Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Andes to Patagonia - A Tour of South America

Map of South America

This was my first visit to South America and two places high on my list to see were the spectacular National Parks of Torres del Paine and the awesome waterfalls of Iguazu. These two famous natural wonders are located in Chile (CH) and Argentina (AR), and The Andes to Patagonia Tour visited both Parks.

I selected Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) for their reputation of well organized adventure tours in small groups. The 3-week trip exceeded all my expectations and my traveling companions were a congenial group of 12 coming from five other states.

If I could have done the same tour independently, it would have taken me twice the time with double the headaches. There's a lot to be said about "leave the driving to OAT!"

The tour covered a tremendous amount of ground. AR is a very big country and very wide, CH is skinny and very long. The tour included four internal flights and several long bus rides (see map below for detail of tour route and destinations).


Click on pic for enlarged view

Our route and major destinations of the tour through AR and CH. The map does not show the flight from Buenos Aires to Iquazu.


Santiago "Santi" Giorgi

Our intrepid tour leader who guided us through 21 days full of fun, excitement and wonder. Santi's humor and easy-going personality made a great trip insanely great!


"Never pass up a banos!"

Santi's mantra, especially before and during long bus rides

WIFI

I have to start the tour with a amusing sign seen in Chiloe Island. There's a job opening for a proof-reader.

The blog for THE ANDES TO PATAGONIA TOUR is organized as follows:

- Torres del Paine National Park
-Iquazu National Park
- Yacutinga Lodge
- Punihuil - Penguins and Birds
- Chiloe Island
- On the Road - Puerto Varas to Punta Arenas
- Las Glaciares National Park
- El Calafate
- Bariloche
- Guirga Animal Refuge
- Buenos Aires

At the end of each blog page, click on "older posts" at bottom of page to continue the tour

~~Next - Torres del Paine National Park~~



2 comments:

Hats & Taps said...

Thanks for taking us on your fantastic trip, Geno! Wonderful pictoral as usual! Marie

Hats & Taps said...

Thanks for taking us on your fantastic trip, Geno. Wonderful pictoral as usual! Marie