Excursions – La Alondra'i

Full Experience:

Gastronomy, Lodging and Activities

Located in the town of Concepción, Corrientes, La Alondra’i offers a combination between History and Nature experiences. The town was declare National Historic Town in 2019, and the lodge presents part of this history itself.

Just 25 minutes away from the port, allows the lodge to offer a wide range of nature related excursions for nature lovers of for those seeking to learn about a unique culture of the beaten path.

La Alondra'i

Excursions Catalog

Index

All excursions listed in this catalog are in private, with 1 expert guide and a 4WD truck every two guests. Our team of guides are passionate about their expertise, this way we guarantee a once in a lifetime experience.

Every guide, truck and boat we use, is part of La Alondra’s team, but our experiences include an immersion with real and local people, for a true wetlands experience.

Most popular Itineraries

Pairing excursions is an art based on experience. Once you choose your activities we will design an itinerary that fits your desires for a richer experience. Check our most popular itinerary options.

Corrientes province has a strong influence from Guarani culture. This shows in the names of the places, their music and in the kitchen. Also, beign only 3,500 inhabitants, Conception´s “paisanos” go to work everyday on their horse, which makes a strong impression on visitors.

Feeling the Esterero lifestyle

Horseback riding

Local flavours

History

The Ibera wetlands is home of one of CLT´s rewilding project, working to reinstate local fauna. Also, due to beign a National Park and almost inaccesible without a boat or a horse, the ecosystem is preserved untouched, a true natures paradise.

Mburucuya National Park

Kayak

Swim with Horses

Fly Fishing

Ibera Rugua

Boat Rides

Before your trip

Argentina is a vast territory with distinctly unique cultural variations that extend beyond specific provincial boundaries. These cultural differences are the foundation for shaping day-to-day activities and life.

Corrientes Province is located in northeastern Argentina. Together with Formosa and Misiones Provinces, the southern part of Brazil and most of Paraguay it makes-up the Guarani Native Territory.

The Guarani are a group of culturally related indigenous people that still inhabit the area. Guarani language is still widely spoken in the region and many of the names of the areas flora and fauna are based on that language.

The town of Concepción del Yaguareté Corá is our gateway to the Ibera Wetlands and home to La Alondra Lodge. Parts of the town feel as though time has stood still and many of the older homes still feature a small chapel that was customary two hundred years ago. Concepcion is where the culture of the “country man” (paisano) and nature become one. To help you appreciate this National Historic treasure you’ll have the option to tour the town and several of its museums.

Weather and Temperatures for North East Argentina

Beign subtropical region the outside temperatures and humidity are something to consider when planning your visit.

January through mid-March: Very warm and humid. Average daytime temperature will in the 80’s to mid 90’s F and 70’s F at night. The temperatures become cooler as you move from January to March. Nighttime temperature shouldn’t be an issue as all common areas and bedrooms are air-conditioned.

Late April through May: Daytime temperatures between 70-80 F and nighttime temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s F. September and October: Usually sees daytime temperatures between the high 70’s and low 80’s F and nighttime temperatures in the range of 55-65 F.

Not to forget.

Its important to wear comfortable clothes specially during the outodoor activities. Some of these activities may require specialty gear. If you preffer to use your own, you are more than welcome to do so, nevertheless we do keep equipment here at your disposition. If you will be using ouor gear, we ask for a previous notice.

How to get here

From Buenos Aires: AEROLÍNEAS ARGENTINAS fly to Corrientes (CNQ) and Resistencia (RES). Both airports are just 30 minutes away from eachother, which doubles de flights time tables.

Posadas airport (PSS) is also an option, with a 3 and a half hours transfer by land. Located on the west boundaries of the Ibera National Park, saves us around 2 hours on our transfers by land. As part of La Alondra Lodge’s concierge service, we will pick you up at either airport for your convenience. We also can provide Charter Flights at an additional costs for those who want to fly over this amazing scenary.

Distances by Land from/to Iberá Wetlands: 20 minutes. from/to Corrientes: 2 and a half hours. from/to Resistencia: 3 hours. from/to Posadas airport: 3 hours 30 minutes. from/toIguazu Falls: 6 hours

Feeling the Esterero lifestyle

Horseback riding

Local flavours

History

Experience the way of the esterero

Full day excursion From October through March No previous experiences required.

We will travel 15 miles from Concepcion to port “Juli Cué”. Here we’ll board our canoes and navigate the paths of the Carambola Place. We will follow the same path that the original “mariscadores” used years ago.

Mariscadores, unlike the gauchos, lived independent lives in the marsh fishing and hunting with their wooden canoes.

The adventure includes power boating and canoeing and is an excellent outing for photographers. Half way through the day we’ll break for lunch in the heart of the Carambola Place.

Horses and horseback riding play an important part in Argentine history
and culture. Gauchos are the Argentinean equivalent of the cowboy and in Corrientes Province they are referred to as “mencho’s: Originally
they worked at the Jesuit missions where they were valued for their loyalty and skill at completing rural tasks. Their importance to the area still exists today and is commemorated at the local museum that depicts their way of living.

Half day Ride

Half day excursion year round activity No previous experience required.

Enjoy a two hour tour through town and the surrounding area. Included is a visit to the Field’s Museum which depicts the gauchos past and present way of life. Throughout the tour you’ll hear the narrative discussing who, what and how the Corrientes identity was formed.

Full day Ride

Half day excursion

Year round activity

No previous experience required

This is an add-on to the half day activity.

Visit the farm of General Manuel Belgrano who was an economist, lawyer, politician, military leader and creator of the flag of Argentina. Belgrano is an important figure in Argentine Wars of Independence and regarded as one of the main Libertadores of the country.

With Guarani origins, but influenced by the Spanish during the Jesuit missions (1600s), this cuisine is rooted in basic ingredients. Staples including corn, cassava, peanuts and legumes play an important role in many of the recipes. This food is truly unique to the area and you won’t find it at any restaurant back home.

A cooking class, with a local chef or family, is a great way to experience a different aspect of Guarani culture. Spend the day learning about local cuisine and traditional receipts.

The Iberá Cook Network gathers 102 cooks from Corrientes province who, accompanied by different institutions, they are getting back to value their gastronomic heritance.

Cooking classes with our cheff

Half day excursion

No previous experience required

In this opportunity you can learn to prepare meals with our hotel chef. This activity could be done for breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner and thus taste the Payé flavors.

The term” Paye” refers to a potion created for a certain purpose such as conquer someone’s heart according to the guarani popular beliefs.

Cook with the Ibera Cookers

Half day excursion

No previous experience required

In this opportunity you can learn to prepare meals with one of the cook from the Iberá Network. This activity could be done for breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner and thus taste the Payé flavors.

100% local food experience

All year round activity.

1:30hs to 3hs activity.

All ages activity.

No experience necessary

In this opportunity you can be the guest at the house of one of the cook from the Ibera Network. They will prepare breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner for you. The meeting takes one family at a time and you could prearranged the meal or you could be surprise by them if you prefer.

Concepción del Yaguareté Corá
was recently declared National Historic Village. Here where the culture of the country man and nature become one together, we take you on a tour to the museums of the place, hand in hand with the Cultural Guides. You will be visiting:

Historic Museum
La Pilarcita – Children’s Thematic
Museum
Corrientes’s Field and Rural Life
Museum.

Cultural tour

Half day excursion

No previous experience required

This tour will allow you to discover the historic roots of the town of Concepción del Yaguareté Corá. We’ll gain an understanding of the culture and traditions through emblematic and historical sites such as its chapels and handcraft ateliers. Additionally, we’ll also have the opportunity to taste ancestral Guaraní recipes.

Mburucuya National Park

Kayak

Swim with Horses

Fly Fishing

Ibera Rugua

Boat Rides

The park is located in Mburucuyá, Corrientes only one hours drive north from La Alondra’i. This area is 17,086 hectares and part of the Esteros del Iberá Eco-Region. This park is rich in biodiversity. It has an abundant offer of aquatic environments.

Mburucuya National Park Hike

Full day excursion

Best visit from February to July

Various trails provide the perfect place for easy hiking (two or three hours) and excellent photo opportunities. The park is filled with easy-to-observe wildlife such as river otters, capybaras, alligators, foxes, armadillos and brown howler monkeys. Endangered species include maned wolf, neotropical river otter and marsh deer. Birdlife is also plentiful with more than 340 bird species present so it’s truly an ornithologist’s dream.

Kayaking the wetlands

Half day excursion
From October through March

No previous experience required

Necessary Equipment: swimsuit, hat, sunglasses, bug repellant, sunscreen and a change of clothes.

If your adventurous spirit yearns for a unique experience with nature then a kayak trip through the Ibera Marsh should be seriously considered. This will give you a new dimension to view the areas birdlife, wildlife and biodiversity. This can be done as either a day or two day outing with an overnight at our camp in the marsh.

Back in the day, the Estereros (people who live in the ‘esteros’) used to travel to town to sell hides or buy provisions. In order to get there “Paisano’s” had to cross the numerous waterways and channels while carrying all their merchandise. To accomplish this they would dismount from their horse, take it by the tail, and have the horse swim and pull them through the water.

Swim with horses

Full day, or Multiple day excursion

From October to March

IMPORTANT: knowing how to swim is essential for this activity.
Necessary equipment: swimming suit, and a change of cloths.

We will take to you back in time to experience the esterero way. Swim through channels while holding your horse by the tail and experience the wetlands and its biodiversity in a truly unique fashion! Throughout the water experience our powerboat will follow for both safety or if someone would like to end their swim early. IMPORTANT: All participants must know how to swim.

This can be done as either a day activity or with an overnight stay at our camp in the middle of the wetlands. The camp is a great way to really enhance your wetlands visit.

Fishing is done from 14 foot Skiff style boats that are equipped with 90hp four stroke motors. Additionally and due to the unique characteristic of the environment, the boat can be pushed by pole for a silent approach of the fishing areas.

In the Ibera Wetlands fishing takes place primarily in tight channels, lagoons and adjacent to the floating grass islands.

Golden Dorado on surface patterns

Full Day or Multiple day excursion Season: September through May Experience preffered

Thorough research, by the Natural Reserve authorities, concluded that this area was both viable and sustainable for the practice of catch and release fly-fishing for Dorado (Salminus Maxillosus). In 2017, through the establishment of a special Natural Reserve license, our operation was granted fishing access to this area. This license allows us access to the wetlands endless miles of bogs, swamps, lagoons and lakes that are prime habitat for Dorado. Exclusive and unspoiled this is one of the premier Dorado fisheries in South America. The Ibera Wetlands is truly an experience not to be missed.

The Dorado is clearly the main target at this fishery. Ibera provides daily opportunities to catch multiple Dorados that range from 5 to 10 pounds. However, there is always the possibility of catching Dorados from 20 up to 30 pounds.

The northern Patagonia region has become a home for several talented artists. A combination of the beautiful countryside with a calm and peaceful way of living creates a unique environment that inspires this group of talented people.

Deep in the Marsh

Day or Multiple day excursion

After breakfast we head to Juli Cue Port. A boat will be waiting for you to navigate for an hour and a half, enjoying landscape, seeing capybaras, alligatos, swamp deer, river wolves, or the federal (beatiful bird), among many other species that are found in the Ibera Wetlands. After this beatiful trip, you will arrive at the Martin Cue port, where the horses will be ready s you can ride for an hoy to the Ibera Rugua cabin.

The lunch will be waiting and after that we will be able to enjoy a nap (siesta) under the peacefull trees. Late you can take a walk along the path and take a typical snack.

Here you can opt to spend the nigh at the cabin or return to La Alondra’i. You will finish this great day with a tradicional dinner. After sleeping in the cabin, the day starts with a tasty breakfast and a boat journey to return to the hotel.

When you arrive at the wetlands you’ll immediately realize that this is the perfect location for eco-tourism. This is a vast area of 1,300,000 hectares of channels and lagoons teaming with exotic wildlife and more than 300 bird species.

Boatride on the Ibera wetlands

Half day, or Full day excursion No previous experience required

In this tour through the Esteros, you will be traveling the channels by boat with a local guide who knows every little secret of the place. You can opt of a half day or a full day excursion, the more time we spend, the deeper we will get into the Esteros to see the purest places that can be accessed. It starts from the port of “Juli Cué”, and you be sailing while contemplating the biodiversity of the place. The return is to the same port of origin.

Four days/nights itinerary

Some of our most popular excursion choices are listed below as suggestions and ideas how we best combine the many available options. Years of experience provide the know how for pairing activities. You’re welcome to study our catalog in order to build your dream vacation while staying at La Alondra’i. While five (5) nights as listed below is our most popular choice for first time visitors all our return guests make sure to book longer stays. They felt their first visit too short and return for longer stays

Four days/nights itinerary

DAY 1. Arrival day. Pick up at Corrientes airport. Check in at La Alondra’i. Meet the team, review the itinerary. Half day Cultural Tour.

DAY 2. The way of the esteros.

DAY 3. Half day horseback riding. Afternoon taste local flavours and cooking class.

DAY 4. Full day at Ibera Rugua

Day 5. departure day. Visit Mburucuya National Park. Continue your way to Resistencia Airport.

Five days/nights itinerary

DAY 1. Arrival day. Pick up at Resistencia airport. Check in at La Alondra’i. Meet the team, review the itinerary. Half day Cultural Tour.

DAY 2. The way of the esteros.

DAY 3 and 4. Two Full day swimming with horses. And overnight at Iberá Ruguá camp.

DAY 5. Casting Lesson, gear check and Fly Fishing for Dorados on surface patterns.

Day 6. departure day. Morning Kayak session on the wetlands. Transfer to Posadas airport.