4.6 Stars (56 reviews)
If you get a chance to hike in Patagonia, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. The beauty of the area with the mountains, lakes, forests, volcanoes and glaciers left me in awe. According to our guides, we were blessed with good weather as Patagonia can get very windy requiring certain revisions to be made on a day’s itinerary.
Speaking of itineraries, the itinerary posted on Active’s website for Northern Patagonia needs some serious updating. There was a couple of hikes that changed but not reflected on the website. People book these trips based on the itineraries, so needless to say, there were a couple of moments of disappointment for me during the trip.
For the most part, I enjoyed all the hikes. We went during their summer season so we encountered a lot of visitors along the trails. One of my most memorable hikes was Cerro Goye (not on the itinerary). It was a technical hike, cliffy and sandy while gaining elevation. As we were hiking the peak, we saw 3 Andean condors flying above us, it was surreal. Once you get to the peak, you are rewarded of a 360 view of the mountains and lakes. I personally would have appreciated 1 or 2 more technical hikes on this trip.
I loved our main tour guide, Mayra. She was friendly, funny, patient and accommodating.
If you enjoy red wine, do not pass up the opportunity to buy some while you’re in Argentina. They have great Malbec. Enjoy a glass or two in your hotel room at the end of the day (don’t forget to pack a wine bottle opener!) Also if you are a beer drinker, you will find yourself in IPA heaven. lol
And if you enjoy fish, do not pass up the opportunity to try the trout and/ or the Chilean bass. Delicious!
Argentine pesos: you can get them when you arrive at the airport in Bariloche or take a walk from Las Marianas Hotel to Mitre Street (the Main Street for shopping) there will be solicitors on the street for currency exchange but if you go that route, it’s preferred that you exchange large USD bills ie $50 or $100 for a better rate exchange and I find it to be the same in shops too when paying in USD they want you to pay in large USD bills.
Lastly, I strongly recommend you arrive at least 1 or 2 days ahead not only for rest but the efficiency of the local airlines can be quite dubious. A fellow hiker “lost” his luggage at the Bariloche airport. If it wasn’t for his air tag, he wouldn’t have known that it was at the airport all that time in a storage closet. 2 days later, He ended up returning to the airport to get an airport personnel to help retrieve it. (I tagged along for moral support lol)He was initially informed that once his luggage was located, it would be delivered to his hotel which never happened. It was crunch time and he had all his hiking gear in his suitcase. That was a close call. There were two other hikers who arrived on the morning of the first day’s hike due to a flight cancellation, they looked tired, not a fun way to start the trip but we all survived. lol Prepare for possible travel glitches.
Northern Patagonia Adventure, January 1970
4.8 Stars (56 reviews)
Excellent guides, food, itinerary and route! The team felt like a group of old friends. I did not have to plan or manage a single detail. Perfect for myself, a solo, female, traveler in her 40’s.
New Zealand E-Bike Adventure, January 1970
4.7 Stars (4482 reviews)
Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
Ultimate South Island Adventure, January 1970
4.7 Stars (4482 reviews)
Phenomenal Trip. Extremely well organized, excellent accommodations & meals. However the best part of the trip was the itinerary, from Kaikoura to Nelson Lakes, Punakaiki to Queenstown and finally Te Anau/Milford Sound to Aoraki/Mt. Cook we had the opportunity to experience the best of what the South Island has to offer. The views, varied eco systems, challenging hikes and tours made the trip a once in a lifetime experience. In addition our two guides, Aleisha & Katie were outstanding, very informative, wonderful cooks and never to pushy. They made the trip memorable for the entire group.
Ultimate South Island Adventure, January 1970
4.7 Stars (4482 reviews)
We have never been on a trip where we were able to sit back and enjoy the experience while all the details were made behind the scenes. The Ultimate Southern Island trip is a true joy! Each detail is thought out, from where to stop for lunch on our long drive days, restroom breaks in cute little towns, the perfect amount of time to explore the rest stop and keep on track with hiking and exploring! Each day exceeded our expectations, and our guides were the best! We will be back with Active Adventures and can’t wait for our next adventure.
Ultimate South Island Adventure, January 1970
4.7 Stars (4482 reviews)
Excellent, the trip of a lifetime!
Ultimate South Island Adventure, January 1970
4.7 Stars (4482 reviews)
We had never visited New Zealand. The trip showed us the South Island in a way we could not have arranged on our own.
Ultimate South Island Adventure, January 1970
4.7 Stars (4482 reviews)
Just returned from first trip to NZ, including 2 weeks on the South Island tour. Absolutely terrific! The different environments, the guides, and the food and lodging were first rate. Alecia and Katie couldn't do enough for the 12 of us. I was solo, but our group bonded well throughout. I liked the "Comfort Option" in Nelson Lakes - great day hikes and returning to a warm shower and bed each night, but the 7 who took the Angelus option raved about it to. Unfortunately one of our two rainy days on the trip resulted in cancelling the heli-hike on Franz Joseph, but we had an excellent hike up a rainforest mountain instead. The hiking is just amazing, and the kayaking, biking and Milford Sound were all great as well. Go on this trip if you can!
Ultimate South Island Adventure, January 1970