We loved our kimkim trip! Here are some deta...
Patagonia | Mar 23 - Apr 5, 2023

Terry
Terry M.
| Reviewed on Apr 12, 2023

We loved our kimkim trip! Here are some details:
•El Calafate: Our first hotel, Cauquenes de Nimez, was clean and quiet although the breakfast lacked variety. The two excursions we went in this area were very good. The Mayo Spirit Trek had a wonderful guide and the activities were so fun. The trip to Estancia Cristina was very special. The boat captain made it easy to see and photograph the magnificent icebergs we saw on the way to the estancia. We learned so much history about the estancia when we were there. Lunch was so enjoyable on that excursion.
•El Chaltén: Our hotel, Lunajuim, was comfortable and had a nice lobby with a bar. The restaurant was good, too. We were unable to take the guided hike scheduled for our first day en El Chaltén since I wasn't feeling well and it was pouring rain. We really enjoyed our free days doing short hikes and being unscheduled.
•El Calafate: Our hotel, Kosten Aike, was very lovely and we were sorry that we were unable to stay there upon our first arrival in El Calafate. Our bus ride to Puerto Natales went quite smoothly.
•Puerto Natales: Our hotel, Vendaval, was really good. We especially enjoyed the rooftop bar and deck. We also had a view of the water from our room. 21 de Mayo neglected to inform Dittmar that our excursion would start an hour later than the 7AM scheduled time. We got up very early to stand around for an hour in the cold. The excursion was somewhat crowded and loud. We couldn't hear the guide on the boat. However, the glaciers were beautiful to see and the estancia lunch was good.
•Torres del Paine: Our guide, Andrés, and our driver, Mauricio, were right on time to take us to Torres del Paine. Both of them were wonderful, kind, thoughtful, and always looking for interesting things to show us. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with them. Hotel Lago Grey was the best! The view from our room was gorgeous. From our window, we even saw a condor eat a fish. The excursion to Glacier Grey was quite crowded making taking photos just about impossible. It was my least favorite excursion. Then we had another fantastic day with Andrés and Mauricio. We requested to have Mauricio for our driver and, thanks to Nara, he was our driver again and was our driver to take us to Punta Arenas the next day.
•Punta Arenas: The Hotel Albatros was my least favorite. Our view was a cement wall and breakfast, although good, was served too late at 8:30. Everyone had already left except us and we felt rushed since we were getting picked up at 9. Our driver to take us to the Magallanes National Reserve was right on time. Ademil was very kind and made sure we were registered before we went on our beautiful hike. When we returned, there was Ademil waiting for us. He also drove us to the airport later that night.
All of our transfers went well and everything on the trip went very smoothly. The trip was even better than I pictured it when Erin created the itinerary. It was fun to meet the Dittmar team in Puerto Natales. Throughout the entire process from planning the trip to its execution we had the support of that team. Responses to our requests and questions were always prompt. I felt supported the entire time. What a wonderful experience we had thanks to Erin and Nara!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Kosten Aike
El Calafate

Kosten Aike is a really nice hotel with a great downtown location. The rooms are spacious and the bedding is very comfortable. The hotel has a charming look and feel, and the huge breakfast is a great way to start the day. We wished we could have stayed here longer.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Vendaval
Puerto Natales

Our hotel, Vendaval, was really good. We especially enjoyed the rooftop bar and deck. We also had a view of the water from our room. The connected restaurant was also a convenient feature.

Authenticity & Character
The view of the port from the window was nice and the rooftop bar was the highlight.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Lago Grey
Torres del Paine

Hotel Lago Grey was the best! The view from our room was gorgeous. From our window, we even saw a condor eat a fish. Lago Grey is an amazing hotel with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing mountain views. The dinners were excellent we ate here all three nights and the breakfast had a large spread. We loved our stay here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Albatros
Punta Arenas

This was not our favorite hotel, if you would like a room with a view I would make sure to request it! The location was great, very close to restaurants.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Admire the Famous Perito Moreno Glacier [Mayo Trek - Alternative Excursion]
Admire the Famous Perito Moreno Glacier [Mayo Trek - Alternative Excursion]
El Calafate

The Mayo Spirit Trek had a wonderful guide and the activities were so fun. It was a perfect distance with a great guide who was knowledgeable and very friendly.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayak at Perito Moreno Glacier
Kayak at Perito Moreno Glacier
El Calafate

The kayaking experience at Perito Moreno Glacier was fantastic - Dan absolutely loved it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Upsala Glacier & Estancia Cristina [Upsala Program]
Visit the Upsala Glacier & Estancia Cristina [Upsala Program]
El Calafate

The trip to Estancia Cristina was very special. The boat captain made it easy to see and photograph the magnificent icebergs we saw. Despite the windy conditions, this tour was wonderful The captain even showed us a flipped iceberg and drove slowly for everyone to see. The lunch was amazing. The restaurant was very quiet and comfortable and wine included!

Quality of Experience
Food
Very quite and comfortable restaurant, wine included)
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trip Briefing at Dittmar Adventures
Trip Briefing at Dittmar Adventures
Puerto Natales

It was fun to meet the Dittmar team in Puerto Natales. Throughout the entire process from planning the trip to its execution, we had the support of that team. Responses to our requests and questions were always prompt. I felt supported the entire time. What a wonderful experience we had thanks to Erin and Nara!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat Tour to Bernardo O Higgins National Park, Serrano & Balmaceda Glaciers
Boat Tour to Bernardo O Higgins National Park, Serrano & Balmaceda Glaciers
Puerto Natales

The tour started an hour later than expected, but the free whiskey shots were a hit. The included lunch was nice and the tour allowed us to roam around on our own. The glacier was beautiful and had a huge lake to view.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Grey Glacier Boat Tour
Grey Glacier Boat Tour
Patagonia

The weather was not great for this tour, it was a bit rainy but the glaciers were beautiful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Torres del Paine Full Day Private Tour
Torres del Paine Full Day Private Tour
Patagonia

Met the Dittmar team, in this town, and everyone was so fun and caring looking out for the exciting stuff and making sure we stopped for everything. Really good photographs from that trip.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Photography Tour in Torres del Paine National Park
Private Photography Tour in Torres del Paine National Park
Patagonia

The guides asked what we wanted to do and we said to take good photographs as my husband is a photographer so they took us to all the best photography spots! Best box lunches - lamb and beef sandwiches which were the best on the trip. Mauricio the driver was the best too! We personally asked for him again because he was great!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit the Magallanes Nature Reserve
Visit the Magallanes Nature Reserve
Punta Arenas

Our driver to take us to the Magallanes National Reserve was right on time. Ademil was very kind and made sure we were registered before we went on our beautiful hike. When we returned, there was Ademil waiting for us. He also drove us to the airport later that night. Magallanes was beautiful with the fall colors and a perfect way to end our trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Erin Wiley
Erin
Erin Wiley
Local specialist in Puerto Natales, Chile | Replied on Jun 28, 2023
Terry thank you so very much for the detailed review! We love when folks get detailed, it helps us keep tabs on how our partnering hotels are doing, guides, excursion providers, etc. Such invaluable information that we'll consider when planning future trips! You all took some fantastic photos, thank you for sharing those. I'll be sure to share these with my team. Lastly, it was really great to meet you all, albeit briefly! I'm glad that it coincided for us to meet in Puerto Natales and... Read more

Terry thank you so very much for the detailed review! We love when folks get detailed, it helps us keep tabs on how our partnering hotels are doing, guides, excursion providers, etc. Such invaluable information that we'll consider when planning future trips!

You all took some fantastic photos, thank you for sharing those. I'll be sure to share these with my team.

Lastly, it was really great to meet you all, albeit briefly! I'm glad that it coincided for us to meet in Puerto Natales and wishing you all the very best, it was truly a pleasure to work with the three of you in making this trip happen.

All the best,
Erin