Chile with Adventures For Singles

I took a memorable journey to the “end of the world,” Chile’s Patagonia region, with Adventures For Singles (1907 Daniel Green Ct., Smyrna, GA 30080; phone 877/813-9421 or visit www.adventuresforsingles.com).

The 10-day trip cost $2,397 from Miami plus $100 for a Chilean visa. It was a good value and the guides throughout the tour were excellent. We had a wonderful group of 30 participants who met as strangers and returned as lifelong friends.

I have toured over 30 countries and can say the beauty in Patagonia lies simply in the remoteness — pristine and unscarred nature in her finest glory. Here, God created a perfect juxtaposition of New Zealand’s fjords, Switzerland’s Alps and British Columbia’s forests and lakes. Dramatic landscapes provided us with continual Kodak moments.

It was late spring in the region during our trip, Oct. 26-Nov. 6, ’04, and the weather was cooperative with a lot of sunshine. Patagonia, however, is a land where the unexpected is the norm, so we went prepared for occasional wind and rain.

After a rest at the lovely Hotel Neruda and a city tour in Santiago, we flew south to Punta Arenas, then transferred two hours by coach to Puerto Natales on the Patagonia steppe. By that time we welcomed an overnight rest at the spartan but cozy Charles Darwin Hotel and a fabulous dinner of king crab and fresh salmon.

The following day we sailed several hours on the cutter vessel 21 de Mayo up the fjord of Ultima Esperanza. We stopped for a hike around the fabulous Serano Glacier and a lamb lunch at a remote cattle ranch.

Later we boarded Zodiac boats for a thrilling ride to our lodge inside Torres del Paine National Park. Hosteria Pehoe is rustic for a rate of $200 per room, but it lies on the edge of a turquoise glacial lake with an indescribably beautiful view of rugged mountains capped with ice.

We spent three days touring the park. We were able to photograph guanacos (of the llama family), foxes, flamingos, sea lions, black-neck swans, condors, cormorants and more. Several in our group arranged a nocturnal hike to view the elusive puma, but none were spotted. Free time was provided for horse riding and boating to magnificent Grey Glacier, which was a delight. Some people opted for an arduous 8-hour hike up the park’s towering granite peaks.

We flew on to Puerto Montt and checked into the first-class Gran Pacifica for four glorious nights in order to explore Chile’s lake region. We began in Puyehue National Park with its backdrop of two spectacular and very active volcanoes, Osorno and Calbuco. The afternoon was spent at the hot springs area of Aguas Calientes for a soak in the crystal-clear, 110-degree water. Here, we participated in an optional canopy cable swing adventure through the treetops — fun! En route back to our hotel, we visited a handicraft market with excellent buys on alpaca sweaters and blue lapis jewelry.

The next day we rafted the powerful Petrohue River on class three and four white-water rapids. Four people fell out of an overturned raft, but wetsuits provided protection from the frigid water, and expert guides in kayaks were able to quickly retrieve all. For me, this excursion was the highlight of the trip.

On day eight we enjoyed a catamaran cruise along the shores of All Saints Lake in Peulla, also named Emerald Lake for its vibrant color. The lush green forest here is set in the Andes foothills and covers 220,000 acres. We photographed a succession of beautiful and powerful waterfalls cascading over volcanic boulders of the ice-capped Osorno.

Our vacation experience culminated back in Santiago with a farewell feast of seafood at a deluxe restaurant. Prior to airport departure, we toured the Cavas del Maipo winery, enjoying a lunch of fantastic barbecue steak and imbibing endless wine, including several vintages which ranked among the nation’s most esteemed exports.

I’d say 10 days was sufficient to see an eyeful, and I’ve had my fill of salmon and lamb. “Chile” is the Inca word for “land far away.” I felt far removed in this narrow land that stretches to the end of the world, yet I was able to experience all the comforts of home. It certainly exceeded my expectations and I recommend it for any intrepid traveler’s list of must-see destinations of a lifetime.

— Mr. TERRY PAWELKO, Douglasville, GA