LUXURY GETAWAY IN THE DELTA

Leave Buenos Aires for a couple of days to relax and enjoy nature. Only 45 minutes north of the city and a boat ride after, recruit yourself in a bungalow surrounded by lush vegetation, be delighted with an all-inclusive gourmet proposal and benefit from a laid-back schedule hiking on the island, kayaking or swimming.

La Becasina Delta Lodge is an exclusive hotel located on the Tigre river delta. The complex consists of a main lodge, pool and outdoor bar, living areas, and guest cabins connected by catwalks. It was specially designed for rest and privacy, and feels like a remote sophisticated treehouse. It’s all about leisure and luxury here, ideal for couples.

There are 15 individual wooden bungalows; elevated, surrounded by water and hidden among the lush vegetation. They all have a private deck overlooking the water and chaises lounges to rest. The bungalows are simple but luxurious; with white patinated walls, cane furniture and paintings that reflect the harmony of the place and converge with each other to ensure maximum well-being.

Bathrooms are constructed with quebracho wood, with an oversized bathtub and a shower box also. Large windows offer reading light and a king-sized bed topped with elegant linens provides the best rest. There‘s no TV and all bungalows have central heating and air conditioning to ensure greater comfort according to the different temperatures of the year.

The lodge operates according to an all-inclusive structure that provides meals and a twice–daily open bar. Before lunch and dinner, guests are welcome to the indoor or outdoor bar for happy hour and hors d’oeuvres. The varied cocktails prepared by an expert bartender are perfect to enjoy the sunset.

Lunch is usually served outdoors and dinner is in the more formal dining room. The daily menu for each meal includes an entree, a main course, dessert, drinks (mineral water, wine and soda) and tea or coffee. 

If the stillness is too much for you, there’s a varied program of activities perfect for nature lovers and to explore the island: pedal boats are a great and easy option to go through the streams, swimming, fishing or simply enjoying the natural surroundings. Kayaks will allow you to explore the Delta area and you may hire an instructor to join you if you don’t have previous experience. There are also several open hiking paths into the interior of the island. 

If you visit Buenos Aires, this lodge is perfect to rest and relax for a couple of days after the agitated life of the city. This will certainly be one of the most relaxing weekends of your life!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Min. 2 nights stay.
  • Rates include: Open bar of non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day. / Happy hour with free drinks and hors d’oeuvres before each lunch and dinner. / Buffet breakfast. Daily menu for lunch and dinner. / Wine in the main meals. / Internet service. / Use of all sports and entertainment facilities (pedal boats, kayaks, swimming pool, guided walks on the island). / IN / OUT River Transportation to the Hotel.
  • Not included: Telephone use. / Room service (available for breakfast only). / Tips. / Snacks. / Guides or instructors for any activity. / Massage service. / Alcoholic beverages outside the hours of Happy Hour, lunch and dinner.

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.

 

Unplugged Holidays in Patagonia

La Maipu Ranch. The mystic that surrounds this iconic Ranch located in the middle of nowhere will encourage you to ponder on your lifestyle and disconnect from your routine.

 This 45.000 Ha ranch in the Lake San Martin area, is completely off-the-grid. The nearest airport is El Calafate. Then a 4 hours drive through the mythic route 40  will get you there.

Besides the breathtaking views, this ranch is famous for its history. The Lively brothers were the first owners and also the first settlers of the area. Mr. Joseph Lively arrived in 1902, thanks to Francisco ”Perito” Moreno who conceded them the land right before the territorial dispute between Argentina and Chile. The current owners of La Maipú kept Joseph’s cabin as a museum that takes you back in time to the old -and even wilder- Patagonia, where just natives and a few adventurous foreigners lived.

New owners created the La Maipu concept: high quality service, relaxed experiences that show their passion for nature, outdoor life and the love for food and wine. The in-house chef creates his own signature dishes with fresh ingredients from the organic garden.

They have conservation in their minds so you have to be ready to enjoy a simpler way of life that takes into consideration a sustainable use of electricity (3 hours a day) and of satellite wi-fi connection ( 20 minutes a day per person)

Regarding activities, you will love exploring untouched wilderness in any of the eight trails organized with great care. The Ranch favourite is La Condorera. An eight hour trek , both ways, will take you to the peak of this beautiful mountain where the great Andean Condors nest. Other incredible adventures take you to go out and discover, watch and listen to more than forty bird species  or grab a mountain bike and explore the ranch’s ground on your own.

Another great experience is to realize your own smallness as you snuggle up in a warm blanket in the open at night to watch the countless stars and listen to the sound of the Patagonian silence. The immense Universe is there for you to admire.  

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • The main house can accommodate up to 16 people in its three triple and three double cozy rooms, all with private bathroom and heating. The stay includes full board and a glass of wine.
  • We suggest a minimum of 3 nights.
  • Rates are per pax per day.

Basic program includes:
– Accommodation
– Full board (breakfast, lunch, mid-afternoon snacks, dinner with up to 2 house wine glasses.
– Satellite WiFi.
– Activities: a guide will design the excursions that best suit your preferences and interests (horseback riding not included).

Walking with Llamas in the Northwest

Take a hike joined by llamas among ancient ruins, salt lakes, valleys, and gorges. An ancestral activity to connect with the Pachamama and the most amazing landscapes in the northwest.

Ever since the beginning of time, the Andean men and the llamas traversed the harsh terrain in the mountains and the high plateau. These particular animals were used not only to transport commercial goods but for their wool, their meat, and their guano.

Nowadays in Tilcara, Santos Manfredi has settled a rural and ecological establishment specialized in taming llamas as a freighting animal, to recreate this ancestral practice. Caravana de Llamas, as it is called, is also dedicated to promoting the conjoint work with local communities, for which they rely on different routes where local families provide their homes and tour guiding.

Santos has developed different trails to hike with the llamas around the Humahuaca Gorge and the Puna Jujeña. With a variety of difficulties and durations (from half day to several days), there are multiple options for everyone, including families. Each hike is developed to satisfy the expectations of the many visitors.

A recommended half day hike is the one towards Salinas Grandes, the salt lakes. Along the way, you have panoramic views of the Humahuaca Gorge. Once at the Salinas, a tent is lifted to provide shadow and to have a well-deserved picnic in the middle of the 45.000 hectares of salt.

For a short and family alternative, a one hour and a half walk around the colorful town of Tilcara will do. You might feel funny walking around the town’s main square right beside a llama, but believe us, is a once in a lifetime experience!

Different paths around the region take you towards ancient ruins, valleys, volcanoes, gorges and salt lakes. While hiking, you learn about the local culture and history. The lamas are always used to carry all the camping equipment, food and personal belongings for the journey, you can’t ride them.

For those travelers in the search of original experiences, walking with llamas is an unforgettable experience in the northwest.