Chile: Hiking In A Thin Country

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

• 

  Paul Pritchard

  CHILE: HIKING IN A THIN COUNTRY

  

  Written November 2012

  An intense trip due to the distances covered and sights seen, sleep lost due to very early starts and some late arrivals. Walks may not start a.m. with recovery late in the afternoon due to moving around the country. Hotels are good, refuges range from good [Orsono Volcano] to poor [base of Torres del Paine], all have electricity and powerpoints. This trip provides more to see than any other of my previous ones, Peru, Ecuador, Nepal and Tibet. The local travel partner provides the best welcome pack I have seen, excellent information on each place and a map of Chile. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Reaching the viewpoint at the Torres del Paine viewpoint despite the wind and up and down trail, I was limping because Iberia denied me an aisle seat I had paid for, 13.5 hours trapped in the centre of the 'plane with the passenger infront reclined and sat on my legs wrecked my knee/hip. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Felipe Voigt handled the frequent transfers excellently and went to a lot of trouble to make sure I got an aisle seat on the return flight to Madrid [fortunately this was with LAN not Iberia, LAN were excellent also with the internal flights]. Everywhere we went Felipe made sure we knew what was necessary and answered all questions thoughtfully and fully, he provided good information on many topics, Geology/History/Economics etc.  

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be aware that the flights will be shown as being with Iberia but they code share with BA and LAN and all three struggle to take responsibility for problems picking seats and checking in.

   The trails in Patagonia are described as good but are often quite rough, especially on the Torres del Paine day which is described as strenuous but was tougher than many I have done on grade C trips, there is enough time to do this slowly as long as you are prepared to be at the back all day.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Wonderful country - go for it.

   
• 

  stuart dickinson

  HIKING IN A THIN COUNTRY

  

  Written November 2010

  A lot of travelling but you get to immerse yourself among beautiful scenery in diverse landscapes. Stunning volcanoes, incredible mountain peaks and glaciers, and stark desert landscapes will imprint indelibly your mind's eye.  

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Walking the 19Km round trip to the Towers of Paine on a stunningly sunny and clear day. Nothing can prepare you for the final and sudden view of the glacial lake below the three imperious spires.

  We were lucky to see so much wildlife. Highlights were  guanacos, vicunas, condors, flamingoes, a desert fox, an andean cat and comical viscacha.  For me - a flower fanatic - the plants of Patagonia were a delight especially two species of calceolaria endemic to the area.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Ian was the perfect leader. He was knowledgeable, had a sense of humour, was easy going, managed the fast and the slow on walks with sensitivity, went the extra distance to make all our transferrances as smooth as possible, had excellent english, was a good organiser, and most important of all was patient!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't bother to pay extra for the Villarica volcano walk unless the chair lift is open and the weather is almost guaranteed to be good. You will not make the top and the rainforest walk is just as delightful; (we know this as we split up and did both options...).

  Make sure you are prepared for hot, cold, and windy conditions. You are likely to encounter all on this holiday!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Go for it. Even the long days of travelling had something of merit at the end and holidays shouldn't all be about arriving. The first LAN airways box of goodies is a novelty but after 5 the same you want to throw them out of the window!

   
• 

  Matthew Wright

  HIKING IN A THIN COUNTRY

  

  Written December 2008

  Fabulous country. Up with Nepal, Vietnam, Peru - all of which I've visited - for variety and beauty of scenery. Great people, great food, excellent guide. Also, feels very safe....you don't feel the need to be so alert/streetwise as (say) Peru or Morrocco. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Going to the Towers of Paine. Seeing them in bright sunlight...which in Patagonia is not always guaranteed! Also, ascending Villarica volcano (an optional trip)

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Pablo was very enthusiastic, friendly, knowledgeable and proud of his country...a great guide, and a delight to travel with.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  1. Take a camera with a big memory!

  2. Definitely take the optional trip of ascending Villarica volcano...a tough haul, but definitely worth it - a feeling of real achievement, and great views from the top

   
• 

  Sven Drew

  HIKING IN A THIN COUNTRY

  

  Written January 2008

  Hardly energetic at all and at 38 I was easily the youngest of the group. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Climbing the volcano at Pucon.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Nice bloke, but rather arrogant and lacking in information when asked questions.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Do this trip if you don't like too much walking.

  Exodus Response

  Hi Sven,

  Thanks for your feedback on the trip and for posting your review on the website. We really value the reviews posted by our customers, as they not only help inform future travellers but also help us to monitor the trips and maintain, if not improve, the standard of our itineraries. 

  I'm sorry you felt that the itinerary was not challenging enough for you - we grade the trip as a B, which should be suitable for anyone who enjoys long walks at the weekend at home. It is not designed to be a particularly strenuous itinerary, although there are a couple of days (in Torres del Paine and Huerquehue National Park) with reasonably long walks of between 6 and 8 hours, and there are also some walks in the Atacama Desert which can be tiring due to the effects of altitude. The ascent of Villarrica volcano is an optional trip and fits best into our C grade, since it involves a continuous ascent and the volcano is partially covered in snow and ice.

  I would suggest that for future trips you look at some of our C grade itineraries, as these should challenge you more with the longer walking days, more difficult terrain and often higher altitudes. We have plenty of worldwide walking holidays which fall into this category, so you should find something in our walking and trekking programme which will suit your ability - these trips often involve point to point walks and camping, and are a great way to discover some of the more remote areas we visit. The trip notes for these holidays give a good idea of exactly how much walking is involved each day, but if you'd like to talk to us about any of the trips we'd be more than happy to go over them in more detail with you.

  Again, thanks for your feedback, and I hope you enjoy your future holidays with exodus.

  Tim Fearn (Trip Manager)  

  
  

  - Exodus Staff

   
• 

  Alan Bennett

  It all went on

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Reaching the summit of Villarica volcano after my kit had got tangled with the chairlift which threw me over the back of the platform. A few bruises but no broken bones.  The slide down the snow slopes was brilliant.

  Everything about Patagonia . The space, the quality of air and light,  the Mountains and the wildlife.

  Atacama Desert, what a contrast, again the light and variety plus fascinating history.  I must not forget lovely Katherina in the Cafe Tierra, San Pedro. (off the record). 

  Read full review

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Alexis was top rate and nothing was too much trouble

  I put my Camera out of action in the Villarica incident and he lent me his own equipment for the remainder of the trip.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Respect local custums. Do your research before you travel and read your dossier then relax, let it flow and have a good time.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Keep up the good work. I am looking forward to my next trip