Discover Chile

10 Reviews

• 

  Anonymous
  Written on November 25, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent

  This holiday met all of my expectations and in some cases exceeded themWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There were many! I think I can only generalise - I was amazed by the extremes of the country from the Atacama desert to snow capped volcanies to glaciers to penguins etc. etc.What did you think of your group leader?Our leader was invaluable for all of the travelling involved and he eased us through the various local airports especialloy the more remote ones where only a little English was spoken.   His administration was first class.I do feel however that although he had lived in various parts of Chile he could have provided more 'tour' information, the information he did give was accurate and informative.On the whole he made a positive contribution and the trip was the better for his presence.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Chile was more expensive than I had believed it to be, it is a fairly prosperous society and most things were more expensive than the UK.  Almost everywhere would take US dollars and in the exchange bureaux I rarely saw an exchange rate for sterling.  Although a little more expensive generally everything was good value and some of the meals were huge!Easter Island was also expensive but as virtually everything is imported this is perfectly understandable. Is there anything else you would like to add?Chile was superb but for me Easter Island was the highlight, it had always been a long held ambition to visit and it did not disappoint, our group was 'stranded' there for 14 hours as our plane which was due to arrive from Tahiti was unable to fly due to a typhoon - you could have left me there!!
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on November 25, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent

  This holiday met all of my expectations and in some cases exceeded themWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There were many! I think I can only generalise - I was amazed by the extremes of the country from the Atacama desert to snow capped volcanies to glaciers to penguins etc. etc.What did you think of your group leader?Our leader was invaluable for all of the travelling involved and he eased us through the various local airports especialloy the more remote ones where only a little English was spoken.   His administration was first class.I do feel however that although he had lived in various parts of Chile he could have provided more 'tour' information, the information he did give was accurate and informative.On the whole he made a positive contribution and the trip was the better for his presence.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Chile was more expensive than I had believed it to be, it is a fairly prosperous society and most things were more expensive than the UK.  Almost everywhere would take US dollars and in the exchange bureaux I rarely saw an exchange rate for sterling.  Although a little more expensive generally everything was good value and some of the meals were huge!Easter Island was also expensive but as virtually everything is imported this is perfectly understandable. Is there anything else you would like to add?Chile was superb but for me Easter Island was the highlight, it had always been a long held ambition to visit and it did not disappoint, our group was 'stranded' there for 14 hours as our plane which was due to arrive from Tahiti was unable to fly due to a typhoon - you could have left me there!!
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on December 8, 2011

  3.0 - Average

  Overall, the holiday followed the itinerary except where the weather (wind) prevented the trip to Magdelena Island from Punto Arenas.  Issues with two flights causing delays (weather and technical) also prevented the itinerary being followed exactly.In the main, Hotels were as expected and adequate except Santiago where because of the itinerary the Hotel was used three times in total covering 4 nights.  This has been reported as unacceptable and is being investigated. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The optional extention to Easter Island was the main highlight of the entire holiday.  The Geysers were also an amazing experience.What did you think of your group leader?The Group leader had a lovely personality and was very caring and helpful.  However, there were certain times when she was not as communicative as expected with information relating to certain aspects of the trip.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on December 8, 2011

  3.0 - Average

  Overall, the holiday followed the itinerary except where the weather (wind) prevented the trip to Magdelena Island from Punto Arenas.  Issues with two flights causing delays (weather and technical) also prevented the itinerary being followed exactly.In the main, Hotels were as expected and adequate except Santiago where because of the itinerary the Hotel was used three times in total covering 4 nights.  This has been reported as unacceptable and is being investigated. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The optional extention to Easter Island was the main highlight of the entire holiday.  The Geysers were also an amazing experience.What did you think of your group leader?The Group leader had a lovely personality and was very caring and helpful.  However, there were certain times when she was not as communicative as expected with information relating to certain aspects of the trip.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on March 11, 2011

  4.0 - Good

  This trip enables you to get an overview of Chile, covering off the key destinations and sites to see.  Each area provides you with its own WOW! experience and fabulous scenery.  There are alot of early starts and internal flights, however there is also some free time in each area for you to explore indepently or just relax. Throughly enjoyed the whole trip and think Chile is a great place to visit, and it has something for everyone.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Osorno Volcano in teh lake district it is everywhere.What did you think of your group leader?Very knowledgeable, lovely personality, and had a real interest in making sure thge group got the most out of their time in each area. Went out of her way to assist or get answers to questions posed. On arranging the internal flights she took the time, to prebook online, chosing the seats carefully, enabling the team to get great views of the Andes from the plane, given the number of intenal flight and time in air this was greatly appreciated by me, if not the rest of the group. The local guides were also very good, they provided specific local information varying from wildlife spotting, to local speciality restuarants/shops, this complemented the information available from the group leader and the guides books.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?There are a lot of early starts, so be prepared for cake and tea for breakfast on a number of occassions.Is there anything else you would like to add?The Don Juan hotel in Atacama was not great. The beds probably need to be replaced, as you woke yourself up turning over.Atacama - after visiting the geysers  the last afternoon seemed wasted, as already had plenty of free time in San Pedro.  It maybe there to enable other optional day trips, so depending on the popularity of the optionals, you may was to consider, travelling to Lake District instead, giving the trip more time here potentially enabling an optional trip to Chiloe island, which was the one thing missing of the exodus itinerary that I would have liked to have done.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on March 11, 2011

  4.0 - Good

  This trip enables you to get an overview of Chile, covering off the key destinations and sites to see.  Each area provides you with its own WOW! experience and fabulous scenery.  There are alot of early starts and internal flights, however there is also some free time in each area for you to explore indepently or just relax. Throughly enjoyed the whole trip and think Chile is a great place to visit, and it has something for everyone.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Osorno Volcano in teh lake district it is everywhere.What did you think of your group leader?Very knowledgeable, lovely personality, and had a real interest in making sure thge group got the most out of their time in each area. Went out of her way to assist or get answers to questions posed. On arranging the internal flights she took the time, to prebook online, chosing the seats carefully, enabling the team to get great views of the Andes from the plane, given the number of intenal flight and time in air this was greatly appreciated by me, if not the rest of the group. The local guides were also very good, they provided specific local information varying from wildlife spotting, to local speciality restuarants/shops, this complemented the information available from the group leader and the guides books.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?There are a lot of early starts, so be prepared for cake and tea for breakfast on a number of occassions.Is there anything else you would like to add?The Don Juan hotel in Atacama was not great. The beds probably need to be replaced, as you woke yourself up turning over.Atacama - after visiting the geysers  the last afternoon seemed wasted, as already had plenty of free time in San Pedro.  It maybe there to enable other optional day trips, so depending on the popularity of the optionals, you may was to consider, travelling to Lake District instead, giving the trip more time here potentially enabling an optional trip to Chiloe island, which was the one thing missing of the exodus itinerary that I would have liked to have done.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on March 7, 2008

  4.0 - Good

  Chile is a long thin country, so there is a fair of bit of flying involved. However the scenery is diverse from the stark Atacama desert in the north to the wilds of Patagonia in the south. In addition, the extension to Easter Island was fantastic, there really is not anywhere like it on earth!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Having fantastic weather at Torres del Pain and seeing the mountains in all their glory. The view from our hotel was fantastic and we managed to see a magnificent sunrise of the mountains too.Easter Island was incredible. Just learning about the history of the place and the fact there is still much that is not known about the civilisation that built the huge statues. You can't appreciate just how big they are until you are there with them.What did you think of your group leader?Our group leader, Valentina was absolutely lovely. She was very well organised, very friendly and even treated us to some Pisco sours after a climb up a large sand dune to watch the sun set in the Valley of the MoonDo you have any advice for potential travellers?It may be hard work if you are a vegetarian. The Chileans like their meat! There is usually fish as an alternative but not much vegetables or salads. Make sure you pack for all weathers. Its dry, hot and dusty in the Atacama, potentially rainy in the Lake district and cold and windy in Patagonia.Make sure you have enough money with you when you leave Santiago for SanPedro de Atacama. There is only 1 ATM there and it often runs out of money.Make sure you wrap up warm and in layers for the El Tatio geysers. It was -6 degrees when we were there. It will be 30 degrees by the time you get backIs there anything else you would like to add?I really enjoyed it. Its a shame the trip was not longer as there seemed to be so much else to do and see in Chile. I will certainly go back.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on March 7, 2008

  4.0 - Good

  Chile is a long thin country, so there is a fair of bit of flying involved. However the scenery is diverse from the stark Atacama desert in the north to the wilds of Patagonia in the south. In addition, the extension to Easter Island was fantastic, there really is not anywhere like it on earth!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Having fantastic weather at Torres del Pain and seeing the mountains in all their glory. The view from our hotel was fantastic and we managed to see a magnificent sunrise of the mountains too.Easter Island was incredible. Just learning about the history of the place and the fact there is still much that is not known about the civilisation that built the huge statues. You can't appreciate just how big they are until you are there with them.What did you think of your group leader?Our group leader, Valentina was absolutely lovely. She was very well organised, very friendly and even treated us to some Pisco sours after a climb up a large sand dune to watch the sun set in the Valley of the MoonDo you have any advice for potential travellers?It may be hard work if you are a vegetarian. The Chileans like their meat! There is usually fish as an alternative but not much vegetables or salads. Make sure you pack for all weathers. Its dry, hot and dusty in the Atacama, potentially rainy in the Lake district and cold and windy in Patagonia.Make sure you have enough money with you when you leave Santiago for SanPedro de Atacama. There is only 1 ATM there and it often runs out of money.Make sure you wrap up warm and in layers for the El Tatio geysers. It was -6 degrees when we were there. It will be 30 degrees by the time you get backIs there anything else you would like to add?I really enjoyed it. Its a shame the trip was not longer as there seemed to be so much else to do and see in Chile. I will certainly go back.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on February 19, 2008

  4.0 - Good

  Adding the Easter Island extension was expensive but definitely worth it. An amazing place to be. Also great for winding down as the first part of the trip was a bit hectic - necessarily so though as there was so much to see in a short space of time.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Standing in front of a row of giant moai with the Pacific Ocean behind them and nothing else in any direction for thousands of kilometers.What did you think of your group leader?Chilean leader was excellent. Very informative and friendly. Easter Island leader was more reserved but still very good.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Pack everything! We had 35 degrees and sunburn in the North, frost and gales in the South and just about everything in between. Take gloves, a hat and as many camera chips as you can lay your hands on.Is there anything else you would like to add?Not as much English spoken in Chile as some other Latin American countries so a few words of Spanish and a good phrase book are very useful.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on February 19, 2008

  4.0 - Good

  Adding the Easter Island extension was expensive but definitely worth it. An amazing place to be. Also great for winding down as the first part of the trip was a bit hectic - necessarily so though as there was so much to see in a short space of time.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Standing in front of a row of giant moai with the Pacific Ocean behind them and nothing else in any direction for thousands of kilometers.What did you think of your group leader?Chilean leader was excellent. Very informative and friendly. Easter Island leader was more reserved but still very good.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Pack everything! We had 35 degrees and sunburn in the North, frost and gales in the South and just about everything in between. Take gloves, a hat and as many camera chips as you can lay your hands on.Is there anything else you would like to add?Not as much English spoken in Chile as some other Latin American countries so a few words of Spanish and a good phrase book are very useful.