Best Of

Part 1.

My husband and I returned from this fantastic tour last week. I appreciated previous forum postings about this tour, as they were very helpful in preparing for the trip.

Getting there: We flew American Airlines Chicago to Miami to Santiago. Very smooth trip, arriving one day prior to the start of the tour.. Easy and fast walk through immigration in Santiago. I had downloaded, completed and printed out the agriculture forms (thought it was easier than doing it online 48 hours prior or upon arrival and pulling up a QR code). No one asked for them. They did have dogs and some people were pulled over to have bags searched. A total of 6 from our Tauck group were on the same plane. We were led by the Tauck greeter and driver to the parking lot and the van. Arrived at the Ritz Carlton at around 9:00 a.m. The room was not yet available, so we inquired about upgrading to the Club Floor and an immediate checkin. We were happy we did so. Nice room and we were able to shower, change, organize, have lunch in the Club Floor lounge. We then walked around the area of the hotel and to a mall to purchase something I had forgotten. Then enjoyed the beautiful pool on the top floor, a cocktail, dinner in the Club lounge and a nice walk.

Day 1: We started the day with a vineyard tour arranged through the hotel concierge. We went to a lovely winery located within the City limits, about 35 minutes from the hotel. Excellent visit to historic winery - Cusino Macul. Upon return to Hotel, after a quick lunch, we took a long walk, had a quick swim and then met the group for the Welcome cocktails and dinner at the Hotel. Very nice, considerate group of 23 led by an excellent, veteran tour director. The cocktails and dinner moved along quickly after our TD advised us that our next day flight to Punta Arenas had been changed to an earlier flight to Puerto Natales. This was actually very good news, as the new flight would eliminate the three plus hour drive from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales. Very good dinner with selections from set menu.

Day 2: Very early departure to the airport for our morning flight to Puerto Natales, and arrived around 12:45 p.m. Beautiful, sunny day, no wind. Short bus tour of the town and then straight to the Singular Patagonia, an excellent and unique hotel. Really good lunch at the Hotel. At 4:00 p..m., we were separated into two smaller groups and led by two guides on a tour of the Hotel. Very worthwhile. After the Hotel tour, my husband and I had our included 25 minute massages. He also took a swim in the Hotel pool. Excellent dinner at the Hotel.

Prior to dinner, we had an opportunity to discuss, with one of the guides, the optional excursion choices on Day 5. I had already decided that if the weather cooperated, we were going to take the full day hike in Torres del Paine National Park. We did ask questions, and signed up, and we could change our minds.

Day 3: Fjord Cruise to Serrano Glacier. Lovely day, no wind, smooth sailing. Scenic, pleasant ride to glacier area where there was a choice of a short walk to a glacier viewpoint or a longer, approximate 2 mile round trip to a closer viewpoint. We took the longer hike. The guides did recommend using one hiking pole for the longer hike, which they provided. On the way back, we stopped at the other viewpoint area and then back to the boat, where we were greeted with a nice charcuterie board and a choice of beverages, such as pisco sours and scotch on iceberg rocks. Then we stopped at an estancia for lunch (pre-chosen entrees). Back at the Hotel, we attended an interesting lecture on the history of the People of Patagonia and then had an excellent dinner.

Day 4: Group tour to Torres del Paine National Park. Morning was beautiful, partly sunny, high clouds, mild breeze. On the drive to the Park, we were fortunate to see quite a few condors flying, gliding near the condor hike area. Also saw lots of guanacos and rheas (related to ostriches). Memorable day in the Park with many scenic photo stops. We had lunch at Lago Grey Restaurant. Behind the restaurant, there is a viewpoint overlooking Grey Glacier. In addition, after lunch, we had the opportunity to hike down to the stone beach for a closer view of the glacier, which many in the group did, including us. It was misting and overcast at that point, and it was colder near the Lake. I enjoyed the hike. Another nice dinner at the Hotel.

Day 5: Optional choices day. My husband and I were the only two from the group that chose the 8.5 mile Water Hike back in Torres del Paine. We were joined by two couples also staying at the hotel and led by a very good guide. We left for the park at around 8:30 a.m. Upon arrival, the guide recommended that we use two poles for the hike, which is rated Moderate to Hard. No wind and partly cloudy. For the first 15 minutes of the hike, there was a very light drizzle. Reasonably paced with lots of opportunities for photos of the mountains and beautiful lakes. Our lunch break was at a nice overlook that the guide said is often too windy for the break. The hike became more difficult after lunch. The toughest for me was a fairly steep climb up to the Lago Toro Viewpoint (which was beautiful) and then the steep hike down a soft, grainy area (going sideways, really using the poles) and a rocky area. During the hike, there was also a stream to cross and other sort of dicey areas. There was a light drizzle for the final 30 minutes or so. We arrived back at the Hotel at 7:15 p.m. It was a beautiful and challenging day. The Moderate to Hard is a fair rating. I do not want to mislead anyone into thinking it was easy. I am very pleased that Tauck offered these choices and that we were able to participate in this memorable hike.

Upon return, we quickly washed up and changed for the 7:30 group barbeque dinner. Good empanadas and cocktails.

On this day, others in the group went horseback riding and loved it. Some did the walk to the caves. Two took and liked the Condor walk. Some did not choose any activity, and enjoyed the Hotel. Some took the tour of the City and did some shopping.

To be continued...