SELF HIKE KIT UPDATE FOR EL CHALTÉN & NORTHWEST

Because staying on track is important, add value to your customers’ trekking experiences with our Self Hike Kit.

Argentina offers quite a few destinations for adventurous travelers and nature lovers. Trekking is, without a doubt, one of the main activities selected by this audience to fulfill a one of a kind trip.

The Self Hike Kit is a Kallpa product designed to support two or more independent travelers who want to combine their trip with hikes and discover nature at their own pace, but with a digital support that guides them through the right path.

 The product is available in El Chaltén and in the Argentine Northwest, with different features:

Self Hike Kit Northwest Argentina includes: 

  • Safety tips briefing and operation instructions for GPS preloaded trekking maps.
  • Trekking GPS device with preloaded main trekking tracks (in case of lack of GPS equipment, we deliver the trails on maps for smartphones).
  • Printed document with general information about the treks preloaded on the GPS for the hiker to decide.
Self Hike Kit for Northwest

 Self Hike Kit El Chaltén includes:

  • Safety tips briefing and operation instructions for preloaded trekking maps for smartphones. (IMPORTANT: please read below the requirements).
  • Trekking trails preload on Google Maps for smartphones.
  • Printed document with general information about the treks preloaded on Google Maps for the hiker to decide.
  • El Chaltén trekking map.
Self Hike Kit for El Chaltén

Requirements for travelers hiking in El Chaltén

In order to smooth the briefing process, before their arrival please:

  1. Provide the Kallpa Staff with the passengers’ Gmail address, or we will create one for them to use.
  2. Make sure that the travelers’ smartphone has enough capacity (at least 50 MB).
  3. Make sure that the travelers have installed properly the Google Maps app, and that it works fine.
  4. In Google Maps, travelers must download the area’s trail map to have it available offline. A good internet connection or wifi is required for this step. So, please make sure they download it before their arrival to El Chaltén due to poor or lack of connectivity in the zone.

If you wish to book this product for your customers, please inform our Kallpa Executives.

 

 

HIKING TO THE EMERALD LAGOON IN USHUAIA

This is an active excursion, for those who enjoy walking and being outdoors in contact with nature. The forest, mountains and the glacier that surround it make the Emerald Lagoon an incredible place worth visiting.

This is one of the most interesting hikes to get to know the surroundings of Ushuaia and be surprised by the unique charm of the Laguna Esmeralda (Emerald Lagoon), hidden in the mountains.

The excursion begins in the morning with the transfer to the Valley of Tierra Mayor, just 20 km from Ushuaia on Route 3. Here we will start the walk of about two hours towards the lagoon, trekking through pristine forests, peat bogs, beaver dams, mountains and glaciers. Almost 5 km one way where we will cross over two valleys: Tierra Mayor, the largest in Tierra del Fuego  and also a Natural Reserve, located at 250 ms asl; and the Valley of Emerald River.

The trail enters the forest and then goes through a peat moss area where we cross a log bridge over the Emerald stream. From here we can see some beaver dams and part of the damage they cause in these forests. Not being a native species of this region, they cause serious damage to the local ecosystem.

From here, the landscape will alternate between forest and peat moss as we head deep into the valley. Along the path you will see incredible landscapes surrounded by mountains and snowy peaks, plus the crystal clear stream that comes from the lagoon.

At around 11 am, we will reach the beautiful Emerald Lagoon going up a hill, located at the foot of the Ojo de Albino glacier, between the Bonete hill and the Toribio cord. Its green waters live up to its name and contrast with the reddish color of the peat moss that surround it. We will enjoy the scenery for an hour while we take photos, rest and enjoy a picnic lunch in the mountain to regain strength for the way back.

We will return by the same path, and we might take a shortcut to see a gigantic beaver dam on the way. By 2.30 pm we will be back at the hotel

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • 6 hs regular excursion.
  • Departure time at 8.30 am.
  • Operates daily.
  • Distance: 10 km (6.1 miles) round-trip.
  • Includes: Round-trip transportation from hotels, picnic lunch with empanadas, fruits, cereals, alfajores and hot beverage).
  • It is recommended to wear hiking shoes or boots and a backpack. Bring sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses.

SOLAR ECLIPSE IN BARILOCHE DECEMBER 2020

The greatest astronomical phenomenon will take place again next year and can be observed in a wide line of totality in Patagonia, from the Cordillera to the Argentine sea.

The total solar eclipse of 2019 shone splendidly in Argentina, leaving unforgettable images in a lot of Argentines and foreigners who came to our country to be among the 20 million privileged people around the world who were able to see live the greatest astronomical phenomenon, according to scientists.

It takes more than 300 years for an eclipse to occur in the same place, but since our geography is so extensive from north to south, the next one will be visible in Patagonia in 2020.

 The entire strip will be relatively narrow. Passing through Argentina, it will be seen from San Martín de los Andes in the province of Neuquén, to Las Grutas in Río Negro. In the rest of the country and in South America it will be seen partially in different percentages.

In Kallpa, we have planned a special 3-day fixed departure to witness this celestial phenomenon. It is a unique opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Bariloche, experience the magical event of the solar eclipse joined by other interested travelers and an astronomer, and also enjoy a soft uphill hike on the Llao Llao peninsula to enjoy incredible Patagonian panoramic views. Without a doubt, an unforgettable photographic journey!

For more information, rates and the full program, please contact your Kallpa Tour coordinator.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Fixed departure from December 13th to 16th 2020:

  • Day 1 – Dec. 13th: Arrival in Bariloche. Briefing with tour leader and astronomer. Rest of the day at leisure.
  • Day 2 – Dec. 14th: Solar eclipse full day experience at Catan Lil ranch.
  • Day 3 – Dec. 15th: Full day short circuit and hike to the Llao Llao Peninsula.
  • Day 4 – Dec. 16th: Transfer to the airport.

Included

  • Tour leader for the whole tour.
  • Lodging for 3 nights at Las Marianas Hostería in standard room with breakfast.
  • Services and meals as detailed on the description.
  • Full day eclipse events arrangements, including round trip transportation and accompaniment of an astronomer. Lunch is not included.
  • Hike to Llao Llao Peninsula, including Bilingual Certified Mountain Guide / Box lunch + water + tea + snacks / First Aid Kit + VHF Radio + GPS / Insurance + Permits.

 Not included

  • International and/or domestic flights.
  • Personal travel insurance.
  • Taxes, personal expenses.
  • Meals not detailed on the description.

STUNNING EASY HIKE IN BARILOCHE

We bring you one of the most beautiful trekking circuits in Patagonia, to enjoy and explore without much effort, interpret the wet forest ecosystem and be surprised with an incredible panoramic view.

Throughout the year, this hike offers a relaxed alternative to explore the Llao Llao peninsula in Bariloche, and access very beautiful panoramic views without much effort. The ascent is smooth and does not require any special physical condition, except feeling like walking and enjoying the surroundings.

The trekking day begins near the famous Llao Llao Hotel. Here, we follow a system of well-marked and not very steep trails through the Natural Reserve of the Llao Llao Peninsula, an area designed to protect and preserve an ancient forest of Cypresses and Coihues, among other species of evergreen trees. We focus on enjoying nature by accessing different shores of the Moreno and Nahuel Huapi lakes.

Combining several trails, we reach Villa Tacul, a set of crystal clear water bays. At this spot we find the ideal place to rest after having completed the first section and enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake.

In the afternoon, we continue our journey and ascend to the top of Llao Llao Hill, with its beautiful views and captivating flora full of native orchids and lilies.

 At 1080 meters high, from the hill we can appreciate one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the Nahuel Huapi and Moreno lakes, the enchanting Victoria Island, the Millaqueo, Capilla and López hills, the Escondido lake and the Tristeza arm. The famous stunning postcard from Bariloche. Without a doubt, this place is unique.

After taking in so much natural beauty, we begin the descent by another path and we cross the Peninsula back to the starting point.

This is the perfect easy hike for people who enjoy long walks, but without too much physical effort. To enjoy the forest and nature in all its splendor. A must for those who are lucky enough to visit Bariloche!

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Recommended Season: yearlong
  • Duration of the activity: 4-6 hours
  • Length of the Trek:  10 kms
  • Starting Altitude: 780 msnsm
  • Max Altitude Climbed:  1005 msnsm
  • Elevation gained: 225 mts
  • Service includes: Bilingual Certified Mountain Guide / Box lunch + water + tea + snacks / First Aid Kit + VHF Radio + GPS / Insurance + Permits