DISCOVER THE UNEXPLORED IN SALTA

A landscape that refers to the farthest past on a trip to the center of the earth in Seclantás, the only town in the Salta Valley that is on the other side of the Calchaquí River.

The Acsibi caves are about 20 kilometers from Seclantás, a town in the Calchaquí Valleys, in Salta. You get there by national route 40, entering the Finca Montenieva.

Fido Abán, owner of the estate, and his son René are in charge of taking visitors to the red canyons of Acsibi, located within this private territory about 10 km wide and about 30 long.

It is a place still little known, which almost nobody visits on their first trip to the Valleys. A magical and very different landscape, to which you must dedicate a whole day.

Fido says he was the first of his family to discover the caves when he was eight years old. While the others hunted guanacos in the canyon, he explored the terrain bordering mountains, until he hit upon passages between the rock and reached a small valley of caves.

Very early in the morning, we depart up the mountain in a 4×4 truck. We drive 12 kilometers along the rocky bed of a dry river. When the track disappears, we get off and begin a 5-kilometer hike.

We walk for about two hours through a magnificent red ravine of sandy soil with the most unlikely forms, to finally enter the caves that were once part of the Hacienda de Urbina, when the Malcachiscos Indians washed gold for the Spaniards.

Getting to Acsibi is to time travel. You can see the old and worn tracks where the colony’s carts passed. This area – practically unexplored from the archaeological point of view – is part of the Inca and pre-Inca road system that was used by the Spaniards during the conquest in the connection of the Río de la Plata with Peru.

This fantasy valley of fluctuating forms, shadow and light invites your imagination to play and find the resemblance to the silhouettes. A natural labyrinth with passages between giant rocks and the magical caves that Fido believes were used as ritual sites by the native people of the area. As it is also a place that usually concentrates lightning during thunderstorms, he named them Acsibi; which means something like “the place where the light or either the fire is”, in the Cacán language.

After going through and exploring this ancient and mysterious environment, we take a picnic break before hiking back the same path to the vehicle. 

When in the North, you can’t miss the opportunity to visit a place in the Calchaquí Valleys where history is mixed with the geographical beauties of the area, all in a family’s “backyard”.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Min. 2 – Max. 20 pax.
  • Departs at 9 am from Finca Montenieva, returns at 5 pm.
  • Altitude at the trekking starting point: 2700 masl. Altitude at Trekking ending point 2900 masl.
  • Difficulty: Medium.
  • Type of terrain: walk along the river bank, sand and small loose stones terrain, continuous mild ascent for 5.5km. As the river is crossed back and forward in rainy season wet shoes guaranteed.
  • Includes: Transportation from/To Finca Montenieva, guide and pic-nic. 
  • We recommend wearing long sleeves t-shirt or shirt, sun cap or hat and sunscreen.

 

ECO-SUSTAINABLE HOTEL IN IGUAZÚ

We bring you a fully eco-sustainable hotel in, surrounded by a private nature reserve on the shore of Laguna de los Pájaros in communion with the Biocentro Iguazú Theme Park.

Pueblito Iguazú Theme Hotel was born from the dream of its creator and its subsequent desire as a nature student and lover to bring it to life. Its design recreates some cultural historical monuments of Puerto Iguazú, created by the architect Alejandro Bustillo, such as the chapel, the Iguazú National Park and the school, among others.

The theme decoration was made by local artisans and plastic artists, highlighting the flora and fauna of the ecosystem in which the hotel is based on works of stained glass, stone and paintings. 

El Pueblito not only deserves to be visited because of its magical natural and biodiverse environment, or by its cozy and comfortable rooms. What makes it even more special is its sustainability policy, planned and updated every year. It contains programs, objectives and actions to follow according to the mission, vision and values ​​that identify and characterize the hotel.

Its development is based on innovative and sustainable practices, which seek to influence different actors in the sector and society where it acts, to generate value in all its stakeholders.

Understanding that economic development must be in harmony with welfare and social inclusion, and with the valorization, conservation and defense of the environment and the natural, historical and cultural heritage of the region where the activity takes place, El Pueblito has reinforced its commitment to sustainability with these actions:

  • Establishing a sustainable management of the processes, based on a balance between the business, sociocultural and environmental dimensions.
  • Promoting the integral development of the original communities of Puerto Iguazú taking concrete actions so that they also participate in the benefits of tourism. For example, its Panambi restaurant offers regional gourmet dishes made with ingredients from local producers, with simple and very tasty recipes from missionary immigrant colonies.

  • Supporting and respecting the protection of human rights within their sphere of influence. In this way they protect their employees and the entire local community with their Protocol of Prevention of Social Harm Behaviors, and during 2018 they protected young girls, boys and teenagers with their Protocol for the Prevention of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents.
  • Sponsoring actions and projects for the promotion of sustainability and human development. They invite their guests to join the sustainable actions in compliance with the Responsible Tourist Code promoted by the World Tourism Organization.
  • They heat the water of their facilities only with renewable energy from solar panels and wood pellets from the residues of exotic species from the forest industry of the province of Misiones.

As you can see, El Pueblito remains busy and active in its commitment to sustainable development. For nature lovers and supporters of sustainability, this is the perfect place to rest.

 

LEAVE YOUR URBAN ART MARK IN BUENOS AIRES

Street artists place urban art in plain sight. What was once clandestine, today is celebrated in the most popular neighborhoods of Buenos Aires. Feel like a street artist for a day!

The streets of Buenos Aires are today a colorful open sky gallery; art is spread around everywhere. Amateur and renown urban artists display their talent on the city walls. You might think that the artistic intervention is spontaneous, but not always this is the case.

On this street art experience, first we will take an “inspiration walk” to watch some of the most impressive murals and learn about the artists behind them. Coming to know about the past and present of urban art in Argentina will give us an overview of its context. Among street art there’s many other media besides the traditional spray paint graffiti, such as stencil art and stickers.

Not everything is about history and facts. We will also soak in the fundamental graffiti techniques and skills. Hopefully, after all this information, we will be eager to get down to work and contribute to the city with our own artistic intervention.

Beginning the open air workshop guided by an urban artist, we will loosen our hands sketching a little bit. At this point we already know that -usually- they actually prepare their work before setting it up on the wall. One mate after another, we will chat and have fun immersing in this particular artsy world. 

 

Once we are ready, we will finally go to a specially prepared (and authorized) wall in the streets, to leave our mark in Buenos Aires. An attempt at permanence in an impermanent arena of contemporary art.

After having finished up our work, we will relax at the first gallery ever dedicated to promoting, exhibiting and selling street art in this city.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • 3 hs regular excursion. Operates on Wednesdays and Saturday at 3 pm.
  • Meeting point to be confirmed closer to the operation date. 
  • No minimum age required. Participants can also bring their children under 2 years old.
  • Includes: Materials and art tools. The guidance of a contemporary top notch street artist. Exclusive access to his/her workshop. Class on urban art techniques and street art walking tour. Visit to a street art gallery.

 

FULL PATAGONIAN EXPERIENCE

A natural reserve that combines comfort, hospitality and domes in the middle of the forest.

Huemules Mountain Reserve is located on the Rivadavia Mountain Range, 22 km from Esquel, Chubut province. 6100 hectares of natural reserve, next to Los Alerces National Park, with snowy mountain summits, streams and forests of original species. 

This project aims not only to offer accommodation, but a full experience to embrace Patagonian nature like nowhere else; including local cuisine, the kindest service, as well as a variety of adventurous activities, four daily meals and a daily guided tour.

At Huemules you will stay at a private dome with great panoramic view, amenities and services that provide the utmost comfort while maintaining that special feeling of living in nature. In total, there are 10 double and triple domes of 28m2 each, with private bathroom, hot water, electricity, wood stove, deck and private balcony. 

Between November and April, Huemules provides recreational outdoor half or full day activities to enjoy the reserve’s natural environment and landscapes. Horseback riding, trekking and mountain biking circuits with different levels of difficulty, altitudes and breathtaking scenery just in the company of the Patagonian immensity. 

For this summer, there will be six daytime trekking paths, and a special night time one, when there’s a full moon. Hiking through forests, valleys and creeks while enjoying mountain views and learning about local flora and fauna is a great way to get to know the Patagonia.

As for horseback riding, there will be three circuits, one of each level of difficulty. Vidal and El Cruce are also two of the trekking paths, so this is an option for a more relaxed journey through the reserve’s surroundings. 

For more adventurous people, mountain biking is your choice! Three half day circuits and one full day, all of them offer a thrilling experience up and down slopes, zigzagging across the woods. Adrenaline rush guaranteed going downhill traversing the lenga forest on Downhill Norte circuit. 

Gastronomy is a very important part of this experience. Meals are included with your stay, so be prepared to enjoy Patagonian flavors all the way.

To start the day, a typical buffet breakfast with hot infusions and freshly squeezed seasonal fruits juices. Also, a selection of eggs a la carte and croissants, freshly baked breads and homemade marmalades in addition to cereals, yoghurts and an assortment of regional fruits.

Lunch at Huemules is an invitation to learn and enjoy typical Patagonian cooking techniques where fire is the main character. Cordero a la cruz (upright charcoal grilled lamb) and a typical Argentinian barbecue all served with grilled seasonal vegetables and salads prepared with herbs are just an example of what they offer to renew energies for the next mountain adventure.

Upon arrival from the tours, in the warm atmosphere of the restaurant, hot infusions, delicious pastries, chocolate and fruits will be served while waiting for the sunset.

For dinner, the finest local dishes, regional products, Patagonian beef, lamb, trout and game meats prepared according to traditional recipes, paired with the best Patagonian wines and beers.

Delight yourself with great meals, fun activities and an enchanting environment where snowy mountains, forests and streams provide the perfect atmosphere for relaxation. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Included in the rate: Accommodation in the dome – Four daily meals – A daily tour – Natural water.
  • Not included: Soft and alcoholic drinks – Additional tours – Transfers.
  • Huemules will open in November 2019. Summer season will be extended until Easter Sunday 2020.