jhubbel

Advance planning, my booted foot. Already I have found that all the SUVs in Calafate are booked out- so here's what I would so appreciate from the experienced travelers on this forum. I am planning on going to Estancia El Condor, which is a ways up the gravel roads in the Andes from El Chalten. They say, drive an SUV, no kidding around. Fine. Since I have to fly into Calafate, I immediately started researching to get an SUV. Eleven months in advance, no deal.

Dear folks, what are the options here? When I spoke to the renters, renters.com informed me that even their SUVs are not allowed to drive on gravel roads (ok really? an SUV?) by their insurance. That's ridiculous considering Patagonia's roads. What are some other options? Does anyone know how to find someone I can hire for those days to drive me, I take care of their housing and board while I do the Condor thing for four days and then they drive me back to Calafate? I am very open to alternatives. I knew that we had to plan in advance but this caught me off guard. Do the SUVs open up due to cancellations? I spent two to three hours checking every source I could. So those of you have done this before, if you know alternatives, insider tips, what I could do after getting there, I'd so value a tip. I did book a Hertz mid size car but it doesn't have 4WD. I figured to have something that I could bargain with if someone tanked on a reservation.

My dates are November 26-Dec 1st, and I'm open to shifting them around a bit.

Happy Holidays to all, Feliz Navidad, may all have a grand time wherever in the world you are.

Many thanks!
Julia

avrooster

Julia:

You may or may not have seen this:

http://cielospatagonicos.com/eng/condor_location.html

That car, IF you find it, is going to cost a fortune.

I suggest you tell the estancia to find you someone to share the transportation with, or can they pick you up when they go to pick up supplies.

In other words, I would ask the estancia for help with your problem.

Have a great time in our country.

jhubbel

Hey you, merry christmas. I did try to contact the estancia but can't get a rise out them yet- busy time of year!


And yes, the prices- along with the necessary insurance (which my credit card will cover) were hair raising.

I am going to skip Ushuaia, and spend more time in the Calafate area exploring glaciars, which I think is time well spent. I loved what El Condor offered, it's right up my alley. Just - ah- remote. Which is lovely if you can get up there!

I'll keep trying, there's plenty of time. I'm sure I'm not the only one with an access problem.

I hope that you and your family are enjoying a simply lovely Christmas time at home.

Warmly,Julia

avrooster

Did you try these:

(+54 11) 5272 0343

[email protected]

If not, try on Thursday.

Huentetu

Are you contacting companies located in Argentina or using a third party for booking? I ask because of the link you provided. Have you tried these people:
http://www.interpatagonia.com/alquis...5086542cc729cc

avrooster

The link posted above by Huentetu is the website of what is probably the right firm to contact for a 4x4 rental in Calafate.

avrooster

Anyway, such a car rental will cost you a fortune and I still believe you should try the estancia itself (see the phone number and the e-mail address posted above) to find out what they have to say about it.

Furthermore, I believe whoever you contacted for car rental DOES have vehicles available, but does NOT wish to rent so far out, most likely due to our high inflation rate.

Have a great time in our country's wonderful South, Julia.

avrooster

BTW, Julia, JIC your "much experienced BsAs friend" mentioned "elsewhere" is this poster, you know he cannot answer, as he is a proscript there, due to his awful habit of "telling it like it is" (my version, of course, LOL!).

Huentetu

I agree with Av; no company in Argentina can commit to a price for nearly a year away. I hope you have luck with the estancia giving you suggestions.

avrooster

Julia:

Just talked to a very nice (and apparently quite competent) lady called Adela at the phone number I gave you above.

The e-mail address you gave them was incorrect (shame on you, LOL!!!), which explains why you did not get a reply.

I gave Adela the proper address.

As I expected, the Estancia El Cóndor offers various transportation arrangements for their guests.

Adela will tell you all about that.

Have a great time in our wonderful South.

jhubbel

Interesting as I sent multiple enquiries, and each would have had the email, and the email on what I sent would have been accurate if you hit reply. Ah well. I did hear from her, and she is happy to set up transfers which fixes the problem. I would love to avoid renting by all means. Better to spend a small fortune on a transfer than a vast one only to have said car sit on the estancia while I ride for several days. Interesting too is the price differential in what the website said and what she quoted me- a very significant difference in the fee. My guess is that's inflation. The bane of everyone in Argentina. Thanks again AvR and I'll keep you posted as plans continue. I expect to see you out at Dos Hermanos!

jhubbel

Getting closer! So far I've scheduled kayaking on the Valdez Peninsula, riding at Dos Hermanos and with my friend Ariane Hellman in Bariloche, and I'm confirmed for El Condor. While I did research transportation with Adela, they charge US350 for the ride to get there and possibly back as well. That's a pretty penny. So I'm doing my best to see if there is a slightly less dear way to get up and down the mountain. Whatever needs to be done, we'll figure it out. Dear AvRooster has sent me the right song to sing in Argentina to make me welcome - good thing I was all for an Argentinian victory in the World Cup- at least I can commiserate properly.

Any and all suggestions from anyone who has stayed at El Condor before and used alternative transport other than that provided by the estancia would be welcomed.

To all who are in mourning for Argentina, my condolences, but what a heck of a game. I think even the fans got exhausted.

Travel well all.