As we left Buenos Aires, we left a lot of things behind. The busy city, the noice, the people, the smells... and the sun. Flying over to El Calafate was a very interesting affair. First there was nothing but water.... then there was nothing but dirt. From above, the land was all brown... from as far as the eye can see...nothing but brown... like a desert. As we approached El Calafate, the plane ride was getting rougher and bouncier.... yup it was windy! Deplaning and walking into the airport was an experience.... the wind was sooo strong. Just like a good windy snow storm back home.
Our guide, Pedro, was waiting for us at the airport and he quickly husled us into a van. There was no time for exploring El Calafate.... El Chaten awaited us.
A three hour bus ride, which I had expected to be on nothing but dirt roads was actually a wonderful experience. We passed Lago Argentina (Lake Argentina), a massive glacier fed lake. It´s color a light green... beautiful! Matching the brown landscape.... which we came to find out was the ¨Steppe¨ The views in this isolated land were incredible. It´s all sky and brown land... with a ribbon of paved road going through it.... flat land bordered on both sides, in the distance, by some mountains. The land is sparkled with patches of dune grass here and there as well as small bushes called Calafate. The Steppe is also host to some wild life.... we saw some pink flamingos, some condors and a male ostrich with 27 children!
We arrived in El Chaten. El Chaten is a small village with about 700 permanent residents, surrounded by moutains and glacier fed rivers flowing strongly through it. It has outstanding views of Fitz Roy mountain on clear days. Its people are really friendly and welcoming and the food is delicious. It also serves as the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park.... home of some of the largest glaciers still existing, and our playground for the next couple of days.
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
2 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
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.