Living in the Jungle in Misiones

Living in the jungle provides unexpected and unique experiences. Animals wandering free in the wild, picking up groceries and medicines from diverse plants and trees, coexisting with a humid climate all year round. Life in the rainforest is lively, colorful and tough.

Yacutinga was the first jungle lodge in Argentina, created almost 20 years ago as a project for biodiversity conservation and protection in the northeast of Misiones province, one of the richest natural regions in the country.

Today it has become an ecotourism attraction itself for anyone who enjoys raw nature and who is willing to take part on this environmental and sustainable project. At Yacutinga, guests discover not only the unique curiosities of these magical and vast surroundings but also the deep bond between man and nature. Whilst visiting Yacutinga, guests contribute to a new conservation and sustainability concept in Argentina.

The Origins program, besides providing a complete jungle interpretation and understanding, promises an unexpected journey to find out about the lifestyle and social reality of the Kagui Pora Guarani community. The idea is to complement this experience reaching native flora and fauna and also getting to know day by day life in the jungle.

This is a 4 days / 3 nights program, starting at the Raices Argentinas inn (only minutes away from the Puerto Iguazú airport) where a special truck picks you up and gets into the subtropical rainforest to take you to the Yacutinga protected area.

On the way, the red dirt soil combines with many shades of green, diverse and lush vegetation and jungle noises and aromas that awaken your senses. Signs by the road warn about the presence of many wildlife species that may come your way.

After a few hours, you will finally reach Yacutinga Lodge and probably be greeted with homemade warm chipa (baked rolls made from manioc flour and cheese) and fresh drinks.

During the stay, a set of planned activities provide the opportunity to understand life at the rainforest from an environmental and social point of view.

Kayaking through the jungle waters and hiking into the forest joined by expert ecologist guides. A tour to the yerba mate plantation including an explanation about the mate ritual. Learning about how locals use medicinal native plants for homeopathic medicine; an ancient tradition that allowed the settling of the pioneer families in this rural environment. And, of course, the visit to the Kagui Pora Guarani community and meet its people and learn about their lifestyle in the jungle; comprehending their nature, traditions, habits, myths and legends.

Yacutinga Origins proffers a unique experience for the adventurous traveller. A close encounter with nature and local people at a place where past and future meet to create a curious present. An eye-opening experience for any visitor.

Please contact us for more information about this special program.

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

We are a growing company and we also help others to grow. For this reason, we want to cooperate with foundations and organizations that bring growth to society and people with fewer resources. They really care and know what reduce, reuse, recycle mean.

Such is the case of “Fundación Compañía Social Equidad”. They have a recycling workshop where they receive donations of obsolete digital equipment which they recycle to later donate to organizations that cannot access new technology, with the objective of bridging the digital divide in the society. They also have a technical school where they train people who have been excluded from the labor market due to little or no knowledge of new technologies and web 2.0. Finally, they have an area of project implementation and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)

Due to the emergence of the digital divide that appears as a future threat to social integration in the year 2001, economic crisis in full, “Fundación Equidad” started to take shape. One of the things that led to its inception was the program of Digital Communication and Journalism where emphasis was placed on stimulating the desire of the participants to learn, create and produce, helping to improve their self-esteem. One workshop, aimed to 20 adolescents between 15 and 17 years, was held under the Young Web Program, from the Ministry of Education of the City.

Other prominent developments of the Foundation were Research for Education andTechnology to present an overview of programs for inclusion and use of technology in the schools of the City of Buenos Aires.

The School Computerisation Programme, which from 2001 provided computers to schools in five provinces of Argentina. They also created the Digital Community Centers with leaders and teachers in the country. They created 14 Digital Community Centers in 7 provinces that provide digital literacy and Internet access to poor people. A Digital Community Center is a place that provides public access to computers, training in the use of basic software applications, navigation and social services over the Internet.

Environmental pollution is a consequence of improper waste disposal and since at Kallpa we are committed to doing our portion for the environment care, we have decided to donate equipment and computer supplies to “Fundación Compañía Social Equidad”and to commit even more with all the aspects involving our development as a company as regards as social responsibility.

featured Sustainability sustainable tourism

Sustainable fly and drive tour including huilo huilo

This month we’ve decided to innovate in all aspects. We designed a fly & drive itinerary visiting destinations in the Argentine and Chilean Patagonia that are not the most visited but are amazing in the context of nature and landscape. In Kallpa we are always looking for those products in which to combine creative itineraries and sustainable projects. This is the reason for this sustainable fly and drive tour including Huilo Huilo.

Conservation is a constant challenge and a long-term task. That is why we decided, in this May Edition of our newsletter to include Huilo Huilo. Chile encloses an important geography and natural values, especially in the the Andes and the Patagonian region where Huilo Huilo is located in Panguipulli area. It is important to understand that conservation is everyone’s job, and without the support and commitment of the community and the authorities any task would be pointless and would not be possible.

Huilo Huilo Reserve is an extensive territory with natural limits and pristine water fountains, that has sheltered until recent decades, the survival of varied species, the Southern Huemul being one of them. Its disappearance from the region has been recent, and in Aysén, it already is in a stage of great vulnerability. That is why we consider of great importance to count again with the presence of spaces that were once its natural shelter.

Arriving from San Martín de los Andes after crossing the border with Chile you will get to Panguipulli and there you will find Nothofagus Hotel & Spa in Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve. Going into the forest, following a water course, appears the Nothofagus, a structure that rises among treetops, to emerge and discover the magnificence of the cold forest, its mountains, volcano and the immensity of the Patagonian Andes environment.

Huilo Huilo is a set of immersed hotels located in Chilean Patagonia rainforest. These hotels are connected by walkways and gardens. They attached a relaxed spa with heated pools, a spectacular lobby made entirely of wood and living trees, and rich restaurants. There are trails and walks that are truly spectacular. The rooms are spacious and the view to the forests of the intermediate floors is great.

Nothofagus Hotel and Spa, the one we are talking about has 55 rooms, distributed among 7 floors, where spectacular views dominate, in order to give an unforgettable experience. In adittion, it has 2 dining rooms, living rooms, an exquisite gastronomic service and an excellet attention. To get to the rooms, you can use a panoramic elevator or a ramp with a smooth slope that circulates through all the interior.

Its unique architecture using wood gives Nothofagus its magic and sensation of being part of nature. Great for couples or families.

The fact that this hotel is immersed in the Valdivian rainforest and has no TV is perfect for the “perfect rest”. The staff is very helpful and there is plenty to do. Breakfast is super rich and varied, well prepared.

The hotel is decorated respecting nature where its inserted. Forces you to disconnect for a while for daily news and worries. Activities include hiking in the park, like Huilo huilo waterfall.

The year 2010 was awarded a “Green Seal” for Huilo Huilo with distinguished work in conservation and restoration of biodiversity in the temperate rain forest. Environmental and energy program that seeks to expose initiatives that brings a sustainable country. This recognition also points out the task of further emphasizes of Huilo Huilo Foundation for its successful breeding and reintroduction project of the Huemul of the south.

Continue your trip from Huilo Huilo to Pucon in Chile, and then to a hidden secret in Argentinian Patagonia which will captivate your eyes.

DOWNLOAD FULL ITINERARY

As you see, there are a lot of alternatives for Fly & Drive tours in a new and awesome way. If you need further assistance about this sustainable fly and drive tour including huilo huilo you can contact your personal Kallpa Executive or simply leave a message in our contact form. We’ll be happy to assist you!.

accomodation in Chilean Patagonia Argentinian Patagonia Chilean patagonia featured fly and drive tours huilo huilo hotels sustainable tourism

Environmental educational workshops at Yacutinga Lodge

In a common effort between Adventure Life, Yacutinga Lodge and Kallpa Tour, the importance of caring about the environment and preserving the forest is one of the main purposes of the environmental educational workshops at Yacutinga Lodge and its wildlife refuge which are going through since 2003

The Paranaense forest extending between Argentina , Brazil and Paraguay. It’s one of the most biodiverse forests in the region and the largest biodiversity on the continent after the Amazon. It’s the natural refuge of large predators such as the jaguar (Panthera onca) and the harpy eagle (Harpy Eagle).

Its forests are home to over 110 species of mammals, over 500 species of birds, more than 200 fish and a variety of aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates. Only in the Iguazu National Park about 250 species of trees and 85 varieties of orchids are recorded fascinating.

Currently only retains 7.8% of the 47 million hectares of forest and originally had a highly fragmented landscape. This loss and degradation due to uncontrolled expansion of the agricultural frontier, the overexploitation of forest infrastructure development – dams and roads, and illegal hunting of wildlife.

Misiones, in Argentina , with the largest block of continuous forest that still stands , occupying about 50 % of the area of the province. There has 1,128,343 mount up what is known as the Green Corridor.

Yacutinga Lodge and Wildlife Refuge are located on the Upper Iguazú River in the extreme northeast of Argentina. Just 60 km from the Iguazu Falls. Retains a wealth of bio-diversity, away from mass tourism flow that characterizes the area of Iguazu Falls as part of the Green Corridor. The presence of lush wildlife make of Yacutinga a spectacular environment to provide extremely interesting information about the mysteries and peculiarities of the majestic Mission Selva information.

As part of its management objectives to raise awareness among young people of the neighboring village, goes through with an environmental education project called “The gurisada and Mount” since 2003 which consists in a series of environmental educational workshops at Yacutinga Lodge. These workshops aimed at children between 8-12 years of rural area schools aim to contribute to knowledge and respect for natural resources.

Three issues are adressed:

The importance of the Forest, an environmental community service.

The importance of drinking water and the need to properly manage waste, to minimize pollution.

The importance of environmental conservation as a “treasure” for future generations.

During the year 2012 and 2013 Kallpa Tour Operator, Adventure Life and Yacutinga Lodge have decided to join forces for a series of environmental educational workshops at Yacutinga Lodge for the rural Guaraní Community Kagui Pora located in the Municipality of Comandante Andresito in the argentine Province of Misiones.

These unusual activities are intended to present the environmental problems the Paranaense Forest suffers to the Guarani children in order to achieve a better understanding of this unpleasant and unfortunate situation, which undoubtedly affects their roots and customs.

The Guaraní Community Kagui Pora, which neighbors Yacutinga Lodge, has been suffering for years the negative impacts produced by the indiscriminate development of the natural environment, which has sheltered them since ancient times.

The impact caused by the deforestation in the area and the consequent loss of biodiversity causes irreparable damage to Society as a whole and particularly to the indigenous Communities, which must necessarily adapt to these drastic changes and demands.

This new condition of life forces our Guaraní brothers to understand their own trans-culturization process. This is the reason we decided on these “educational days“ aiming to understand together the threats of the desertification of the Jungle floor, humus loss and waste generation.

Our goal is to gather information on proper handling of household waste, the importance of water conservation and soil fertility of the Jungle and value the environment that provides a healthy service to every inhabitant of this ecosystem.

Yacutinga Lodge organized these “educational days” with the active contribution of the Guarani Community Kagui Pora and the volunteer students to Ranger: Debra Agüero, Colo Valente and German Alonso.

Many thanks to all of them for their passion, companionship and affection provided in order to reach the goal of our educational program “La Gurisada y el Monte “

You can request more information about Environmental educational workshops at Yacutinga Lodge contacting your personal Kallpa Account Executive or at Incoming Kallpa Tour

Adventure Life nature sustainable tourism Yacutinga Lodge