This is my first time to Chile, Argentina and...
Chile | Mar 22 - Apr 18, 2024

K
Keith W.
Canada | Reviewed on Apr 28, 2024

This is my first time to Chile, Argentina and Bolivia and was excited because we travel to many of our bucket list destinations, such as San Pedro de Atacama, Uyuni, Santiago, Patagonia, El Cafalate, Buenos Aires and Mendoza. The planning process was smooth and Flor was given many local excursions for me to choose. Most of the local guides that were either picking us up or for taking us on a tour were very knowledgable and helpful. But Julio and Willie (the driver) for the 3 days tour in Uyuni are the best. They are knowledgable, caring (very important when travelling at 4700m elevation) and flexible in the plan. Our city tour guide in Buenos Aires was also very good. The local excursions included a combination of private and small group tour. Private tour was definitely more intimate and flexible. But the small group tours especially in San Pedro de Atacama were great too because we had an opportunity to interact with other tourists and had make many new friends. Before we this trip started, we were contacted by Kim Kim's operating team Julian that he would be assisting us 24/7. When we arrived in different stops, the local tour organizers would check on us and provide assistance. As for the accommodations, the hotels in El Cafalate and Mendoza are below our expectations. The staff were helpful but the facilities were dated. Overall, we are glad that we have Kim Kim planning our trip.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás
San Pedro de Atacama

The hotel is off 5 mins walk to the centre. The room we had was quite small. Due to the design of the hotel, the room is quite hot and we had to open the door to allow air circulation. The hotel is a bite dated but the staff is great and helpful. The best thing of the hotel is its restaurant. The food is very good and priced very reasonable (actually, it is cheaper than the restaurants in the centre).

Authenticity & Character
Location
It is away from the busy centre
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tayka del Desierto
Ojo de Perdiz, Potosi

This hotel is in the middle of nowhere but perhaps there are not a lot of choices in the hight desert. It is dated and cold. It is cold because the hotel turn on and off the heat at certain time. They even shut off the power at night (without informing the guests). So you will not have light or wifi. Most rooms have a window facing the common corridor, when people talking in the corridor, you can hear everything. The hotel should have advised all guests to be quiet in the corridor. The dinner on the other hand is quite good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel de Sal Luna Salada
Uyuni

We were staying there for 2 nights. It is supposed to be very highly rate hotel. Obviously, we are disappointed. The facilities are dated and you can see many things were fallen apart. The wifi doesn't work and there is no closet space in the room. The food in the restaurant is disappointed. The only saving grace is the staff. They are very helpful and nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Patagonia Camp
Torres del Paine

The hotel/camp is very unique because the room is a yurt connected by walk ways to the main reception and restaurant. The best part is that you feel that you are in the nature and not being disturbed by other hotel guests. But since it is a yurt. you are subject to the nature as well because you will hear the rain and the wind (it is quite windy in Patagonia). All the staff are fantastic and helpful. The food for breakfast, lunch and dinner are very good. Many people chose not to go for activities to enjoy the facilities and lunch. In addition, the guides of the activities are also very wonderful. The only draw back for us is that we were waiting an hour at the airport for pickup even though they were informed of the plane arrival time. There is only 2 flights flying in Puerto Nateles everyday.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Sierra Nevada
El Calafate

The hotel is dated and service is average. The breakfast is sad too.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Argentino Hotel
Mendoza

We are staying in Hotel Mod, not Argentino because we were advised that Hotel Mod is better. Hotel Mod is about 6 blocks from the centre in a safe neighbourhood. The hotel is big but the service can be improved. The staff is good and helpful. The check in service is lengthy because you need to download the key app to your phone to open the room door. The restaurant in the hotel only provide breakfast and the breakfast is disappointed. They served a lot of canned fruit.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Evening Astronomy Tour
Evening Astronomy Tour
San Pedro de Atacama

We were picked up from the hotel to a location not far away. We were provided with a translator to explain what we would see. It was a great experience because the guide provided a lot of information and answered all our questions through the translator. Unfortunately, we had a full moon and we could't see a lot of stars. At the end of the tour, we were provided with drinks and snacks.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Flor Bonis
Flor
Flor Bonis
Local specialist in Córdoba | Replied on Apr 29, 2024

Hi Keith and Mark! 🌻🌟

I'm so thrilled to hear you had such an epic adventure across South America!

I'm really happy that the planning process went smoothly for you and that you enjoyed the local excursions. And it's awesome you made new friends on the small group tours - those spontaneous connections can really make a trip unforgettable, right? 😎

I'll make a note about the accommodation feedback for El Cafalate and Mendoza - thanks for sharing your thoughts on that. Overall, it's been a pleasure being part of your journey. Here's to many more adventures ahead!

Cheers,
Flor 🌻🌟