Turismo Milodon

I had an amazing time in Chile and Marcela was the one that set up the trip for me. She was extremely helpful and patient with me setting the trip up for my preferences even with the short notice I gave. I had a once in a lifetime trip filled with amazing memories. From seeing the most stars I've ever seen with my eyes to riding a hot air balloon in San Pedro. To having unbelievable views from a volcanic hot spring near Santiago. And exploring the entirety of Easter Island with very friendly locals with a crystal clear beach! This trip was fantastic from start to finish and was made to be completely worry free for me, every pick up drop off and destination was set up was organized so I didn't have worry about it. Shout out to all the people that helped organized the trip. Manuel and Alex in San Pedro with their very funny and friendly ways of talking and explaining everything. Sebastian in Santiago who was unbelievably knowledgeable and was able to give loads of information about Santiago and Valparaíso and knew the hidden spots for the best stores and restaurants. Luis a local of Easter Island who gave an entire history of the people of the island. Finally Marcela who set up everything for me and was even available to meet up in person, going above and beyond!

Activity Reviews

Cajón del Maipo & Hot Springs

Santiago

If you are in Santiago this is one of the things you have to do. The views to and from the location itself are breath taking, let alone that you can see them while sitting in a a relaxing hot spring. There are seven pools with varying temperatures so you don't need to worry about any of them being too hot or cold.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Atacama Ballooning - Experience another world

San Pedro de Atacama

Never done a hot air balloon but seeing it as an option I had to try it. Even with having a bit of a love/hate relationship with heights it was an unbelievable experience. For anyone wondering the basket is very secure and solid feeling if you have any fear and it even has seats you can sit down in if you don't want to stand. The views and descriptions were very informative and the guide even let us control the fire for a little bit!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Stargazing Experience

San Pedro de Atacama

This was one of the things I especially wanted to do. Chile has a lot of other countries observatories in it because of how clear the sky is and the topography is perfect for it. Boy was I not disappointed being able to see the most stars i'll probably ever see with the naked eye. The guide was very informative and gave very cool descriptions and explanations of the various nebulas and stars we were seeing. It was really cool seeing Jupiter as well with its red stripes!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jesse was great to work with. We had a great time and wverything went smoothly.

Jesse planned a wonderful trip and handled the logistics for wonderful accommodations, local transportation and several in-country flights. Moreover, due to a forecast of snow storm hitting Boston on the day of our departure, we rebooked our flights and left two days early. We contacted Jesse that morning and she quickly adjusted the Santiago hotel reservation and our airport transfer.

We began our trip with Eliseo meeting us at the Santiago airport. He provided efficient transportation and great local guidance, all with good humor. Soledad, who guided us through Santiago, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, was very knowledgeable of the cities, the history Chile and gave helpful advice. Sebastian, who led our hike in the Andes, gave us a pointers for negotiating the terrain; that came in very handy in later hikes.

In the Atacama desert we greatly enjoyed touring the Valley of the Moon and the salt flats, led by Daniel, and the very refreshing swim in the lagoon with Ernie.

We enjoyed our stay in Punta Arenas and visiting with a good friend. While there we also visited the penguins on Magdalena Island and the sea lions on Marta Island; both were well worth the rough sail and gale-force winds.

While we enjoyed trekking Torres del Paine and the views were spectacular, the 3 hikes tested our limits. The next day we sailed to Perito Moreno glacier; the calving was dramatic. Another day of hiking, this time with Renaldo, to Laguna and Cerro Torre; again, pushing us to our limits.

We enjoyed our stay in Ushuaia, a fun town with the unique claim of the southern-most city in the world. While there we were taken trekking and rafting in Tierra del Fuego National Park with Juan Sebastian. We greatly enjoyed his tour; he shared tons of information and made the day very fun.

Our final stop was Buenos Aires, the one place where we wished we had more time. Our tour included a dinner and tango show - better than we expected - and an all-day bike tour led by Pablo through several neighborhoods - one of the highlights of our trip. On our last day in Buenos Aires we squeezed in tours of the Teatro Colon, Palacio del Congreso and El Ateneo Grand Splendid bookstore.

Hotel Reviews

Kenton Palace Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Alto Andino Hotel

Ushuaia

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lunajuim

El Chalten

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Sierra Nevada

El Calafate

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Big Sur

Puerto Natales

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Carpa Manzano

Punta Arenas

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás

San Pedro de Atacama

Unfortunately each day there began early so we weren't able to enjoy the breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ola Santiago Providencia

Santiago

Great staff; very friendly.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great neighborhood with easy access to the City's highlights and subway

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Buenos Aires Bike Tour

Buenos Aires

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Pablo was fabulous. He was informative and fun, and set a very comfortable pace.

Transport

Dinner & Tango Show

Buenos Aires

Surprisingly we enjoyed the show.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Late picking us up and forgot us when taking people to their hotels. We rode around the city for a good hour before getting back to our hotel around 1:00 AM. Not fun.

Transport

Off-Road Adventure

Ushuaia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trekking & Canoeing in Tierra del Fuego National Park

Ushuaia

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Juan Sebastian made it a great day. Our driver (forget his name) was also a wonderful cook.

Transport

Hike Laguna and Cerro Torre

El Chaltén

Great views. Strenuous hike

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Perito Moreno Glacier Tour

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trekking Torres del Paine Active

Chile

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat Trip to Glacier Grey

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Penguin Colony on Magdalena Island

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The rough seas and howling wind added to the adventure

Cejar Lagoon, Ojos del Salar & Tebenquiche

San Pedro de Atacama

Quality of Experience

The swim in the lagoon was wonderful!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tour of Tatio Geysers

San Pedro de Atacama

The early start left us in the dark for the ride and early visit at the geyser. We didn't see much.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore the Atacama Salt Flats & Lagoons

San Pedro de Atacama

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Valley of the Moon Tour

San Pedro de Atacama

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

San José Volcano & Andes Mountains

Santiago

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to Viña del Mar & Valparaíso

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Santiago City Tour - Private

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Everything was very smooth, including transfers. Two suggestions. First, rather than travelling two consecutive days to the National Park from Puerto Natales, we would have enjoyed staying in the Park one night to eliminate the travel back to town and then back to the Park. The road was very rough and tiring. I would suggest at least offering the option although I realize places to stay are limited and more costly.

Second, one of the days, the trip to Cape Froward was canceled due to weather conditions. Alex rebooked us on two substitute excursions very quickly, which we appreciated. I was concerned about the hike on the Cape Froward booking and expressed my concerns to Alex on two occasions. He assured me it was an easy walk. I spoke to several folks who did the hike and it involved fording streams and at some points using ropes to pull oneself up the mountain. I am 71 years old and I am not sure that I would have described what was a 4 hour round trip to be an easy walk. So I just recommend know your clientele because what might be an easy walk for some folks may not be for others.

Thanks.

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Costanera

Puerto Natales

Very clean and well appointed hotel. Great views and good location. Good breakfast and staff very accomodating.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Ilaia

Punta Arenas

Very welcoming and accommodating staff, a good location, and although the bedrooms were small, there were several cozy places to sit including a third floor room with great views. Also, good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

very friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

very clean, toilet located very close to shower, which made taking a shower interesting.

Activity Reviews

Trekking to Cape Froward

Punta Arenas

N/A Cancelled ... instead we were booked on a dophin viewing trip and a hike. Both were cut short due to weather. The guide on the hike was not English speaking but Nico did his best to translate. The Guide (I think Caesar) was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Food

a surprise treat at end of hike

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guides were very nice and enthusiastic

Transport

Boat Trip to Glacier Grey

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

great info on boat

Transport

Full-Day Tour of Torres del Paine National Park

Chile

Quality of Experience

Food

Our itinerary indicated lunch was include, but the guide said KimKim did not pay for????

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

road was incredibly rough

Explore Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas

Was not as informative as I expected

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Penguin Colony on Magdalena Island

Chile

Quality of Experience

Transport