The Perfect Trip
Chile | Jan 3 - Jan 26, 2025

David
David K.
Bend, OR | Reviewed on Feb 19, 2025

This trip to Chile was for four of us. We are experienced travelers (including two prior trips to Argentina) and it is from that perspective that we have unqualified praise for Lorena and her team. We provided a general idea of what we wanted to do, she provided options and then helped us make final decisions. With only minor exceptions, (which we have already told her about) everything she booked for us was perfect--the lodging, the tours, the boat trip and the transfers. We had one transfer fail to show at the Balmaceda airport, but she had us rebooked with someone else within 30 minutes. Also, we had some itinerary adjustments along the way, including adding a land transfer to Argentina.
Lorena was just super helpful with everything
Other Highlights:
-- Soledad, our guide in Santiago and Valparaiso was top notch. We really enjoyed the two days we spent with her.
--Dinner with Gloria: We felt so fortunate to be able to enjoy a home cooked meal in Glorias home. This feels like a special touch that most travelers don't get.
--The Skorpios Cruise: The perfect way to experience the fjords and archipelago of southern Chile. The crew and program on the ship was very high quality.
--Vicente Perez National Park Tour: Our guide Christian was excellent and proved invaluable in solving a minor medical issue one of us had in Puerto Varas
--Transfers: We had a lot of them and with the one exception noted above, they were perfect. The drivers were on time, interesting to talk with and helpful

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Boutique Le Reve
Santiago

Great location, lovely garden for breakfast, friendly staff.

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Hotel NOI Blend Colchagua
Santa Cruz, O'Higgins

Set among the vinyards and close to many excellent wineries.

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Hotel Don Luis
Puerto Montt

Do not recommend. Conveyed this to Lorena earlier

M/V Skorpios II Cruise
Santiago

Incredible cruise. The archipelago is stunningly beautiful and the San Rafael glacier was amazing. Highly recommend it. The crew is knowledgeable and helpful Everything is well organized. The food was really good.

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Hotel Wyndham Puerto Varas Pettra
Puerto Varas

Great location with great views. We had two separate one night stays during our trip

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Local specialist: Lorena Huidobro
Lorena
Lorena Huidobro
Local specialist in Houston, TX & Santiago, Chile | Replied on Feb 20, 2025

Dear David,
It was my pleasure to help coordinate and bring to life this fantastic trip for Pam, you, and the MacNichols. I truly appreciate your kind words and I also learned a lot in the process.
Travelers like you make our job more interesting by finding hidden treasures that allow them to enjoy nature and experience the local culture.
I wish you all the best and hope you return to South America soon for more adventures.
Warmest regards,
Lorena