Today, our group met for breakfast. As instructed the night before, our stuff sacks were packed for the two day trek. Our first trekking day was about to begin. We left at 10 am and were expected to get to Refugio Los Cuernos before 3pm. Our guide told us that today's hike was ''easy'', being that it was one of the shorter hikes. From Eco camp, we started along the trail, crossing a bridge and passing a group of horses in a field. The trail has wonderful views over Lake Nordenskjold and the Patagonia mountains. Around noontime, we stopped for about thirty minutes to rest and have lunch. We stopped on a large rock, overlooking the lake. The surroundings were very peaceful. Today's hike may not be long, but the trail had numerous steep upgrades, in short intervals. Our group arrived at Refugio Los Cuernos just as it started to rain. After check in and a rest, dinner was served in the main cabin. The accommodations at the Refugio include tent camping, dorm rooms, and private cabins. Fortunately, my sister and I were able to stay in a private cabin. The cabins overlook the camp and lake and from the balcony you can see to the horizon.
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.