October Reviews

Highlights were Torres del Paine, FitzRoy and Moreno Glacier. All landscapes were interesting and mostly spectacular. Without exception all people we met were warm and friendly.

Walk on and view of Perito Mareno glacieer Moon Valley walk in Atacama desert Staying at Explora hotels in Atacama and Torres Landscapes were extraordinary, as were penguins and flamingoes Guides were all fabulous Definitely recommend Patagonia, Atacama, Explora and Swoop Most magical: Mareno, Moon Valley, Salt flats at sunset

Phenomenal

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.

Round trip on the Stella Australis was wonderful. Friendly crew, knowledgeable and enthusiastic Expedition Team, amazing trips. The mountains and glaciers are stunning and we were lucky to see them in unusually warm and sunny weather. The Australis got us to places we wouldn’t have otherwise seen. We saw dolphins, penguins, black-browed albatross, Black-faced ibis, Kelp geese’s and Giant Southern Petrel (my favourites). We also had a couple of land-based tours that were great (arranged privately).

I can't really name one highlight, because the whole cruise on Stella Australis was fantastic. The landscapes were stunning. We didn't see to much wildlife, but what we saw was great (Penguins, Dolphins, a few birds). The staff of the cruise was very friendly and so were the other passengers on the ship. I would recommend this cruise to everybody!

Cape horn and the glaciers! Staff was also very friendly and helpful.

Our trek in El Chalten up to Mount Fitz Roy was probably the highlight of our trip. We met many people on our travels that we hope to keep in touch with. Oh yes and the private flight we organised in Ushuaia was spectacular.

I think we would both agree that the accomplishment of completing all the hikes, especially the Mirador Base las Torres del Paine was the highlight of our trip. The landscapes were so varied and each beautiful in their own way, stunning. We were lucky enough to have clear and beautiful weather, so we were able to see all the ranges clearly, which was fabulous. Our guides, the other visitors, and the locals were all really interesting and nice. The guides were all very knowledgable and conversational about their areas of the parks and were very open and willing to answer questions. We've been telling our family and friends about how this was a once in a lifetime trip!

I loved the hotel, The Singular. I took two day trips offered by the hotel, one the tour of Torres del Paine that was included as part of my package and another, a boat trip to the glacier and afternoon at an estancia that I paid for. Both were excellent. Service at The Singular was great, they remembered my name and greeted me whenever I went by the desk. The most magical part was seeing the condors at Torres del Paine as we visited a glacier. It was also magical just looking out at the spectacular view from my room.

The trip was extremely very well pieced together by Swoop and then by Chile Nativo. The people I met were incredibly beautiful and helpful. I unfortunately twisted my knee very badly on Day one of the trek up at the Towers and I literally staggered down the mountain back to Las Torres Refugio. The next day I bought trekking poles and ended up soing the entire trek on one leg using the poles as crutches. On day two there was a young Chilean girl who was also trekking alone and she insisted on accompanying me for eight hours all the way to Cuernos. I am home mow and we chat eveyday like sisters - I cannot say ENOUGH good about the Chilean people.

The highlight was the guide, Chuma from Chile Nativo. Landscapes were beautiful, but did not see as much wildlife as advertised. Really enjoyed the hikes and the people.

We had seen Magdalena Island with the penguins on our own, otherwise I would have been very disappointed with the one or two penguins we saw from the zodiac during the cruise. Loved the rugged landscapes and the first hike. The guides were very knowledgeable. The last hike was in poor weather slogging through the mud and not much to see. Glacier alley was thrilling. And loved the people, all ages, from all over the world.

The highlight was the Huemul circuit. It was an amazing trek. There was so much adventure and strenuous hiking but the scenery was spectacular. The highlights definitely included the ice-fields and also seeing the very different terrain as we circled around the Huemul mountain. There was a condor sighting on day 3 and the walk over the glacier on day 2 was just beyond words. I loved the fact that on day 3, we had to hike down really steep terrain and got to camp next to the glacier ice fields. Definitely the most magical moment was the birthday brownie that we got to share for my 40th birthday that was made so nicely by the Walk Patagonia staff.

The hikes and overall beauty of Patagonia was definitely the highlight. But the hotel and people we met were a close second. Everyone working at the hotel, from the staff, to the bar tender and waiters to the guides, were all so accommodating and gracious. We really could not have asked for a better trip.

Everything went to our itinerary. Highlight had to be a perfect day at Cape Horn in weather to die for. Landscapes were stunning and wildlife aplenty ( except Puma ). Chilean people were so welcoming and in particular the owner of the restaurant in Porvenir who took a photo of us Australians to hang on his establishments wall. We have already told of seeing 'mingos' ( flamingos) to my 3 1/2 year old grandson who was full of questions. Surprises were everywhere while travelling down to the Cape, glaciers that eclipsed those in Alaska wildlife to be seen on all our excursions with Protours.

Incredible. Flawless. Personal. Our adventure was nothing less than a novel of memories. My highlight could never be just a moment, but rather a new lens of of beauty from the culture, the wilderness & the incredible people we met. The culture, deep with love and incredible care that you would not just see but feel the blessing Patagonia has to offer. The wilderness, the most dramatic scenery you can experience and the people, warm with compassion and incredible depth of care for their communities. If the face of God was reflected in the wild it would be Patagonia. It's said that true adventure starts when the plan ends and that was the truth of our trip. Of course planning such a detailed adventure you know in your head the risks you are taking but until your faced with the choices of change and the out of your hand shifts due to storms, the truth whether you love adventure or not comes to a refining moment. And though not all went to plan, all went more than perfect.

The highlight was the scenery obviously.. but the ecocamp was wonderful to. The food was fantastic and all the staff were so friendly and accommodating. We had great guides for our trek and loads of fun!

One highlight completely impossible to single out; there wasn't one day that I wouldn't do again. Wildlife - the day with Marcel in Ushuaia National Park was brilliant as he 'inducted' me into the world of birdwatching which itself greatly added to the rest of the trip; but I guess the wildlife 'highlight' has to be sighting two pumas at relatively close range over a fresh guanaco kill as we were driving out of Torres del Paine on that last morning - a wonderful sight on its own, the more special for knowing that it's so rare, and we were so lucky, to see a puma at all!