nature Archivos | Page 7 of 9 | Kallpa I Tour Operator

Full day trekking in Cuesta del Obispo

A hike where nature, culture and history combine for those active and adventurous travellers looking for an unforgettable experience in Northern Argentina.

Almost 100 km from the city of Salta you will find the Cuesta del Obispo, a zig-zag and steep stretch of the provincial route 33. The slope ascends from Chicoana and ends at Piedra del Molino.

The adventure begins anyday at 7 am and takes the whole day. Leaving Salta in southern direction, you will pass by Cerrillos and El Carril towns, turning West towards Chicoana until Quebrada de Escoipe. On the way, you will be able to see diverse species of cacti and a colorful and rocky landscape.

After the two-hour trip, at paraje Margarita the group will take a local bus ascending through Cuesta del Obispo, reaching the access to the National Park Los Cardones. The hike begins here, descending through Valle Encantado (Enchanted Valley), a natural sanctuary for the Salteños. Following a red dirt path surrounded by exuberant vegetation and multicolor rocks, the walk will provide an extraordinary scenery of natural colours and strange shapes sculpted on the rock through the years by rain and wind. It is said that walking through this path is like walking on the clouds, since there is a pond between high meadows and red rock formations where the clouds almost touch the ground.

One of the main attractions of this descent are the cave paintings that you will see entering a private plot, ancient traces of the Incaic culture that will remind you that this was once an Inca trail. On the way, you might also spot majestic Condors flying in their natural habitat.

Nature, history and culture combine in this hike. The highlights are definitely the incredible and colorful scenery above the clouds and the breathtaking views of Cuesta del Obispo whilst exploring Los Cardones.

The hike is about 17,4 km long, mainly descending, and takes up to 6 hours. It is advisable for people in good health, with minimal ability to walk on rocky and irregular paths.

FACT SHEET

Min. 2 Pax required. Bookings with one week of anticipation.
When: Everyday at 7 am (transfer from hotel)
Level of Challenge: Medium/High
Recommended Season: All year long, except during summer rains.
Duration of the activity: Full day, 11 hours including transfer and hike (4-6 hours).
Length of the Trek: 17,4 km
Starting Altitude: 2270 msnsm
Max Altitude Climbed: 3100 msnsm

INCLUDED

Transfers from and to hotel.
Trekking poles.
Snacks and picnic lunch.
English speaking guide.
Insurance.

World’s End minitrekking

Enjoy the World’s End at Tierra del Fuego National Park, the last Patagonian forest of the continent.

The journey begins with a 12 km drive on the National Route No. 3 towards the southwest, making a few stops to enjoy panoramic views of the Beagle Channel, the Ushuaia Peninsula and the Bridges Archipelago.

A few kilometres later, we enter the Tierra del Fuego National Park: a 68.909 hectare conservation area for the protection of Subantarctic forest and native wildlife. Only 2000 ha of its southern end are open to the public since the rest of the park is considered as a strict reserve. This is one of the few Argentine national parks with a sea coast and valleys with glacial rivers and lakes.

The first hike in the park begins at the trailhead of Mirador LapataIa. Approximately after 40 minutes, we reach the path’s end at a paleo-fiord. This is where the famous Pan-American Highway –which starts in Alaska- ends.

The next stop is Roca Lake, a binational waterbody divided between Argentina and Chile, followed by the last stretch of the journey at Ensenada Zaratiegui Bay. Here we shortly sail through the Beagle Channel on an RIB boat, where it is possible to watch a diversity of native shorebirds.

The boat arrives to Redonda Island, where the last 40 minute hike takes place through one of the most pristine areas ever, surrounded by cinnamon and coihue forests.

From this imposing natural scenery, the journey ends sailing back through the Beagle Channel and visiting the World’s End post office before going back to the city of Ushuaia.

FACT SHEET

Regular daily departures or private services available.
Pax requirements: min. 2 – max. 12.
Operating Season: November 15th to March 15th, subject to weather conditions.
Duration of the activity: Half day. From 8 am to 1.30/2 pm.
Level of Challenge: Easy.
Trek duration: two 40 minute stretches.
Bilingual guides Spanish/English.

INCLUDED

Transfers from and to hotel.
Navigation to Redonda Island.
Bottled water and a cereal bar.

NOT INCLUDED

Meals.
Admission to National Park.

featured Isla Redonda nature Patagonia Tierra del Fuego Trekking

A window in the skies

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Patagonian Estancia & Safari Experience El Calafate

We are heading to El Calafate. We’ve heard about a brand new experience and we had to do it. A product combining a tour in a Four Wheel Drive Car, a photo safari and the opportunity to enjoy the most relaxing time in an authentic Patagonian Estancia. So let us tell you about this fantastic Patagonian Estancia & Safari Experience El Calafate.

We had breakfast and sit waiting in the lobby enjoying the views of the Argentinian Lake. Those who had the chance to stay in El Calafate for a few days will agree with us that the colour of the water is awesome. We were picked up at 9:00 am. If you want to do the tour during the afternoon there is an option at 4:00 pm.

It was a great way to break away from the glaciers and do something a little different in Calafate. We enjoyed the great views and 4×4 experience while exploring this beautiful estancia. It was great to see some wild animals, birds and local plants and learn more about their history and origin.

The tour has five stops. The first one at an antique stone post where the first family of the Estancia, the Villalbas used to live. A brief explanation about the Patagonian Estancias, the first inhabitants, the first days of El Calafate and the 25 de Mayo Estancia managed by the Villalba Family and the acquisition by the new owners the Aristizabal family.

We continue our tour til we reach La Sección (The Section), an authentic Estancia Post settled in the patagonian inmensity. Here we have the second stop where we can watch the fauna at the 25 de Mayo hill. Here we took our cameras and the binoculars and telescopes provided by the tour guides and started taking photos and watching the landscapes and fauna of this amazing site.

The third stop takes place to watch the fauna. After leaving the vehicle our group gets together to get closer to the herds of Guanacos (a South American specie of the camel). Back into our vehicles and after a four kilometers drive we reach our fourth stop to access the fossilized oysters site. Here we can admire the amazing wall. The travelers will be able to understand about the geology, paleontology and history of this place, which once was covered by the sea.

Heading south we reach the Chilean border to get to the Centinela viewpoint, a hill at 1500 m.o.s.l. where we have magnificent views of the unending basalt walls of the Centinela Mount and the Baguales (mounts that mark the limit between Argentina and Chile in the south) here we do our fifth stop and enjoy the views.

After a few hours we arrived at the house and enjoyed a great typical gaucho meal with some good wines. It was excellent and being able to enjoy that meal and watch the beautiful landscape through the windows is one of the most highlights of this tour. Our guide was warm and friendly and provided great service. He really wanted to make sure we had a good experience… and we did.

For those curious about the history, the land and the people that settled it…and who want to see another side of the overwhelming beauty of Patagonia, We would highly recommend this activity. experience in the countryside we suggest you a visit to Nibepo Aike

FACT SHEET

Minimun pax requirements: 1

SERVICES INCLUDED

Entry fee for the Estancia 25 de Mayo Natural Reserve.
Safari in 4×4 vehicle with a Spanish/English bilingual guide.
Passengers’ pick-up and drop-off at El Calafate hotels.
Lunch or dinner with beverage (water & wine).
Available during the safari: binoculars, telescope, tripod, guide of birds. Comments:
Regular departures guaranteed with no requirements of a minimum number of passengers.
Maximum: 12 passengers in regular departures.
Transfers in Land Rover (6 passengers per vehicle).
Fares subject to changes. In case of change, the fares of the reservations already confirmed will be kept.
Clothing and accessories: comfortable clothing is recommended for walking as well as warm clothing suitable for the Patagonian varied climate; trekking shoes or shoes with appropriate soles, comfortable trousers, several layers of warm clothes (shirt, polar, warm jacket), hat or cap, sun protection, sunglasses.
Other accessories: If you take photos, consider taking charged batteries and/or a battery replacement and enough memory devices, as there will be no opportunity to recharge batteries. If you have binoculars, it is worth bringing them.
Toilets available at “La Sección” site.
Total circuit: 40 km (26 miles). Duration: 5 h. to 5:30 h.