Trip Code: PAT 090 / Style: Adventure6 DAY EXPLORING LOS GLACIARES NP AND MT FITZ ROY

7d Torres del Paine Trek + 7d Fitz Roy Trek + 4d Ushuaia (Hazzard)

"...When booking folks into Punta Arenas, recommend or arrange Magdelina Island tour, it was great with thousands and thousands of penguins that we were very close to........ The ecocamp could not have been nicer and first class. I´ve been recommending it to everyone I see. I was fortunate to be one of the slowest hikers and thus was given Lorenzo Andrade-A as a guide. He is truly a gentle, caring person in addition to being a superb outdoorsman - and patient for someone so young. Roberto, the other guide was also fabulous and very professional. The camp manager Christian was helpful when I got a cold and bronchitis and they even put lemon water in my dome for me. Barbara the cook was also extra helpful but really everyone there was into giving first class visitor service. Living in Hawaii I know the difference between people who are just doing a job and those who enjoy what they are doing. Ecocamp is one where people enjoy working. El Chalten hikes were good and guides satisfactory. We were spoiled at Ecocamp....... Recommend both optional boat rides as my group took both and loved them. I also liked the full-day boat ride to 3 glaciers. Ushuaia was beautiful, surprisingly so, and the tour company was very well-organized.... Thanks very much for all the arrangements. I love Chile and will be back, I guess I have to travel in the north next time, and the Lakes district more. I just got to Port Varas this time. I recommend Cascada without reservation.

21-01-2008

5d Torres del Paine Trek + 7d Fitzroy Trek (Jo Boatright)

This trip was one of the best experiences I've ever had! Keith and I loved the treks, especially the Torres del Paine part (and that may have been partially due to the weather over which no one has any control). I was completely "blown away", as we say, by the Eco-Camp. I have a lot of information on it and I'm hoping to at least inform our Forest Services and other outdoor groups on what you are doing. As we say in the music world--BRAVO! We really enjoyed Eduardo and Lorenzo. They are terrific and, actually, more informed than other similar guides I've had in the past. I was, of course, at the tail end of the trekking group most, not all, of the time. The way it was guided didn't make me feel "inferior"--only made me realize how much older I was than the rest of the group. I liked the mixed ages and mixed nationalities that we were with on the Chilean side. The Fitzroy was also very good but not as much fun as the Torres del Paine and that was, as I said earlier, mostly due to the weather. Keith and I actually didn't do the second day as it was as rainy, windy and unpleasant as the day before and I couldn't face it on "vacation". Instead we enjoyed getting to know El Chalten. Our guide, Diego, was very pleasant and everything you advertised but, I don't, quite frankly, think he is as informed or enthusiastic as Eduardo. The third day's trek was more fun as the weather was superb and we enjoyed that day a lot with Diego. Monica was a great guide for the Perito Moreno glacier, which was unbelievably spectacular. All of the drivers were experienced with outgoing personalities. All in all the whole trip was super well organized with everyone prompt and ready to help us--even anticipating our need of help! I will highly recommend this experience with your company at every opportunity. I'll be sending Eduardo and you some information on the Colorado Mountain Club as they have numerous world-wide treks that are set up by individuals active in the club. If possible I'll send email addresses of other hiking organizations in the USA. Again, thanks for all you did Cecilia to make this a memorable, once in a lifetime experience for us. Sincerely, Jo Boatright

02-01-2008

7d Torres del Paine Trek + 7d Fitzroy Trek (Bob Schwartz)

We had a wonderful trip!! The guides, Diego (Agentina), Rodrigo and Roberto, were all excellent, extremely well informed regarding the geography, flora and fauna, and were as pleasant as one could ever ask for. They were also very attentive, as well as responsive to any of our needs. And, the food was all excellent (except at the first restaurant at which we stopped en route from Punta Arenas, where the lunch was not good) and wonderfully served, especially at the Eco-Camp, which was most enjoyable. The hotels at which we stayed in Argentina were also really, really nice, the bit extra we paid for the upgrade being really worth it. The trails and sights were terrific, more than we even anticipated. What gorgeous country! We have some extraordinary pictures. The only disappointment was on the Fitz Roy trip, where we failed to see the top on the climb. Adding to the great trip was the group with which we hiked in Chile. Every person in the group was experienced and really good-humored, great fun. Finally, I want to thank you for the unusually helpful, kind and pleasant experience you made our reservation process. It couldn't have been better! And, I must add that everything worked at every stop and pickup. At the several points during the trip at which transfers were necessary, they were always there. I've never had that experience. Cecilia, thanks so much for a terrific experience. Regards, Bob Schwartz

31-12-2007

5d Torres del Paine Trek + 7d Fitzroy Trek (Suchitra)

Tecla and I reached home on Friday night and were going to send you a thank you email this week. The whole trip, particularly Torres del Paine, was INCREDIBLE!!! We loved Cascada and our guide Mauricio and all of the other Cascada staff.Everyone was so professional but also very fun, friendly, and caring. We also very much appreciated how environmentally concious the Cascada guides were - picking up any paper or garbage along the way. The food was delicious and the eco-camp tents were beautiful and cozy. The hotels were also great and the transfers were all very smooth. I also very much look forward to visiting Chile again in the next few years. Thank you so much for all of your suggestions and for booking this trip for us. It was a pleasure working with you. I will definitely pass your name to friends planning on traveling in South America. Regards, Suchitra

31-10-2007

7d Torres del Paine Trek + 7d Fitzroy Trek (Yuet Mui)

Unfortunately we are home. We had a wonderful time. Everything went very smoothly. Torres del Paine trek was wonderful, I think Cascada really have this trip planned to a perfection. The Fitz Roy trip was wonderful too. All the transfers went very smoothly - everybody and all documents/bus tickets were available when needed. The guide, Diego, was very nice & knowledgeable. The hotel in El Chalen was wonderful...... All in all we really enjoyed ourselves and everything was we expected or better. Thank you so much for arranging such wonderful trip. We cannot ask for anything more. Yuet

29-10-2007

Patagonia + Lake District (Gail & Mike Strong, USA)

Got back yesterday after a superb trip – wanted to thank you & cascada for your great organizing – was such a success in every way. Also appreciated very much the prompt and reliable pick ups and transfers. We will be back (still very much want to see the Atacama desert amongst other things). We really loved the Chilean and Argentinian people – always so warm and friendly – and great food and PISCOS!!! Warm regards, Gail & Mike Strong (South Africa)

20-03-2006