February Reviews

Highlight was definitely all the hikes. The landscape and wildlife were amazing. The drive itself wasn't that great, except from El Calafate to El Chalten. However, I enjoyed seeing all the guanecos everywhere! We didn't quite meet too many people, but everyone was friendly that we met. Especially in El Calafate, when we had issues with our car and had to change our plans - the hotel staff were especially helpful. Seeing Mt. Fitz Roy, cloudless and framed by the beautiful lake was amazing.

Highlight: whale watching Landscapes & wildlife: amazing, diverse, often overwhelming Great people, though not demographically diverse Have told family and friends to make this trip Some surprises with pickups, but most were good: service, activities Magic: horses in the evenings at Torres del Paine

Overall a magnificent trip. A wide variety of experiences, both urban and rural, varying landscapes and activities. Chile and Argentina fishing lodges were both wonderful. They were different but would recommend each of them. The owners and staff of each lodge were amazing, as was the food and level of attentiveness and service - we felt like well treated family members at each. We also met some other travelers that we enjoyed spending time with in the evenings and at meals. The fishing in Chile was more difficult than in Argentina but the water in Chile was unbelievably beautiful - an amazing shade of blue. Flying by helicopter over the Chilean Rivers was one of the magical parts of the trip. We were in Santiago and Buenos Aires for a day each and were glad we stayed a night on the way in and out of South America. The boutique hotels were both lovely and we were happy to be in smaller properties.

The trip was great. Highlight was our night in bader valley because we were ‘alone’ of course with our guide and porter and the trek up there was challenging so we felt incredibly accomplished once we arrived and got to imenjly amazing views and waterfalls. Second best day was the last 10 minutes of the towers climb. You’re so exhausted and you know your close and then you get to the top and the view is jaw dropping. We also LOVED the domes frances for sleeping after 3 nights camping it felt like heaven!!

We had a very lovely guide from Antares, Phillipe, who did a great job showing us around. My sons were particularly impressed by seeing the puma having her morning breakfast. The landscapes were impressive, and I enjoyed seeing the wildlife. The Pampa Lodge was particularly nice. I really enjoyed the quiet and the view from the lodge itself. Everyone we interacted with was very nice and friendly. The only confusion was in arrival from El Calafate. Apparently, the Always Glaciers company does not have the right to go in to the bus terminal, and we arrived a bit later than Antares was anticipating. In the end it was fine, and I have no hard feelings with Antares for that. It was a simple mix-up and they did offer an additional dinner as compensation for the confusion. We did really enjoy our itinerary with them -- I'll say it again... puma!

Torres del Pine

I would not say that the people working in the refugios were particularly friendly, but wow the people we met along the trail were all so unbelievably friendly! Almost everyone we passed said Hola, and it felt like we were all friends sharing this great experience together. The landscapes were unique and breathtaking, something new around every corner. We were fortunate enough to have good weather, as I think that would be the biggest cause for disappointment for most trekkers in Patagonia. The most magical moment was when we reached Mirador Britanico... impossible to describe the feeling of being in such an overwhelming place. Much like the first time I looked down into the Grand Canyon. The biggest surprise was how beautiful Los Cuernos were in person; photos do not do them justice. But Mirador Las Torres was the real reason for the entire trip to Patagonia, and despite the huge amount of people there and on the trail, it was one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen.

We had a superb trip. Both the landscapes and the wildlife were highlight - especially hiking and biking away from the more popular trails. People were invariably welcoming and helpful. We were surprised by the numbers of tourists on the more popular trails i.e. the W walk and also those around El Chalten (although a little less so around the latter). The walk around Los Huemules was a nice contrast. Magical moments were many, but usually linked to watching sunrises and sunsets.

The highlight was undoubtedly our stay overnight at Los Condores and the Puntiagudo trek. Rudi and his wife Rosa were great hosts and we thought their farm was a very special/unique place to stay. The trek was made even more memorable because of our guide Jose. We did not see much wildlife but loved the landscapes/wilderness of temperate rainforest interspersed with walkers/hiking trails. So many highlights on that trip from the boat ride, Arriving at Los Condores and then at Laguna Los Quettros. We both found that this trip eclipsed the majesty of the Torres Del Paine. All the locals we met were delightful. Particularly enjoyed our lunhch at Sandras at Lago Rupanco. Birds of Chile need a special mention for providing excellent guides throughout.

Highlight - scenery which came up to expectations. Wildlife pretty good. people we dealt with generally excellent. That said, the reason I have ticked 'maybe' on the 'would I return' box is because TdelP in particular is now being 'loved to death'. If I returned to Patagonia I'd need to be convinced that I could do so with fewer people around - and preferably without the need for guiding all the time. [I would add that one thing I will consider and would need a guide for is an ice shelf walk out of El Chalten. As a general comment I preferred the experience at Fitzroy cf TdelP except for the back end of the O circuit. I would recommend Fitzroy over TdelP W circuit. Magical moments - there were a few - the Loma de Plieges Tumbado walk on a brilliant day was one. Arrival at Petit peninsula in Barriloche was another (what a top hotel). Going over the top of the John Gardner Pass. And a little thing, but being met by Victor at AEP in BA and him driving me to the Holiday in at Ezeiza was a pleasure for me as I was not comfortable with travelling across BA at night.

Highlight - climbing to the base of the towers. Landscape - nice, nothing unique. Opinion would be weather dependent. People - lovely. What will you tell? - worth a trip if part of a wider SA tour. Surprises? None Magical moment - arriving at the base of the towers (Torres) in glorious sunshine so could witness in all its glory. Also got a suite, with jacuzzi in the hotel - VERY welcome after two 22Km days!

It was a good trip but I wouldn't want to do another trip in that way

Oooh, impossible question. In general, experiencing the vast, spectacular, rugged landscape of Torres Del Paine--whether hiking, biking, horseback riding or mountain biking--with no other people in sight. The enormity of Perito Moreno Glacier. The remoteness and beauty of the Estancia stays. Seeing the wildlife of Peninsula Valdes, again, with no other humans in sight.

Spotting a Puma in the wild!

Penguin colony

I was unexpectedly moved to tears as we suddenly saw the moai quarry with unfinished/half-buried heads -The futility of human effort and faith.... and (if I can have a second most memorable moment) a cloudless flight North up the Andes with ice sheets, glaciers, volcanoes ...

Seeing San Raphael glacier

Loved the puma sightings, hiking and scenery

Impossible to pick just one! Cerro Torre lookout? Laguna de los Tres? Reaching the glacier at Aquas Arriba Lodge? The spectacular underwater calving at Perino Moreno glacier? The adorable penguins in Ushuaia? It was ALL amazing! I must say something here - Natascha told us we must not miss Aquas Arriba & so we planned our trip around the available dates there! She was SO RIGHT! It is a magical, special retreat & we both cried when we left. Natascha I am so very thankful to you - being able to take my daughter to such a place makes my heart sing. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I wish we had stayed another day - as you suggested (!) & skipped a day in Ushuaia.

Sleeping in a tent with pumas :-) and seeing them in the wild. We even had a chance to see a mama with her cub.