Discover Chile (2024)

Kay Collins   -  Traveled, February 2024

Discover Chile Wonderful Most Inspirational Moment Atacama Desert Thoughts on Group Leader Absolutely Fab!!!! Advice for Potential Travellers Do this trip Suggestions Will definitely book with Exodus again.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/22/2024

Melissa Hammond   -  Traveled, November 2023

Stunning Landscapes This trip was a great way to see the top highlights while leaving you wanting to explore more! Perfect ‘Discovery’ trip! There are a lot of flights and the airline can move around the timings so you have to be flexible and open to late nights/early starts. There really is no other way to cover so much distance in just 2 weeks. Its well worth the travel as you get to see 2 completely different sides of Chile, the Desert and Salt flats of the North and the Lakes and Mountains of the South, both equally beautiful but very different. The food wasn’t as expensive as I thought, similar pricing to London restaurants so by no means cheap but not unaffordable and if you take some snacks with you its easy to skip lunches as dinner portions in every restaurant we went to are very generous. The hotels were clean, spacious and comfortable. The only pool in use (we were early in the season) was in San Pedro. Both optional excursions are well worth doing but I would recommend doing a little research into star constellations before going to help things make more sense as its a lot of information to take in. Our guide Miguel was very knowledgeable and clearly loves his country and the outdoors we were in good hands especially in the National parks as he knows the area well. He is also a keen photographer so we were going to great photo locations and he was always willing to stop the bus whenever wildlife or a good photo angle was spotted! There are long drives, but the scenery was so beautiful that the drives were just as special as the walks and plenty of stops to stretch our legs or take a photo or toilet stop. Most Inspirational Moment The town and location of Puerto Varas is so sweet and beautiful, that was the one area I feel like i could go back to and spend a while enjoying the lakes and mountains, it has inspired me to increase my fitness levels to get back out there for some outdoor activites. Thoughts on Group Leader Very funny, laid back, knowledgeable. Was willing to be flexible and move things around if it suited the group or the weather and when one of our flight times changed. He was very sociable and joined us for most meals. He knew every bit of wildlife we saw and was really good at getting us photo opportunities. Advice for Potential Travellers Take some snacks in your case for lunches or pack a little lunchbox and make some things at breakfast if you are concerned about spending money. Lunches are the easiest meal to skip and save on! Don't over pack, you will need both warm and cooler clothing due to the two locations but its such a casual tour and no one cared if people were re-wearing things. You have more than enough luggage allowance but you are repacking quite often so keep it simple for yourself. It can be windy down south, take a wrist or neck strap for cameras/phones and have a hat with a chin strap! Don't change money in Santiago airport the rate is terrible, there is an exchange shop just round the corner from the start hotel with a much better rate. Credit cards accepted but everywhere added on a foreign card fee of around 5%. If sensible with belongings/bags I felt more than safe enough having cash for the duration of my trip I just left most in the hotel padlocked in my case and just took out what i needed each day. Suggestions This trip really is all about the landscapes. Its not much of a cultural experience as you dont meet that many locals and the towns are surprisingly modernised. You have to expect people to be wanting to spend time taking photos and have photo stops on the bus as really views and landscapes are the main focus. There is not much walking, the longest is 8KM but it can be very windy in Torres Del Paine so that walk can require extra effort. There are loads of stray dogs which could be concerning if you have a fear of dogs but they are very friendly.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 01/22/2024

Paul Watling   -  Traveled, November 2023

Disappointing This was a trip that is advertised as a culture trip but is most definately is not. There is little emphasis on culture and it should be more accurrately advertised as a nature and photographic trip. While i enjoyed the contrasts bwteeen different parts it was not the trip i thought i was getting. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the majiestic Patagonia mountains and the Lake Grey Glacier Thoughts on Group Leader My opinion of the Group leader was very mixed. He did a fantastic job when my luggage got lost on an internal flight, and dealt admirably when our flight got cancelled, but equally continually changed the advertised itinerary and delivered what he had been told to deliver by the local office. There were too many many stops and attempts to add more to an already packed timetable, meant that at times the basic and advertised trip was not delivered. His delivery of the trip was aimed at photographic opportunities directed at the fauna and Flora, rather than delivering a cultural trip, whic may have suited some members of the group, but did not deal with the cultural aspect of theis trip Advice for Potential Travellers If you are going on this trip to learn more about the culture of Chile, its history and its people, then this trip is not for you. If you want amazing photographic opportunities of the contrasts between the Atacama desert of the north and the panaramic south of Patagonia then do it. But be prepared for an awful lot of travelling, waiting at airports and the subsequent risk of flights being cancelled or delayed, that does eat into the itinerary. Be prepared to deal with changes in the weather from the +30 degree heat of the northern deserts to the minus tempertures of Patagonia, high altitude excursions and very little downtime. The food is amazing and everything is geared around fish, Lamb and wine. Suggestions Do not take at face value the advertisied itinerary, ours kept getting changed with little or no notice, and items on the itinerary were changed and in some cases removed. It does feel that too much is trying to be crammed into too little time, and with the poor service provided byt the airline of choice for most of the trip, LATAM airways, there is a very real risk that their behaviour will adversely impact any trip due to the number of flights needed to get around Chile (approx 6 flights). Discover Chile Reply from Exodus We would like to thank Paul for his review and were pleased to learn that he enjoyed Patagonia and the Lake Grey Glacier. On the other hand, we were disappointed that he felt there was not enough emphasis on Chilean culture and too much on nature and photography. Chile is of course known for its varied wildlife and stunning scenery and many of our customers appreciate the opportunity to capture this on film. That said, any photography stops should be incorporated into a group’s schedule and should certainly not impact the delivery of the main itinerary. Upon reviewing the feedback submitted by Paul’s group, we are satisfied that this trip was delivered in keeping with our expectations, despite the unfortunate travel disruption they encountered, however our customer services team are in direct contact with Paul to try to address his concerns. Troy Glennon, Product Manager

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 01/11/2024

Jola T   -  Traveled, February 2023

Jam-packed holiday I think this trip should be called Chile Highlights, as you do see best sites of Chile. There is a lot of travelling – planes and buses, so be prepared! Luckily with our trip we didn’t have any plane delays or cancellations, weather also didn’t spoil the plans, which was great! The standard of accommodation was adequate, I particularly liked Hotel Del Paine -mainlyy for the location and views, and Hotel Diego de Almagro (Atacama) had the best facilities and a great location next to centre of San Pedro. Most Inspirational Moment So many! Flamingos at Chaxa Lagoon Seeing Milky Way at the Atacama Desert Walk at Osorno Volcano Colourful Valpo the view in Torres del Paine National Park Grey Glacier boat trip Thoughts on Group Leader Felipe was great; there was not a question he couldn't answer about Chile and its history or culture. There was a lot to organise on this trip, 4 Flights (including one connection flight), bus transfers - everything worked like clockwork! He reserved dinners for the group for the most evening, all of them were a hit with the group! Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared to move around a lot; there are many plane journeys, so you need to get yourself organised so it doesn't overwhelm you! Packing cubes are handy to organise your luggage. For shopping, any jewellery or home accessories/decoration, the Valporaiseo jewellery shop seemed particularly good! For clothing and textiles, the market at Puerto Montt is excellent and has very good prices! You don't get to return to these places, so you must make some quick decisions. Suggestions The lower rating is because Exodus lacks organisation and communication with its travel agents. Expressing interest in optional excursions like Atacama Observatory is pointless. Despite appearing on the final Invoice (with a note to be paid locally), this is not communicated to travel agents and gets booked only a few days in advance anyway (which means you potentially could miss the opportunity completely!) Exodus needs to update trip notes, particularly on the first day; if you get final joining instructions as vague as ours, you will wonder what to do! From now on, If I am not on the group flight, I will only book Exodus holiday if they commit to complete and accurate joining instructions and the time and place when we have to meet our guide. Another example of not updated trip notes would be Day10, as the suspension bridge doesn't exist any more! I think the afternoon of day 10 should happen on day 11. Otherwise, you end up walking the same peninsula twice. Things can be improvised depending on the weather. I am rating the trip, not the Exodus. I will separately do this on the Trustpilot or similar. Otherwise, I would have to downgrade the rating.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/27/2023

DD Roberts   -  Traveled, February 2023

Great survey of Chile, but a bit hectic! You see a heck of a lot of Chile. The Atacama and Patagonia were particularly amazing. There is a lot of travel, both internal flights, and driving in mini buses. We had 12 in our group, so usually had a couple of empty seats on our mini buses. I’m glad we didn’t have 16, though perhaps then we’d have gotten slightly larger buses. Most Inspirational Moment Staying at the Hotel Del Paine, with a wonderful view of Torres del Paine, was totally cool. Thoughts on Group Leader Felipe was fantastic. He had to do a lot of improvising, and did it well. Some things haven't totally reopened since covid. On our day trip to Valparaiso, he had trouble finding a lunch spot opened on Tuesdays, but had a friend with a newly opened restaurant, which was great! Felipe is obviously a very experienced guide. He said it was his first trip since the one he was leading when everything shutdown in March 2020. Advice for Potential Travellers We had a bad experience with the glacier boat trip at Grey Lake. We had to pay in advance, but then the weather was too bad, and the trip was cancelled. At first, they said they wouldn't refund our money, but then relented. However, we had to push to get the local Chilean agency, Turavion, to actually follow through on the refunds. The 6 people who used credit cards got their refund, but those of us who used debit cards did not. Turavion couldn't figure out how to refund us, which I found surprising. At any rate, 2 months later, I'm still out almost $500. I've disputed it with my bank, and they are working on it. So at the very least, my advice is to pay with a credit card. Suggestions The internal flight travel days are hectic. We didn't find out until the last minute when our flights would be. I have no idea what is behind that. It all worked out, but there were a couple of early days(leave at 4 or 4:30am) that weren't exciting. On the early days, breakfast suffered, since the bag breakfasts were inferior to what was served at the hotels. The hotels themselves were perfectly nice.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/12/2023

Jonathan Perks   -  Traveled, January 2023

Review of Discover Chile trip An excellent introduction to Chile, it was very interesting to see the different climate regions, desert, Santiagio, Lakes and Patagonia. The group blended particularly well together. There were plenty of great photography moments. Felipe (our guide) was excellent. Most Inspirational Moment The boat trip to the glaciers was excellent. The blue ice was spectacular! Thoughts on Group Leader Felipe was excellent. he guided us to some excellent restaurants and was. He was very personable and receptive to the wishes of the group and provided his wide knowledge of Chile without talking too much. The short visit to his home where he showed us his artwork was fantastic. I felt that sometimes he could have given us a slightly clearer plan for the day. Advice for Potential Travellers Inevitably there is a lot of travel and in particular several days were spent relocating. These involved early starts which was fine for me since it meant more time in the destination. Suggestions The timing of some of the flights were changed very late - for one the guide called us at 11pm to tell us that we were leaving the hotel at 4am rather than 6am. It wasn't clear to us why the changes were made so late and it clearly meant that our guide was scurrying around at the last minute to make rearrangements.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/26/2023

colin weeden   -  Traveled, January 2023

Disappointing We booked our own flights with BA and flew direct from Heathrow to Santiago and back again with no problems. We were told to beware picking up a taxi at the airport so pre booked one with Exodus. It was not there when we exited the airport and we had 15 minutes of hassle from taxi touts before it arrrived. Not a good start. After our Day Visit to Valparaiso we were told to be in the Hotel lobby ready to leave at 9.00 am for our flight to Calama. 3 hours later we get a phone call ( or note pushed under the door) to say the flight has been changed and we are now to meet at 4.00 am !!!. This happened with 2 more of our scheduled flights leaving earlier but only being told at the very last minute. On one flight we did not get the late message at all and had a 5am knock on the door whilst still in bed, saying the coach was waiting to leave. In the scrabble to get dressed and pack our cases my wife lost an expensive braclet. These last minute flight changes also meant missing 3 decent hotel breakfasts and instead having a “picnic” box of a dried sandwich, biscuit and drink. Most went into the bin. As a consequnce of the early departure from Calama, we then had to wait over 4 hours in Santiago airport for our connecting flight to Puerto Montt. Fortunately the group did not let it spoil our holiday and the Atacama and Patagonia were both excellent experiences. We have been on about 20 guided tours all over the world (including 6 in Central/South America )with various companies and have graded them 4/5 stars. This was our first with Exodus. Most Inspirational Moment Walking in the High Atacama Desert. Thoughts on Group Leader Felipe was a very nice person. He was personable and helpful on a one to one basis. He also had some nice touches in organising things for the group. But, unfortunately, he was not a strong group leader. For the first few days he did not give clear instructions on where and when to meet. On the walk around Santiago we just wandered around some streets with little idea of their history or what to look for. He was not able to project his voice to cover our group of 14. There were also lots of little things, like when we were in the Atacama we constantly had to ask for the air conditioning to be switched on in the mini bus. Luckily, we had a very compatible and easy going group and over the 2 weeks we found our own ways of working things out. I could see him leading a small Private Tour very effectively. Advice for Potential Travellers Of the 12 days in Chile, half of the time is, in effect, spent in travelling. Prices in Chile are at least comparable or more expensive than in the UK. Even the same Chilean wine that you can buy in the UK is more expensive there. Consider booking your own flghts to avoid long changeovers. Suggestions I want to know why the 3 flights were changed at the very last minute and by whom. We have flown with Latam several times and this has never happened before.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/22/2023

Ken Magee   -  Traveled, October 2022

Discover Chile Our guide Alex Aguilera was fantastic! He organised the group really well, was a fund of information and always on hand to answer queries. The trip was varied and really interesting. The standard of the accommodation apart from Santiago, was quite basic but adequate. The meal by the local lady on the way back from the geysers, was poor, but apart from that, all the breakfasts were fine. Most Inspirational Moment Torres del Paine in Patagonia. Thoughts on Group Leader As mentioned above, he was FANTASTIC! Highly recommended. Advice for Potential Travellers No Suggestions No

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/26/2022

Colin Hitchin   -  Traveled, February 2022

After COVID - first long haul for us, first tour for Exodus in Chile Very good tour but with a few niggles. This was the first Discover Chile tour for 2 years, both for Exodus and for our guide. The first niggle was that the guide didn’t have accurate or complete guest arrival information. My wife and I were successfully met at the airport the day before the official land tour start. However the guide didn’t have any information about four guests and thought that the remaining guest was only arriving the next day ( which meant she would be quarantining). So the Santiago tour was cancelled. My wife and I went on our own to explore, as the guide was expecting to have to meet the remaining guest. However it turned out that all of the other guests had arrived before us and turned up in the hotel lobby for the tour. The guide tried to contact us but we didn’t see the messages until it was too late to join her. There was some confusion for one of the plane trips where our tickets were all marked as standby! We all got on but it was confusing. For our stay in Punta Varas it was a little disconcerting when many of the restaurants closed at 7. This also surprised the guide, who hadn’t been to the town for 2 years. We also missed out on the boat trip in the lakes because of a landslip and the back-up view from the ski resort was stopped by treacherous sleeting weather. It felt like there could have been an extra day in the Lakes region. The first breakfast in the hotel in Puerto Natales was very disappointing, but they made a much better breakfast the next time. Perhaps they were rusty after a long break from foreign tourism. In all the to-ing and fro-ing with Easter Island extensions our final transfer to the airport dropped off. Not a big issue because the guide sorted us out very efficiently. The scenery was stunning throughout and more than made up for any long journeys

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/12/2022

Liz Fraser   -  Traveled, February 2019

Spectacular sights and scenary Chile is a stunning country that has something for everyone. This trip provided a wonderful insight and delivered a variety of sights and scenery: from desert and volcanoes, to lakes (and more volcanoes) then mountains and glaciers, followed for me with the legendary moai of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). As the itinerary makes clear, a significant amount of time is spent travelling (I feel I am now very familiar with Santiago airport!) but that is due to the large distances covered. There is very little ‘down time’ and several early starts so it is definitely not for someone who wants a relaxing holiday. However, if you enjoy spectacular views and new experiences then it ticks all the boxes. Our group of 16 got on well and, alongside our tour leader and drivers, helped to make it a fantastic holiday. Most Inspirational Moment It is impossible to choose a single highlight as there were so many. The colourful houses and street art of Valparaiso; the Atacama desert with its rock formations, lagoons, wildlife and the most amazing night sky; the boat trip on Lago Todos los Santos, gazing up at the snow-topped Orsorno volcano; the breathtakingly beautiful Torres del Paine and Last Hope Sound; watching the mesmerising waves of the Pacific Ocean break on the rocky shores around Rapa Nui and visits to places such as Rano Kau and Ahu Tongariki. Thoughts on Group Leader Nacho was calm, caring and a real gentleman. He enjoyed telling us tales of his life as a flight attendant and introducing us, with a mix of enthusiasm and humour, to his wonderful country. He always had a variety of restaurant suggestions for dinner to cater for people's different preferences. I was the only one in the group who had chosen the Easter Island extension. Nacho took me to the airport for the flight, met me upon my return a few days later and took me back again the next day for the journey home to the UK. He waited while I checked in and then, deciding that the queue to go through customs was too long, took me to another part of the airport where the queue was much shorter. Advice for Potential Travellers I took advice from a previous review and took Chilean pesos with me (which meant I could gauge exchange rates and determine when to purchase them). As a result I managed with cash throughout the trip but others in the group used their credit or debit cards without difficulty in most places. Chile is notably expensive. Just one main course and some water for dinner could cost £12-£15 and, in Easter Island, it was even pricier (for example, a fish and rice dish with a natural fruit juice in a café away from the harbour cost over £25). This was a more sedate trip than I had anticipated so don't choose it if you prefer or expect some proper walks or long hikes. It is a busy schedule with some long days. There isn't much time to do handwashing and get clothes dry before heading off to the next location so you may wish to factor that into your packing. The hotel in San Pedro also has notices in the rooms asking people not to wash clothes. I ended up wishing I'd packed more long-sleeved shirts as I found myself wearing them for sun protection in the desert as well as protection against both the sun and dengue fever-carrying mosquitoes in Easter Island. If you like a bath, bring a universal bath plug as many of the hotels don't provide one. Suggestions I investigated several companies who offered pretty much identical trips. I particularly liked the fact that Exodus included most of the activities (eg the visit to Valparaiso) in the upfront price, avoiding the need to budget for additional expenditure/take extra cash. Many in the group would have preferred to have saved time by having lunch in Valparaiso rather than Vina del Mar and therefore been able to include a trip to a winery on the journey back to Santiago. While I enjoyed the stay in Puerto Varas, I'd happily dispense with the walk in the Orsorno lava fields and the few hours in Puerto Montt seemed to be just a filler while we waited for the flight to Punta Arenas. I'd also have loved more time and a chance to do some walks (e.g. for 1-2 hours) while in Torres del Paine. I had visited the area previously on a similar tour several years before and know that there are some walks that could have been worked into the itinerary without turning it into a different type of trip. I appreciate that the main 'Discover Chile' itinerary has been designed to be accomplished in 2 weeks. However, for somewhere like Chile with the sheer distances involved, it would have been lovely if it could have been extended by a further few days, giving more time in Torres and perhaps including a boat trip amongst the fjords.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/17/2019

Margaret Hogg   -  Traveled, February 2019

Good Title as we moved around alot to give us insite of what the country offered. The group of people on the trip all ‘gelled’ together and with the help of our excellent guide made a trip to be remembered. My only criticism, not your fault, was that I hadn’t realized how warm / hot it would be and, as a result I didn’t take enough light weight summer clothes. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the Volcanoes cone shaped and the tops covered in snow. The salt covered rocks of the canyons in the desert. Flamingos feeding in the lagoons. Watching the Condors circling overhead. The visit to Valparaiso, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. to view all the excellent wall art. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader was Ignacio Hewstone and he was excellent. Meeting and greeting at the airport went well as did all the other travel travel arrangements he made. His extensive knowledge of Chile was shown to us and it was interspersed with anecdotes (mostly funny) from his youth. This helped to further bring the group together. He was always around should any of us require help , or to advise us on where to eat - many suggestions were given. Advice for Potential Travellers Check the temperatures of the various areas to be visited. Take cash or card for money as at some places money can't be exchanged. Comfortable shoes or boots for walking in the desert. Enjoy the Pisco Sour !! and don't forget to bring a bottle home. Suggestions No

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/19/2019

Marianne Hong   -  Traveled, February 2019

Chile This trip covered a lot of ground in a short time frame. I (and the rest of my group) agreed that the one area of improvement would be to include a visit to the wineries and have lunch in Valparaiso. Most Inspirational Moment Seeing the stars in the Atacama Desert and the landscapes of Patagonia Thoughts on Group Leader Ignacio was wonderful. He was organized, attentive and had a good sense of humor. Advice for Potential Travellers Bring layers! It was unexpectedly cold when we visited the geysers.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/27/2019

Wendy Duckett   -  Traveled, February 2019

Awe inspiring. A land of so many sights, warm people and the impressive Andes mountains almost throughout. Most Inspirational Moment The Atacama Desert. Its forever changing scenery. The Lagoons, The Wetlands and Flamingo's, Geysers over 80 in one area. Sand dunes and forever rock formations. The long long roads and starry nights. Unlike any other desert I have visited. Thoughts on Group Leader Nacho was brilliant. His charm, smile and funny stories, seeing us all through some very long days. He was Informative throughout the trip. His observations and empathy were outstanding. Great fun and ensuring everyone's needs were met. A calm and unstressful gentleman. Would be great to have Nacho on every Exodus trip. Advice for Potential Travellers Chile felt to be a very safe and friendly country from the moment if arrival. This did not change or alter throughout. Happy walking around alone. Don't expect your International adapter plugs to work. I borrowed one and some bought some locally. The 2 circular pins were much smaller. I believe it was the European pinned one that works. Suggestions A boat trip to through the Fjords would be a great addition to this trip. As would a few hours at one of the vineyards when driving right through them.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/16/2019

Sheila Silvester   -  Traveled, February 2019

Chile Discover Chile is a great trip and a fantastic way to see all the best areas of this long thin country. It is full of travelling though and not just flying. However, as a brilliant and thorough voyage around the Atacama, Lakeland and Patagonia you can’t beat it. Most Inspirational Moment Too many to mention high Lakes in the Atacama, hummingbirds in the temperate rain forest and all of Patagonia! Thoughts on Group Leader Our le.ader was knowledgeable, helpful, enthusiastic and fun. He made the trip much more enjoyable Advice for Potential Travellers Don't expect to stop for long meals or have much down time but you do see a lot instead. Suggestions If you can avoid spending a morning in Puerto Montt do so. Stay and have a better look round Puerto Varas instead, it is much prettier and interesting.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 03/23/2019

Eamon Keating   -  Traveled, January 2019

Fascinating country We really enjoyed the chance to see so much of this great country in 2 weeks. The itinerary was excellent with visits to three very different regions. A good mix of walking and lots of wildlife and scenery to enjoy. The hotels we stayed in were all of a high standard and our guide gave good recommendations on places to eat in all locations. Most Inspirational Moment Patagonia is like nowhere else in the world and we were so fortunate to have great weather and see the Torres de Paine at their best. The flamingos in Atacama were equally memorable. Thoughts on Group Leader Robert was a terrific leader – hugely knowledgeable and very eager to ensure we had the best possible visit. He judged the group very well and tweaked our schedule to cater to our preferences. He is guaranteed to keep you entertained with stories and facts on all the bus journeys - like where the brand name Fanta come from. Advice for Potential Travellers If you enjoy a cup of tea at days end pack a small travel kettle. Don’t fret about packing everything – all of the large towns in Chile had well stocked shops and pharmacies that will supply anything you might unexpectedly need. Suggestions Exodus should reduce the time spent in Valparaiso and include a visit to a winery on the journey back to Santiago. They should also remove the morning spent in Puerto Montt where there is little to see and at the fish market you will be pestered by restaurant touts. Instead allow guests a free morning in the far nicer town of Puerto Varas. With these changes I would award the extra star.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 02/17/2019

Ilya Reyngold   -  Traveled, January 2019

January 7, 2019 Excellent trip Most Inspirational Moment Traveling through the different landscapes and climate zones Thoughts on Group Leader Alex Aguilera is a very good group leader. Advice for Potential Travellers It's the excellent opportunity to see different parts of Chile in a single trip but any future traveler should be ready to spend a lot of time commuting from one place to another. It’s absolutely worth it but should be noted. Suggestions To start the tour one day earlier (one more day) and spend an extra day in the Lake region

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 01/30/2019

Lester Wheaton   -  Traveled, November 2018

Exhilarating ‘Discover Chile’ was a fantastic holiday and certainly in my top three tours over the last 20+years. The main reason it was fantastic was that we had brilliant weather throughout and considering this holiday was to principally look at the natural landscapes within the country this was essential. Although it was a certainty that we would have clear weather in the desert which was confirmed, the bonus of views of the snow capped Mt Osorno and others in the Lake District, and also the fantastic Torres del Paine against cloudless backdrops was the icing on the cake. Most Inspirational Moment There were many highlights on the tour but these are my top three: 3. Mt Osorno in the Lake District 2. Antiplano Lakes and Mountain Scenery in the Atacama 1. Torres del Paine Mountain Scenery in Patagonia I could never get sick of the view of Torres del Paine from outside my room in Patagonia. Thoughts on Group Leader Ignacio was both competent and very pleasant. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared to spend a considerable time on planes (5 off internal flights) and the associated waiting time in airports, also early get ups (2 before 5am) and a late finish (11pm). Flight schedules can change at short notice but none of ours were seriously affected. Suggestions Overall the hotels were average with the one in San Pedro (Don Raul) being very disappointing (my room (42) looked nothing like the images on Tripadvisor) but the hotel in Patagonia was exceptional in the views that it had. Chile is a long distance from the UK and the tour could have benefited from an extra two days, one more possibly in the Lake District and one to explore the Magellan Strait near Punta Arenas. Although our tour was not in the absolute high season nowhere we visited was ever considered to be crowded, I suppose the busiest area (excepting Santiago) was San Pedro. It was disappointing to be in the Atacama during the full moon, therefore our stargazing tour (provided via Exodus) was not available.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/15/2018

Pauline Davies   -  Traveled, November 2018

Amazing! I overused the word amazing on this trip which far exceeded my expectations because of the spectacular nature of the country. It really is an excellent way to see so many totally different parts of the country in a short space of time. The variation in climate from the Atacama Desert down through the Lake District and to Patagonia was huge and, hence, the spectacular scenery and wildlife. Go for it! Most Inspirational Moment So hard to pick but I think it has to be Patagonia. I highly recommend exiting via the optional zodiac trip! In reality, the inspiration to visit Chile on this trip comes from the diversity that you experience. I have a myriad of colourful images and experiences in my head that will last with me for a very long time. Thoughts on Group Leader Ignacio was friendly with everyone and imparted a wealth of knowledge about his beloved Chile. He knew people all around the country which helped and he helped individuals in the group with any issues such as money, health, eating etc. Advice for Potential Travellers Pack with layers. You need sun protection everywhere....I used long sleeved shirts and light trousers, sunhat and trainers in the desert. But, also, it was minus 10 at the start of the geyser day so you start with fleece hat, warm jacket, etc. Patagonia was actually warmer than I expected and you don't need full on English winter walking gear but still go with the layers. I managed it all in about 16kg but it's worth planning what you take. Waterproof trousers add an extra layer of warmth and wind proofing but can be removed later in the day. We took anti mossie spray but didn't need it much...so, have some but it's not a great problem at this time of year. Take paracetamol.....helps to ward off altitude sickness in the desert....but, mainly, follow the advice of the guide to breathe deeply and go slow! Only 1 of our party was affected and it didn't last long. Suggestions GO! If in doubt....and you are looking for a trip that shows you Chile in a short space of time, this is the one! Also, I was so pleased with the variety and numbers of local wildlife and flora that we saw which I hadn't picked up from the trip notes. Brilliant!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 12/27/2018

Ryan Clark   -  Traveled, October 2018

Indescribable! I say indescribable because I struggle to find words to capture just how amazing and stunning Chile is. The beauty of this trip is that you are given the opportunity to visit a diversity of landscapes, flora and fauna. The range of climate between regions varies spectacularly from being hot in the north to wrapping up in the south. I can’t recommend this trip highly enough. Most Inspirational Moment Hard to pick just one, so from each region I would pick Valparaiso, to the geysers in the Atcama Desert, the waterfalls of Lake District, the 'towers' and seeing icebergs in Torres del Paine to visiting the statues on Easter Island. Thoughts on Group Leader Ignacio (nacho) was a very good tour leader. Always thinking of the group's best interests and how to get the best out of each day by adapting the itinerary to the weather conditions etc. He was very engaging, witty and definitely felt like he was part of our group. It was interesting to hear his stories from personal experience of living and working in Chile. Advice for Potential Travellers For this trip, pack for all seasons and all weather. I didn't need to pack all the footwear I did as I mainly wore my walking shoes and occasionally on Easter island my sliders. For those that suffer from altitude sickness, be prepared when visiting Atacama Dessert and Osorne Volcano. I personally didn't suffer but a fellow traveller did and was quite poorly. Suggestions I would recommend adding the Easter Island extension. Whilst it's relatively expensive, it's well worth it and rounds the holiday off nicely.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 11/22/2018

Sarah Daniels  -  Traveled, August 2018

Discover Chile with Easter Island Extension Whilst the land based trip – what I experienced of it was excellent – the getting there was not. As a solo traveller (1st time with Exodus) – I figured it made sense to let Exodus book my external flights to make for smooth transfer . I was surprised that the outbound flight they booked for me with Air France & a change at CDG Paris – only allowed a connection time of 1 hour & 20 mins. (In fact only 1 hour when one takes into account that boarding must be completed 20 mins before take off on the long haul flight.) Despite voicing my concerns at the time of booking over the phone with the Exodus sales booking agent, I was reassured that this connection time was the norm – even if it did appear a little tight. Well – my initial fears were confirmed, when a 75 minute delayed “take off” of the initial flight from Heathrow on the day, meant I was denied boarding to the long haul, & subsequently booked on to the next flight 24 hours later. This meant I not only missed out on the 1st day Santiago city tour, but obviously arrived too late to join the Valparaiso trip on day 2. Most Inspirational Moment Putting the disastrous outward journey aside - there were so many highlights. Atacama was amazing & the geysers at dawn. (despite altitude sickness at 4,200 metres.) Astronomical night tour - also a must. Torres Del Paine was possibly my favourite part - I had never seen icebergs before & hadn't appreciated the pale blue colour & even managed to capture a photo of one breaking apart. The backdrop to our hotel - magnificent & worth braving the freezing early morning temperatures for fantastic sunrise photos Easter Island - also unmissable (600 photos of heads still to be edited down ) ALSO THE ENTIRE GROUP - YOU ARE AMAZING - we had so much fun. Thoughts on Group Leader Ignacio - (Chile mainland based tour only) was fantastic. Very laid back & a mine of information Advice for Potential Travellers Be extremely careful if allowing Exodus to book your connecting flights. Thoroughly research first & if the connection time is less than 2 hours - demand alternative options. Surely it is the sales bookings team's responsibility if the connection are "tight" - to explain the risks & offer alternatives - but none of that was forthcoming on my booking. Exodus state they adhered to the Air France requirements of a minimum connection time of 1 hour & hence fulfilled their responsibilities. Air France state that they are governed by Air Traffic Control & so also deny responsibility for the flight delay & subsequent "missed" onward flight to Santiago My advice is - book your flights independently / try & fly direct if possible/ consider allowing an additional "travelling" day & arrive 24 hours earlier to avoid mishap if one has to rely on connections & AVOID using Air France. Suggestions At a total cost of £6878 for the holiday including the single supplement - I refused to be denied 2 days of my trip. Hence at my insistence Exodus / Air France rescheduled my return flight to Heathrow for 2 days later. I also insisted that Exodus pay for my 2 additional nights accommodation at Hotel Providencia, Santiago at the end which they dutifully did, and they also reinstated the missed Santiago city tour & day trip to Valparaiso. (Unfortunately the 2 trips at the end were inferior to those experienced by the rest of the group - my City tour did not go up San Christobel hill - the main highlight, & the Valparaiso trip was on a large coach with 37 other people & so extremely regimented) However Exodus did also reimburse me the amendment fee to reschedule my National Express return coach home from Heathrow & 4 days worth minus the VAT of my mobile phone charges for necessary ongoing communication to secure all of the above. I consider myself lucky in this instance as Exodus have also stated to me that their normal code of practice in circumstances like these is to reimburse the customer on a pro rata basis (using the land only price of the tour ) for the time missed in destination & that in my case that would have amounted to a grand total of £211 Review Centre Reply from Exodus We would like to thank Sarah for her review. We were pleased to read that she found there to be so many highlights during her time in Chile, but we regret that she experienced a flight delay on her outbound journey. When booking connecting flights, travel companies must adhere to the minimum connection time (MCT) set by each airline in conjunction with the airport authorities and IATA (International Air Transport Association), and it is not possible to reserve flights with connections below the MCT. We appreciate, however that a 75 minute delay will often have an impact on passengers’ onward travel, and we regret that, whilst Exodus ensured that Sarah did not miss out of the aspects of the tour that she had been unable to join with her group, the situation remained so disappointing. Lucy Crabb – Exodus’ Customer Services Manager

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/23/2018