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Chile - Eco Adventure trip to Patagonia
One word describing Chile and Rumbo Patagon: UNBELIEVABLE
One sentence describing Chile and Rumbo Patagon: The most jaw-dropping vistas you will ever set your eyes on, the best culinary experience you will ever sink your teeth into, the warmest and most welcoming family and culture you will ever put your arms around…if there is one destination to ear-mark for a “have to go there” trip, Chile is it!
OK - A little more detail:
The second I walked out of the airport in Santiago Chile into a pleasant 78 degree reprieve from the winter gloom at home, I knew that I was at least going to get some quality sunshine back in my life and that this trip would be A-OK Little did I know that this trip would change my expectations of travel and set a new bar for comparison in future destinations.
Santiago, a European-influenced large city (6 million) sits at the foothills of 18,000 foot Andes peeks and it swells with energy and a successful economy. Sidewalk cafés are busy serving “Café Cortados”; businessmen walk the streets with three-piece suits and Armani Sunglasses; women dress with modern day fashion seen today in the large cities of the U.S. This is no 3rd world country, this is a city that’s pulse has gone unnoticed by the northern hemisphere.
Winery tours, beach tours, rodeo, are all within an hour and leave you with the feeling that this City has plenty to offer. It was actually sad to think we we’re leaving this place after a few short days.
After a two hour plane ride traveling south over 1,000 mountain tops we arrive in Patagonia Chile. This is a place I would dub “outdoor adventure capital of the world” a name already been taken by Queenstown, NZ. Queenstown, however, doesn’t hold a candle to the possibilities Patagonia does, it is just more discovered and mass marketed by the Bungy Jumping freaks.
This place makes you feel as though you are seeing it as an explorer…seeing the country before man’s intervention. Snowcapped peaks are everywhere, around every turn, overlooking huge green, lush valleys. Even though you might not be a religious person, you can honestly claim “this is God’s country”.
Whitewater rafting, mountain biking, fly fishing, trekking, watching the condors (largest birds in the world) we’re all on the calendar of events for the week. This is where “eco-adventure” differentiates from “eco-tour”, where the activities burn more calories than sitting in a bus. I have to admit, I never would have picked half of the activities if I had given choice before arrival. I simply would have fly fished the entire week. Instead, however, I participated in all of them and I simply wouldn’t do it any other way. They are mini challenges (but not too physically exausting), and they allow you to experience Chile in it’s entirety. Every one of the activities comes highly recommended.
Rumbo Patagon is the stage manager that made everything happen…in a way that makes you think you we’re tagging along with a great family rather than paying a business for a Chilean tour. Their knowledge of their country, their connections to the right people, and their professionalism really made the hosted part of the trip a necessity. Going as a “do-it-yourself” trip would only get you halfway there. The Rumbo Team takes care of absolutely everything but piggy backing you up the hill.
The day of departure was very sombering… It is a rarity that I can spend just a couple of weeks with people that I have never met before and feel very sad that I was leaving. They had become very good friends and the hug goodby was hardly enough to express my gratitude.
Way to go Rumbo….can’t wait to come back to your wonderful country…
Contact information for Rumbo Patagon: Call Jeff Perin, Fly Fisher's Place: (541) 549-3474.
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