Tambopata National park in Peru is a beautiful green paradise, comprising 1.5 million acres of sub-tropical rainforest of the Madre de Dios and Puno regions.

Tambopata is internationally acclaimed as one of the most bio-diverse areas on earth. It is particularly famous for its monkeys, giant river otters, black caimans, capibaras, tapirs and hundreds of bird species.

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A common ritual for many young Argentines on the back of completing their secondary school examinations, is a trip to the south of Argentina with nothing more than a carpa (or tent), mochila (back-pack) and a group of buenos amigos! This pilgrimage to the camping sites of Patagonia is, of course, not exclusive to young people from Argentina and they are joined by a smaller crowd of overseas travellers with similar aspirations. That said, some people visiting Argentina arrive without a tent (perhaps favouring the reasonably-priced hostel accommodation), and leave wishing they’d packed their camping equipment in order to get that little bit closer to Argentina’s natural wilderness. If you have got space for your camping gear this is a great way to explore the south of Argentina in particular, which is generally more expensive than other regions in the country (in terms of accommodation, eating out and day-to-day expenses).

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For the past two months I have been traveling around South America. If you have the time and the funds to travel during your stay in this beautiful continent I highly recommend it. From the towering peaks of Machu Pichu, to the colorful rocks of Jujuy , the diversity and grandeur of South America is unrivaled. While I could go on and on about my different experiences in the valleys, rivers, mountains and plains of SA, for the purpose of this conversation I would like to focus on one country in particular; a country that captures the very spirit South America: Bolivia.

Bolivia. I can still remember the excitement I felt entering this country. For the majority of the Western world, the border crossings of South America are quite a different experience. While in the states and much of Europe, frontiers are typically traversed via car, with a great formality of character, when I went from Peru to Bolivia, I literally walked across the border. Sure there was a check in point to leave Argentina and to enter Bolivia, but the actual crossing of frontiers was done on foot, void of any customs. .

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Travelling to more remote locations in Argentina and more widely in Latin America, can provide its fair share of challenges but the experiences awaiting the determined explorer can be extremely rewarding. A significant part of that experience often lies in the journey to such secluded locales and this certainly applies to the tiny town of Iruya, tucked away amongst the Andes in the province of Salta, in the northwest of Argentina.

The only way to get to Iruya without a 4×4 is on the buses operating daily from the town of Humahuaca, some 300km away. The remoteness is partly explained by Iruya’s geographical situation, located on a plateau in the Andes, known as the Altiplano in Spanish or high plain. Iruya itself is carved into a mountainside and sits at a height of 2,780m above sea level. There are other historical reasons which determine the relative levels of connection/disconnection between towns in this part of Argentina. The northwest, such a significant leg of colonial trading links between the silver mines of Potosi in Bolivia and the Atlantic Coast, and subsequent European markets, prioritized more accessible cities such as Salta, Jujuy and Tucumán, whilst bypassing hidden pockets of human civilization like Iruya. Most of the smaller settlements situated in the northwest of Argentina consist of villages or towns with relatively undeveloped transport links, and are sheltered between the mountains or near adequate water sources for drinking and irrigation (Iruya itself is located alongside the Iruya River). Of course, Iruya and many of the neighbouring towns and villages dotted within and along the Andes, possess histories which stretch back far earlier to pre-Colombian times, providing that element of mysticism which undoubtedly draws many travelers to the region.

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AND LEARN HOW THE INCAS BUILT A BRIDGE!
This is an absolutely unique tour. The Q’eswachaka bridge is located across the Apurimac river, at about 13.000 feet, in Canas province. This imponent bridge spans 120 feet, and is rebuilt every one or two years as communal effort by all the local indians of the region. About 700 men and women form the communities Huinchiri, Ccollana come to Q’eswachaka to the Festival of the Construction of the Bridge. The weaving and construction techniques have passed from generation to generation since the bridge was first built by the Incas, probably in the 15th century. Impressive scenery, unique possibility to be inmersed in local Peruvian culture. more…

The cute little town of El Calafate is home to one of the most stunning sights in South America, the glacier Perito Moreno. It is one of the largest existing glaciers in the world. Perito Moreno is still growing today, but is losing mass at the same time.

The Glacier Perito Moreno

The short 30 minute drive from the city to the entrance of the National Park affords many breathtaking views of the lake, mountains, estancias (ranches) and other beautiful scenery. Camping is possible and would be quite exciting, but be prepared for chilly weather and come with a four wheel drive vehicle. Upon entering the National Park, and paying the hefty entrance fee for non-nationals (60 pesos), there is a nice drive through the park which leads you directly to the walking paths around the glacier. Bus tours are frequent and easy to arrange in the town of El Calafate. There is also a plethora of boat tours available which take you as close as possible to the glacier for a few extra dollars. more…

Aliens, dark memories and folklore in the Cordoban mountains

If you visit Buenos Aires during the hot summer months, the heat and pollution can sometimes be a little too much. Why not then go for a short trip to the mountains near Cordoba for some air a tad cleaner and cooler. This area hosts a number of small towns popular among Argentineans as holiday destinations, and there are a lot of different things to see and do .

The town of Capilla del Monte lies at the foot of Mount Uritorco, reaching slightly less than 2000 meters above sea level. There are hotels and swimming pools in the town, but it is the mountain that attracts many visitors, due to its supposedly extra high levels of energy and that it has been visited by extraterrestrials…Supernatural or not, alien landing site or not, the scenery of the mountain is very beautiful none the less, both to look at from a distance and as an area for hiking. And one may also find the many salespersons and shops offering various new age items such as crystals and talismans quite entertaining as well.

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As writer Jose Maria Arguedas named it, the river has in its diverse geographical zones torrential and abundant rivers. Peru is rapidly becoming one of the world’s premier destinations for whitewater rafting. Several of its rivers are rated in the world’s top ten. It’s not just the adreline rush of big rapids that attract, it’s the whole experience of accessing remote and amazing locations that make Peruvian whitewater rivers so attractive: spectaculer mile deep canyons, giant smootly eroded granite rocks, wildlife like giant otters, deers, mighty condors and even jaguars. The difficulty of the rapids is evaluated according to a scale that goes from class I to VI. Here there is a list of places where you can enjoy this fun and amazing sport.

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Argentina offers some wonderful whitewater rafting opportunities, ranging from grade II through to IV, offering exciting rides through magnificent scenery. For the people who love water and water adventure Argentina is the right destination. The most popular routes are on the turbulent Rio Mendoza, cutting through mountain gorges, on the Rio Manso through the southern part of the Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi and on the Hua Hum river.

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