Argentina holiday, tailor made

Environmental education
During your trip you will stay at the Yacutinga Lodge. Most of the Yacutinga staff belong to a nearby community, which has been spoiling nature in order to survive economically. They have timbered vast forest; they have expanded the agriculture border in a non-organised way and used agro-toxics without considering the negative effect it might produce. The fragile soil of this type of jungle has been eroded and farming activity has decreased because of desertification and the consequent loss of soil nutrients for crop farming. Yacutinga staff are learning and participating in a different way to use land. In general education in argentine rural schools has been directed and been characterised by the necessities of the central region of the country, coincidentally the region with fertile soil, known as the humid "pampa". Unfortunately the large variety of eco-regions has not been interpreted nor taken in consideration and even less the adequate form of using the resources in each of these regions.

The rainforest is situated in the eco-region with the richest biodiversity in Argentina and at the same time it is the most perishable due to the ignorance regarding its functioning while knowing the fragility of its soil.

Most of the agriculture systems are invalid for this region since they were developed for areas with fertile soils and without forest cover. The techniques of the use of soil have been transmitted from father to son without adapting to the actual circumstances and necessities.

One of the objectives at Yacutinga is to introduce local children to environmental education such as being aware of potable water, the optimal use of the forest resources, the respect towards the wild fauna and the necessity of sustainable use of the resources. We hope to produce in this way some changes to avoid the continuous spoiling of Nature. Rain Forest restoration experience at Yacutinga Wildlife & Nature Reserve:

This is a project devoted to evaluate different techniques to restore degraded jungle (selva misionera). 40 out of the 570 hectares, which compose the "Yacutinga" area were cleared and used for cattle activities in the past. It is a priority to recuperate the natural vegetation to increase the available natural areas and furthermore the habitat of numerous species such as jaguar, tapir and peccaries. Although the restoration of natural forest in these kinds of ecosystems is turning into a priority at a State level, there isn't enough information available on adequate techniques and its costs. Therefore the experience, which will be taken place at Yacutinga, next to recuperating these 40 hectares, is to offer information and compare the various techniques to restore native jungle. The results will have an important incident for future plans regarding the restoration of degraded areas in the "green corridor" and especially in other problem areas of the Province, such as cero production and inadequate use of the forest areas. At the present these areas are being used for mono cultivation of exotic trees (pinus) and in smaller quantities for extent pasture. This rainforest restoration experience will be an important contribution to one of the most threatened eco-regions of South America, and at the same time an example of investment in conservation as a product to an eco-tourist project.

Capybaras re-breeding Station
Capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris), is the biggest rodent in the world. It can weigh up to 80 kilos. Although this mammal is not a threatened species; its population in the area has been decreased substantially due to the hunting pressure. The re-breeding station of Capybaras at Yacutinga wildlife & Nature Reserve has various purposes with the following objectives: Repopulation: Reintroduction of the individuals into their natural surrounding

Eco-tourism: the rebreeding station is part of the tourist attractions visited by guests during their stay in Yacutinga. Use of the species and sale of the meat in rural production: The local population (15%) is accustomed to consume meat from wildlife fauna periodically. This custom is common in the whole region, including Brazil and Paraguay. The rebreeding station in the different farming areas of the local farmers would allow them to have fresh meat for their own use and the sale of the surplus, increasing in this way the life level and diminish the hunting pressure. Maintenance of the Yerba mate plantations: the idea is to study the behaviour in the cultivation area of the Yerba Mate plantations. The Yerba Mate is a tree and is planted as a crop in corridors. If we can breed Capybaras and send them to our Yerba Mate producing neighbours, we will be giving Capybaras the opportunity to re-populate while being protected by the locals who at the same time will be helped by these animals, reducing fixed costs of maintaining the Yerba Mate crop, creating a symbiosis between rural people and capybaras.

The trip also includes a stay at Los Cerros. Los Cerros provides talks on glaciology and the local flora and fauna for its guests and knowledgable local guides accompany guests on excursions.The hotel is built from local materials and fits into its surroundings without imposing on the landscape.