Review: South America Honeymoon, Chile, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Torres del Paine, Punto Arenas, Calafate, El Chalten

Review by traveler

Jonathan G.

1.1.2017

General Info

Traveler Review

Which Country (Countries) did you visit on this trip?

Chile

Argentina

Your overall comments on the trip and the travel company:

This agent is the face of this company, and that's why it felt like both an expert travel agency and a friend guiding us on our 3 week journey through the Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia. My wife and I delayed our honeymoon for more than half a year and then spent 3 weeks in Patagonia in December all organized by this company. The trip was expertly planned and the itinerary worked like a well oiled machine. In retrospect, we might have followed some of our agent's original suggestions rather than our own variances, but the trip was expertly planned and scheduled and we enjoyed our time in the Patagonian wilderness greatly.

Our trip took us from Buenos Aires to Bariloche. From Bariloche, we crossed over the Andes to the Chilean lakes region and Puerto Varas. Then we traveled down to Punto Arenas and Puerto Natales before going into the Torres Del Paine national park for a 5 day trek. After that we transferred to Calafate and El Chalten in Argentina for another week before returning to Buenos Aires and heading home.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?

My wife and I were most impressed with the day long crossing from the majestic lake of Bariloche into Peuille National Park in Chile. The journey put us on 4 different buses and 3 different ferries and was an all day affair. We experienced a wide range of seasonal weather and saw some of the most majestic landscapes of the northern patagonia region.

Our agent booked us into a hotel in Puerto Varas, and it was a real treat to be in such a well appointed hotel. Made the early stages of our trip feel even more special.

Of course we loved Torres Del Paine, and hiking the famed "W" circuit, and we loved staying in Puerto Natales before and after our hike at the TDP.

We were blown away by the natural wonders in the areas of Calafate and El Chalten. The Perido Merino glacier near Calafate is a once in a lifetime sight, and we had two perfectly clear days of hiking the Parque Nacional de Los Glaciares in Chalten, with an especially special day hiking to the base of the legendary fitz roy.

On a side note, during our stay in Calafate, we lunched on a Cordero Patigonico (Patagonian grilled lamb) that was one of the 5 best meat experiences I've ever had in my life.

It bears mentioning that we really enjoyed our time in Buenos Aires as well. Dinners at Don Julio, and Frances Mallman's renowned Patagonia Sur restaurants were sublime and memorable.

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?

My wife and I would have liked to have stayed in slightly more special acommodations in Calafate and El Chalten to be sure. Our hotels near the end of the trip were less than comfortable and under normal circumstances, that's ok. But being it was our honeymoon we were hoping for that extra special touch, especially as we had enjoyed such at the beginning stages of our trip.

I would not recommend taking the bus tour of the ruta de siepta lagos in Bariloche. Do it yourself. Rent a car or a motorbike and enjoy the freedom that this awesome drive provides.

Try to go see a Classico in Buenos Aires. And try to go when River is playing at the Bomberia in the Boca neighborhood. One of the legendary stadiums in the whole world of soccer.

Stay an extra day in Puerto Natales before or after hiking in Torres Del Paine. That town has a great vibe. Also consider relaxing at Patagonia Camp or Eco Camp after the TDP trek for some luxury and private relaxations. We did not do this but we wish we had.

Finally, do your research and book dinner reservations in Calafate. We went dinnerless on Christmas Eve because we had neglected to make reservations well in advance. A cold empanada before bed was the best we could muster.

Photos

Review: South America Honeymoon, Chile, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Bariloche, Torres del Paine, Punto Arenas, Calafate, El Chalten

General Info

Which Country (Countries) did you visit on this trip?

Your overall comments on the trip and the travel company:

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?

Real Customer Reviews

Other Reviews for Travel Agency 2308545

Small Footer