Trip Report, Patagonia Feb/March 2025
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...
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Part 2
Day 6: Puerto Natales to El Calafate. Fairly early start for the bus ride to Argentina. Very smooth border crossing. We had a later lunch at a restaurant in El Calafate - very good - I had the trout. We checked into the Hotel Xelena - lovely water views. I liked the Hotel. I have read comments about thin walls, but that was a non-issue for us, as everyone staying there appeared to be similar tourists who were early to bed and early to rise.
At 4:45 p.m. the group went by bus to the Glacier Museum. Very informative and fun visit. Back at the Hotel, we were provided a snack in our room with a bottle of wine. We supplemented with a salad we bought at the bar area and split. Very pleasant to relax and enjoy while watching the sun fading over the Lake.
Day 7: Upsala Glacier and Estancia Cristina. We had another good day for a cruise to a glacier. It was partly cloudy and there was no wind. The cruise on Lake Argentino was nice, and then we headed to the Upsala Channel, where we could view the glacier and many stunning icebergs. Lots of picture taking. Then, we sailed to Estancia Christina.
Our TD had previously advised us of an option of a long hike at the Estancia. It is a 9 mile hike above the Lake and then down into Fossil Canyon and then to the Estancia. We were advised that the hike is challenging because the hikers needed to move quickly to get down to the Estancia for the sail back. Four from our group, including my husband and me, chose to take this optional hike. (Sometimes there is no availability and sometimes the weather precludes it). Our TD discussed it with the group a couple of days prior, as it needed to be reserved.
The four of us were driven in a 4 by 4 to the Upsala Viewpoint area, and 4 non-Tauck people joined us for the hike. The guide recommended using one hiking pole. The rest of the Tauck group said they also was driven up to the viewpoint, then to the Estancia for a nice lunch, lots of wine. a mate tea demonstratiion and a visit to the museum. Positive reports from the group.
The hike we took was not as difficult as the one we took two days earlier (although there were a couple of rocky areas where the guide recommended sitting down and sliding). As we were told, it was challenging because the guide kept a very fast pace. She did stop several times in Fossil Canyon to discuss the many marine fossils we could see. Between the fossils and the changing colors of the rocks, the canyon was beautiful and otherworldly. The latter part of the walk was through streams and meadows and trees starting to show their fall colors. We did have some drizzle at around the halfway point. I really enjoyed the hike, and appreciate being given the choice to take it. We made it back to the Esctancia for a quick refreshment and then back to the boat. Dinner at the Hotel at either the bar or the restaurant at previously reserved time. We chose the restaurant, and were able to enjoy the Thursday night Tango show. A great day.
Day 8: Perito Moreno Glacier. Very nice day, partly cloudy, no wind. This glacier is amazing and spectacular. It was calving quite a blt. Our guide led the group around the walkways and there was free time to just wander and watch the glacier. We had a designated time to meet up at the Park restaurant, which we could walk up to (30-40 minutes) or take our bus. We walked, wanting to savor every moment of the views. Good lunch at the restaurant with wine. We went back to the Hotel and rested/napped before our group dinner in town. Others chose to be dropped in town for shopping and meet the group at the restaurant. Good dinner at the Mako restaurant.
Day 9; Our flight to Buenos Aires was rescheduled to 2 hours later, so we had a relaxing early morning. It was another nice day, and my husband and I took a long walk along the lakeside promenade prior to the group's 10:30 departure for the airport. We arrived in Buenos Aires at 4:30 p.m. Traffic was heavy on Saturday evening, but we did have a short tour of the sights. Very good included dinner at the Sofitel. Nice room and the Sofitel is in the nice Recoleto area.
Day 10: The group had a very full day tour to, first, San Antonio de Areco to visit a silversmith. I found it interesting. It was another lovely day and we had time to walk around the small town, visit the Church, enjoy the ambience. Then, we drove to an Estancia, where we had an excellent barbeque lunch and gaucho show. Back to the hotel to freshen up. We had our farewell reception at the Hotel, and then were transported to the dinner and Tango show, which was outstanding.
Day 11: We had a leisurely last morning because we had a 4:00 p.m. pickup for an evening flight. We took our time with breakfast and then walked over to the nearby Bascilica and Cemetary and visited both. The Cemetary, where Eva Peron and other notables are entombed is very interesting. We then went back to the Hotel and checked out (late checkout not available) and left our luggage with the bellmen. We enjoyed a light lunch and walking around the Recoleto area, and through some of its beautiful parks and the shopping center across the street from the Sofitel. Back at the hotel, we freshened up and changed clothes in the spa area. The pickup was early and we had a smooth ride to the airport. Uneventful trip home on American Airlines to JFK and then Chicago.
Clothing: we were prepared for windy, cold and rainy weather. While we were remarkably fortunate to have good weather, we still used most of the outerwear that we brought, sometimes alone and sometimes in various combinations. We both brought a puffer jacket, a fleece and a good raincoat. We both brought good hiking pants and I had a pair of stretch hiking pants that can be worn alone or layered. For the two long hikes, we wore lined water resistant hiking pants, and they worked out very well. Many in the group had rain pants that they wore as a second layer. We brought both hiking boots and hiking shoes and wore both. At times I wore a buff, a beanie and light gloves. I brought, and did not use, a wool scarf and heavy gloves. My husband also brought and used a baseball cap and I did sometimes wear a sun hat with chin strap.
Great report. We are reserved on the Patagonia tour in December 2026.
JanP - you will love it. I think the key is to be prepared and be flexible. There are lots of time changes.
For the first time for us, the tour group was contacted by the TD by email prior to the trip (privacy preserved). She introduced herself, asked about dietary issues and provided information about Santiago. During the tour, the TD emailed regarding time changes, reminders of depature times, etc, and forwarded several group photos taken during the tour. I liked the email notifications and reminders.