Comparison of this trip, vs Antartica, the Artic, and the Norwegian Fjords
Hi everyone…my husband and I have been looking forward to Patagonia for quite awhile. Now, with current events, and the cost of airfare (it’s doubled in the last few days), we’re wondering if it’s really a ‘must do’ tour ? We’ve researched it many different ways, and understand how beautiful it is, the available hikes etc, but are still unable to come to a firm decision. Given our history of what we’ve already experienced (Antartica, the Artic, and Norwegian fjords), would we be making a regrettable decision? We would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks very much !
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It really depends on your interests. I found the scenery underwhelming compared to Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. The glaciers in Chile are practically gone - similar to what's happening in Glacier National Park. I had better beef in Colombia than in Argentina. I think the Norwegian fjords were more spectacular than the ones in Patagonia. But you don't see condors, guanacos and vicunas just anywhere and the tango night in Buenos Aires was enjoyable.
I guess we are all different. We have no interest in going to Antarctica. We sailed the Norwegian fiords last year and enjoyed the cities there too. We’ve been to Patagonia twice and love it. Last time with another company which gave us a far more extensive trip and what to us was spectacular scenery of all types we hiked by glaciers and on volcanoes, walked among penguins etc etc. The Grand Canyon is completely different. We would go again to Patagonia.
I’m on tour at the moment but alarmed to hear flight prices are so high already.
I've been to Antarctica and the Norwegian fjords as well. My Tauck trip last month was actually my second visit to this raw and beautiful place.
For anyone who loves hiking and walking, Patagonia simply belongs on the must-do list.
Tauck's itinerary is thoughtfully balanced — for us, the highlight was the 1.5 days of optional activities.
We chose two optional long hikes led by knowledgeable and professional guides. It was the icing on the cake. I’ve added the hike details to Lotusgirl’s trip report https://forums.tauck.com/discussion/comment/113823#Comment_113823
The four-night stay at Singular would have been exactly my choice as an independent traveler, and the day excursion to the remote Estancia Cristina is an outstanding alternative to an overnight stay — one I wish I could have experienced.
That said, Patagonia's infamous winds and unpredictable weather are always wild cards that can shape any individual's experience. We were extraordinarily lucky: sunny skies, temperatures in the 60s, and no wind — every single day. When I saw our bus driver and trail guide quietly pull out their cameras to capture the scenery, I knew just how rare and special our conditions truly were.
I do hope Tauck adds different Patagonia itineraries to their ROAM menu. I might be the first one to sign up
We did this tour last February (2025). We liked it , but overall it pales in comparison to Antarctica and Greenland. There is a lot of bus time on the pampas. Some less expensive tour operators actually stay inside the parks , but Tauck does not. The Singular Hotel, is, however, a must do, novel experience. If you do this trip, add a side trip to Iguazu at the end . That is spectacular.
Yes, we stayed in the parks with the other company. I don’t recall long bus time. We stayed in another amazing hotel in the same area as the Singular hotel , but that indeed is an awesome place.
Yes indeed, bit of a headache trying to book air travel at the moment.
Ginger's comments above reminded of a conclusion I reached before we left for Patagonia: There is no easy hiking there, at least not from the places Tauck goes. That's where you are going to get the best views. Despite my being only an easy hiker, I did enjoy the scenery, nature and culture on this trip and we were lucky to have Marcos Soto as our TD. And the Singular was very special.
The Tauck Patagonia tour may not be a more scenic experience than what you have already experienced, but it is different and very worthwhile. We did go to Iguazu on our own and loved that.
We are all in the same boat about air prices. Now that I am of that uncertain age, I hate to postpone things. Tough decisions.
Thank you all for your opinions. You’ve given us more to consider. But Wan, you rather nailed it, our motto has become ‘travel while we can, because you never know where we’ll be in a year’. We very much appreciate the responses.