Safari In Southern Patagonia Reviews

Puma Tracking was an incredible experience. Our guide Matias was a skilled tracker and knew the animals and their behaviors. He was extremely respectful and knowledgeable of land, flora and fauna. Having Petaca and her cubs approach us on her own and accepting us into her world was very moving and humbling.

If you like hiking (or the outdoors in general) and wine, Chile is one of the best places on the planet to visit. Landscapes remind me of the Montana nickname - Big Sky Country. Wildlife was more abundant and more accessible than we expected. People were friendly and helpful. Didn't really go in with specific expectations, so we really were not "surprised" by anything. I/we learned much more detail about the society and the original European settlers than we knew. I had no idea that Croatians migrated in some numbers to the area - like my ancestors (Rick).

I cannot think of one particular moment that stands out. The most memorable are all my wow! moments when first seeing a particular mountain or glacier.

The entire experience at Torres del Paine EcoCamp. Everyone there believes in the power of nature and sustainability and human connection. It was truly a magical place.

I developed sciatica the week I was leaving for this epic trip. I was most amazed that even if I couldn't be super active, the most amazing views were right there all the time. Fitzroy in El Chalten, transfering from one point to the next, and Torres del Paine in Ecocamp. I really didn't feel like I missed out at all. I was blown away when we were driving into Ecocamp, and when we arrived seeing Torres del Paine up close and personal throughout our stay. Walking to and from our dome it was framed in the background by the Towers. I loved the theme of Ecocamp..."Making Connections". We met so many amazing people from all over the world who were there to enjoy the rugged beauty just as we were. At Ecocamp they connected people to different groups each day depending on their hikes. They would have breakfast and dinner together allowing you to really get acquainted with a different group each day. The guides on all our excursions from Chalten, Calafate, Eco Camp, Puerta Varas, and Valparaiso were well prepared to lead us on our adventures.

The time spent in the wild in each of the three major destinations--El Chalten / Fitz Roy, Torres del Paine, and in the channels and fjords between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia. Of course, we had remarkable luck with weather and visibility in each location!

The highlight of my trip was seeing the wildlife up close and personal. My EcoCamp dome was nestled in the bushes where the chincols (rufuos-collared sparrows) sang for my arrival. Guanacos were not sparse and I felt I got the full experience being able to see them anytime we traveled on the road. In addition, the iconic rock formations were stunning and a real privilege to see in person. I enjoyed the experience at EcoCamp. The structure of eating with your group tour for breakfast and dinner was an absolute bonding experience with people from all over the world. The most exciting moment for me was seeing the young pumas napping while the guanacos walked by to taunt them. I came for the hiking experience as well and the hikes were challenging but not intimidating. My guides were exceptional at knowing about the park, motivating me through my treks, and making me feel comfortable back at EcoCamp.

There are several. At age 11 I did a report on Chile-I knew someday I would visit. At 68 my dream came true. The sheer, dramatic, non-stop beauty of both Argentina and Chile rattled my senses. But, I had some personal Gold Medal days. I made it to the Base of the Towers. A feat worth the work. At the top we spread a tiny bit of my best friend's ashes. She would have loved this trip too. Hiking almost every day to spectacular sites but also treking more than 10 miles a day-that's a good day. Oh-and cooking dinner with a local chef was spectacular. We foraged for our vegetables in her garden and had the added treat of a fox watching the hen house. We got word the next day that the fox had a couple of victories. Biking 15 miles on gravel. I said I would never ride gravel-but I did and it felt good to check that off my list. EcoCamp was life changing. Waking up each morning in a dome-stepping outside and getting a good morning greeting of the Towers. Or, stepping outside to see the sky peppered with billions and billions of stars. My world got bigger that night. I also loved the zero waste mantra and I have taken that home with me. I also loved the food. Oh-maybe the Pesco Sours too! There were some points that were memorable but also life-threatening. In Agentina-El Chetain -we did a kyaking trip. The wind whipped up and there were white caps on the lake. We went in the water-tipped over. This was not the day I was planning to do a Polar Plunge (another bucket list item I can now check off). This could have gone south very quickly and frankly-it has changed my relationship with water. I think kyaking is spectacular-but I think you might do it with better kyaks and wetsuits.

Seeing the vastness of the mountains and their snowcapped peaks as we approched the park. It was an unforgettable and moving sight.

The weather was the best part as we got lucky and out of 17 days had about a half of a day of rain. Beyond that, the hiking and landscapes were spectacular, the people were friendly, the guides were wonderful, the food and lodgings were all spectacular as well.

How can a person select one when there were so many...I'd say top 5 include the trek on Perito Moreno Glacier, Kayaking La Leona / Hiking Los Hornos, Hiking to & Lunching at Cerro Torre, Hike to & View from Toro Lookout, & Huemul Glacier / Lago Desierto.

Highlight was our stay at Eolo Hotel in El Calafate and our gorgeous hikes in El Chalten to Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre.

Seeing the Torres del Pains and the wonder and the vastness area of beauty. The towers, the lakes, the glacier’s were amazing. But the eco camp was fantastic and all the employees were wonderful. I will be back and will recommend others to use swoop and come see the wonders of your National Park.

Cape Horn on the Ventis Australis

There were so many to pick just one is an almost impossible task! However, the view from the Lazo Weber viewpoint on a stunning, clear day was spectacular.

Reaching the base of the towers in Torres del Paine with clear skies and then experiencing snow as soon as we started the descent.

Exceptional. Highlight was our stay at EcoCamp; between the brilliant guides (all our guides were young exceptional women which made it extra special), the people we met there, the hikes/activities, the overall experience was top notch. The FANTASTIC guides; Marcela, Angie, Francesca, Claire and our server Ingrid are women I will talk about and remember for a long long time. I find it incredible and inspiring that young people in their 20s are so dedicated to this type of work. They work long hours and consistently had a smile on their face and each had so much knowledge to share. In another life, I want to be them!

Climbing up the last part of the Base of the Towers hike and seeing the view for the first time. This was made even more special when the clouds rolled in as we left and it began to snow. Perfect timing!

Lake Deseado was memorable in so many moments! We didn't have high expectations because it was a fill-in when Covid canceled our cruise from Ushuaia, but the lake was exquisite from our first glimpse. Then, the lodge itself (very isolated) was lovely in every detail. The view from our windows was of pristine waters with mountains in the distance. The short path to the dining facilities took us past beautiful birds, a brook and a beaver dam. Andres and the staff were welcoming, very helpful and genuine. We were a family of 14, joining one another from many parts of the United States and the only ones at the lodge. We were amazed at the menu, and managed to order everything from brie with local berries to guanaco, everything delicious. We over-80 grandparents got plenty of help so we could climb some trails and coast down the mountain on a bike. We also loved the library's collection of books about Patagonia. Our teens found challenging trails. Thank you to everyone including the gracious owners of Deseado Lodge!

How can I answer this? The glaciers of Patagonia, Eco camp as a base for fantastic food, adventures and friends, the Ventus Australis for sophisticated exploration and great information ( as well as making new contacts), Puerta Varas for adventures and the best guides on the planet plus so much more.