SA and the Chilean Fjords - Independent tour recommendations

[Hazel52]

We recently returned from SA and the Chilean Fjords and for those planning for next season's cruises, I wanted to give a shout out to 2 independent tours we took. (perhaps others will add theirs)

 

In Puerto Madryn – Animal Travel – we found them through Viator. Hugo was our guide and he was exceptional. Not only was he knowledgeable, personable and patient but he knew when to give us a break from his travelogue and when to stop for “comfort” breaks. We took the tour to Punta Tombo to see the Magdelana Penguins. It was a bit of a drive but comfortable and Hugo kept us engaged. It was really special to be able to walk amongst the penguin homes – they have a path clearly marked but we could (if permitted, which it wasn’t) reach out and touch them. They gave us a box lunch with an assortment of items including 2 sandwiches on the way back. When we returned to Puerto Madryn some wanted to return to the ship but Hugo happily took the rest of us on a short tour along the coast. He could have easily said the tour was over but he extended it, since we had the time. High marks!

 

In Buenos Aires we used Tomás Hughes. His company is called Bonaventura Tours - https://www.bonaventuratrips.com/ It was just the 2 of us and we only had 1 day so we did what Tomás called the “behind the scenes tour” of Buenos Aires. Tomás is a serious history buff! We started our tour in the Recoleta Cemetery and I think we could have been there all morning. He knew so much about the history and interconnections of the families whose mausoleums we walked amongst. And yes, his family is there, too. His family has been in BA for many generations! Then for the rest of the day he wove what we learned in the cemetery (about the various families) into the rest of the tour in the city and surroundings. He also offers a tour of the Delta (on a boat) and a Ranch tour (on horseback) but we didn’t have time for it all. Tomás is a real gem!

 

It was a fantastic cruise - only missed the Falklands - we highly recommend it. 

 

Deb