We are back from ARGENTINA & CHILE
Argentina & Chile - JL February 2006
All the pictures in this feedback are courtesy of John Leaning
Flights on Aerolineas Argentinas worked well. On the return flight we were 1.5 hours late into Madrid but they had held the London flight for us. They also upgraded me, which was good news.
Argentina
Buenos Aires - Private bed and breakfast accommodation in Buenos Aires was very fine and my hostess a delightful person. We had two very nice dinners locally.
I was met at the airport and given all the info, tickets etc. The drivers during the holiday were always early which was reassuring.
4-Balconies Tour of Buenos Aires. My guide, Stephanie, was very good and we saw a hell of a lot.
Tango Dinner Show at El Querandi was superb,and the meal (steak) quite excellent.
Ushuaia
Accommodation at Hosteria Los Fuegos was excellent.
Hike to the Summit of the End of the World - I enjoyed this very much, we had a good guide and a small group of 4.
The full day in the Tierra del Fuego National Park was fun. A very easy hike.
El Chalten
The bus journey worked well but was an experience - no loo or air conditioning. Amusing stop with everyone rushing to the loo.
Hosteria El Pilar was superb.
The horseride to Piedra del Fraile was very enjoyable on a nice, docile beast - which was lucky as I had not been on a horse for 35 years!
Hike to Mount Fitzroy
This was wonderful. It was quite a hard 8-hour to Fitzroy but well worth it. We had a very good guide called David.
El Calafate
Bus ride was fine and I was met on arrival.
Estancia Alice was lovely with very pleasant staff.
Full day trek on the Perito Moreno Glacier was absolutely splendid. The trek is not extending, but very interesting - a long 8 hour day. Memorable view of the Glacier.
Bus from Argentina to Chile
The bus was okay - had a loo but no air conditioning. A 5.5 hour journey with interesting "performances" at both borders. No love between countries, I would say. We queued for over an hour at each border, so patience was a virtue!
No problem finding my way to the Cascada office in Puerto Natales (got lunch as well). Good transfer to the Eco Camp in Torres del Paine.
Chile
Eco Camp in Torres del Paine - The eco-camp was "plush camping" although it was cold and I needed long johns. Food excellent. I enjoyed the trekking programme; hardish 8-hour days or more. We had a great 22-year old guide.
Flight from Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt gave wonderful views of Fitzroy and the Glacier.
Met safely at Puerto Montt and transferred to my hotel - which was mediocre with a decrepit bathroom. However the surprise dinner out at the Merlin restaurant was excellent.
Lake crossing from Chile to Argentina - This was really lovely - it was taken at a very slow pace (by boat and bus) but this was quite welcome after the exertion of Torres del Paine. If anything, there was a bit too much time spent waiting around but most people did not seem to mind that. The overnight stop at Peulla (mid-crossing) was at an hotel with a nice atmosphere. The staff tried hard but were a bit overworked as it was national holiday time. Managed some walking here too.
Bariloche (back in Argentina)
Hotel Kenton Palace was modern and a bit soulless and it poured with rain. I enjoyed Bariloche and met up with an old friend - had a superb pasta lunch at "El Boliche de Alberto"
The service and efficiency provided by Lihue Expeditions in Argentina was very good. All the transfers worked well and the drivers were punctual and helpful.
Cascada Eco Camp and their staff and guides were excellent.
Arrangements in Chile worked well.
I thought the selection of guides throughout the holiday was very good, which made all the activities so enjoyable.
Perito Merino was an outstanding memory for me.
This was a remarkable, trouble free trip with little uncertainty or cause for concern even though the route was completely new and unexplored (except on maps). The written itinerary was excellent and I followed it assiduously. Thanks for a splendid trip.
