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Customer Letters
January 2012 We had finally decided to do a trip to Patagonia and then spend Christmas with family in Santiago, Chile. I had
looked online countless times and finally chose Patagonia Travel Adventure to
book to get
things done. We spent
three weeks in South America, and there was some concern on my part that
everythig would Our first
flight to Punta Arenas was delayed so we didn't get there until after 1 am.
Our driver was way
easier than anywhere else I have ever done it! The time in Torres Del Paine
was fantastic, great and they would only take cash, not check or credit card. PTA booked our voyage with the Via Australis (highly recommended!!) from Ushuaia back to Punta Arenas and this was one of the highlights of the adventure. Marcelo and Elsa did a great job with us, and I highly recommend
them. Overall, we had a great time!
February 2008
Dear Marcelo and Elsa,
Well, we returned yesterday from the 'expedition'. Before we left, we
didn't know what was in store for us. Descriptions of trips can sometimes be
misleading and overstating all the trip will encompass. Not So! Your
Patagonia Expedition was unbelievable. We were in awe from the very first
steps we made in Penninsula Valdes, through the desert, into Chile, and
Ushuaia. The animal life we encountered was so close and the estancias were
so desolate and beautiful in their remoteness, the hosts generous. And here we
can add that the food, especially the asados, was excellent! Our Mercedes bus
was comfortable, needed on the those 4,400 Kms of dirt roads! Our driver
Jorge Jones was wonderful, and a very decent, very professional human being.
He spotted wildlife with the eye of an eagle (condor?)!
What really made our trip was our guide, Federico Fernandes Ferrari. He
was very knowledgeable about the areas we visited (actually, very intelligent
in general) and obviously very proud to be from Argentina. He spoke flawless
English and we didn't struggle with a heavy accent (his or ours), wanting to
hear everything he said, and we did. He was considerate of us all, a very
polite, patient, happy and personable young man. Federico is always upbeat
and has a great sense of humor. Both of us, as well as our travel mates,
highly reccomend both Jorge and Federico for all your Patagonia trips. Give
them a raise!
The planning and coordination put into this trip showed, and
everything went very smoothly, no small task considering the length of the
trip. We want to thank you for your efforts in giving us a very memorable
vacation.
Denise and Lynwood Bryan
January 2008 Hello Elsa and Marcelo. I apologize for not writing sooner. We got back dec, 15 and I have been one busy lady not even dealing with the computer' So how can I put into words describing the whole trip' It was the experiencer of a lifetime beyond any expectations we could have dreamed of. First the contacts and guides and all went perfectly. So many planes and time schedules and every one who met us at the airport or was our contact in each place or our guide and drivers were 100 percent accountable and took excellent care of us and our well being' Each time we got on a plane ore contact took the passports made it all happen and didn't leave until we walked thru security to the plan. LAN airlines was the best and My fear of flying is gone. We squeezed a lot in but the planning was perfect and just right for us, What an adventure. Why would people go to Europe when there is south america?? We did the trek up the inca trail, If I had missed that I would have missed the opportunity to reflect on my life and let go of any fears or baggage within that doesnt serve me anymore. The scaredness of that trek and machu pichu changed my life forever. We took in every minute of the whole trip with the attitude to learn whatever lessson was there and soak up every adventure as a treasure. The early morning flights and busy schedule was hard but no whining just gratitude to be able to have this opportunity to see this incredible land and soak up as much as possible. The hotels were all very well located. Doing a trip like this on your own would have been frustrating and crazy in my opinion. The cruise was so incredible special . We did get to get off at cape horn and had the experience of suddenly the hail started coming down and felt like glass hitting our face and the winds picked up . The guides announced right before this happened everyone down the stairs NOW. Peter and I were the last ones with a guide behind us and as the winds quickly picked up it lifted me off the ground as I felt the guide grab my pants and put me back on earth. Every member of the cruise were so well trained and your safety was there number one concern always.. I loved after each excursion before we got back onto the zodiacs set up was hot chocolate or whisky over glacier ice waiting, Of course the whisky was the beverage of choice!! The cruise was worth every dime it cost and Jessie also felt the same . Have you done that yourselves? The rooms were great and the most comfortable beds. The ship was beautiful the food great and the other passengers were so interesting, So well done< I just cant express how unbelievable this whole trip was and the spiritual and deepest part of our souls were forever changed and enhanced. I have never felt stronger healthier empowered and peaceful in my life' The education of the history and all who came before the Incas was so interesting . We soaked up every word. But the incredible energy of the sacred valley and the hike was something so very sacred to my heart it was magical. Peter also climbed the young mountain behind machu picchu after our tour of machu picchu following our arrival the day before,, Our tour guide for the first 3 hours at machu pichu was a man named cosmos. He has written a book. Do you know who I am talking about?? We arrived there first bus in the morning and we hiked up a bit and it was totally fogged in and as he was speaking the skies opened up like the rising of the curtain at the theater and there it all was in all its glory. Of course having made the trek the day before our experience there was so much richer that those that came on the bus. We arrived at machu pichu at 5:30 and as we came over the ridge we saw the whole site with not another living soul in sight as we were late. Spectacular,< ...... >The glory of it all was pricelife. The moment we began the hike something came over me and I knew I was going to be fine and let us begin. They kept telling that the first half hour was the most difficult. I'm glad they lied, It was all difficult and magnificent at the same time. My asthma was not an issue and my knee that I had surgery on years ago did very well A bit sore after but now the discomfort I have been aware of for many years is gone. One blessing after another kept happening on this trip and I learned more about myself and my inner strength that has made me a wiser person. Buenos Aires is the most beautiful city in the world. Of course we had the best seats at the dinner show. The best of everything everywhere. But the Loi Suites hotel in Buenos Aires took the grand prize. Valparaiso was wonderful. The creative and artistic part of every where we went is so ahead of the States. The food and of course we must not forget the pisco sours!!!! We want to go back to Buenos Aires and rent an apartment perhaps next year. Now we would love to do the land trip through the parks,,, This trip was very expensive and worth every penny. We are so grateful for all you did and the planning to make everything run so smoothly and professionally was amazing. There were many other experiences and lessons for us but I think Ive gone on enough, Of course we would be more that happy to be a referral for you for other clients considering using your services or what our experience was with the itinerary we had, Thank you both for all the time and effort it took for our adventure.. People ask me "Did you have fun on your vacation?" It seems like a sill question to me as this was a life changing adventure. Patagonia is awesome and the history and beauty of this wonderful place should be experienced by all . I am so blessed to have done this and to see our daughter in Santiago speaking the Spanish there that is so different than Mexico<......... >The pre columbian museum was worth the trip alone Incredible, Also I fell win love wit6h Pablo Neruda and his story, We will be taking tango lessons and we fell madly in love all over again and faced our truths within and let go of whatever needed healing in our own personal relationship, Who could ask for more in 3 and a half weeks !!!! With full hearts and many thanks for your part in our adventure to be compare with no other Ginger and Peter Inglis California, USA
Dear Marcelo and Elsa, Nick Eckert Alexandria, VA Tour Exploring Patagonia Jan2006
Elsa, You will need quicktime to view the slideshow and it is fairly large file
(small version 11 MB, larger version 18 MB), but definately worth the
download.
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