The Ultimate Adventure in Patagonia

The scenery during this trip is unbelievable! This was my 2nd MBA trip and definitely recommend both MBA & this adventure! Everything is well organised, goes to amazing places, has brilliant hosts in both Iara and all our other guides too. We learned so much about the local landscape, wildlife & it kept some of the longer bus trips entertaining along with the views! The group we had was excellent too, everyone so friendly and even on a couple of days where the weather was not kind, we had to cut a couple of hikes short there was still a positivity to everything. With everything being planned as well, any free time we had Iara had us covered with plenty of ideas to see around especially in El Chalten & El Calafate, so everyone was covered. The food too was unbelievably good, I think every recommendation for dinner was spot on, brilliant local restaurants! Great variation to the trip too, with the kayaking, hiking, glaciers, boats & weather! Everything I find on MBA is planned so well, never felt exhausting nor that we weren’t making the best of our time!

I feel very lucky to have had the most amazing experience in Patagonia! The itinerary was varied and pretty unique to include the kayak trip to the dinosaur fossils which really was special. The boat trip at the Perito Moreno Glacier was also a real highlight. We covered a lot of distance but travel days were comfortable in modern minivans with frequent stops and even some mini Spanish lessons from our Group Lead, Iara! Iara was a fantastic Group Lead; full of enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for Patagonia. She was organised, thoughtful and attuned to each member of our group. The Patagonian weather was a little variable with a couple of hikes cut short or rerouted due to rain/wind. Local guides optimised the hike experience by flexing the days we did particular routes to suit the weather and the autumn colours were beautiful. The landscapes were incredible - instagram fodder everywhere you looked! This was my first trip with MBA. I would thoroughly recommend and am already browsing options for summer!

Tour Director Iara Musumeci was awesome- She is very talented knowledgeable efficient and effective - detail oriented- carefully catered to the need of each member in our group. She handled the drivers, local guides, hotel staff and all others involved very well- she was very proactive and thoughtful and helpful- she gave expert advice about dining options, money exchange and all others minute details

There are trips you take, and then there are journeys that quietly rewrite what you believe you are capable of. My walking adventure with Much Better Adventures in Patagonia was very much the latter. At 57, I arrived with a quiet but persistent doubt: would I be able to keep up? The landscapes of Patagonia are legendary, but so too are the demands they place on those who come to explore them. I needn’t have worried. From the very beginning, the experience was shaped by encouragement from the great group of people which was subtle, steady, and exactly what I needed. What unfolded over the days that followed was nothing short of extraordinary. The scenery was everything I had imagined and more. Vast, cinematic, and humbling in its scale. Jagged peaks pierced impossibly blue skies, glaciers shimmered in the distance, and every turn in the trail revealed a view that felt like a reward in itself. A large part of what made this trip so special was our guide, Iara. She struck that rare and perfect balance: Deeply knowledgeable, effortlessly calm, and instinctively attuned to the needs of the group. There was never a moment where I felt out of my depth. Instead, I felt supported and gently challenged when I needed it, reassured when I doubted myself, and always encouraged to go just a little further. Thanks to her and the group, I didn’t just complete the hikes. I genuinely enjoyed them. The group dynamic, shaped so thoughtfully by the company, added another layer of richness to the experience. There was a genuine sense of camaraderie, a shared appreciation for where we were and what we were achieving together. Laughter came easily, as did the quiet understanding that we were all part of something rather special. And then there was the weather; our silent companion throughout the trip. We were incredibly fortunate. Clear skies and crisp air accompanied us on most days, allowing Patagonia to reveal itself in all its dramatic glory. It felt, at times, like the landscape was putting on a show just for us. This was more than a holiday. It was a reminder that age is far less of a barrier than we imagine, and that with the right support, the right people, and the right mindset, extraordinary things are still well within reach. If you’re hesitating, wondering whether you’re “up to it,” take it from me: you are.

Having never used MBA before - and having had mixed experiences with other companies in the past - there's always a bit of trepidation involved. However, I needn't have worried as both dealing with MBA and the trip itself were excellent. Communication was good throughout, the itinerary was as advertised and the trip leader and guides were great. Iara in particular - our trip leader - was far and away the best I've had on any of my trips, with an friendliness, expertise and enthusiasm which added hugely to the experience. However, inevitably the star was Patagonia itself with astonishing scenery around every turn. The trip had just the right balance of full-day walks and more chilled activities with the kayaking and associated dinosaur hunting(!) being an surprise hit for me. Overall, the trip was fab and I look forward to my next outing with MBA.

We had an amazing time in Patagonia, being incredibly lucky with the weather and stunning views. Communication with Much Better Adventures and the local agent was great from the start, and special praise needs to go to Agatha who managed to squeeze our booking in when we had to postpone our original departure at very short notice. The WhatsApp group that was set up for our trip pre-departure was a nice touch to connect with our fellow travelers plus we could all share our best photos each day. Iara, our trip leader, was absolutely amazing; full of energy and a superb source of information on the local area, history, music, flora and fauna as well as tips on restaurants etc. The trip itinerary is exactly as described, with four longer days of hiking (the scenery is worth every step!), along with less intensive but equally enjoyable days. Kayaking down La Leona River was an unexpected highlight of the trip, very well briefed and organised. The hotels we stayed in were very good, with spacious rooms and plenty of choice at the breakfast buffet. The Paine Grande Refugio is comparable to busy Alpine huts, set in a superb and remote location. Compared to other trips I have been on, I liked the fact that only some dinners are included in the itinerary, thereby allowing the flexibility to eat where and what you want. This was our first time with MBA and it certainly won't be the last (in fact, the next trip is already booked for September).

Patagonia is an amazing region and I feel so lucky to have been able to explore it. Our group lucked out with amazing weather overall and a fantastic tour leader, Cecilia. I believe the description of the trip is misleading, as we were doing some sort of "hike" every day (I always got at least 12000 steps a day) and the 4 long hiking days were around 12-14 miles. Most of these days were spent hiking from 8AM to 4-5 PM. I feel like parts of those hikes (especially Fitz Roy at the end) are arduous and the trip should probably be rated as a 4 or 5. I was unhappy to learn that we would be tent camping and I specifically picked this trip because it did not advertise camping on the itinerary. I thought we would be sleeping in mountain huts. For the cost of the trip, I think the hotels could of been nicer. There also wasn't much down time at all, as we were either hiking, packing up, or driving. Overall I definitely enjoyed this trip but as it is a new trip, I do believe the itinerary needs updating as well as consideration of better accommodations overall.

Accommodations sub optimal given the price of this trip; El Calafate hotel too small of 2 people and I expected bunk room in Torres de Paine refuge not the tent. Should have told us that we would get tent at sign up. Gratuities were a hassle (collecting $2 for a driver). I prefer outfitters that include the gratuities for all sub guides in the price. Have no problem tipping the master guide, but nickel and dimming us was ridiculous. Poor instructions on the Kayak, even after we asked. You should add this statement: "Bring your backpack of hiking essentials and clothing, take out of your backpack and put in a dry bag. 20L Dry bag is provided and goes in kayak and has a strap that you use for the hike. " This adventure should be rated 4-5 stars; Much more up/down elevation and distance than quoted in the trip page

The trip was super fun and well organized - Patagonia was beautiful! Our group was great and our lead, Cecilia, was the best!

This was my first time with Much Better Adventures and doing any kind of group tour, and I had the best time ever. Our guide Cecilia made the trip an incredible experience from start to finish, with her warm personality, humour, ability to bring the group together, encouraging us when the hikes felt hard, and her love for her home. The places we visited were stunning and the food was incredible. Hiking days were longer than expected, being 20-24km for 4 days across the trip, but our group had similar fitness levels and could manage the challenge. We were incredible lucky with the weather which made the hiking and the viewpoints even more special. Accommodation was simple but comfortable and clean - we stayed in tents rather than the hut dormitories in Paine Grande, but this was still comfortable and an interesting experience with the Patagonian wind! The group was majority solo travellers and we got on really well. I felt welcome from day 1 - I was nervous about travelling solo but this trip has made me want to do it again! I wish I could return to Argentina and Chile - they are beautiful countries. One of my best holidays ever, loved every minute.