Exceeded our high expectations, the best
Argentina | Jan 9 - Jan 21, 2023

J
Jeff O.
West Des Moines, IA | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2023

From our pickup at the airport, to our delivery to return, our trip was smooth and wonderful. Gabriel, our driver in Buenos Aires, was helpful far beyond our transit needs. He shared his love of the city and its history, pointing out several possibilities for our dining options and some of the areas of the city we would visit the next day with our guide, Marta. The Hotel Carles was comfortable with thermostat controlled A/C for our comfort. The staff ensured that our visit was trouble free, with a breakfast each day offered in their dining room. Wonderful bars and restaurants in walking distance.
our travel to El Calafate was trouble-free, picked up by our promised driver and delivery to the Hotel Rochester, again a comfortable room, off of the traffic area of the city, peaceful and welcoming, with an easy view of Lago Argentino. We enjoyed touring the national Park and the Glacier. I'd be remiss to not mention Cecilia at the front desk, who answered our questions, assisted with a power adapter, and was so gracious helping other guests who were missing connection with their tours and guides-not a problem that we experienced. The restaurant/bar was pleasant and comfortable as well, allowing a friendly atmosphere to chat with other travelers in the evening. Horseback riding trip was fun with the time we were able to learn more about the history of the Patagonian ranches and indulge in a delicious lunch. The flyfishing trip was interesting as the fast moving cold river made sight fishing impossible, but both trout and salmon were found! Then we were off to San Carlos de Bariloche, and the Hotel Edelweiss. Comfortable, clean, and staffed by helpful, friendly people that worked to make the stay as pleasant as possible, from the breakfast in the morning to the restaurant and bar in the evening, many other restaurants within walking distance . Kayaking on the Lago Nahuel Huapi was breathtaking, as this huge deep lake is crystal clear and the views of the mountains are wonderful. Our guide Yanina Capararo was gracious to take and share pictures of us allowing us to simply enjoy the trip, providing us with a nice snack and tea on the island and great conversation. Of course, our transportation was on time, and the cool evenings made sleep easy. Fly-fishing with Diego Martin was wonderful with a float trip, casting guidance, and an absolutely delicious lunch with salad, sandwiches, drinks, great conversation and beautiful views of the Andes as well. Followed by a day of river rafting through class 1-4 waters with a great breakfast first and a great meal after. The wetsuits and helmets provided, training and then a wet wonderful ride to the border of Chile! Back to Buenos Aires and the warm friendly piloting of our driver Gabriel. Enjoying the sights and the activities of the city with an evening of Tango, and then off to home. The trip was trouble free, and any questions or fears were solve quickly. Cannot recommend Jason enough. This trip hit all of the buttons we wanted, and was the best experience in travel I have had!

Hotel Reviews
Carles Hotel
Buenos Aires

nice vistas from the tenth floor of the nearby apartments and streets leading to some great places like Floreria Atlantica and Basa. Comfortable, with roomy shower and thermostat control of the temperature of the room. Would remind USA folks to bring an electrical adapter and an extension cord to charge two phones and a sleep machine or laptop/camera simultaneously. Just walking distance to park, Patagonia store, and right two doors down is a great little bakery for sandwiches or sweets. Helpful staff, breakfast provided.

Authenticity & Character
location to restaurants and bars
Location
Staff
friendly, helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Never had a complaint on anything in the room or hotel
Rochester Calafate
El Calafate

Away from the center of town, but quiet, relaxed, and feels private. nice sitting areas inside and out, friendly bar and restaraurant to visit with others at the end of your day.

Authenticity & Character
Better shuttle; if guests were allowed to call or text to arrange pickup, dropoff to sites in town.
Location
Quiet, when you were done with your tourism for the day, this felt like a private retreat
Staff
Cecilia at the desk, really worked to make the stay comfortable, helped other guests with missed connections on trips/tours.
Cleanliness & Comfort
No problems whatsoever. But there is no thermostat control for room, and no A/C on hot days
NH Bariloche Edelweiss
San Carlos de Bariloche

Start with helpful attentive desk staff, attention to detail, willingness to help: i.e. My passport had fallen out of a jacket on a tour bus, staff tracked bus owner, had my passport back within 2 hours! Nice, roomy bar with dining tables as well as just relaxing areas. Attentive staff in restaurant, good breakfast selection and large seating area. Thermostat control in room for heat A/C. Very quick elevators- no long waits.

Authenticity & Character
Convenience to other restaurants and stores, small view of town and the lake
Location
Comfort of rooms, shower, bidet, opening windows to hear the city and feel it cool at night
Staff
Service was wonderful, attentive, friendly and willing to have a conversation. Saved me a great load of problems when my passport was gone.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel was splendid in its cleanliness, and the comfort of the room-never heard guests in the hall or other rooms.
Activity Reviews
Private Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour
Private Buenos Aires Sightseeing Tour
Buenos Aires

We enjoyed the tour, the Recoleta and its solar flower was impressive, The different ages and styles of architecture, the antique opulence and the urban liveliness was impressive.

Quality of Experience
Friendly, conversational attitude of Marta, explanations and background offered
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gabriel's driving-manual transmission in traffic never an errant shift, smoother than an automatic.
Transport
Easy visibility and the driver made it convenient for us and the guide when we came back from any site to the car
Perito Moreno Glacier - Los Glaciares National Park
Perito Moreno Glacier - Los Glaciares National Park
El Calafate

Picked up as scheduled, on time. Friendly and understandable information from the tour guide on what we were seeing, time to return to bus from the park and the viewing of the glacier. timely transport for our scheduled boat tour

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
All of our drivers and guides were engaging and friendly
Transport
Clean cars and buses, well running vehicles in good shape
Safari Boat - Sailing Rico Branch
Safari Boat - Sailing Rico Branch
El Calafate

Beautiful views , crowded top deck and cooler on the front and sides of the boat. Boat was clean and interior seats were comfortable

Quality of Experience
After safety breifing, they let us enjoy yhe experience on our own instead of feeling like you were studying for a test
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Clean, timely, and comfortable
Patagonian Ranch Day at Nibepo Aike & Cristales Horseback Riding
Patagonian Ranch Day at Nibepo Aike & Cristales Horseback Riding
El Calafate

Great time to walk down to the shore of the lake, see the cattle being moved, and learn about the history of the ranch. Wonderful coffee/tea and snacks on arrival, big lunch before we went on our long ride. If you are used to a western saddle, make certain your stirrups are long enough to keep your legs relaxed during the ride-their saddles are more of a modified English saddle-no pommel, and you are placed more forward than you may be used to.

Quality of Experience
Food
Wonderful Chimichurri for the steak!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Fly Fishing Half Day Tour in El Calafate
Fly Fishing Half Day Tour in El Calafate
El Calafate

The river is very cloudy with glacial sediment and cold, so you are fishing wets and trying to find the seams in current. Rods provided required an adjustment in my casting stroke, but not bad.

Quality of Experience
Food
didn't get our lunch
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Kayak & Hike Nahuel Huapi Lakes
Private Kayak & Hike Nahuel Huapi Lakes
Bariloche

Our guides put us into our kayak with our lifevests, water skirts- very nicley equipped. The water clarity was spectacular, our tandem kayak was comfortable and easily controlled. The lake is pretty calm in the morning. We opted against the island hike, but had a great break with conversation, snacks and hot tea/coffee. Our guide took pictures for us and emailed them to us to share.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Limay River Fly Fishing
Private Limay River Fly Fishing
Bariloche

On time, friendly pickup from our guide, informative conversation about the area on the drive to the river. Very comfortable drift, in comfortable seats. Diego was helpful in pointing out good places to cast and also casting instruction for the presentations. Nice rainbows, missed a huge brown. Stopped on shore for a nice lunch; salad, sandwiches, cerveza or wine, coffee/tea, wonderful conversation about the area, fishing and life. A great time

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Whitewater Rafting Rio Manso a La Frontera
Whitewater Rafting Rio Manso a La Frontera
Bariloche

Guide picked us up on time, transported to a nice breakfast and then wet-suited , life-vested, helmeted and taken to the river. Paddling instructions and response practice in a small pool in the river, then we went through the first rapids and continued through trickier ones with opportunities to drop in and enjoy the cool water twice before continuing through more rapids. When we reached the takeout point, our float was shorter than planned as the next rapids were too dangerous. Long climb up a steep trail to drop off wetsuits and gear, dry and get dressed, then taken back to the starting point for a lunch and refreshments, before heading back to our hotel

Quality of Experience
The trip was what you want on a whitewater trip, and the guide took good care of us.
Food
Only hamburger I had in Argentina and it was very good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Friendly, helpful, and competent.
Transport
Clean comfortable bus ride
Local specialist: J K
J
J K
Local specialist in Peru | Replied on Jan 26, 2023

Hi Jeff,
Thanks so much for your trip review. I am so glad you got to experience a real taste of Argentina in your time with us and discovered the great outdoors of this fascinating land. We hope to welcome you back in the future to Latin America!! I always enjoyed our conversations. Slainte! O Donnell Abu!