Unplugged Holidays in Patagonia

La Maipu Ranch. The mystic that surrounds this iconic Ranch located in the middle of nowhere will encourage you to ponder on your lifestyle and disconnect from your routine.

 This 45.000 Ha ranch in the Lake San Martin area, is completely off-the-grid. The nearest airport is El Calafate. Then a 4 hours drive through the mythic route 40  will get you there.

Besides the breathtaking views, this ranch is famous for its history. The Lively brothers were the first owners and also the first settlers of the area. Mr. Joseph Lively arrived in 1902, thanks to Francisco ”Perito” Moreno who conceded them the land right before the territorial dispute between Argentina and Chile. The current owners of La Maipú kept Joseph’s cabin as a museum that takes you back in time to the old -and even wilder- Patagonia, where just natives and a few adventurous foreigners lived.

New owners created the La Maipu concept: high quality service, relaxed experiences that show their passion for nature, outdoor life and the love for food and wine. The in-house chef creates his own signature dishes with fresh ingredients from the organic garden.

They have conservation in their minds so you have to be ready to enjoy a simpler way of life that takes into consideration a sustainable use of electricity (3 hours a day) and of satellite wi-fi connection ( 20 minutes a day per person)

Regarding activities, you will love exploring untouched wilderness in any of the eight trails organized with great care. The Ranch favourite is La Condorera. An eight hour trek , both ways, will take you to the peak of this beautiful mountain where the great Andean Condors nest. Other incredible adventures take you to go out and discover, watch and listen to more than forty bird species  or grab a mountain bike and explore the ranch’s ground on your own.

Another great experience is to realize your own smallness as you snuggle up in a warm blanket in the open at night to watch the countless stars and listen to the sound of the Patagonian silence. The immense Universe is there for you to admire.  

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • The main house can accommodate up to 16 people in its three triple and three double cozy rooms, all with private bathroom and heating. The stay includes full board and a glass of wine.
  • We suggest a minimum of 3 nights.
  • Rates are per pax per day.

Basic program includes:
– Accommodation
– Full board (breakfast, lunch, mid-afternoon snacks, dinner with up to 2 house wine glasses.
– Satellite WiFi.
– Activities: a guide will design the excursions that best suit your preferences and interests (horseback riding not included).

Adrenaline in Patagonia

Extreme sports year round in the South of Argentina.

The Patagonia in the south of Argentinas attracts more and more adventure and extreme sports lovers who want to experience the adrenaline and also delight themselves with incredible landscapes.

Rafting Excursion Through The Manso River, Bariloche, Lakes District, Patagonia, Argentina

This choice is not casual, given the diverse Patagonian geography that offers multiple scenarios year long, ideal for the practice of these particular sports. From endless plains to high mountain peaks and volcanoes, fast flowing rivers and lush forests; Patagonia expects to be discovered by intrepid and adventurous travellers.

Ski season at Cerro Castor, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia, Argentina

Just to mention a few activities: trekking circuits of various difficulties in El Chaltén; climbing of challenging mountains such as Mount Fitz Roy; ski centres for all tastes from the province of Neuquén to Tierra del Fuego; rafting of different degrees in the sinuous rivers of the mountain range and the crossing to the Continental Ice to pass by one of the least visited sites on earth.

Viedma Pro, El Chaltén, Santa Cruz, Patagonia, Argentina

Extreme sports in Patagonia offer adventures full of adrenaline in stunning natural environments. Not to be missed!

Contact us to find out more about extreme sports in Patagonia.

ICE AND ADVENTURE IN PATAGONIA

In the heart of chaltén, ice and rock merge into this extraordinary Patagonian experience to make you live an authentic mountain adventure.

We invite those wanderlust spirits to traverse the outermost places of Chaltén, to climb rock and ice, to cross thick forests, and to spend the night at a mountain refuge. Certainly, this is a program that promises an unforgettable experience.

This fresh proposal consists of a two-day experience that includes a guided trekking that starts at Estancia Los Huemules and leads to the impressive Cagliero glacier. The Trekking offers a variety of landscapes, including the possibility to walk the immense Cagliero’s ice cap.

Our adventure begins early in the morning at Los Huemules visitor’s center. From this meeting spot, we start a 2-hour walk through a thick lenga’s forest crossed by a well-maintained trail up to the first lookout point: Laguna Diablo (Devil’s Lagoon). This stretch of the trail is smooth therefore it doesn’t require too much physical effort. From Laguna Diablo, we can appreciate the Cagliero Refuge, where we will spend the night, and part of Valle del Diablo (Devil’s Valley), named after the lagoon.

As we skirt Laguna Diablo’s northern margin and leave Estancia Los Huemules’ property to access Campo Gorra Blanca (a private property), the path gets irregular and a bit more demanding up to Via Ferrata where the second instance of this activity takes place. Vía Ferrata is a one-kilometer rock stretch with a two hundred meter slope. Nevertheless, it was adapted with iron rungs and steel cables to ensure a secure and comfortable climbing, though it demands physical effort since the rocky and icy paths are irregular. At this stage, the guides will provide us will all the necessary equipment for the climbing and instruct us on its use.

After an hour climbing Vía Ferrata, we reach the second lookout point: Mirador del Glaciar, where we will be able to contemplate Cagliero’s unexplored southern side, the immensity of the valley and the walls of Treinta Aniversario and its attendant peaks, especially Diente Del Diablo (Devil’s tooth). A short walk later, the third instance of our experience takes place: the trekking through the glacier itself. This stretch will last approximately two hours and, if the weather conditions are favorable, there is the possibility to have lunch at the glacier’s surface and enjoy its unique scenery.

Lunch finished, we take the same path to return to Puesto Cagliero, arriving approximately at 16:00 pm. Puesto Cagliero is an authentic mountain refuge that offers the possibility to spend the night in its compact yet cozy rooms. At the refuge, we will enjoy a simple and tasty dinner that can be either pasta, homemade pizzas or a warm vegetable soup.

The second day of our excursion starts with breakfast at the refuge, where the guides also provide the box lunch for the day. Then, we have free time to explore by ourselves and take one (or more) of the different self-guided paths that cross  Estancia Los Huemules, perfect opportunity to get familiar with the beauty of this natural environment and its fauna.

As a final observation, it is important to mention that the ice trekking requires great physical demand, therefore, it is important to check your physical conditions before signing up for this program. If Chaltén is your next destination, this is an extraordinary opportunity to make the most of this icy region and feel like a true explorer!

For more information on this program, please contact us at Kallpa Tour Operator.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Feasible from November to March Duration: 2 days
  • Does not operate on Sundays
  • Difficulty: Moderate

SERVICES INCLUDED:

  • Bilingual high mountain guides.
  • Climbing equipment
  • Night at Puesto Cagliero
  • Dinner, breakfast and lunch box for day 2
  • Round trip shared transfers from meeting point in El Chalten town to Estancia Los Huemules

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:

  • Box Lunch for day 1
  • Entrance fee to Estancia los Huemules

 

W Trekking Circuit in Winter

Summer is not the only time to hike in Patagonia! Kallpa took part of a trip to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, to walk the W Circuit in winter time. We want to share this different trekking experience with you.

From May to August it is possible to experience a rare trekking adventure in Torres del Paine: a 6 days hiking wintry version of the famous W Circuit in the cold, through an inhospitable and deserted environment, snow-covered mountains, crowdless sceneries and surrounded by nature. Also, enjoy delicious meals and drinks, spend unforgettable moments and rest the nights in comfy mountain lodges.

Felipe, our Kallpa member that took part on this adventure, describes the ambience: “Such a wild and unique environment allows you a close encounter with guanacos, condors and -of course- with the spirit of the puma, that is present in each and every moment of this great wintertime trekking. At the feet of the bicolored Horns and at the top of the white and blue Grey glacier, in the depth of Ascencio Valley and in the face of Francés Valley, the Andes are overwhelming.”

The journey takes you to the three exceptional spots in the park: the base of the Towers, the French Valley and the Grey Glacier; always in the company of a specialized and expert mountain guide. The last day and for the final picture, a ferry boat ride across Pehoé Lake.

Overall, this unique adventure provides a defiant winter trekking challenge on ascending and descending mountain trails towards impressive lookouts with fantastic views of the amazing Paine Towers, glaciers, lakes and icebergs. Full contact with nature when the park is nearly empty.

Despite the cold, the weather and the fatigue, according to Felipe nothing could make you quit this challenge: “No glacier ice could freeze your sensations. No weather conditions, rain or snow would stop your intentions. On the contrary, they will most probably bring up to the top your physical capacity, internal feelings and strength to walk and fulfill the W Circuit”.

Don’t miss the chance to feel the power of nature along the intense and crowdless W trekking in winter at the southern side of the Torres del Paine Massif, one of the most beautiful natural environments of the World!