Every winter, my husband and I succumb to the vitamin D deficiency that plagues New England, and use our miles to get as far away from winter as possible. Our trip has to meet one of two criteria: As far south in the Southern Hemisphere as possible (maximum daylight) Or As close to the equator…
Continue reading: Introduction: Patagonian Summer
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Looking forward to your thoughts on Easter Island! I was there 2 years also over the holidays, and I really enjoyed it.
Easter Island is one of my favourite trips of the last few years. The whole island is essentially a sub-tropical, open-air sculpture park, with no snakes. And very friendly locals.
My two top tips: hire a car (well, a tiny Suzuki Jimny, probably), and set off. The island is so small it’s impossible to get lost. And visit the Godamn museum. It tells you everything you need to know about this magical place.
Now I’m hoping you also had a good time there. And I’m wondering when I can go back...
How many delta SkyMiles did you spend? And how much were the tickets to easter island? These are crucial details for readers to be able to plan a similar trip and “too embarrassed to admit” isn’t really helpful for a OMAAT review.
Wonderful locations - I spent seven months in Patagonia and visited the Easter Islands on an expedition trip (I volunteered as a photographer) after finishing grad school . I hope you enjoy it - still one of my most memorable experiences, living out of a small bag and the land (fishing) in one of the most breathtaking places on earth (perhaps surpassed only by the Himalayas). This was pre-2016 so we I basically lived in the wilderness and among inhabitants in far-flung villages and towns.
Easer Island is the most magical, hands down. I camped at the only place a person can stay outside Hanga Roa, at Anakena, it was absolutely surreal when I got to gallop a horse at a pristine beach in the morning rays without a single person, while being watched by a row of Moai. Renting a car is a must and they are hefty if you are like me who cannot drive manual. (sad millennial noises) Exploring the hidden Northern coast by walk was absolutely fabulous as all 7 people I met during the entire 8 hours of trek were locals and they invited me to fish on 100ft cliffs and drink beer!
Maybe it's a bit late to arrange an award trip to those destinations, 4 months ago I tood advantage of an IAD - PPT on Y for 180 dollars, and got LA awards to IPC and back to SCL and IB to MAD.. Frankly I'm happy to be there on the 1st Jan 2020 he he...
Torres del Paine is amazing. My tip is go in early or late Winter. It’s not that cold and the place is far less busy. I would go on 10 hour hikes and not see another human. The W still had people on it but not nearly as crowded as summer. Snow pack can be an issue however, we couldn’t hike to the three towers until the last day. I would not enjoy the place in summer, just not a fan of crowds.
Hiking southern Patagonia is one of my highlights amongst all my travel - up there with the khumbu in Nepal. I went during the Xmas/New Years as well but back in 2002. TDP was not crowded at all - you didn't meet anyone for miles - and you could camp anywhere - though I did stay in those refugios a couple of nights as well. There were no hotels/resorts there then. Even more spectacular was Los Glaciers national park. The world's population and and wealth has grown enormously since then .... most places are crowded these days.
Visited Patagonia a few years ago and stayed at the wonderful Explora Hotel in Torres del Paine, Chile. (Treks into snowy peaks and glaciers, lazing in hot-tubs with a glass of champagne, over-looking the peaks!) Then we were driven up to El Calafate in Argentina ...stayed at the EOLO. (Great to see the glaciers 'thunder' and fall, zip-wiring along the valleys and going condor watching.)
Steph - great article! I enjoyed meeting you and your husband at one of the coolest places on Earth. Small world.
I have flown from Punta Arenas to Santiago past november one way for 40 US$ booked on the chilean website.
And NO there is no resident or citizenship requiered to book a ticket on their chile website as a foreigner.
Nothing wrong with chilean low cost companies. It is a pity that you are not extending the trip to some of the amazing places nearby Torres del Paine, like Punta Arenas in the Chilean site or Glaciar Perito Moreno or El Chalten in the Argentinian side, particularly if as you said you are probably not going to visit again.
IMHO Isla de Pascua is part of a French Polynesia trip and not part of a short Patagonia journey, considering the vastness and logistics involved in a trip to Southern Patagonia and the world class attractions like the Glacier.
Chilean Patagonia is beautiful, incredible landscapes. But I had more fun on the Argentinian side, locals are more open and friendly plus the seven lakes district and Perito Moreno Glaciar are stunning.
Both Patagonia and Easter island are just stunning. Be very aware of the four seasons in one day in Patagonia. The wind down there can be quite extreme! If Easter island wasn’t so far away, I would go there yearly! They limit tourists by limiting number of flights and hotels. The result is Hawaii-lite in a very good way. Enjoy checking off these bucket list places!
Superb intro, Steph! I love your writing style and those destination photos look incredible so looking forward to the following instalments. Would love to see Easter Island in person one day, but if I can see it through your eyes that'll keep me happy for now!
Wow! Great and witty writing, along with lots of really good information. Thanks, Steph!
I live south of Boston and always park at Logan Express in Braintree. $22 round trip to Logan, $7 a day to park. Have also stayed at an airport hotel. I’ve been to Chile and Torres DP in October. Gorgeous country!
Pack layers! Maybe we will run into each other as I am studying the biodiversity for a year there!!!