Erin Wiley

Patagonia: Where the Wild Whispers and the Sky Roars

"Muy fuerte" doesn't even begin to describe the raw, untamed power of Patagonia. This land of colossal skies and jagged peaks seared itself into my soul, a visceral experience that transcended any travel brochure. Our journey was a symphony of contrasts: cozy refugios echoing with trekkers' tales, luxurious hotels offering respite from the elements, and glamping under a star-drenched canvas.

We traversed this breathtaking landscape by every means imaginable – soaring above it by plane, bumping along rugged roads in private transfers, skimming turquoise waters in zodiacs, swaying atop sure-footed horses, and, most intimately, conquering its trails on foot. Each mode of transport unveiled a new facet of Patagonia's grandeur.

The iconic "W" trek tested our limits, rewarding us with panoramas that defied description. We shared laughter and stories with fellow adventurers, forging bonds strengthened by shared awe. The culinary delights, paired with robust Chilean wines, fueled our bodies and spirits.

Walking on ancient glaciers felt like stepping into a frozen time capsule. We witnessed the "Patagonian Ice Dragon" – a aquatic insect that completes its entire life cycle within glaciers – and held our breath as an avalanche, a distant white thunder, reshaped the mountainside.

Yet, beyond the grand spectacles, it was the subtle, profound moments that truly captivated me. The vast, untainted skies stretching to infinity, the Milky Way ablaze with celestial fire, the quiet satisfaction of conquering challenging trails, and the sheer, sculptural magnificence of Torres del Paine’s granite towers – these were the memories etched deepest.

We didn't encounter a Mylodon, that elusive prehistoric giant, but the pull of Patagonia is undeniable. We'll surely be back!

A word of advice: Don't wait. Experience this wonder while your legs are strong and your spirit is ready to embrace the wild.

A heartfelt thank you to Erin and Dittmar Travel for their impeccable logistics, seamlessly orchestrating a journey that allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in Patagonia's magic. They transformed a dream into an unforgettable reality.

Hotel Reviews

Altiplanico Puerto Natales

Natales

Cozy, warm and close to Puerto Natales. Super friendly staff, great breakfast and dinner. 10/10 would return.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Refugio Paine Grande

Puerto Natales, Chile

We are in our late 50's but did not feel out of place among the younger trekkers. Very comfortable and authentic.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Refugio Grey

Torres del Paine National Park

excellent jumping off point to hike the W. take the catamaran, enjoy a Pisco sour, take a walk on the nearby glacier, visit the suspension bridges

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lago Grey

Torres del Paine

very comfortable, full service hotel just outside TdP. Excellent meals and service.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Las Torres Patagonia

Torres del Paine

excellent location to hike to the base towers - 12.5 miles round trip + 3500 feet of gain. . 8 hours. Then return to the comforts of this beautiful hotel and enjoy the home brew (Pienero). The bar in this far away place is a crazy surprise.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Baguales Glamping

Torres del Paine

Glamping at Sierra Baguales is a special place that few tourists get to experience. Incredible landscape, horses, domes, Estancia.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Thanks so much Trisha ! We are looking forward to coming back to visit your Lodge in the future !

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Multi-Day Program at Estancia Baguales

Estancia Los Baguales

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Torres del Paine Full Day Private Tour

Chile

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Day Trip to a Patagonian Estancia

Chile

Don't miss out on this experience ! Traveling through the fjords by boat was awesome, horses were beautiful, the folks at La Peninsula were extroidinary

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ice Hike on Glacier Grey

Chile

Zodiacs, hiking, crampons , .... helmets, ... the tour is run by professionals who are keen on safety yet provide an unfettered experience on the ice .

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Grey Glacier Boat Tour (Refugio Grey to Pingo)

Chile

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Trip Briefing at Dittmar Adventures

Puerto Natales

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Within just 13 days of our trip to Patagonia, there're already two incidents that could have serious consequences:

1) On the day trip to Upsala Glacier, we first took the boat to Estancia Cristina. Soon after onboard, the local tour guide distributed the coloured bracelets for indication of the tour we were going when arriving Estancia Cristina. We logically thought that it was going to the Upsala Glacier Lookout by 4x4 vehicle, as clearly stated in Kimkim's itinerary. We then moved around and took photos on the boat as normal tourists would do. Incidentally, one of our group had casual chat with the guide, and was shocked when the guide told him that the tour booked by Kimkim was just hiking around Estancia Cristina, and for going to the Lookout, each one had to pay USD50 extra. She also cautioned that 4x4 vehicle might be hard to arrange at such late stage, and it was the only means to see the Glacier. As there's no wifi on boat nor mobile signal, it was difficult for us to contact Kimkim to clarify. Rather than a relaxing voyage, our time on boat was turned to be worrying and anxious. At very late moment we could get the the signal to contact Kimkim but was told that we had to pay by ourselves first. After some negotiations, Kimkim finally managed to pay directly and luckily the vehicle could be arranged. If there was no chatting with the guide, or the guide did not say more about the tour when arriving, or seats in 4x4 vehicles were fully booked, or extra 4x4 vehicle was not stationed in this remote area, or the driver with the skill to drive 4x4 vehicle in the difficult terran had gone elsewhere, we would have missed this major attraction, which any amount of money cannot compensate. Therefore, it was purely by luck we could see the glacier as planned.

2) As our flight to return home was rescheduled to later time, the pickup vehicle should arrive at 8am, instead of previously scheduled 6:30am, which we confirmed with Kimkim again on the day before departure. At 7am on the day of departure, when we came to hotel restaurant to have breakfast, we learned that the driver had been waiting since 6:30am. Furthermore, the hotel staff also got the information that we would depart at 6:30am and prepared packed breakfast for us. Even after we had told the staff about the correct time to leave, she still insisted that we could only take the packed breakfast to eat outside, not in the restaurant. Such miscommunication between Kimkim and partners not only embarrassed us and deprived our enjoyment of a relaxing dine-in breakfast, but could have serious consequences if our flight schedule was changed the other way, i.e. changed to earlier time, as the driver might arrive at the original scheduled later time and we could have missed the flight.

Overall, without a tour guide to follow through, we were more like travel on our own. If you can spend more time to do some research on the internet, and take the trouble to book the hotels, day tours and transport by yourself, you can already get exactly the same kind of tour experience, at a much lower cost. If you already have some knowledge about the place to visit, it's absolutely not necessary to arrange the tour though Kimkim.

This was amazing. Such a thoughtful itinerary with nothing but great guides, hotels, and experiences all throughout. I highly recommend for a trip like this.