It’s easy to get carried away talking about Antarctica and completely neglect the rocky terrain of Patagonia. Looking back, this feels like such a different experience, it must have been a completely separate trip. But no, before arriving in Ushuaia, my partner-in-crime and I flew into El Calafate to be transported to El Chalten for some epic hiking. After what felt like 3 years on a plane, El Calafate was an..anticlimactic welcome to our journeys. But the drive to El Chalten was much more what I had in mind. A Condor flew over the “Parque Nacional los Glacieres” sign with Mounte Fitz Roy beaming against perfectly blue skies. I fell in love instantly.
Mountains in Patagonia! (Rachel Shull)
Our time hiking and getting around on foot was very welcome after so many hours on a plane and knowing we were about to be confined to a ship soon. We hiked close to 30 miles, got to canoe at the End of World, and trek on top of Perito Moreno glacier.
Starting to hike El Chalten! (Rachel Shull)
Each activity got me more and more excited about Antarctica. This is a perfect precursor to any Antarctic cruise and I highly recommend a few days here first. I was on the Argentinean side, but I imagine the Chilean side holds just as many opportunities.
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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
