2 independent reviews for Patagonia and Torres del Paine holiday
Reviews for Patagonia and Torres del Paine holiday
Catherine Parisio review 22 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole trip was peppered with fantastic experiences, so it's hard to pinpoint one or two. Although the weather was not ideal, the stark landscape and views were still spectacular. Walking over the ridge to see the view of Lago de Los Tres backed by towering mountains was breathtaking. The best hike was climbing 3000 feet to have lunch under the looming Torres del Paine. And having the strong wind knock be off the plank bridge and into the bog was certainly memorable! The best part of the whole trip was our amazing travel group. I was traveling with my friend from home, but within days our group of 15 felt like family. It was very hard to say good bye!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
This is a very active trip, and the unpredictable weather means you need to be prepared for anything. A flexible mindset and ability to handle cold and damp conditions is key. Waterproof gear is essential (at least if you have weather like we did) and pack layers, as the weather changes by the minute (literally!). You need a moderate level of fitness as there are many days where you hike 10 miles or more with a fair bit of elevation change. Most of the hikes are out and back, so there are opportunities to shorten the distances, but you probably won't want to do that! I brought a lot of hiking snacks which really weren't needed as the food provided was ample. I also brought my own backpacking sleeping bag. This is not needed, but since I sleep cold and my bag is only a little over 2 pounds, I was happy to have it for the extra warmth on the coldest nights.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All our guides were local (and they were all excellent!), as were our accommodations in town, so I feel we definitely contributed to the local economy. Of course, by hiking and camping we had minimal environmental impact, and we traveled between places by a minivan that held all 15 of us plus our guide, so we maximized the space. It's probably the most efficient way for a group that size to travel. Boxed lunches used minimal packaging and some recyclable packaging, and we used few bottles of water since we could easily refill on the trail from the crystal clear glacier streams.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This ranks among the top 5 trips I've ever taken (and I've done a fair bit). Everything was impeccably organized and executed and I can't think of a single complaint (aside from the couple rainy days, but what can you do?). Most of the food was fantastic (the camp food at Torres del Paine was mediocre, but it's privately run, so not a lot to be done about it), the guides were outstanding, and I felt totally taken care of. I had been eyeing this trip for a few years and I'm so glad I finally made it happen. Absolutely fantastic!Claire Harding review 20 Feb 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hiking and camping in the magnificent landscape of Patagonia.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't bring too much! Costs rise due to high National Park entry fees, and high cost of extra excursions. Argentina is not a cheap country, due to inflation, there, and the poor £ exchange rate!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local guides and money spent in restaurants, yes. Not sure otherwise.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
9 out of 10, and only not 10 due to the higher costs than expected... Very varied programme made it a surprise every day!Holiday Reviews
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