EXPERIENCES

Every land has its own secrets but not everyone is chosen to know them: a lighthouse in a lonely cape, a mysterious sunken ship for 40 years and a distinguished antique “estancia” are some of the icons that reveal the unknown stories of Tierra del Fuego. Very early in the morning departure from Ushuaia following National Route 3 and crossing The Andes through the Garibaldi Pass. We stop by the little town of Tolhuin, heart of the island, to visit La Unión Bakery. This is a traditional meeting point for both, locals and visitors, and it is part of the charm of this village. By midday we come to the Provincial Route “A”, where we took a gravel road heading toward the Atlantic Ocean and the San Pablo Cape. At this point, we hiked up to an isolated mountain with an abandoned lighthouse at the end. Climbing to the top of this beacon we will appreciate “Desdemona”, an abandoned ship for almost 40 years ago which invites us to sail through time. It happened on a cold winter morning in1983 when this enormous craft ran aground on the shores of the Argentine Sea. After exploring this mysterious giant, we visit Estancia Rolito. This lovely ranch, that keeps the spirit of a family business based on sheep farming tradition, is the first ranch to open its gates to rural tourism.

We offer a tailor-made service throughout your stay in San Antonio de Areco: you will be welcomed by local guides to discover the richness of the town and will be invited to visit one of the oldest Estancias of Argentina, combining luxurious comfort and colonial elegance: La Bamba de Areco. This estancia is full of history and traditions, ideal for relaxing. You’ll have the chance to taste exquisite traditional cuisine and refined service, and you will be charmed by the Gaucho traditions and equestrian sports, such as Polo. Itinerary: 08:30 am: Pick-up at hotel in Buenos Aires. 10.00 am: Reception at San Antonio de Areco by local guide, who will show the picturesque streets of the historical center, pulperias (old gaucho bars), the renowned Draghi’s Silversmith Museum, traditional workshops and the Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes Museum (optional: shopping tour around the traditional workshops). 12.00 noon: Departure to Estancia La Bamba, where you will be greeted with delicious traditional asado. Various activities will be offered: horseback riding or carriage, stroll by the river, bikes. During the summer, the Estancia opens its swimming pool. 04.30 pm: Departure to Buenos Aires. Includes: Old town visit. Complete traditional lunch at La Bamba. All the activities in town and Estancia. Swimming pool in summer.

Pozo Colorado is a beautiful place with a small village located in the East border of Salinas Grandes. Its 200 inhabitants (native community) base their production activity mainly in extracting salt and breeding the most famous animal in our province: “the llamas”. The native community is currently working to recover its cultural heritage: spinning and weaving llama wool; carving laja stones; manufacturing salt stones crafts; and, recently, along with Caravana de Llamas, using the llama as pack animal. During the car trip towards the town of Pozo Colorado we can enjoy the spectacular landscape of “Cuesta de Lipán”, observing vicuñas and guanacos (south American wild camelids). When we arrive to Pozo Colorado we prepare the llamas for the expedition and we begin the llama trekking that lasts about and hour and a half. We penetrate the salt surface, we visit the salt extraction spots and then we have lunch. After a well-deserved rest, we return to the community to end the journey. Season: all year round (in January and February it migth rain) Difficulty: medium exigency Highest altitude: 3500 meters a.s.l. Duration: 4 hs. (Trekking time: about 3 hs.) Departure hour: 11.30 am Departure place: Pozo Colorado (the journey by car from Tilcara to Pozo takes around 2 hours). Departure location: Pozo Colorado (near Salinas Grandes) Includes: Guide from the community; full lunch with wine (regional picnic); water during the walk. We recommend bringing hat, jacket, trekking shoes and sun block.