It’s easy to take up novels worth of pages explaining my trip. But you need answers now. So here go- the fast and dirty to the point summary of 3 weeks of travel:
Saturday October 26, 2019: Fly to BA -
October 27 : Arrive El Calafate -
Very Anticlimactic. Don’t just Argentina by this town.
October 28 : Bus El Calafate > El Chalten
THIS is Patagonia! Eat all the empanadas and hike all you can. Always layer your socks.
October 29 : Epic Hike
I don’t recommend de los Tres AND Los Torres in the same day, but it IS possible
October 30 : Recovery day while it stormed
The Southern end of town is less commercialized. La Biciclete & La Senyera Cocina Argentina - yummm
October 31 : Bus from El Chal > El Calafate
La Estepa hotel - wonderful dinner and very friendly dog
November 1 : Perito Moreno Glacier
I walked on a glacier! Highly recommended.
November 2 : Fly to Ushuaia
Shopping time to find a new Buff and eat some crab! Do not stay at Hotel Monaco
November 3 : Trek and Paddle Tierra del Fuego
Fun variety activity, but not very “adventurous” or fast paced
November 4-12 : ANTARCTICA CRUISE
All your photos will not be enough, but you’ll be glad you took so many
November 13 : Disembark Ship-
Civilization feels weird. Go visit the Earthship.
November 14 : Ushuaia Hiking -
The trails were flooded out so we got lost… a nice neighborhood dog joined us!
November 15 : Fly to B.A. -
Even an introvert can enjoy this big city!
November 16 : Fly home
Take this time to start sorting your photos “When I have time” back home isn’t a thing.
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.