Rare cruzin4us Posted April 6, 2006 #1 Share Posted April 6, 2006 We are booked on Infinity for the December 17th cruise. Luckily enough we ended up with an aft cabin #9160. I've always found the private tours better than the ship excursions, we are not into being herded around with a bunch of people........cruising yes, but tours no. It seems like we can see and do more if we aren't waiting around for a bunch of "lolly gaggers". I realize you can't post the private tour information unless someone asks, so I'M ASKING!!!! :D Our ports of call are: Buenos Aires, Argentina Montevideo, Uruguay Puerto Madryn, Argentina Ushuaia, Argentina Punta Arenas, Chile Puerto Montt, Chile Valparaiso, Chile Thanks!!! Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dileep Posted April 6, 2006 #2 Share Posted April 6, 2006 Hope you find it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Gal Posted April 8, 2006 #3 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Laurie, We used Carlos of Private Tours in Buenos Aires and he was excellent. His email address is: info@privatetours.com.ar We also used a different Carlos Galindo in Puerto Montt and his email address is: galindotour@hotmail.com In Punta Arenas we used Payne Tours and their email is: payne@ctcinternet.cl In Ushuaia we just used the local taxi driver and we were lucky as he spoke quite good English. We missed the port of Puerto Madryn as it was too windy to dock unfortunately, but if you look back to previous threads you will be able to find private guides. We used Victor of Enaturchile for our transfers from Valpariso to Santiago. It was a great day as he took us first around Valpariso, then around Vina del Mar, then we went to a winery and finally we had a tour of Santiago. His website is: http://www.enaturchile.com We did all our tours with another couple and we could not fault any of them. With regards to Montevideo, there is not a lot to see there and we used the ship's excursion for this city. I hope this helps you. Jennie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meribeth Posted April 8, 2006 #4 Share Posted April 8, 2006 If you like king crab, in Punta Arenas go to Sotitos. It's about 3 blocks from the dock. http://www.chileaustral.com/sotitos/index.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruzin4us Posted April 8, 2006 Author #5 Share Posted April 8, 2006 If you like king crab, in Punta Arenas go to Sotitos. It's about 3 blocks from the dock. http://www.chileaustral.com/sotitos/index.shtml Meribeth........ Now that's the kind of information I need!!! King crab is my favorite food above all others! Thanks for sharing you little tip :) Rest assured, I will be first in line. Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruzin4us Posted April 8, 2006 Author #6 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Oh no.......I just realized we are going to be Punta Arenas on Christmas Day! Probably no King Crab for me :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruzin4us Posted April 8, 2006 Author #7 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Jennie, Oh thank you so much for your list! I've read your prior posts, but I was confused about the 2 "Carlos"......I wondered if you packed him in your suitcase to take with you :) We are cruising with another couple as well, and would sure like to avoid the mass transit with everyone else. I don't even mind paying a tad bit more if we get good service. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your list! Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dileep Posted April 8, 2006 #8 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Oh no.......I just realized we are going to be Punta Arenas on Christmas Day! Probably no King Crab for me :( Best King Crab is at Tante Nina's in Ushuaia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruzin4us Posted April 8, 2006 Author #9 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Dileep......... You saved my craving! I owe you one :) Next time you are in San Diego, I'll let you know a good Mexican Restaurant.......Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dileep Posted April 8, 2006 #10 Share Posted April 8, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splinter Posted April 9, 2006 #11 Share Posted April 9, 2006 We booked all our trips through http://www.southstartours.com They don't have these trips on their website, but will send you a copy of their cruise excursions if you call or e-mail them. We did some on our own (3 of us) with a guide, and were combined with another 2-4 people on some others. All were in vans instead of buses. We had great guides, and saw much more than the ship's tours, and for a cheaper price. The only exception to using them was when we were in Puerto Montt where we booked through http://www.chile-travel.com/eureka.htm . We had a private guide in his own Mercedes SL, and had a wonderful day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCHappyGal Posted April 9, 2006 #12 Share Posted April 9, 2006 Here are the private guides we used while on our SA cruise on the Infinity. Iguazzu Falls Argentina Guide – Saulo Campos saulocampos@pop.com.br Buenos Aires Argentina Company – Defrantur Tours Owner – Ricardo Defranco Defrantur@fibertel.com.ar http://www.defrantur.com Falkland Islands Falkland Islands Tours & Travel Owner – Andy fitt@horizon.co.fl Puerto Madryn Argentina Vanesa at whalespatagonia@infovia.com.ar Montevideo Uruguay R & P Owner / Driver Ricardo Palleiro Guide – Marta msmtaiz@hotmail.com Punta Arenas Chile Driver – Alberto Hutt Coleman (could speak English and had more knowledge than the guide Rod (Robert Marcus) find Alberto at http://www.vientosur.com or e-mail Agencia@vientosur.com Puerto Montt Company – Aqua Motion Tours http://www.aqua-motion.com info@aquamotion.cl Ask for guide Paulina Acuna Meier acuameier@yahoo.es Chile Terracota Excursions – http://www.terracotachile.cl e-mail Maria Isabel Sagues at mabel@terracotchile.cl For 1 company that will arrange all of your Chile tours use Terracota Tours I hope the above helps We were very happy with all of our private tours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruzin4us Posted April 10, 2006 Author #13 Share Posted April 10, 2006 WOW, I couldn't be more pleased with all your suggestions! I know have to find one of them that's willing to work over the Christmas holidays.... You all have been SO helpful, I really do appreciate your posts! Laurie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzy Q Posted April 10, 2006 #14 Share Posted April 10, 2006 Agree with AussieGal on the two Carlos' . In Iguazu Oliver Brasil -Turism - Brazil Turism Falklands france@horizon.co.fk Graham France--email Valparaiso/Santiago -- victor.aballai@enaturchile.com SQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOHEMIO Posted April 11, 2006 #15 Share Posted April 11, 2006 By businesses I travel to Chile 2 or 3 times per year, always I make adjustments with enaturchile. They are very responsible. Victor Aballai, responds all the questions and its attention is customized Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUZGAL53 Posted April 22, 2006 #16 Share Posted April 22, 2006 we used Portcomapss.com for all of our tours. We booked everything in advance and they were great. We booked tours through them for every port except Montevideo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRUZGAL53 Posted April 22, 2006 #17 Share Posted April 22, 2006 They have a website that list all their tours and prices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettyNL Posted July 15, 2006 #18 Share Posted July 15, 2006 JOYCE....... Thanks for the link to PortCompass SA; they seem to offer exactly what we are looking for: transfer from hotel (Santiago) to ship (Valparaiso) and transfer from ship (BA) to airport. Originally, we were reluctant to attempt this adventure (South America!!) arranging our own flight schedule; but honestly, all the information, assistance, guidance, and help here has indeed made me very much look forward to the trip :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane110 Posted July 20, 2006 #19 Share Posted July 20, 2006 I agree with the suggestions for Carlos of Private Tours in Buenos Aires. He's terrific. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerena Posted August 20, 2006 #20 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Tours from Santiago to Rio (including Iguazzu) Santiago to Valparaiso-Vina del Mar. http://www.enaturchile.com Victor Aballai was very good. See my post on Rotterdam--Jan 11 to see comments. victor.aballai@enturchile.com $45 pp. Puerto Montt GV Tours http://www.gvtours.com Fantastic. Veronica and Gail Stein are the guides. gvstein@surnet.cl $50 pp. incl lunch Punta Arenas Turismo Viento Sur http://www.vientosur.com I worked with Francesca Baldecchi agencia@vientosur.com She was very attentive and we had Paulina and a driver as our guide. College student who was excellent. Took Penguin colony tour and 1/2 day city tour. $94 pp Ushuaia, Argentina Used the HAL tour to the National Park & Beagle Channel. Was OK, but would rather be with just our small foursome rather than the large bus. $109 pp Falkland Islands---we did our own thing in the town. Was raining anyway!!!! Buenos Aires Carlos Vitro at Private Tours Fantastic guide http://www.privatetours.com.ar $80 pp incl lunch and tango demo---all day tour Montivideo We had planned to just do our own thing, but there were lots of taxis outside the ship, so we used one of them and had a fantastic tour for about 4 hours---even got to go into the presidents house! $17 pp. Rio Peter Novak We saw so much of Rio, I can't even imagine. He picked us up at 8:00 and we returned to the ship at 8:00--4 of us. Approx. $165 pp. Took us places a bus could never find!!!! He was our personal guardian for the day. http://www.privatetours.com.br I was a little concerned about the cost at first---but it was well worth it. Iguazzu Oliver Daizi www1.fallsbrazil.com.br met us at the airport and took us on a tour of the Brazil side before taking us to our hotel. He was excellent, even doing all our paperwork at immigration.We toured the Argentine side by ourselves the next day. Highly recommend individual tour guides rather than the ship. I used this board to find recommendations and glad we did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dileep Posted August 20, 2006 #21 Share Posted August 20, 2006 you know where to find it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brahmama Posted August 23, 2006 #22 Share Posted August 23, 2006 I was so happy to find this thread! We have just booked for a Jan 20 cruise and this will cut out hours and hours of reseach on my part. I especially appreciated the post where the prices were included. That really helps! Thanks to all of you, Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mmliller Posted August 28, 2006 #23 Share Posted August 28, 2006 We made arrangements with: enaturchile.com, they responded our questions quickly. We are happy with your supplies. We will have a car and a private guide. We cannot make arrangements with a group; by my husband has difficulties to walk. It was exactly what we needed. I hope that you they have a good trip. Marilyn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becky_donald Posted October 25, 2006 #24 Share Posted October 25, 2006 We will be visiting Santiago Chile in early Feb. What type of clothing is the norm. I krow the weather will be warm. Do people wear shorts, sneakers. Do women dress nicer for dinner. My husband and I will use enataturchile. For our transference to Valparaiso, in our trip we will visit a vineyard, what do you recommend Vina Mar or Indomita Hotel Orly . What is your appreciation of this hotel Any helpful suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Becky and Donald :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brahmama Posted October 25, 2006 #25 Share Posted October 25, 2006 We will be visiting Santiago Chile in early Feb. What type of clothing is the norm. I krow the weather will be warm. Do people wear shorts, sneakers. Do women dress nicer for dinner. My husband and I will use enataturchile. For our transference to Valparaiso, in our trip we will visit a vineyard, what do you recommend Vina Mar or Indomita Hotel Orly . What is your appreciation of this hotel Any helpful suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Becky and Donald :) Becky/Donald, We are also doing the transfer. Do you know where you are having lunch? I can't find any recommendations for lunch and have searched. Also, did you decide on a winery? We're going in January and were wondering about the clothes too! Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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