After 6 years of having to mind my grandkids, I think I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and'll be able to take off for a few weeks of r&r. I want to experience the Andes in Chile and Argentina. Torres del Paine, to be specific, is my primary goal. Can anyone recommend a good, reputable travel agency originating out of Punta Arenas? My flight will be taking me from Honolulu to Papeete to Easter Island to mainland Chile. I've Googled and Dogpiled and have come up with a list of agents...but I'd like to hear from someone who has been there and done it! Thanks!
1
grandmas_go
Great trip! Check out Casa Cecilia in Puentas Arenas; it is one of the cleanest and best run places in town. Cecilia can help you organize a trip into Torres, and she has great suggestions. She organized us so that we had comfortable hiking, one day on horseback, meals in all the refugios, and a great boat trip up to Grey Glacier on the way back. Her email is redcecilia@entelchile.net. Then she organized us for the next lap of our trip, fixing us up with bus tickets and a place to stay with her friends. Besides that, she got up at an unreasonable hour to drive us to the bus. She is a dynamo, and the entire family are welcoming and helpful. Tell her the two grandmas say hello.
PM me if you have any specific questions.
2
beelzbubba
Thanks, Grandmas! Just the kind of information I was looking for! I looked up Casa Cecilia on tripadvisor.com and she does come out with a lot of plusses. Anyway, I'm hoping the trip gels and I certainly thank you again for that most valuable tip. Salud!
3
craigt3365
I just got back and used Werner at Casa Cecilia for TdP. It was awesome and Werner did an outstanding job. We stayed at Hosteria Pehoe the first night. Expensive, but worth it for the views. Should have stayed another day there. Then we did the W. Only carring a day pack...we stayed in the refugios and rented bedding from them, and ate our meals there. Worked out perfect. Last day was a glacier trek on Grey. Amazing. Then a day at a hosteria and a zodiac trip to PA.
You definitely don't need a guide. The trail is well worn....hundreds of trekkers. Impossible to get lost. The bus to TdP leaves from their hotel. We scheduled everything only a week before our start. Give yourself some leeway there as the weather is really crazy. We had searing heat, followed by rain, followed by sleet all in one day...along with the normal 30 MPH+ wiinds (max on one day was well over 60).
Grandmas_go: I read one of your earlier posts...great info and really helped me plan this trip. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. Incredibly beautiful....
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