and only 15 km from Punta Loma, a rookery of Southern Sea Lions. There are not many places in the world where it is possible to snorkel with these marine mammals, but this is one of them. That is why this experience is one of the highlights in the city.

From the service provider office on the coast in Puerto Madryn, we board speedboats and navigate for 25 minutes towards Punta Loma Provincial Reserve, a protected natural area that restricts the permanence time and allows 18 people at the same time. 

On the way, we enjoy a maritime scenario of beaches, cliffs, shipwrecks, whales, dolphins, cormorants and seagulls. Also we receive a briefing including an explanation about the animal’s behaviour, how we must conduct ourselves within the protected area and an introduction to the snorkeling activity and equipment. The neoprene suit we wear maintains body heat and also provides positive buoyancy, therefore, it is not a requirement to know how to swim (although advisable).

As we get closer to the spot, the sea lion noises get louder and louder. Soon, hundreds of them are all around! Adults and cubs. It’s time to get ready and dive in.

If you never snorkeled before, it might be a little uncomfortable at first to get used to the sensation and trying to breathe through the tube, but just try to relax and remember the instructions. Enjoy the experience, look around, paddle softly and when you feel more at ease, you’re good to go.

It’s a surreal feeling to be up close with these creatures, touching and playing with them, going underwater and see them swim so gracefully. Everywhere we turn, there are more sea lion cubs playfully swimming around us. It’s clear that they are used to divers and comfy enough to even kiss us and take selfies.

We remain in the water with the sea lions for 40 minutes, always joined by the instructor. We guarantee that in the end you will wish that the experience lasted longer, even if at first you thought that snorkeling isn’t your thing. To be able to have such an intense and close-up encounter, to observe and play with these curious marine mammals is a fantastic and cherished experience.

After the diving ends, we go back onboard and return to the office, where we return the equipment and change our clothes.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Duration: 3½ hs
  • This activity operates daily in the morning. Depending on the time of the year, departure time is adjusted according to high tide.
  • Difficulty: Moderate The passenger must be able to move with the diving fins for 40 minutes, taking into account that it is within a medium in constant motion.
  • Age restrictions: Minimum 7 years old – Maximum suggested 60 to 65 years old.
  • Min. 2 pax required.
  • The current regulations allow visits of no more than one hour and fifteen minutes in the area. The contact activity with the sea lions takes maximum 40-45 minutes.
  • Included: Neoprene suit, two pieces, helmet, boots and gloves. Coat jacket for round trip transportation on the boat. Snack service on board: water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, alfajores and pastries. Instructor and necessary briefing according to the activity.
  • Not included: Transfers to the service supplier office in Puerto Madryn. Dry suit. DVD with HD photos and videos.
  • The program may be modified or suspended depending on weather conditions, in which case the amount paid will be refunded if it’s not possible to reschedule. Sighting and interaction with the fauna depends on uncontrollable factors, such as climatic changes or reproductive time.

 

Bike ride & wine tasting in the vineyards of Mendoza

 

A visit to Maipú,one of Mendoza’s most renowned wine regions. The proposal is to ride a bicycle through the vineyards and facilities of Familia Zuccardi, one of the main wineries in the province.

The itinerary includes three stops to taste the local varieties of Chardonnay, Syrah and Malbec, with an expert’s explanation of the characteristics, irrigation systems and vineyard management.

The visit ends with a regional/gourmet lunch, paired with outstanding wines.

Contact us for more information and rates.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Departure time: 09:30hs.
  • Estimated arrival time: 16:00hs.
  • Includes: private transfer service, bilingual guide, wine tasting, insurance, technical equipment, snack, regional lunch/gourmet tasting lunch, snack, mineral water.
  • Does not include: tips, extras.
  • Please wear cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and suitable shoes, coat. Also please bring additional mineral water.
  • Safety tips: Report to the guide/driver about any special illness, allergy or Physical Restriction.

JUNGLE REST & COMFORT IN IGUAZÚ

Calm and relaxation in the middle of the rainforest, to fully enjoy the visit to the Iguazú Falls.

La Cantera Jungle Lodge by DON is located In the middle of the Iryapú jungle, in full contact with nature.

Upon check-in, the staff already educates guests about the care and respect for nature. Our passage through the rainforest may be temporary, but the ecosystem should remain intact.

For this reason the complex was carefully constructed while preserving the environment; considering in its 3 hectares the permanence of 400 year old trees and other species in danger of extinction. In this way, the architectural project included certain innovative contributions, such as the construction of balconies around trees – to avoid cutting them down – and the reduction of the impact on natural resources.

Perhaps it´s this immersion in nature that in itself predisposes us to tranquility and to disconnect completely; although the environment of La Cantera definitely helps. From the entrance you can see everything connected by wooden walkways that lead to the different rooms and common spaces – such as the swimming pool with solarium or the relax area. All with a lush green and humid vegetation as constant background that allows you to breathe the purest air.

The property has five room categories; modern, sober and very luminous. All are equipped with LCD TV, balcony or deck overlooking the jungle, comfortable beds, air conditioning and minibar.

The in-house restaurant has been recently remodeled. So recently, there are no photos yet! Even so, “El Boyero” promises unique aromas, colors, textures and flavors. Here, a gourmet breakfast is served every morning, and then, in the afternoon you can taste sweet pastries specialties. In the evening, an exclusive menu of drinks and signature dishes, ideal for recovering energy after venturing into the jungle or having visited the Falls.

In addition to the best personalized service, with a warm and friendly staff, La Cantera includes three activities with its rate. On the one hand, an interpretive guided walk to explore the rainforest, learn about the region’s characteristics and its environment, and learn about the flora, fauna and culture of the place.

On the other hand, a walk to a village inhabited by Guarani people, joined by a native guide. You will learn about the Guaraní culture, its routines and uses of medicinal plants, hunting customs and even walking along paths that they themselves have traced.

The third activity is a jungle bike ride, joined also by a guide that will lead the way crossing the lush vegetation of this particular environment.

All the activities are easy, suitable for the whole family, between one and one and a half hours long and can be done in the morning or in the afternoon.

For Iguazú visitors, there is no better option than staying in a natural environment, without disregarding the comfort and hospitality that La Cantera Jungle Lodge offers daily.

 

TASTING NORTHERN WINE IN SALTA

A special location and terroir makes of this winery the first to harvest in the Calchaquí Valleys.

The winery Estancia Los Cardones is located in Tolombón, province of Salta. This is the northernmost wine-growing area in Argentina, located south of the city of Cafayate at 1,700 masl, located at the top of the eastern slope of the Calchaquí Valleys.

The facility, inaugurated in early 2017, was built entirely of stone extracted from the quarries of the same estate. In fact, if you look at the drawing of the walls in the cellar you can easily have a notion of the soil that makes up the vineyard.

We propose you to visit this particular winery taking a guided tour following the path that makes the grape until it becomes a wine that reflects the unique characteristics of this terroir of Tolombón.

Starting with the vineyards, we will learn everything about this peculiar soil. The terroir of Estancia Los Cardones is unique in the valleys as it is rocky, very shallow, with abundant chipped slate stone on the surface and full of disintegrated mica.

The mostly planted strain is the Malbec, however you can also find lots with Petit Verdot, Grenache, Cabernet and Marsanne.

Another curious fact that makes this winery special is that the orientation of the vineyards, the intense sun and the stony soil favour the earliest maturity of the grape, being the first farm to harvest in all the Calchaquí Valleys.

We will continue into the winery to learn about the production process and end up in the cellar, where we will take in how the wine is aged to become the exquisite final product.

To finish the visit, we will go to the tasting room to taste three wines from the winery and check on our own the characteristic flavor of this special terroir from the north.

The golden clasp, it is possible to enjoy a lunch with empanadas, barbecue and a regional dessert!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Duration: 2-2.30 hours
  • Operates: Wednesday to Saturday from 10 to 18 hs (last tour at 17 hs). Sunday from 9 to 13 hs (last tour at 12 hs). Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
  • Includes: guided tour of the vineyard and winery facilities, wine tasting and lunch as described.
  • Not included: transfers.