Patagonian Highlights of Argentina and Chile

Our Clients’ Reviews

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Average Review Rating: from 22 reviews.

richard coombs

PATAGONIAN HIGHLIGHTS

Written March 2013
if you ever wanted to have a good look at a glacier this is the way to do it
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
on the boat in front of glacier
What did you think of your group leader?
an excellent group leader and a very nice person
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
read your trip notes its all there
Is there anything else you would like to add?
this was my 14 exodus hol and it just gets better
James Thomson

PATAGONIAN HIGHLIGHTS

Written March 2013
Fully up to my expectations - we saw everything the brochure promised.   A big country in many ways - high peaks, huge glaciers, and vast open spaces.   It helped that we were lucky with the weather on the days when it really mattered!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It's a dead heat between getting to the foot of Fitzroy and the similar experience of getting to the Towers of Paine.   Photographs do not do justice to these views.
Viewing and getting close to the Perito Moreno Glacier was an excellent runner up.
What did you think of your group leader?
Hugo was very good.   He was very communicative, keeping us informed as we went, and was helpful with advice on optional trips.   He kept the trip organised but without being intrusive.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Argentina and Chile are not cheap destinations - read the trip notes.
Don't rush to change a lot of money in to local currency.   Many trips and meals can be paid in US dollars and, during our trip, frequently at a more favourable exchange rate than the bank.   You need very few Chilean pesos - your group leader will advise you.
Be prepared for changeable, and rapidly changing, weather.   You will do a lot of walking on dirt paths, sometimes moderately steep, so take good footwear and possibly trekking poles if you use them.
Make sure that you are reasonably fit.   The walking is not very difficult but the Fitzroy and Torres walks are full days.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The refugio was better then some reviews suggest - think of it as a reasonably good youth hostel.   Take a padlock for your storage locker.
Frankie McAllister

PATAGONIAN HIGHLIGHTS

Written March 2013
A great trip covering a lot of ground.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The first sights of Fitzroy and and the Torres Del Paine but also, just some of the sunsets and sunrises and the sheer vastness of the landscapes.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader Hugo was an absolute star - very professional, very good company and very thoughtful. He looked after everyone really well, he thought of everything and he knew just about everything about everything. I think everyone in the group felt that he'd made a major contribution to our overall experience - really couldn't speak highly enough of him.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Dollars aren't always that easy to change up, you're better most of the time just using your ATM or credit card and taking out small amounts of currency at a time. If you're travelling land only, make sure you know what you're doing about your internal flights - one couple on our trip were unaware they were supposed to book them themselves (and so they hadn't) and in fact would not have had any way of knowing which ones to book anyway.
For anyone who has the time, its really worth either arriving early or staying on just to get some sightseeing time in Buenos Aires.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
No - it was a great trip, I just wish I could have stayed longer everywhere! I will definitely go back to Argentina and will be torn between revisiting everything I did on this trip and exploring new places.
Should also mention that the other guides, mountain guides and specialists guides, were all of a good standard.
David Swatton

PATAGONIAN HIGHLIGHTS

Written February 2013
This is a great trip covering some of the most spectacular landscape on the planet... and a chance to savour some of the best steakhouses and Malbec you are ever likely to come across. :-)
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Two things stand out for me:
1. Walking on the Viedma Glacier - an optional excursion but an absolute MUST. Brilliantly run by a local team and there is a wonderful surprise at the end - won't spoil it for those who haven't been but you simply have to do it.
2. Dawn at the Torres del Paine refugio - watching the towers glow ornage in the dawn sun is unforgettable.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our tour leader Hugo was excellent - just the right combination of organisation and sociability with the group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Couple of things:
1. Take mosquito repellent - I didn't realise there would be mossies so far south in cold weather but they are the size of horses in the Torres del Paine NP.
2. Take your own booze to the refugio otherwise you will be taking out a mortgage to buy drinks there.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Beware of the bunk beds at the refugio in the Torres del Paine NP - there are no handholds to get to the top and one guy on our trip fell badly - they are DANGEROUS.
Try the El Calafate ice cream - they say if you eat it you must return to Patagonia... I already want to go back!
Frances Ashley

PATAGONIAN HIGHLIGHTS

Written February 2013
An exhilarating trip - the majestic scenery, wonderful weather, congenial fellow-travellers and excellent guide all exceeded our expectations. An unforgettable experience.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
- At the Viedma Glacier,watching a large iceberg roll over just in front of our boat, and resurface, cobalt blue and sparkling, as the water poured off it. One of the most beautiful sights we've ever seen.
- Reaching our goal at the base of the Towers of Paine, and seeing them soaring, cloudfree, in front of us: worth every step of the way.
- Battling through 56kph wind and seeing guanacos silhoutted against the T.o.P Massif: iconic Patagonia!
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent: Hugo Lambertucci.
Informative, efficient, patient, courteous and sociable. Very good English. There were a couple of glitches, but generally all the group agreed that H. was one of the best leaders any of us have had on an Exodus trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The schedule: a lot of early starts and full days. Not much free time for sightseeing, especially in B.A. - and leave the heavy books at home.
Money: Don't expect to change money in a bank - the travel schedule doesn't allow time. Travellers' cheques "seriously annoying" (Hugo) Take some Arg. $ from UK for small items, and change your US $ as you go. The official rate is currently approx Arg $ 4.90: US $1, but everyone is happy to get US $ and shops/hotels will change at Arg 5-7 : US $1.
We found the spending money estimated in Exodus trip notes quite adequate.(cf Food, below)
Food: Lunch often a picnic snack on the road. For dinner a steak/ lamb grill and salad between 2 is plenty, the portions are v. generous. Don't expect much fruit or veg. on this trip unless you buy your own.
Clothes: Buenos A. hot and humid - take light clothes.Also for Iguazu if you go there. Elsewhere "dress like an onion", but none of us wore our thermals. Windproofs and close-fitting hats essential - many of us bought Bufffs, or cheaper El Chalten versions. Floppy sunhats will blow away.
Contact lenses: if you wear hard lenses take an alternative eg presciption sunglasses - or closefitting goggles. The duststorms are very gritty, both in town and in the mountains.
Mosquitoes: you WILL get bitten around the Refugio . Take antihistamine as well as repellent.
Ushuaia: Consider asking for a Channel view upgrade when you book. It's the end of the road, and the view is beautiful.
Iguazu Falls extension: the trails open at 8am and close at 5pm. Very crowded. If you can be at the start of a trail at 8am (and if staying at the Sheraton you can do this before breakfast) you may have a blissful hour entirely to yourself. If meeting a guide, ask for an early start.
Insurance : you will be asked to state whether you are insured for helicopter evacuation. Not all of us were, but it's worth checking: on the long treks you're a long way from the nearest hospital.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Above notes on clothing and weather refer to a trip in early Feb.
Optional:In additon to the Glacier and Beagle Channel boat-trips, we had an enjoyable visit to La Usina estancia, near El Calafate, including an amazing lamb "asado".This also left several hours for the bird reserve in El C in the afternoon at Lake Nimez. Well worth a visit.
In B.A. a group of us went, on Hugo's recommendation, to the Esquina Carlos Gardel tango show - beautifully done and much enjoyed by all.
We can recommend all of these options.
Caroline Smith

PATAGONIAN HIGHLIGHTS

Written December 2012
A fabulous trip led by an enthusiastic guide. The local guides were also brilliant and worked hard to keep everyone informed and safe, helping everyone achieve their aims. There are a couple of tough treks but the scenery is breathtaking and the long bus rides are the price to pay to be able to see such a lot on this trip.So many highlights including the treks, a whole day of glacier watching at Perito Moreno and a trip on the Beagle Channel so watch the penguins watching us - all enhanced by the Patagonian Weather Fairy who blessed us with fine weather and fantastic views.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Firstly the hike up to Fitzroy Base Camp - it was a hard walk but Dennis was on hand to motivate, encourage and support where needed. The view is breathtaking and made all the hard work worthwhileThen the trek to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine on Christmas Eve - door to door we were out for 9 or 10 hours but the ever-changing scenery was spectacular and the sense of achievement as we climbed up the final rocky path was amazing. The clouds cleared as we got to the top to reward our efforts. Once again the support and encouragement of our local guide meant that everyone that aimed for the top made it safely there and back.

What did you think of your group leader?
Dennis was fantastic - he loves the area and his enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge was boundless. He dealt with everything calmy and professionally while still giving us the sense that this was our trip. He never lost his sense of humour no matter how hard we tried to test him. He tried to bamboozle us with multiple options for many of the days but even having to explain everything several times didn't seem to be a problem.Thanks to Dennis for a truly memorable trip!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Some of the hikes are pretty tough - if you have a chance to do some walking/training before you go it will definitely help on a couple of the days and the views are well worth the effort. Other options were provided to those that didn't want to do the full trek though. The optional walk on day 8 to Cerro Cristales is tough (the trip notes say that this is 'not a difficult trek' but it's steep with a scramble at the end on scree and I thought that was overselling its ease!)  Be prepared for all weathers. We were mostly blessed with great weather but even so used the whole range of clothing from tshirts to fleeces and waterproofs.
Make sure you have a padlock for the lodge at Torres del Paine. Also don't pick the top bunk if you can help it and if you DO have to, pick one next to a pillar for additional leverage when climbing in and out. They are the highest bunks I have ever seen (I am 6 foot tall and could not reach up to put things on my bed) and they have no handles to help. Spectacular tumbles have been known to occur even before Christmas tipples were taken!
You don't need to change any money for Chile - you can use USD in the lodge and you won't go to any other shops. Also in spite of advice that you need to pay cash for the options, it turned out that credit cards could be used.
Take lots of insect repellent and your choice of anti-histamine - I got bitten at the airport on landing in Buenos Aires and took bites home with me at the end. Part way through my eye was so swollen I couldn't open it. Never saw any of the little blighters though....Go to the tango show. I honestly thought it would be the tacky touristy end of the holiday but the meal is great and the show was brilliant (if you can turn a blind eye to the flag waving in the rendition of 'Don't Cry for me Argentina...).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dennis' life would have been so much easier if there weren't so many options. I was surprised to see so many things not included in the core trip. On the one hand it allowed people the choice to do the things that suited them. On the other it made for a costly addition to an already expensive trip.

We also did the extension to Iguassu which is truly spectacular and not to be missed. However on reflection I would have preferred to make our own arrangements. The extension covers the walk on the Argentine side but once there we realised we wanted to see the Brazilian side and take a boat trip too which weren't included. The hotel was lovely but the guided part of the trip was well below expectations due to the large group size (over 30 as it was New Year) which meant we had little guidance. Exodus have already responded brilliantly to our comments and amended the trip notes to reflect this which is great customer service. Even so my own view is that it would have been better if we had simply made our own arrangements rather than booked an extension which left me wanting more.
Mary Algate

PATAGONIAN HIGHLIGHTS

Written November 2012
very enjoyable trip, would definately recommend it. One tip would be - don't wear a poncho if you go onto the glacier = mine was literally riped to bits by the wind! Luckily a guide lent me a spare, very warm jacket. Do all the additional trips you can while there. The walks were quite hard work but certainly worth it for the views. Also the food portions in the restaurants are huge - it quite acceptable to ask for one meal between two and extra plates and there will still be plenty to eat. The wine was delicious! Last thought - it is not as cheap as you might expect either in the restaurants, for the wine, or just in general but still a lovely, lovely trip
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
walking on the glacier was fantastic, and seeing the penguins, also the views at the ends of the walks. The walks were quite hard in parts but worth the exertion. We added on the iguassu falls trip - that was stunning and certainly worth the additional costs.
What did you think of your group leader?
Dennis was a good leader, and kept us all in order! He took us to some lovely restaurants, and got us up early for some of the trips!! Also he had some good ideas for additional outings on our days off.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As before - don't wear a poncho on the glacier walk, mind was ripped to bits, wear waterproofs and make sure they cover the tops of your boots/shoes. It was much windier than I expected, but luckily didn't rain much while we were there.
The prison museum in Ushuia is worth visiting but you need a good couple of hours there.