We got up at 5 am to be in the airport in time to catch our flight to Ushuaia. The flight south took about four hours and was unremarkable, until the landing. The airport, as well as Ushuaia itself, are surrounded by mountains. The only way for the plane to approach the airport is to follow the Beagle channel between mountain ranges. Through the plane windows we saw beautiful glaciers and mountain lakes. The mountains were so close, that sometimes it seemed like the plane was going to touch the white peaks by its wings.
The first surprise in Ushuaia met us in airport. Our entire luggage was checked for fresh fruits, because it is forbidden to bring them here from the continent. An officer tried to take out our apple, but allowed us to eat it before a line. Fortunately we already finished all our oranges and bananas in plane.
The taxi brought us to the hotel, Candelas de Ushuaia, at the cross of Luna and Tolkeyen Street. Looking back, I can say, that it was definitely the best place we stayed for the entire time of the journey! Absolutely amazing, clean, two-story house, with kitchen, barbecue area and anything else you needed. Francisco who runs it is an amazing guy, willing to help every time. We dropped off our luggage and went to town.
Ushuaia is placed along Beagle Channel - the strait between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Long ago it was a rich port on the main world's trade way, but its business was killed by the Panama Canal. Nevertheless, Ushuaia is filling well now as a tourism center. Main attractions here are wildlife on the islands and national park. The Port of Ushuaia is only in a few days sailing from Antarctica, and numerous Antarctica cruises start from here.
The city motto is ''the world's end'' (Fin del Mundo). You can read it anywhere. In most shops you can buy postcards with very different pictures, but the same words. They can also put a stamp with the same words on a card, in your passport, or any other place you would choose. You can buy post stamps and send cards anywhere directly from the shop for only two dollars each. We certainly did it and sent a lot of cards to our friends in different countries.
P.S. After two months I need to make one note. The price to send the cards seems to me now a little bit high, because it maybe did not include delivering of the card, but only the post stamp and drop in the mailbox. I think this is the reason no one has received our cards till now.
P.P.S. Today (March 28th) the first postcards have come! That service is not very fast, but it works!
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.