Today we were picked up by Cascada to drive to Puerto Natales. In Puerto Natales we met our guide, Rodrigo, for the rest of the tour. We continued on to Torres del Paine. In total, we spent about 5 hours in the car between Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine. The weather coming into the park was absolutely amazing. The light on the towers was stunning. Of course, we asked to get lots of pictures! On our way to Eco Camp, we spotted 5 pumas!! One mama, and 4 kittens. We could not believe our luck. Finally, we arrived to Eco Camp and again, I was completely impressed. We were given a quick tour of the camp, and then shown to our domes. They are so comfortable and warm. Everything is connected by a boardwalk. I checked out the bath rooms, and they were very clean. Eco Camp is well thought, almost completely no impact on the park, and forward thinking. I believe this is where tourism needs to go in the future. We had pico sours and wonderful appetizers waiting for us after we settled in. After that, we had an amazing dinner.
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
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.