La Comarca Andina. North Patagonia, Argentina

La Comarca Andina. North Patagonia, Argentina

Located just 2 hours south of the Bariloche airport, La Comarca refers to a larger place rather than a city in itself: it is a beautiful and still pristine valley, on the southern edge of the Lakes Region in the northern Patagonia. Sheltered by the Andes itself from the cold and humid winds of the Pacific Ocean to the west, and from the very cold and dry winds of the rough Patagonian steppe to the east. That’s why it has a unique microclimate of mild winters and warm, windless summers that have made it famous for its berries and vegetables: the entire area is dotted with small organic farms.

There is also a very interesting story before the arrival of European settlers in the early 1900s: the natives did not settle in this area, nor was it within their travel routes, they only came to this area when they needed healing or to do spiritual work. or offerings The mountain that shelters the valley to the east is the majestic Piltriquitron, which in the native language means: “between the clouds”, we can understand it in two ways. Its summits are usually covered by clouds, but this was also the place where the native peoples climbed with their white offering flags. Therefore, the name can also be understood as “Peaks between the white flags”.

Once you arrived you instantly feel there is a different “speed” to the way the clock ticks. This relaxing, soothing, healing feeling is what has been congregated in this place by therapists and healing oriented activities from all walks of life: Yoga, Taichi, Andean movements & plant medicine, chamanism, ayurveda, massage, accupuncture and Chinese medicine. All this combined with healthy and exquisite food that has practically goes from the veggie garden to the table in a few paces.

I have guided groups of people in the Patagonian Andes and other mountain ranges of the world for over 25 years, and always witnessed the life changing moments of connection with nature that made my work so rewarding. It was this connection that made me go beyond and explore how us humans can reconnect with ourselves, using ancient and modern techniques merged together to make it available to people from all walks of life.

I have been blessed with being able to travel all over the world and visit some amazing places that help in this reconnection with our essence, La Comarca Andina is one of them. I want to invite you to come and stay with us to feel renewed in mind, body and spirit.

Gabriel “Colo” Ziffer

Hola! My name is Gabriel Ziffer. I am a Taichi and Qi Gong instructor, Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine certified practitioner; I have also been blessed with the opportunity of guiding trips in the Patagonian Andes and many mountain ranges around the world.

I currently live in a small valley in North Patagonia: La Comarca , known worldwide for its alternative and healthy lifestyle, just 2 hours south of Bariloche International Airport. The landscape is set by a stunning surroundings of mountains, lakes and rivers and many organic farms and small boutique chalets, farms and homesteads.

I want to invite you to this secret spot of the Andes to have a moment to just take a break, a stop from the rushed lifestyle that even holidays can have, and find your center or balance and place a warm smile right there.

Contact Colo and let him help you plan a transformative experience in Patagonia

MERCAT VILLA CRESPO

MERCAT VILLA CRESPO

Mercat Villa Crespo brings the best of the city together in the district of Villa Crespo: its best restaurants, drinks and cultural experiences for friends and families. Shop from dozens of local, sustainable farmers, drop off compost, and more.

Inspired by La Boquería in Barcelona and with the spirit of “Less supermarket, more Market”, Mercat Villa Crespo proposes a creative and innovative experience in the midst of the largest gastronomic and tourist hub in the country.

 

It is a market with restaurants and local gastronomic entrepreneurs. This indoor food court makes Villa Crespo the new trendy neighborhood for eating out in Buenos Aires. Where will the second headquarters be?

 

With an industrial aesthetic, the building located at Thames 747 has 2,700 square meters and is divided into 3 floors: a space for specially selected national producers (some are local for take away and others for on-site consumption), an auditorium and a foyer .

 

Its objective is “to be a meeting place to enjoy a varied gastronomic offer and discover products at affordable prices”.

 

Only at Mercat can you enjoy the exquisite specialty coffee of Grano Santo, from the hand of Germán López, third generation of coffee growers; buy fruits and vegetables without pesticides and by the kilo -or bag- in Organic Land; and access to pastoral meat from Pastizales Nativos, which promotes responsible livestock.

 

For its part, Let it V will offer 100% plant-based and gluten-free fusion food; and Haulani will add its dispatch of ice creams based on milk and coconut oil. There will also be dumplings, baos, buns, ramen and other dishes influenced by Asian cuisine by Koi; and Veggie will be present with its Middle Eastern vegetarian fast food concept.

 

The Italian tradition will unfold in Brocca Pasta, with a wide range of dry and stuffed pasta proposals that can be taken away or eaten on the spot, plus the spin-off of Brocca Pasticcería, with the great pastry milestones of that European country.

The expert cheese connoisseur Remo Valenti returns to serve the public, after several years, at Remo. And he will do it under two well-defined concepts: To the office, where only the cheeses, hams and salami that he considers to be at their right point will be for sale; and To the bar, where – just as his father dreamed – customers and friends can have a little taste on the go without having to wait until they get home.

 

The street food of exotic Transylvania comes from the hand of Erdely’s with its kürto, a crunchy sweet on the outside and fluffy on the inside, which is made at the moment and delivered steaming in its different versions.

 

In Dulce de leche & Co you can find the best milk candies and alfajores from small producers from all regions of the country; and the traditional Tucuman empanadas can be tasted at La Casa de Tafí.

 

The street food of exotic Transylvania comes from the hand of Erdely’s with its kürto, a crunchy sweet on the outside and fluffy on the inside, which is made at the moment and delivered steaming in its different versions.

 

In Dulce de leche & Co you can find the best milk candies and alfajores from small producers from all regions of the country; and the traditional Tucuman empanadas can be tasted at La Casa de Tafí.

 

As for drinks, there will be draft beer at La Choppería and Vico Wine Bar will be present with a boutique selection of the best wines from its portfolio -both by the glass and in the bottle-, plus cocktails, vermouth and other drinks dispensed from dispensers and taps.

 

Mercat can be visited on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to midnight. It will be closed on Mondays.

 

This unique food market arrives in the neighborhood of Villa Crespo to reverse the traditional concept of the market and open the debate on current food. With a very industrial aesthetic, the Mercat building -located at Thames 747, CABA- has 2700m2, is divided into three floors, has a space for specially selected local producers, and an auditorium and a foyer that will set trends due to the range of interesting content that they will present.

Contact Us if you have any questions or if you want to start planning your trip for 2022.

Singular Culinary Experiences in the Sacred Valley

Singular Culinary Experiences in the Sacred Valley

BEST PLACES TO EAT IN SACRED VALLEY IN PERU

Most tourists in Peru go straight from Cuzco to Machu Picchu without stopping. They miss what’s in between: the Sacred Valley where chefs take food and adventure to new heights. In the Sacred Valley chefs pick the region’s purple corn, local herbs (at an elevation of 11,000 feet above sea level) and 4,000 varieties of potato by the Andes mountains. Here, the earthy flavors are wholly different from ceviche, the coastal food for which Peru is globally known.

As you tour the sacred valley and explore Inca sites and local markets, take note of these places to eat in the Sacred Valley and elevate your Andean experience. It will be the highlight of your trip. Yummy!!!

Restaurants in Ollantaytambo

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Chuncho

Located in the main square, it has a menu based on the flavors, ingredients and traditions of Ollantaytambo in the Urubamba valley and the Cusco region.
It mainly uses organic ingredients from its farm attached to the El Albergue hotel, while its bar makes the best cocktails in the region, using its own cañazo (a regional liquor made from sugar cane), whiskey and herbal liqueurs. The restaurant has phone charging stations built into the tables and a redesigned bar made from an old truck.

Phone: +51 979 797 638
Address: Chaupi Calle, Ollantaytambo 08676, Perú

El Albergue Restaurant & Café Mayu

Josefina Rimachi's hands are worth gold. The cook who gave temple to the menu of El Albergue Restaurant and who now runs the Chuncho stove, the successful traditional food proposal that Joaquín Randall inaugurated in 2018 in his native Ollantaytambo.
You will find a fusion menu with international dishes (homemade pastas, Ollanta’s best burger and a great brunch) with touches of the Andes (alpaca steak, tacu tacu). It’s a good place to set up a pachamanca lunch at their farm and you can also pick up coffee that they roast on-site, have a local beer while waiting for a train, or pick up a lunch box for Machu Picchu.

Phone: +51 84 204014
Address: Estación de Tren, Av. Ferrocarril 1, Ollantaytambo 08675, Perú

Pachar Taproom - Cervecería del Valle Sagrado

Just outside of Ollantaytambo, this tap room from the region’s best brewery has a menu of draft beers that are produced in the back (ask about a tour), like a red ale made with the seeds of the airampo cactus fruit and an American style pale ale, among others. They have a pub menu with dishes like yogurt fried chicken livers, a BBQ platter, and a few burgers.

Phone: 997-452-050
Address: Carretera Urubamba-Ollantaytambo

Places to eat in Urubamba

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El Huacatay

Pío Vásquez's farm-to-table restaurant in an adobe building in Urubamba, which little by little has become one of the most creative cuisines in the region. It is not only a place where each dish is an experience for the senses, but also a refuge where the atmosphere and aesthetics are part of the charm.

Phone: +51 84 201790
Address: Jiron Arica 620, Urubamba, Valle Sagrado de los Incas.

Mercado Municipal

The products are more localized at Urubamba’s primary produce market than in Cusco’s Mercado San Pedro. Much of the produce is grown or foraged for in the Sacred Valley and tends to be highly seasonal, so ­­– aside of the standard tubers, corn, and chiles – you might see things here you rarely see elsewhere, like a wild curcubit called acocha or the red berry called capulí.

Address: Jiron Comercio Jiron Sucre, Urubamba Peru
Phone: +51 984 804

Mercado Municipal

The products are more localized at Urubamba’s primary produce market than in Cusco’s Mercado San Pedro. Much of the produce is grown or foraged for in the Sacred Valley and tends to be highly seasonal, so ­­– aside of the standard tubers, corn, and chiles – you might see things here you rarely see elsewhere, like a wild curcubit called acocha or the red berry called capulí.

Address: Jiron Comercio Jiron Sucre, Urubamba Peru
Phone: +51 984 804

Where to eat in Moray

MIL restaurant (Chef Virgilio Martinez)

The experience focuses on eating at 11,700 ft. above sea level. But Mil, Virgilio Martínez's space overlooking the archaeological complex of the Moray terraces, is much more: it is an interpretation center based on complicity with two Andean communities, whose knowledge of the area and the products and their field work become inspiration and 'mise en place' to develop a tasting menu based on high altitude ecosystems.

Each plate and drink pairing aims to tell the stories of the roots, tubers, legumes, fruits and aromatic herbs and the cultures that help bring them to life. Their 8-course tasting menu includes all ingredients Virgilio has discovered at an elevation of 11,706 feet above sea level.

You can learn about Chef Virgilio Martínez and watch on Netflix's Chef Table or National Geographic’s Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, and you’ll start to get the jest of his unbridled passion for native Peruvian ingredients.

Good to know: As for September 2021, the restaurant is not open to the public on a regular basis, as they used to. They will only be attending to special requests.

Phone: 51 926 948 088
Reservations: reservas@milcentro.pe

Restaurant in Pisac

Hornos Coloniales

In one corner of the main square in Pisac and elsewhere in the city there are several colonial-style clay ovens, such as the Horno Colonial San Francisco, which dates back to 1830. Most bake empanadas and breads, although several also cook guinea pig ( guinea pig) and potatoes in the ovens.

Pumachayoc Horno Colonial

This is the only "colonial oven" or traditional oven in Pisac that mixes its own artisan flours that come from the surrounding Andean communities.

Run by Ernestina, her son Federico, and daughter-in-law Scarlet, this is a family business with a love for local culture and traditions. The focus is on organic produce made with local ingredients and the house specialty is empanada, a type of puff pastry that is filled with a selection of sweet and savory fillings cooked in a traditional clay oven.

Good to know: You can also take an empanadas class which is a fun activity for both adults and families traveling with children.
Address: Av. Federico Zamalloa S/N, Pisac
Phone: (+51) 84 203 120

Restaurants in Aguas Calientes

Chullpi

The sister restaurant of the Cusco restaurant of the same name by José Luján Vargas. The menu is quite similar, the Chullpi Machu Picchu is a modern and minimalist restaurant that is known for the delicious food it serves. Situated in an off-the-beaten-path location and bequeathing visitors with views of the train tracks, this restaurant is a one-of-a-kind place to enjoy a satisfying and enjoyable meal. Excellent service and very reasonable prices.

Address: Avenida Imperio de los Incas 140.
Phone: +51 84 211350

Café Inkaterra

The relaxed atmosphere of this upscale hotel restaurant makes it one of the best establishments in the city. Both an experience and a destination, Café Inkaterra offers an intimate setting overlooking the Vilcanota River. It is the ideal place for travelers to relax, away from the crowds, after visiting the ancient Citadel of Machu Picchu and waiting for their train after check out. The prices are almost the same as in other restaurants in the city, but the quality of the Andean novo menu is quite good. Dishes jump between perfectly prepared Peruvian classics like lomo saltado (sautéed beef and potatoes) and casual international dishes like lasagna or burgers. The tea comes from the property's plantation.

Phone: 084/211-122
 Address: Km 10, Línea Férrea Cusco-Quillabamba

Go beyond the plate to experience the day-to-day life of the local communities and explore this peaceful corner of the Andes with colonial towns and isolated weaving villages. Check our Culinary Tours in Peru.

Contact us to start planning your own dream trip today!

Amazon Rainforest

Amazon Rainforest

Visiting the Amazon basin often appears on a person’s bucket list for the simple mystery of the unknown and a chance to witness life in all its majesty.

Spanning nine South American countries and 2.5 million square miles (roughly the size of the 48 contiguous United States), the Amazon represents over half of the world’s remaining rainforest. Its moist, tropical vegetation stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Andes Mountains in the west, a reflection of the high rainfall, high humidity and high temperatures that prevail in the region year-round. Running through the north of the rainforest is the Amazon River. Flowing a length of 4,000 miles, it contains the largest number of freshwater fish species in the world.

Forest Trip

Unrivalled by any other location on the planet for its beauty and contrast to our urban lifestyles, the Amazon is an eye-opener to the world at its most pure.

It has been described as a paradise on Earth, a place depicting the sheer breath of life in all its majesty. The amazon is so much more than a river meandering through the rainforest of South America. The Amazon River starts its journey in Peru, carving its way through several countries, including Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela, before exiting land into the Atlantic Ocean.

 

It’s this river, alongside its humid climate, that gives way for one of the world’s most breathtaking rainforests. But while it may take your breath away visually, in reality it is a breath giver, delivering 20 per cent of the world’ oxygen. The Amazon rainforest spans an impressive 1.4 billion acres, giving host to one in ten species on earth. As the world’s most biodiverse haven, the Amazon basin has continued to evolve an grow for 60 million years. It’s currently understood that 40,000 plant species, 1,300 bird species, 3,00 fish species, 430 mammal species and more than 2.5 million insect species call the Amazon basin home.

Nearly two-thirds of the Amazon rainforest is found in Brazil.

One of the best ways to view the rainforest’s many wonders and rich greenery is to take a boat trip down the Amazon river itself. Stretching 6,992 kilometers, you’ll pass through several countries in the southern hemisphere on your journey. It’s common for squirrel monkeys and the three-toed sloth to make an appearance among trees near the water’s edge. As macaw fly overhead, if you’re lucky enough you might catch a glimpse of one of the Amazon’s most iconic and unique residents, the Amazon River dolphin. A freshwater version of its ocean cousin, the river dolphin is most recognizable for its pink appearance. Through magnificent in its rendition of paradise, the Amazon rainforest has faced devastating deforestation rates in recent times, with 18 percent of the part that lies in Brazil lost in the past 40 years.

Amazon Rainforest: Essential Information

One of the most important considerations to make when travelling to the Amazon are vaccinations. Yellow fever vaccinations are a must, and is required that you carry proof that you have been vaccinated. The rainforests are vast and dense, therefore do not attempt to explore without a tour guide.

When to visit

The rainiest months in the Amazon are February to April, and the driest and hottest months are from September to November. Therefore visiting during May and June is the best time of the year to explore all the Amazon has to offer.

Getting There

The vast rainforest spans nine different South American countries including Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia – although it’s most prominent in Brazil.

 

Planning to visit the Peruvian Amazon? Flights can be arranged into Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado from Cusco. Hoping to experience the Brazilian Amazon? Flying into Manaus in the north is your best option. If it’s the Ecuadorian Amazon you’re after, then you can take a bus from Quito into Tena City (five hours) where you can hop in a pickup truck. Or, if you’re eager to explore the Bolivian Amazon, fly from La Paz to Rurrenabaque (around 45 minutes) and then ride a motor-boat upriver to Madidi.

Where to stay

Staying in the Amazon largely depends on which country you visit. The Amazon has many comfortable lodges with spacious guest bungalows. You can also stay in cities such as Manaus in Brazil and take full day tours to explore the forest and return to the city at the end of the day. Or you can stay at a luxury resort in Puerto Maldonado (Peru) or high-end river cruises in Iquitos for an unparalleled adventure into the wild without losing comfort.

Best Amazon Rainforest Tours

  • Experience canoe trips to appreciate the sounds of the forest and the tropical wildlife and spot small alligators, tapirs and sloths.
  • Visit indigenous communities and discover their habits and customs.
  • Take a trekking in the jungle and learn about the biodiversity of rainforest, savannah and creeks;
  • Dine on line-caught river fish, fresh tropical fruits and delicious Amazonian specialties
  • Sunbathe on sandy river beaches and cool off in clear waters and natural river pools;
  • Take guided forest hikes to see an amazing array of tropical birds and wildlife;
  • Sleep in hammocks under the forest canopy and awake with the sunrise and the morning chorus;
  • Spend time fishing, harvesting Brazil nuts and making handicrafts with the locals.

Fully tailor-made tours

If you are planning a trip to the Amazon rainforest, contact our local travel designers and they will personalize your trip. They are always up to date with the latest news and guidelines. They will provide you with clear, unbiased information and advice to create a trip  of a lifetime.  Contact us and share your questions and ideas with us.  

Luxury Camp in remote Patagonia

Luxury Camp in remote Patagonia

Get away for a day or two and revel in the luxury atmosphere, reflecting or taking walks in one of the most enchanting Patagonian landscape.

Northern Patagonia is one of the world’s great wilderness areas, with vast expanses of open plains, towering peaks, huge skies and dazzling blue lakes. Bariloche scenic surroundings, including Moreno Lake, Angostura River and Campanario Hill make this destination a unique and dreamy place to include in your bucket list.

Located in the quiet and peaceful Patagonian Estancia, Río Manso Campground is the perfect getaway for honeymooners, individuals, and small groups seeking privacy and solitude.

Enjoy your special night under the stars in this beautiful Patagonian ranch in a premium tented camp.

OVERVIEW

Río Manso is a luxury nomadic camp, designed with all the comfort of a five-star hotel, to live an incredible experience in Northern Patagonia. Located on the banks of the Manso River, and surrounded by pure nature, it offers an innovative proposal to stay in an all-inclusive modality.

This camp offers ten spacious tents perfectly decorated with carpeted floors, king or twin size box springs, duvet covers, premium cotton sheets and LED lamps. The tents can comfortably hold up to 3 adults.

The lounge tent is the social and rest area of the camp, equipped with elegant Bedouin tents, equipped with a deck floor, modern living rooms, heating and piped music, library space and board games, 220V charging station, bar of drinks and cafeteria.

The camp has a fireplace and outdoor recreation area, decorated with comfortable benches and warm lighting; inviting guests to relax in the evening around the warmth of the fire, enjoying a glass of wine in the shelter of our complimentary blankets.

On the banks of the Manso River there are lounge chairs and shaded spaces to enjoy the summer sun on a remote Patagonian beach. For those who enjoy the fresh air of the shade, the forest invites you to read a book under huge coihues and maitenes.

Rio Manso Camp has eco-WC toilets, units designed to reduce the impact on the environment to zero. They are incredibly comfortable and modern bathrooms, with tiled toilets, high-tech taps, external sinks, hot water, special decorations, LED lights and amenities.

The showers are mounted in tents that offer great spaciousness, comfort and privacy, provided with a deck floor, dressing room, support table, hair dryer, hot water 24 hours a day and a unique decoration.

Gastronomy

 

The camp offers a complete gastronomic service, created on the spot by their chef, with regional flavors and dishes from Patagonia, accompanied by premium wines from Argentina and local craft beers.

 

A large work team made up of hospitality and tourism professionals make Rio Manso Camp the ideal place to live a unique and unrepeatable stay. Each person receives personalized treatment, ensuring a tailored service, with the focus on every detail.

Activities

Ideas team of local experts will connect you with the best local guides and experiences. Among other sports and activities, you can choose horseback riding, trekking, biking with the best local guides who understand the areas you tour, hiking, kayaking, rafting, or flying in a helicopter for an exceptional view of the Lake District.

With a combination of biking, kayaking, and hiking supported by a vehicle, you’ll get the most out of this adventure trip in Patagonia.

Contact Us and our team of expert planners can easily answer your questions and put you on the path to creating and planning an unforgettable trip.

Family Travel: 5 Incredible Family Adventures in South America

Family Travel

5 Incredible Family Adventures in South America

This continent is a vast array of startling contrasts and ravishing beauty—making it the perfect place for kids to learn, and adults to awe.

1.Biking Adventure awaits in Northwest Argentina

Northwest Argentina is a very diverse region that includes three provinces: Tucuman, Salta and Jujuy.

Our bike tour will start in Salta capital city and gateway to the Northwest region which features the best-preserved colonial heritage in all of Argentina; you will spend three days in Jujuy to cycle the diverse landscapes of Humahuaca Gorge region – a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The entire family will marvel at the Great Salt flats, Seven Color hill, the charming town of Purmamarca, Incan archaeological sites and colonial Andean towns.

You will cycle red rock mountains and sky-high cacti that distinguish the landscape. After visiting Salta, the last days of the trip will be spent in Tucumán, where you will visit the Ruins of the Quilmes Indians, an aborigine settlement that left its footprint in the past, Tafi del Valle, the Yungas, the Andes mountain “jungle” and the capital city of Tucumán. You will be suspended in time and amazed by the surrounding mountains, while experiencing a unique cultural and historical journey, where music, rites, art and religious beliefs are kept alive among other Kolla and Incan traditions, never abandoned despite the passing of time.

Experience South America biking at its very best in Argentina!

2. Active trip to Iguazu National Park Argentina & Brazil

There are many activities to do as a family and surrounded by nature untouched by man.

Explore the salt water springs located within the forest where exotic birds and animals such as capybaras and otters live. If you want, you can explore parts of the national park by boat or Stand Up Paddle board, or simply enjoy the scenery quietly or take a hike on one of the many trails in Iguazu National Park. There are many trails and circuits to have a first approach to the Atlantic Forest and its fauna while exploring the Iguazú National Park.

 

In addition there are many experiences to learn about the native community, its traditions and the economy of the place. For example, they can visit the local Guaraní community, the yerba mate drying mill (or even take the yerba mate route) or visit a rehabilitation center for indigenous fauna affected by these problems. Visiting this refuge is a way to learn about these problems while supporting professionals who work for the preservation of endangered species and try to reintroduce them into their natural habitat.

 

Some of the excursions most requested by families are:

 

  • Trek along the Macuco Trail
  • Navigation of the Parana river with a semi-rigid speed boat under the falls
  • Helicopter ride
  • Tour to San Ignacio Jesuit ruins
  • Tour the Wanda mines
  • Tour of Parque de las Naves (Bird Park – Brazilian side of Iguazu National Park)

It is a unique experience for the family and especially for children and young people who become aware of the importance of caring for nature. It’s well worth the trip to stand in awe in front of this remarkable natural wonder.

3. Peninsula Valdes: Go to a whale watching excursion or walk with penguins in their natural habitat!

Peninsula-valdes

Puerto Madryn is a major wildlife destination in Argentina. A mid-sized town, located on the east coast, in the province of Chubut – in the heart of Patagonia – this is one of the best places to visit in the country with kids.

 

At any time of the year you can find a lot of family-friendly attractions and activities. Besides seeing animals such as seals, penguins and southern right whales, you can practice outdoor sports such as kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling or mountain biking.

 

Between September and April, a large number of Magellanic penguins come to Punta Tombo to incubate their eggs and prepare their offspring for migration – the largest such colony in South America. Couples stand in front of their nests, protecting the eggs from birds and other predators, and occasionally one adult goes to the sea for food. What makes this such a unique experience is that you can get incredibly close to the penguins.

Other wildlife encountered in the area includes sea birds (mainly seagulls, chimangos and cormorants), rheas and guanacos.

4. Dive in the Galapagos and explore its beaches

We’re often asked how to visit the Galapagos Islands with children. Over the years, we’ve helped countless families visit the Galapagos. Often, the request is from a family with two or three members between the ages of 4 and 18. But for multi-generational families (i.e. grandparents, parents, and grandchildren) the family usually includes toddlers and infants in arms.

No matter the age of your kids, visiting the Galapagos as a family is possible, worthwhile, and unforgettable.

 

For kids, the Galapagos is a dreamy destination, where animals peacefully coexist and show absolutely zero signs of fear in the presence of humans. Land and marine iguanas amble by the trails and beaches while Galapagos sea lions waddle ashore and hunker down right next to where you’re lying on the beach. The Galapagos are home to some of Ecuador’s and even the entire world’s most beautiful beaches.

5. Trekking and Hiking Trip to Machu Pichu, Peru

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The Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu can be done in different ways, with different duration and intensity according to the ages of the family members who participate in the trip. Among the outdoor and cultural experiences that we offer in the Sacred Valley and in Cusco, we can mention:

 

  • Hike with Llamas through native forests and archaeological ruins
  • Ride over gentle slopes, most of them downhill, until you reach Maras salt pools which date back to Incan times
  • Relax over a gourmet lunch with views of pre-Incan ruins;
  • Learn how to make ceviche and Pisco sour cocktails;
  • Hike with Llamas through native forests and archaeological ruins;
  • Row in the lake in kayaks while admiring great views of the snowy peaks of the Urubamba mountain range;Ride over gentle slopes, most of them downhill, until you reach Maras salt pools which date back to Incan times;
  • Climb Machu Picchu mountain and experience spectacular views of all Machu Picchu citadel;
  • Travel on the famous Belmond Hiram Bingham train and enjoy the elegant dining car, the bar car, and the observatory, where you can take in the unmatched scenery in the open air while sipping on a traditional Peruvian cocktail and listening to live local music;
  • Take part in a historical walking tour to Sacsayhuaman Archeological Site;
  • Enjoy a sensory experience at the San Pedro Market and find an abundance of alpaca sweaters, textiles, bags and jewelry to take home and treasure as a memory of your trip to Cusco.

Contact our local experts and craft your personalized itinerary. Your private expert will take your preferences and together you will design the ideal experience for your stay. Each day you will be able to choose either one Full Day or two Half Day excursions.

Contact Us for a free consultation.

Pristine Camps: a brand new luxury camp on Argentina’s salt flats

Pristine Camps: a brand new luxury camp on Argentina’s salt flats

Argentina, Chile & Uruguay have softened their entry requirements and the high season that corresponds to the summer of the southern hemisphere has begun with great success.

In addition to visiting Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, its tanguerias, “parrillas” and diverse neighborhoods, you can also fly to more remote destinations in Patagonia or in the Argentine Northwest.


For travelers who want a more secluded experience, look no further than the newly opened Pristine Camps in the salt flats situated 11,000 feet above sea level in the province of Jujuy.

Pristine Camps, which officially opened on November 18, 2021, is a new luxury tented camp located five miles from Jujuy’s Salinas Grandes, offering some of the best star views in the world. If your idea of the perfect vacation is a peaceful getaway under a starry sky, then these igloo-shaped domes call your name.

Pristine Camps is located in Salinas Grandes, in Jujuy province. Las Salinas Grandes are a vast saline of 212 km2 of extension located in the middle of Puna at 3,450 meters above sea level. An expanse of salt, white that contrasts with the blue of the sky.

There are  only four fully equipped luxury domes. Guests can choose from two accommodation options: Premium Suites, which sleep up to three guests, and Exclusive Suites that can comfortably sleep two. Premium suites include a king-size bed that can be divided into two single beds plus a sofa bed and an outdoor wooden bathtub on the terrace, perfect for an evening dip under the stars.

The camp was designed with the intention of not generating any type of alteration on the fantastic setting of the Salinas Grandes de Jujuy. This Luxury Camp was built on raised wooden platforms, which prevent soil erosion and allow the geography to follow its natural course.

All the materials of the enterprise come with deforestation certificates, with sustainability standards and requirements from the suppliers. In addition, Pristine is supplied 100% by renewable energies, being one of the first glampings in Argentina with this concept of integral sustainability. The plastic waste policy is zero, and the impact is minimal, as the hotel has a capacity for ten people. Compost is made with organic waste, which is given to the community garden.

The on-site menu is curated by chef Mariana García del Río and features Argentine ingredients paired with wines from the nearby Colomé vineyard.

Guests can book stays of one to three nights that include all meals, daily excursions organized by specialized guides, and transfers. Activities range from a full day archaeological tour to a day trip to the small town of Susques or even a personalized sunset photography experience.

Selected excursions give travelers the opportunity to experience the Andean region and culture in a unique and immersive way. Pristine Camps can be visited year-round, but from November to March temperatures rise, as does the chance of precipitation, creating a fascinating mirror effect on the salt flats. Nightly rates start at $544 per night for an exclusive suite and $669 for a premium suite.

You can take an extension trip to the desolate plateau of La Puna, the fertile valley of Salta and explore colonial architecture, polychrome canyons and visit charming villages in Cafayate, Salta’s wine country. Contact us and we will help you plan a trip of a lifetime.

Memorable Moments:

  • Discover the impressive Salinas Grandes salt flats high in the Andes Mountains.
  • Visit the famous Seven Colored Hill for amazing views of this exceptional scenery.
  • Travel north along the Humahuaca Gorge— a onetime Inca trade route leading north to Bolivia, now a Unesco World Heritage site.
  • Tour the charming towns of Maimara, Uquia, Humahuaca and Tilcara to explore the rich indigenous history of the region.
  • Stroll through the most beautiful colonial town of Salta and buy local crafts at the market.

For more information about Pristine Camps or to book your trip, please Contact our local experts.

Argentina, Chile & Uruguay have softened their entry requirements

Travel To Angostura

Argentina, Chile & Uruguay have softened their entry requirements

Traveling around South America will be easier and smoother

Travel updates per country:

Argentina

  • Covid tests are no longer required to enter the country.
  • Furthermore, vaccination is highly recommended but not mandatory.
  • International travellers only need to submit a sworn statement 48 hours prior to arriving in Argentina. You can find it here.
  • Medical travel insurance that includes/covers hospitalisation, quarantine, and transportation in case of Covid-19 for those who test positive, are suspected of Covid-19 infection or are in contact with a confirmed case.
  • All land borders between Argentina & Chile will open on May 1st.

Chile

  • Covid tests are no longer required to enter the country.
  • Full vaccination is mandatory and needs to be validated on gob.clbefore entering Chile (we recommend doing it 7 to 10 days minimum prior to departure).
  • Have health insurance with a minimum coverage of $30,000 US dollars that includes coverage for any expenses arising from Covid-19. 
  • A PCR or antigen test can be randomly done at the point of entry into Chile.
  • All land borders throughout the national territory will open again on May 1st; reconnecting with countries such as Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia. It’s a great opportunity to make multi-country trips and get to know all the South American attractions!

Uruguay

  • Covid tests are no longer required to enter the country for people fully vaccinated or who have had the disease between 10 and 90 days prior to arrival in Uruguay. In case of having contracted Covid-19, the positive test result must be presented between a maximum of 90 days and up to 10 days prior to boarding or arrival in the country.
  • You must have health insurance with a specific Covid-19 coverage plan.
  • Unvaccinated people can enter the country but will need to present a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding.
  • A sworn statement must be completed prior to arriving in Uruguay. You can find it here.

Argentina, Chile and Uruguay are waiting for you. It’s time to book your trip!

Contact our local travel experts and they will help you plan your trip effortlessly and they will work on an unforgettable experience in South America.

Mendoza Wine Country – Make The Most of Your Visit

mendoza-wine-tourism

Mendoza Wine Country – Make The Most of Your Visit

Mendoza is one of the most scenic wine regions of the world. With more than 1,500 wineries spread out through the three main wine regions - Lujan de Cuyo, Maipu and Valle de Uco- wide open spaces with nothing but vines, Andes mountains and blue skies, and some of the best winery architecture in the world, it is a spot you don't want to miss.

We have listed some tips and recommendations that are essential to have a great experience and successful visit to Mendoza Wine Country.

• Make reservations for all wineries and restaurants with time in advance to help ensure availability.
• Plan on visiting only three wineries per day – three at maximum if you are having a winery lunch!
• Plan your trip by region – Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo or Uco Valley - as there is significant distance in between.
• If you go on your own, bring cash as many wineries do not accept credit cards.
• Tours generally last 60-90 minutes.
• Some wineries are closed Saturday and Sunday, as well as national holidays. Call the wineries in advance and check their opening days and hours.
• Use a recommended tour agency (like Ideas South America LLC!) -which make planning effortless.
• Take advantage of the unique opportunity to meet the winery owners and winemakers themselves at the wineries, and ask them as many questions as you like. They enjoy sharing their story!
• Visit The Vines of Mendoza's Tasting Room – and add tons of top quality wineries to your trip in one stop!

mendoza-wine-time to visit

What Makes Mendoza Such An Amazing Wine Region?

Mendoza, Argentina is one of the best places in the world to drink wine and enjoy it with good food and company. The wineries range from small, family owned and cozy, to large production modern architectural masterpieces. What all have in common is a strong sense of heritage and commitment to quality – as well as a warmth unlike anywhere else in the world. Both in the air and in the people.

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To meet the most adorable, top quality winemaker, go visit Carmelo Patti in Lujan de Cuyo and see him make amazing Malbecs all on his own. He is said to be a one-man army, making his wines single handedly with all the attention and care of a true master-craftsman. We think it’s his warmth and the humility of his surroundings, despite International acclaim of his wines, that make the experience so special.

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While in Lujan, if you want to have amazing Sparkling wine (and who doesn't?), you can head to Chandon for a multi-course winery lunch.

If it’s an architectural masterpiece you’re after, Salentein in the Uco Valley offers great wines, gorgeous architecture and even an art gallery with modern and traditional exhibits that showcase regional and International talent. Their barrel room was designed to be a fabulous location for music concerts, with tremendous acoustics and barrels integrated into the décor.

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While in the Uco Valley, you should also visit Clos de los Siete, a project of four Mendoza wineries that use distinctly different methods of French-influenced winemaking, run by Michel Rolland. Marcelo Pelleriti is the famed winemaker for Monteviejo and brings his passion for music and art into the space, with frequent art exhibits and an annual rock concert. Other wineries on the property are Mariflor and DiamAndes.

Just a few short minutes away, you can join the Gimenez Riili family's cozy winery, receiving a tour with one of the winery's handsome brothers, as well as an asado if you like. While their Gran Reserva Malbec is not to be missed, their Perpetuum Torrontes really steals the show.

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The Vines of Mendoza is right next door, with 1,000 sprawling acres of vineyards, a state-of-the-art micro fermentation winery for more than 200 wines (now open to the public for tours), and The Vines Resort & Spa, opening in September 2013.

When in Mendoza, you will undoubtedly drink a great deal of fabulous Malbec, as well as the native white Torrontes, as well as many blends and perhaps even a Bonarda and Tempranillo. Be sure to try the Pinot Noir and Petit Verdot as well – these varietals take on an entirely different personality when grown in the new world sunshine and record altitudes. Read through the Tasting Notes to learn more about all these great grapes.

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With Mendoza’s recent acclaim in Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler as a top hot spot for wine and luxury travel, as well as continuously growing wine accolades from Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate, Mendoza has established itself as a powerhouse with top quality wines in both the high and low yield categories.

This is just the beginning of your adventure in Mendoza wine country. See hundreds of photos and details on all Mendoza’s wineries in our Wineries Section.

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Contact us for further details or for a free consultation.

Self-drive Adventure to The Calchaquí Valleys

Self-drive Adventure to The Calchaquí Valleys

High-altitude vineyards, peppers drying in the sun and hand-woven ponchos in the same setting where native tribes and Spaniards fought hand-to-hand. From the Quebrada de las Conchas to Los Cardones National Park, passing through the Quebrada de las Flechas, an impressive tour of Salta in 160 km.

La Poma, Salta

Where to start the road trip to the Calchaqui Valleys in Salta

It is a perfect road trip to start in Salta city, stop in Cachi on the way to Cafayate. It is worth going north to La Poma and south to Santa María (Catamarca), passing through Colalao del Valle in Tucumán.

Do not be afraid of the gravel: it is nothing less than the national route 40, the backbone of our country. It is usually in very good condition outside of the rainy season (in summer). Even in January and February, they are not forgotten roads by God's grace: they can be closed for hours, or even days, but sooner or later the National Highway machines pass by.

The national route 68 that connects Salta with Cafayate is all asphalt, 190 km of pavement that were completed in 1979, after a titanic work of modifying the layout to shorten distances. At that time, the attractions closest to Cafayate, such as Los Médanos and Quebrada de las Conchas (with the incredible surroundings of the Amphitheater and it’s amazing natural acoustics), were not a scenic excursion, but rather a true road challenge. A little more gentle may be the Cuesta del Obispo, a splendid road that connects, in mere 160 km, the capital of Salta with Cachi, passing through the TinTin straight. It is about 12 km road framed by the cacti and the mountains, an Inca memory path that the pre-Hispanic man would have traced marking it with torches at night. La Cuesta itself is only 20 km of gravel, and if they never finish being paved it is because it is proven that the pavement would never resist the landslides caused by the summer rains.

So it is advisable to avoid the Cuesta del Obispo when it rains, not only for safety, but also because you would miss the Valle Encantado, Los Cardones National Park, the Quebrada de Escoipe, among other landscapes that the road offers. In total, little more than 500 km to do with various stops and the desire to chat quietly, respecting the siesta, getting out of the car, taking a genuine interest in this region that knew how to live isolated and today maintains that rare atmosphere of silence.

Cachi

Time moves at a different pace in Cachi. An important colonial town, it shares with Molinos a significant difference in terms of its foundation: the origin of both was the Hacienda; They are not towns formed around reductions or parishes of religious origin. Cachi was the fiefdom of Don Felipe de Aramburu, and his adoptive son Benjamín Zorrilla. Until the mid-1950s, the town itself was very small, only seven blocks. However, the lack of communication was legend. There were no telephones, and even in the 1960s the only way to connect was by letter or telegram. In 1967 they installed a device that communicated via Radio Pacheco with the rest of the country. Ruiz Moreno recounts in his book: "This was a unique advance for the inhabitants who queued to speak. The municipal employee who carried out this task put on a true announcer's voice, because of which he was a Municipal Councilor reader. His name was Valois Farfan". Before Cachi was filled with cement and two-story houses, in 1978 the first urban preservation plan for the town was carried out. If the cardón wood signs, the street lamps and the whitewashed houses attract attention today, know that it is not by chance. It is beauty on purpose, and welcome. Sit down to contemplate it in the square, you can visit the Archaeological Museum next to the church that offers a chronological journey from the times of the hunters and gatherers to the arrival of the Spanish. At the Oliver Wine Bar you can try the same empanadas that represented Argentina in the "Taste of London", by the hand of Fernando Trocca and Vicenta Aramayo, the local empanadera. And Donald Hess, the owner of Colomé, launched in 2015 Altura Máxima, a wine that, in addition to being top of the range, is top of the range: it boasts of being made with the highest vineyards in the world, at 3,111 meters high.

Cafayate

Settled in the foothills of the Andes mountain range in Argentina is the fertile Calchaqui Valley, part of the country’s revered north west wine region and home to the highest vineyards on the planet.

Things you can do in Calafate:

• Museo Arqueologico: This private museum is a collection from the excavation done by archaeologist Rodolfo Bravo and is worth visiting to check out the ceramics, from the black and gray wares of the Candelaria and Aguada cultures to late Diaguita and Inca pottery.

• Wine Museum: Set in the grounds of the old museum known as "La Encantada Winery”, this is a dedicated wine museum which defines the unique characteristics of Calchaquies Valleys and its ultimate wines.

• Rio Colorado: This is an amazing hike which begins at a distance of around 6 kilometers from the centre of the town and you will be able to explore more if you get a local guide. The hike includes five scenic waterfalls and the water is fresh and clean both to swim and drink.

• Quebrada de Cafayate: Valley famous for rock formations caused due to the erosion of wind and soil. There are amazing rock formations like the Giant, the Obelisk, the Priest and the Frog, the sinking Titanic. The most alluring one is the devil’s throat which is a home to a gigantic natural amphitheatre with 45 degrees cut that provides ample space to climb and is a spectacular sight.

• You can taste the incredible local produce Torrontes (white) and Malbec (red) wine at any of the wine yards and also shop for them at a cheaper price. The goat cheese at Cabras de Cafayate is also a must!

QUEBRADA DE LAS FLECHAS

If agricultural livestock production is the truest image of the valleys (it was always a highly prized region for the purity of the air that produced healthy crops, free from the pests of the more humid places), travelers like to think that the postcard of this trip is the landscape of the Quebrada de las Flechas. It is a short sector (between Km 4380 and Km 4410 of RN 40) that is part of the Angastaco Natural Monument, declared as such in 1995. The Provincial Law protects the strange geoforms inclined like arrowheads where it narrows and passes the Calchaquí river. It is advisable to go in the afternoon, and with time to climb one of them and admire the surroundings from above. After passing through the town of Angastaco, stop in El Carmen to see its 1780 church.

CAMINO DE LOS ARTESANOS

They are less than 10 km in the surroundings of Seclantás, on the other side of the river, along a minor road that has the nomenclature 55 S. There are the small ranches with the loom under the carob tree, very close to the clay oven. Few have signs, and even fewer products to sell: ponchos are usually ordered, premeditated. As did Tero Guzmán, the most famous of the Salta stakeholders, who sent one of his ponchos to John Paul II. The photo of the Supreme Pontiff dressed as a gaucho went around the world. When Francisco took office, the Tero did not spin without a spindle. He came to give her another poncho in June, shortly before he died, at the age of 75, on 9/3/2013. It goes without saying that it was, as tradition dictates, red and black: red was used by Los Infernales, the soldiers of Güemes, who added the bow, neck and black stripe as a sign of mourning, before the death of their general in 1821.

Telero de Seclantás, Salta

ACSIBI

They are amazing caves with red folds of very strange shapes, which are accessed by the bed of a dry river, about 15 km from Seclantás.

Seclantás is the only town in the Salta Valley that is on the other side of the Calchaquí River. You have to go through its church and have lunch or dinner at Inti Raymi, one of the best restaurants with authentic regional cuisine, without deco, fripperies, or a boutique atmosphere.

To get to the Acsibi Caves, today called Quebrada del Rincón, it is necessary to go with a guide. It is a place that is still little known, that hardly anyone visits on their debut in the Valleys, a magical and very different landscape, to which a separate day must be dedicated. The exit involves advancing about 17 km through the dry bed of a river, walking about two hours through a magnificent red ravine in the most unlikely ways, to finally bend down and enter the splendid caves that were once part of the Hacienda de Urbina, when the Malcachisco Indians panned gold for the Spaniards until they revolted and left no soul standing. It happened in 1603. From then until now, a time lapse of more than 400 years in which you will be surprised not to see any urbanization. At most, the ruin of some house with thick adobe walls and cardón doors that is, who knows, 200 years old?

ACSIBI. SECLANTÁS. SALTA.

COLOMÉ

It is one of the strangest landmarks that the trip proposes. An appointment that combines an unexpected lunch in a cozy bistro with a visit to a museum of light installations entirely dedicated to James Turrell, an internationally renowned North American artist. No one knew him because of these payments and that contrast, that of the gravel and the isolation of the place, versus the ultra-modern of the artistic proposal, is the one that most astonishes Argentines, and can irritate foreigners, who sometimes do not They see with such good eyes that they have crossed the world to find in the last corner of Salta the same thing that they could have seen in Berlin, Hong Kong or San Francisco. In any case, the experience of Unseen Blue, the great work mounted in a square atrium that invites you to lie down and watch the sunset lit up from the Calchaquí sky as it changes color, is something not to be missed. In total there are nine light rooms in a space of 1,700 m2. In 2018 the ranch, which has a nine-room hotel, reopened to the public.

Our guides know how best to explore this unforgiving landscape, bringing you to interesting and secluded spots to enjoy privileged views of this beautiful part of Argentina.

Colomé, Salta

Speak to one of our expert travel designers about visiting the northwest of Argentina and they will help you plan an unforgettable trip.