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Testimonials

Please have a look at a little of the feedback we have received from clients over the years...

Here at Chile we firmly believe in the feedback of our clients, be it good or bad, as it really is the key to us moving forwards and improving our service and the overall experience. With the price of hotels and flights only on the increase we feel it is important to know where we have gotten things right and where wrong. In the below, please see what our clients are saying about us and judge for yourself. (please note that ALL of the reviews we feature are 100% real and unedited. If you would like to speak to any of our past clients please let us know).

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Hi Holly,

Please forgive us for the extremely delayed response! We've been really busy since we got back. Our honeymoon was absolutely amazing (Patagonia is a beautiful place) and we had a wonderful time! We're already ready to go back to visit the Argentinian side :)

Anyway, everything went fairly smoothly for the most part. I think the only issues that we ran into were with the Kayaking trip and with our departure from Patagonia Camp. We didn't realize this until we arrived, but Patagonia Camp schedules 3 or so excursions each day that the guests then choose from (we were originally under the impression that we could freely choose what to do each day, rather than pick from a list), so in the future, you might want to let people know the structure. We DID get to do everything we wanted (with the exception of the kayaking trip), but it was a little bit stressful making sure we would be able to get to do everything we traveled to Patagonia for. As far as departure from Patagonia Camp, our itinerary from you said we'd be leaving at 9, but we got a knock on our door at 8 and we had to rush out. Granted, we should have checked with the front desk the night before, but we were a bit stressed about the last minute departure!

Everything else was absolutely wonderful, though. Thank you so much for putting it all together for us! We can't wait to get back!

Kendra & Ian

Kendra and Ian

Hi Holly

Many thanks for your email and all your help.

It was lovely to get such prompt reassurance over my various worries which proved entirely groundless! The luggage went straight through both out and return. Sally was constantly proffered wheelchairs which she declined but we also learned that if you are using a stick in Chile you go straight to the top of the embarkation queue.

The Antumalal was a brilliant choice. The staff could not have been more helpful.

A word of warning is that the English language skills on the Hertz desk at Temuco are virtually non-existence so that (despite the total amiability of those concerned) the transactions take rather longer than if one were hot on Spanish.

I hope that it will not be overlong before we seek your help again.

With best wishes to you and Nick
Nick

Nick and Sally

Hi Holly,
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to you- the re-entry into our busy lives after almost 3 weeks away is always challenging!!
First of all- we had a fabulous trip and I want to thank you for your assistance.
We had no problem with any of our flights ( those booked by you and by us).
All of the transportation that you booked were timely/ very professional and helpful. With a larger group it was nice to have those transportation details organized in advance.
We all loved the Hotel Atton el Bosque and would stay there again. The restaurant, Happening, was an easy walk and quite good- a great choice.
The Rio Serrano Hotel was extraordinary!! I think that was the highlight of our trip. The food was great/ the park amazing/ and we loved the set-up of the hotel- lots of comfortable common rooms to relax and enjoy the other guests. We really took advantage of the excursions. The highlight was the Torres Base hike- really challenging but fabulous. We also took the zodiac river trip on the Serrano river and it was amazing- hiked up to a glacier and saw 2 others. The girls went horseback riding and we all did several half day excursions. The guides were excellent. I am still cranky about the cost of the transportation for Will but…The Hosteria Tyndall is really close- it was fine and the boys basically only slept there- ate all meals and hung out with us at the Rio Serrano.
The hotel in El Calafate was fine but too far out of town to walk in ( although 3 of us did just to get some exercise). We did have a nice dinner at La Cocina.
We also really liked Ushuaia. Hotel was great and well located although the breakfast was marginal (Mil 810). The Canalfun excursion was great fun ( liked the guides a lot) although the canoeing was not as challenging as we had hoped, but the hike was great and the penguins were amazing. WE saw 3 types that day. On our own we arranged a boat trip with Patagonia Explorer ( out to the cormorant/sea lion colonies and light house) and I would really recommend that outfitter. Also, took minibus up to Tierra Del Fuego Nat’l. park- great half day hike. The boys are college athletes and found a fun local gym in Ushuaia that they frequented every day we were there. New Year’s Eve dinner- prebooked by us at Gustino was wonderful. Other restaurants that we liked- Bodegon Fueguino and Placeres Patagonicos.
Our last several days in Punta De Este were great. Luckily we were staying a ways out of the Miami Beach- like -downtown Punta on a quiet and beautiful beach, Playa Chihuahua. One day we took a drive to a lovely small beach community- Jose Ignacio that was fun and found a wind-surfing/paddle boarding spot near there.
All -in -all a successful trip with quite a varied group!
Thanks again.
Jennifer

Jen and family

Hi Holly,

As you know, booking travel with a company on the internet, with which I had no prior experience, and no personal referrals, was a little stressful for me. I've got to say that you and South America Specialists came through with everything as promised. The local tour companies were friendly, informed, and professional. The door-to-door pick ups and delivery were smooth and stress-free. The hotels in Santiago, Iquique, and San Pedro were great. Especially the Terrantai in San Pedro - a real 4-star experience. The Pan America hotel in Arica was well located on the beach and an easy walk into town. The facility itself is somewhat "tired" and not quite up to the standard of the other stays you arranged.

During our stay in San Pedro we were able to identify a local guide who spent three days with us - taking us to remote rock art sites which were only accessible through neighboring local indigenous communities. This is exactly the experience we were looking for. For example, we spent an 8 hour day exploring and photographing the Hierbas Buenas petroglyph site at Rio Grande outside of San Pedro - we witnessed the local tour companies coming and going from there, each spending 20-30 minutes before departing to the next place on their agenda..........

The guides you had arranged from afar, were more geared to want to take us along the normal tourist pathway and some "got it" that we had a slightly different agenda in mind and were able to accommodate us. In all, we were pleased with the time spent visiting geoglyph and rock art sites. We want to go back again in the future.

All the best,
Leigh

Leigh and Amy

Hi Holly!
I am back home and had a WONDERFUL trip. Thank you for all your help. We especially enjoyed the Rio Serano Lodge. Perfect for us. Not too fancy, the excursions were wonderful lead by fantastic guides, food very good, great staff. I do wish we had had enough time in El Calafate to see the Moreno glacier. Also, Hotel Mil810 was just OK. Wish there had been more of a restaurant, bar and common room as the rooms were a bit small. Wifi was difficult there. I originally had been given a room where the bed headboard shared a wall with the elevator. I asked to have a different and room and they gladly changed it for me. That was good. Staff very friendly for the most part. The driving service in Ushuaia was FANTASTIC! My daughter discovered that she could not find her passport as we were driving to the airport to depart. UGGGHHH! The driver and woman guide were super. They took us back to the hotel to look again and when we could not find it, went back to the hotel (we paid them for this part of the drive and were happy to do so) and she went into the airport with us and ran around like crazy trying to get my daughter on the flight after talking to the airport police. We made it just in time. Really good service!

Thank you again and I would (and already have) recommend your company for travel to South America.

Take care,

Jennifer

Jennifer and Larkin

Hi Holly

We had a great trip and thanks for all the organising, it all went very smoothly!

Tierra Atacama was great. The Puna experience was amazing scenery, it is quite a rugged trip and by necessity there is a lot of travelling in 4 wheel drives. The scenery is amazing and the company charming, thoroughly recommended.

Finca Valentina is a beautiful haven of tranquility, both before and after a puna trip.

The museum in Salta and the central square are well worth a visit.

Dos Lunas was also excellent, staff food accommodation and tranquility - all top of the game.

La Faena was great. as usual the tango show was good and the hotel bar really lively.

All round an excellent trip in all aspects.

I will be going back to travel south and will be very pleased to do buisness with you again.

Thanks Angus

Angus and Alexia

Our thanks to the South America Specialists for helping plan the holiday of a lifetime; from planning the incredible itinerary to arriving safely home, despite the unexpected obstacles along the way. Lost luggage, a diverted flight, an airport strike and an earthquake were no match for the team as they took care of everything and ensured we had a fantastic and relaxing time every step of the way.

Bests,

Meg

Meghan and Campbell

Hi Nick,

I wanted to drop you a line to say what an amazing time Kate and I had. Rio was good fun but we absolutely fell in love with Argentina.

All of the arrangements you put in place worked well and the local agents were spot on with timingswhich gives great confidence.

The hotels were a good standard and we particularly loved the Nuss and Club Tapiz and most of all La Bamba. We were looked after very ,very well by all of the hotel staff but La Bamba made us feel like VIPS!

A big thank you from two happy customers.

Best wishes
Beverly

Beverly and Katie

Hi Nick,
A week back from our 3 1/2 week trip to Brazil & Argentina. You asked for our comments. In summary, the trip was very successful with no significant problems. Just one question - see below.

All the airport pickups were faultless, and all the hotels were fine. All the seat-in-bus tours were good to excellent, and on time except for one, where there may have been a slight mis-communication. We were lucky with the weather.

The only other thing I feel you could have emphasised is that in Argentina it pays to have (a lot of) US dollars to pay in cash - don't use a card unless you have to - saves you 20%!

Just to be clear, we had a VERY good time, and found the Argentinians a most hospitable people.

That's about it,
Regards,
John and Ann

John and Ann

Hi Nick,

Hope you are well.

Andrew and I have just returned from out trip to Argentina and Brazil.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for organising everything. We didn’t have any issues whatsoever during the trip.

The hotels were great and staff really nice too! We had an amazing time, however the 9 flights during the 2 weeks got the better of us. LOADS of turbulence to and from Argentina / Brazil!.

Will definitely get in touch when we are planning our next trip and will recommend you guys too. It has been a real pleasure!

Thanks again for a wonderful trip!

Thanks, Tania

Tania and Andrew

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