Journey to Patagonia

Lokahi Garden Sanctuary

808-987-7501

Journey to Patagonia
Adventure in Argentina

November 28 – December 11, 2024

Come and join us, Richard Liebmann and Natalie Young, on this exciting adventure, our sixth Journey to Patagonia. One can’t help but be aroused by the mystery that surrounds Patagonia; the vastness of nature, its wild and untamed beauty. During our last Journey to Patagonia in 2022 we were awestruck with the stunning, breathtakingly beautiful landscapes this region of the earth is so famous for. Again we will be staying in the beautiful Lake District of Argentina, meeting with wonderful local experts & experiencing the local flavor of a rich and diverse culture. It will be winter here in the States, but late springtime in the Southern Hemisphere, and simply the best time for viewing wildflowers, gardens and experiencing nature!

We will be starting our program at 3 pm on November 28th in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. The program ends at 2 pm December 11th in Esquel, Argentina. When making your travel arrangements, plan to fly into San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina (airport code BRC) and depart from Esquel, Argentina (airport code EQS). In order not to be exhausted from the long flights, we suggest flying in a day early so you’ll be well rested for the adventure ahead! Or if you have a few extra days beforehand, plan to fly into Buenos Aires and spend some time in that delightful city. If you need help with your reservations or travel in general please contact Richard at richardliebmann@gmail.com.

Finances

Registration for Journey to the Patagonia is $5,980 and includes 13 nights lodging, transportation within Argentina and Chile including transfers to and from the airport, entrance and activity fees, instruction, most meals (2 to 3 meals will be ‘on your own’), and double occupancy lodging (please inquire for single rates). An initial payment of $500 confirms your place. The second payment of $2,780 is due by May 30, 2024. The final payment of $2,700 is due by August 30, 2024. Deposits/Payments are neither refundable nor transferable. We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance in case you need to cancel for any reason. Make checks payable to Lokahi Garden Sanctuary and mail to PO Box 32, Hawi, HI 96719. Questions: (808) 987-7501 or richardliebmann@gmail.com.

Travel Insurance

It is highly recommended that you get travel insurance when traveling to foreign countries. We suggest you check out www.travelexinsurance.com. Purchasing travel insurance is recommended in case you get sick and must cancel the journey, or experience loss or injury while traveling. Since all payments are nonrefundable and nontransferable travel insurance protects you, if for any reason you must cancel.

Highlights of Our Journey

Parque Nacional Nahuel Haupi

Argentina’s oldest and largest national park (over 2 million acres), Parque Nacional Nahuel Haupi contains over 50% of all the species found in the vast Patagonia. Myriads of sapphire lakes, glaciers, volcanic peaks and endless natural wonders to explore.

San Carlos de Bariloche

This town is an exciting blend of South American and European architecture, food and culture. In Bariloche, ¨the little Switzerland¨ of South America, there is Alpine-stye architecture, fragrant roses blooming everywhere, rose hips and lavender growing profusely and made into popular cuisine and health/ beauty products. Famous for its chocolates and chocolate factories, and fine eateries . This town is built on a most spectacular lake Nahuel Huapi that is 7 miles long, 1400 feet deep, pristine and clean. Dotted with islands and teeming with fish especially rainbow and brown trout. When out in a boat, if you rotate yourself 360 degrees you will see every kind of mountain that exists; snow capped, verdant with greenery, sculpted, bare, pointed and rounded… all in one place.

Lake Nahuel Huapi

We will travel to places on Lake Nahuel Huapi that are true wilderness, reachable only by boat, where rivers cascade into the lake creating multiple waterfalls and pools. Our guide on the lake, native Argentinean and fisherman extraordinaire Captain Juan Waroquiers tells us that he has fished all over the world and has come home to “the best possible place to fish”. For the fishermen/women among us, there will be ample opportunity to fish and eat our fresh catch prepared over the grill, Argentine style.

The Arrayanes Forest

The Arrayan trees, a type of myrtle whose red and white bark create designs resembling modern paintings, are found growing only in this part of the world and comprise a dense forest with trees as old as six and seven hundred years old. There are also giant redwood type trees (transplanted from California years ago!) that we will visit as well.

El Bolson

A quaint amiable town where guachos (cowboys), artisanal breweries (the best hops in Argentina are grown here), and herbalists live side by side. We will visit a medicinal herb farm, meet local herbalists, hike to a spectacular scenic vista and shop at the local market where the artisans and farmers of the region bring their handicrafts, homemade food and garden produce to sell.

Valle Encantado (the Enchanted Valley)

This amazing landscape combines impressive and imaginative volcanic rock formations with a colorful transition between the Patagonian steppe and Cyprus forest.

Los Alerces National Park

The Los Alerces National Park is located in the Andes of northern Patagonia and its western boundary coincides with the Chilean border. Successive glaciations have moulded the landscape in the region creating spectacular features such as floating glaciers and clear-water lakes. The vegetation is dominated by dense temperate forests, which give way to alpine meadows higher up under the rocky Andean peaks. A highly distinctive and emblematic feature is its alerce forest; the globally threatened Alerce tree is the second longest living tree species in the world.

Our Local Guides and Experts

Captain Juan Waroquiers

A native Argentinean, avid fishermen and storyteller, Juan will be our captain and fishing guide.

Cindy Gonzalez Candeago

Born in San Carlos de Bariloche, Cindy has deep roots in her land, a place that she loves, specially because she descends from two of the oldest pioneer families: with a mixture of german, italian, Dutch and Spanisn blood. That´s why se loves to tell the rich history that took part in Bariloche about a 100 years ago. She studied Tourism at the University, in Buenos Aires and later returned to Bariloche, and did the course for Guiding at the National Park, where she´s doing it for more than 15 years. She also ran a family restaurant and worked at the local tourism office for more than 10 years, in the technical area.

Luis Martin Gray

Luis is a talented artist and local shaman. He works painting mandalas and handcrafts magic wands and walking staffs. His focus is on indigenous Americans, their culture, medicine and spirituality.

Florencia Burton

Florencia is a self-taught painter visionary artist and neo-shaman. She lives art as an exercise of comtemplation, a sacred experience practicing it for the purpose of creating harmony.

Federico Lucas Miró

Founding partner of Kawen Adventure Company, he has a degree in Tourism and a Guide to Tourism and Kayak in different National Parks of Patagonia. His passion for activities in nature prompted him to move from Buenos Aires to El Calafate and then to Bariloche to fulfill his dream of living and working in this region.

Yumbel and Lila Marassi

A dynamic musical duo, residents of El Bolson and a married couple who will be assisting us as guides for their region and entertaining us with their original music. Yumbel Marassi is a charming young native Argentinian musician, accomplished jeweler, chef and former gaucho. Lila is our magnificent daughter, Hawaiian born and raised, musician, excellent cook, dancer and fluent Spanish speaker who has been living in Argentina for 7 years.

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