11 independent reviews for Small group adventure holiday to Patagonia
Reviews for Small group adventure holiday to Patagonia
Jenny Johns review 19 Jun 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Two most memorable: 1. Completing the Inca Trail and arriving at Machu Picchu an hour before sunset when it was almost deserted. 2. On Espanola Island in the Galapagos having to walk around an albatross who was on the path, nestling an egg for us all to see!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do it! Having local guides throughout hugely increased our understanding of the whole culture, not just the sights we were seeing. Being in a group was also definitely a plus: huge benefits of being able to share the experiences, massively outweighed by minuscule niggles between characters.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope so. Interesting discussion with our guide about whether the Uros Islands visits benefit or exploit the locals - he felt it was definitely beneficial. Trekking helped us give four days employment to a number of locals as porters, chef etc - they became friends by the end, though we were upset to hear from our guide that others treat them like servants. Can't say that we would have reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation - our guides seemed very cynical about how much of our Trek fees and Galapagos park fees actually stay and benefit locally, and how much is swallowed up by central government.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Mind blowing - everything we had hoped it would be over two years of planning.CHRISTINE WAINWRIGHT review 7 Jan 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Wonderful trip, full on! Probably the most amazing thing was the Perito Moreno glacier but there were many others as well.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don’t bother with taking currency of any kind. I didn’t really use my dollars. Cards are welcome in Chile and when you get to Argentina you can draw cash at an ATM or bank no problem.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Well by just being there and the internal flights as well didn’t help the environment, but did help the local economy.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great experience.Linda Whittingham review 17 Apr 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The 12 hr crossing from Puerto Varas to Bariloche .. didn't feel like 12hrs & the scenary was amazing.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
6 days was a little too long in Bariloche, but it wasn't originally planned that way.. airport closure for 4 days altered plans.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All my pickups, transfers & guides were local .. so yes, supporting local people.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. The two companies in Argentina & Chile were very good .. especially the Chile tour operator.Hope Farrior review 2 Apr 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Impossible to say because there were so many wonderful experiences.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Really appreciated the timing of our trip...after the kids were back in school so smaller crowds. Also less hot and less wind.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, really appreciated the local guides and their passion for nature and the Indigenous peoples.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic! Liz did an excellent job reserving our guides in advance, working with the guides to tweek the experience based on weather and personal abilities and preferences.Judith Burgess review 14 Dec 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The hikes in Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The tour sets a pretty hectic pace. It’s quite tiring and lots of long drives. Be prepared. 15 hour days were pretty common and we didn’t get to hotel until 11pm in Torres del Paine.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
To some extent4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I was disappointed. The options the trip notes said were available, were not. Lack of clarity about what is or isn’t included. There was virtually no down time. The company let a disabled person join the tour & that made the walking tours and hikes painfully slow. This really did spoil the enjoyment. I thought the guide could have been more professional and not let her frustration and dislike of certain people show.Edward Fritz review 31 Dec 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing first hand the raw unspoiled beauty of the Patagonia region. Each country has a distinct array of natural wonders to satisfy every type of adventurer2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
While traveling in Argentina bring CASH! The official exchange rate is approximately 170 pesos to the US dollar. However, given their extremely high inflation rate, there is a street rate of approximately 280 to 300 pesos, demanding on the denomination of your US currency. The large the denomination the better the rate This is all perfectly legal as you can exchange your dollars at grocery stories or some touris shops.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Without a doubt.. From the excellent local guides, to the waitstaff at the various lodges, restaurants, shops and the like. US travelers are very generous tippers and most appreciated by those we encounter,4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An added bonus was being on hand to watch and participate in Argentina’s victory at the World Cup and the celebrations that followedVal Bray review 9 Mar 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walking up to the glaciers in the National Parks and watching the condors fly by. The climbs were hard but worth the effort2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take plenty of dollars in cash for use in Argentina and clothes for all seasons. There is of necessity a lot of traveling so be prepared for that, although we nearly always did an activity as well every day. Holiday was very fast paced and busy with lots of early mornings so we had 3 nights at the end to relax at iguazú falls which I would recommend.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There were a lot of flight but unavoidable if you want to experience so much. Did occasionally travel in local buses. Used local guides in all the reserves and always ate in local restaurants that our tour guide recommended4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A really great holiday with an excellent tour guideJulia Kelly review 18 Dec 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
So many, difficult to single out just one. However, if pressed, it would probably be the Perito Moreno Glacier in the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It's an action-packed schedule, on the go nearly all the time. Be prepared for plenty of early morning starts, and some long bus journeys between destinations. All necessary and worthwhile, though. Bring a bathroom plug as they don't seem to go in for them in Latin America.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not directly, but would like to think it supported the local economy and employed local staff.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A trip full of contrasts, astonishing sights, amazing landscapes, impossible to compare with anything I had seen before.Ali Pendle review 27 Nov 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Reaching the summit of Villarica Volcano to spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, lakes, and the Andes, peppered with snowy topped volcanos and then peering down into the smoking crater to see lava bubbling beneath us!!!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take note of the small print informing you that the domestic internal flights have a lower luggage weight restriction. Definitely need clothes for all seasons.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
To some extent. Obviously with the large distances involved in travel in Patagonia it is hard to say that we reduced environmental impact with so many flights and journeys. However, we did use public transport where possible and use local restaurants and facilities. I was impressed with the National Park’s attitude to environmental issues. Taking all your waste with you, including organic waste, tissue, etc. Minimal impact on the terrain and wildlife.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, really enjoyed ourselves. With any holiday, there are things that could be changed. For us, we would have preferred less time in the capitals at the beginning at end of the trip. We were there very much for the nature and the wildness of Patagonia so having 3 nights at the end of the trip in Buenos Aires was a day too long. We would have preferred to have this day in the Lake District which we rather rushed through. Also, we would have preferred one night less in Santiago and this day spent in the National Parks. Overall though we had a fantastic experience and would thoroughly recommended this trip.Bob Handley review 13 Mar 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Walks in the national parks near Fitzroy and Torres Del Paine.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Not cheap but worth it.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
To some extent.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great trip to see a few highlights of 2 very large countries.Ruth Edwards review 2 Jan 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Torres del Paine national park and climbing to the base of the granite peaks - something I'd dreamed about doing for years. Battling the Patagonian winds to stand on the beach photographing icebergs. Clinging on for life as we raced down the rapids white water rafting in the Lake District. Watching sunset from the viewing platform of Santiago's tallest building. Celebrating my birthday in El Chalten with my new tour friends. Losing count of the number of penguins, whilst cruising the Beagle Channel. Enjoying coffee at the indoor fruit market in San Telmo, Buenos Aires and drinking cocktails the same evening on a rooftop bar.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It truly is 'four weathers' in one day so pack layers and make sure you have a bandana to keep your hair from flying around in the wind. Large denomination dollar notes ensure a better rate of exchange in Argentina. Break your hiking boots in before you go as it's not so much fun doing it on holiday!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The tour used plenty of local guides and drivers, who all benefited from the business and the tips we left. They also offered us lots of knowledge and insight into living in Chile and Argentina. We used a number of public bus services. The tour company included a small charge as part of the trip to offset carbon emissions from long haul flying.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, an expensive trip, but it covered a lot of ground (mix of internal fights and bus rides) and offered plenty of opportunity to explore. A number of guided hikes and tours were included in the price. I particularly liked that it was mostly either 2 or 3 night stays, so it didn't mean constantly unpacking and packing. A great tour leader, who managed to combine the essential elements of being very organised whilst remaining relaxed and patient!Holiday Reviews
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