onthebow

Thank you to everyone who has helped me pair down my itinerary for an active family trekking trip.
I am in final process.
Should I book independently, or call an agent so it is a neat package and someone handles the details?
Which agent if i should go that route?

I am looking at 3 nights each:
Explora vs. Patagonia Camp (not eco camp, the other one)
Eolo
Don Los Cerros.
I have seen a few companies that have van shuttle between Don Los Cerros and the airport for 200/pp.
Renting a car may be far less expensive- but then I as the driver miss out on some scenery...potentially.
Does this sound feasible as far as travel times etc?
I may need hotel nights near airports- Unless:
Fly to Puerto Natales- to Explora/Patagonia Camp, all the way north to Don Los Cerros in one long day drive, then end at Eolo to fly out.

mlgb

You can fly to Puerto Natales now? I didn't realize that.

I am not familiar with Don Los Cerros or Eolo.

As far as I know Explora can arrange everything in and out, but after that I have no idea.

onthebow

YES- that would be something. In my haste - I meant Punta Arenas!

mlgb

As far as the costs go, I can't really help other than to confirm that private transfers are very expensive, which makes up part of the reason to use an all inclusive IF those are covered.

Much of the drive can get tedious, flat grassland until you get to Torres del Paine. You can typically pull over if there is anything much to see, there are only a few roads.

I haven't seen the Argie side though so don't know if that is a different experience.

odie1

If you fly to Punta Arenas, Explora will pick you up there but Patagonia Camp does not (according to their website) so it looks like you would need to get a bus to Cerro Castillo.
Do you not have the option of adding one more day anywhere? You could go from TdP to EL Calafate, stay at Eolo for three nights, transfer to Chalten for three nights and then return to Calafate and stay there for one more night at a regular hotel before flying out the next day. From TdP to Chalten in one day is a very very long day.
We rented a car in Calafate and were very happy we did. We made lots of stops for photos and were able to pull over when we saw animals, birds etc. You will not miss much scenery driving. The road is easy and there is hardly anyone else on it.
We used Isabel to help with transfers, busses etc and she was fantastic but I think since you are staying at inclusives, it shouldn't be too difficult.

mlgb

BTW if you need lodging near the Punta Arenas airport, I loved this B&B. You can turn your car in and they include transfers into town or to the airport as part of their pricing.

http://www.lacasaescondida.cl/home.html

clelbong

We just booked santiago to puerto natales direct in feb 2017, Sky and LATAM are offering flights during peak season between dec and feb, if this fits your itinerary and saves you 5 hours of driving time. The flights were not published on LATAM's website so I had to contact them directly. Hope this helps!