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The Andes to Patagonia and Iguassu Falls, January 2014
Suzanne Whitacre

Slide Show of Photos with captions at end of trip information

My goal after retirement, as a History/World Geography teacher, was to visit those places I had taught about (and had seen many videos of!)  So far – Peru and Machu Picchu, China, Eastern Europe and the Balkans, Egypt and Jordan, and Turkey.  My favorite tour, however, was in January 2014 to Argentina/Chile/Brazil.  The scenery was spectacular, the people most welcoming, and the tour included many different adventures.

I met the rest of the tour group (OAT travel with a maximum size of 16) in Buenos Aires where we spent two busy days exploring the city.  Highlights: visiting Evita Peron’s tomb at the Recoleta Cemetary, attending a tango dinner show, exploring Plaza de Mayo with outlines on the cobblestones of white scarves honoring the Mothers of the Missing, having lunch in LaBoca, a colorful artsy barrio where the tango began, and of course, having a traditional Argentine steak dinner at a 200 year-old restaurant.

From Buenos Aires we flew to Bariloche, a Swiss/German city, located in the lake district of Argentina.  We hiked, had lunch at a local brewery, river rafted, rode horseback on an estancia followed by a traditional Argentine BBQ and explored the town famous for its chocolate!  Highlight: got together with Gery Nunnelee’s Argentine friend, Mariano, who had been an exchange student in Shelton when Gery began his teaching career.

We then drove across the Andes to the Chilean Lake District, spending several days in Puerto Varas, a popular tourist destination with amazing views of Andean volcanoes – more hiking through beautiful forests and water falls in Vincente Perez Rosales National Park.  On our way to Chiloe Island we stopped at a local school supported by Grand Circle/OAT Foundation where Mapuche students performed traditional dances.  The Mapuche were the only indigenous peoples not conquered by the Incas. 

Chiloe Island – though part of Chile, likes to maintain its individuality separate from the country.  We spent several days on the island, visiting Punihil Nature Reserve – lots of penguins, seals, ets., toured its unique colorful homes built on stilts, historic wooden churches, several local markets, and a final treat – a Curanto Dinner – like an Hawaiian luau– mussels, chicken, potatoes, roasted over an open pit covered by rhubarb leaves.

Our next destination – Punta Arenas located on the Strait of Magellan.  Though the weather was cool, I had to put my hand in the water!  From Punta Arenas we drove to Torres Del Paine National Park famous for its high mountains, glaciers, etc.  Hikers from all over the world spend weeks hiking the many trails and climbing the mountains.  We stayed in a national park lodge at Lago Grey – again more hiking and a boat trip to the head of the Lago Grey glacier to view the amazing blue glaciers.  This entire area is home of the Southern Ice Fields. 

On the road again, back into Argentina to Calefate and Los Glaciares National Park.  More amazing “blue” glaciers, many of which were calving, more hiking and some of us even visited an Ice Bar!  The glasses were even made of ice! We flew back to Buenos Aires for another day of exploring the city.  Several of us then flew north to the Iguassu Falls area on the border of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.   We spent the first few days at Yacutinga Eco-Camp where we hiked through the semi-tropical forest accompanied by a naturalist and even kayaked the Iguassu River.  On to the Falls – Spectacular!! Over 200 waterfalls and more than two miles long which we viewed from walkways and then by boat taking us under some of the falls.  And yes, we got soaked!

What a journey!  Beautiful scenery, lots of adventures, and temps ranging from over 100 to freezing.  A challenge to pack – one medium suitcase and a backpack!


I highly recommend OAT, especially for solo travelers (My husband doesn’t do these big international tours).  The groups are small and friendly, guides outstanding, and they don’t charge a single supplement.  Next destination:  Southeast Asia including Myanmar (Burma) this coming January.