Rural Tourism Network in the Calchaqui Valleys, Salta

Over the last few years, we have learnt that a different, accessible and more responsible way to travel is much needed.

 

In Kallpa we understand that we can contribute to transform our industry by developing experiences that enhance this trait.

More travellers are looking to go beyond just visiting a new foreign country. 

They are starting to look for different ways to enrich their experience by

 learning  and experimenting with locals, sharing activities as well as getting knowledge of rural and native communities lifestyle. The cultural exchange and mutual respect between local people and visitors, provides real  growth for both parties and a true development opportunity.

Salta has been a leading destination in Argentina for rural community tourism. Twelve local communities from the Calchaquí Valley joined to create a cooperative organization that is self-managed by families of farmers and artisans who open their doors to share different activities and experiences with visitors from all around the world.The whole network contributes with part of their income for a common purpose decided by all families involved in the project. It can be providing solar panels to a specific area where there is no electricity available  or making the necessary infrastructure to get drinkable water.

These communities are open to visitors to experience rural tourism, taking part in daily farming activities, visiting artisans and doing outdoor strolls or horseback rides. Cook and taste the local typical dishes such as empanadas, locro (meat and vegetable stew) tamales and humitas.  Using a mud oven, sharing  local traditions, taking care of a flock of goats, learning about grapevine and artisanal winemaking, visiting archaeological sites, hiking through the hills, learning craftworks like pottery, using a loom or sharing a religious festivity, among others. Wine tasting is also available in certain communities.

A once in a lifetime experience to be a local for a few memorable moments and enhance the travel experience in a sustainable way.

NOTE

  • Available options: Half day experience, including an activity and lunch with local family. Full day experience including overnight at a local family home, full board and activities.
  • Travellers are assigned to Communities depending on their availability and the activity that the visitors would like to take part in.
  • It is important to book the experience in advance, so that the community families can be prepared for the visit, and also for the visitor to read the Ethical Code of Conduct that will be provided.

Rural tourism in the Calchaquí Valley

In Kallpa we would like to foster rural community tourism; a different, accessible and responsible way to travel, where the traveller finds himself within authentic cultural scenarios that leave a deep trace.

More and more travellers are looking for a different kind of trip, to go beyond only observing and to be able to take part of something, to learn by experimenting on their own. Knowing places, sharing activities, knowledge and lifestyles with rural and native communities is becoming the new way of travelling.

That is why responsible rural tourism has been growing so much in the last years in Argentina, triggered by the cultural exchange and mutual respect between local people and visitors, providing also a local growth and development opportunity.

Since 2011, Salta is the pioneer province in Argentina to embrace the rural community tourism. Twelve local communities from the Calchaquí Valley are involved in a cooperative organization self-managed by low resources families of farmers and artisans, opening their doors to share different activities and experiences with visitors from all around the world.

On their own words, not only they offer regional artisanal products but also community rural tourism services, a real country life experience. “We practice and promote fair trade, a tourism that respects everyone´s culture and that is responsible with our society and friendly with our Mother Earth and the land that we live in”.

The cooperative‘s proposal main goals are the cultural exchange and the enjoyment of the landscape. To join the communities on their everyday lives and activities, to share the farming and artisan professions, to sit and chat generating an enriching interchange. Their infrastructure is their own family and communal habitat. Homes, roads and places that belong to their communities, families and local scenery, which they gladly share with visitors.

Travellers willing to visit any of these communities and to experience rural tourism in the Calchaquí Valley may expect to take part of daily farming activities, visiting artisans, and cultural and outdoor strolls or rides. They may learn to cook regional dishes and using a mud oven, knowing about local traditions, taking care of a flock of goats, learning about grapevine and artisanal wine making, visiting archaeological sites, trekking among the hills, learning craftworks like pottery or using a loom, sharing a religious festivity, among others. Trekking and horseback riding activities are on short and easy circuits guided by local people. These last almost 3 hs.  

Regional gastronomy is an important character of this experience, specially for the half day activity with lunch. Visitors will be able to taste and also elaborate along the local families typical dishes such as empanadas, locro (meat and vegetable stew), tamales or humitas. Also desserts like anchi (a sugary corn and lemon cream), cayote pies and homemade cheese with sugar cane honey. Wine tasting is also available in certain communities.

Communities involved in the cooperative organization open their doors to visitors willing to experience unforgettable moments shared with ancient cultures in natural and beautiful scenarios. A one in a lifetime experience and a knowledge and lifestyles true interchange.

Contact your Kallpa executive for more information about the communities and to book a half day experience, including an activity and lunch with one of these hardworking communities.

NOTE

  • Available options: Half day experience, including an activity and lunch with local family. Full day experience including overnight at a local family home, full board and activities.
  • Communities are assigned to travellers depending on their availability and the activity that the visitors would like to take part in.
  • It is important to book the experience in advance, so that the community families can be prepared for the visit, and also for the visitor to read the Ethical Code of Conduct that will be provided.