This morning Augustino is back in action to take us to the airport for our flight to El Calafate and El Gapon, a working sheep ranch. We arrive easily and a guide picks us up at the airport to drive us the 30 minutes outside of the city to Estancia El Gapon where we will stay for two days. Arriving at 5:30 pm we are given a very nice room with a separate sitting area, and are just in time to sign up for the sheep handling and shearing demonstration at 6:30. Other tourists arrive just for the dinner and show alone, so we all wait expectantly as the Gaucho arrives, complete with jaunty beret, to herd 15 or so sheep around the pasture in front of us. He looks like a ballet master as he signals his two dogs, a kelpie and a border collie, to drive the sheep wherever he wants them to go. Occasionally a sheep breaks free only to quickly be brought back to the herd by his hard working dogs who are enjoying every minute of the chase. After a guided walk through the pastures to the edge of Lago (lake) Argentino we find Calafate bushes with edible berries. They taste similar to our blueberries, and eating one guarantees a return to Patagonia. We all eat a handful. Then we go back to the shed for a sheep shearing demonstration and discussion of the various breeds of sheep and some more history of Patagonia. We've worked up quite an appetite watching those dogs work so hard, and now we head into the banquet hall for a BBQ dinner with lamb, chicken, sausage, and beef with the Argentinian Malbec wine we have learned to enjoy. A local folkdance and tango show ends the evening, and we all roll off to bed.
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
1 day ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
1 day ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
2 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
Anne Petty
3 days ago
Follow up was effective any questions were answered in a timely manner