This is probably the one place I can turn for advice without being scorned for trying to cram so much into 6 days! It's all in the name of 'getting a taste' and earning some miles.

After Thanksgiving lunch, a friend and I will hop AA at DFW bound for SCL (via EZE b/c of a necessary ticketing arrangement) on-board Lan Chile. I've booked us into the Hyatt Santiago as a base-camp for our 3pm Friday through 9am Saturday stay. Hoping the F seats all-the-way from DFW (and the late-hours of So American existence) allow us SOME quality time in SCL.

1) Should we EXTEND our time in SCL by a few hours in favor of experiencing more? Thus, shorting time in the lakes region?

Our time in between an arrival at Puerto Montt on Saturday AM .. and our departure from Bariloche on Monday afternoon at 3pm is UNPLANNED, as of yet.

2) Does anyone have past experiences in this beautiful part of the world, without venturing TOO far from the route of crossing? She and I both love to kayak and hike. The vineyards would be nice, too. There may be time for little else but scenic snapshots and eating. I would imagine the SUNDAY in the middle might present a challenge with services, hours of operation, etc.

Our Monday afternoon flight drops us into Aeroparque at 5pm .. giving us just more than 29 hours in a city which, I know, could fill a month's worth of activity.

3) In BA, Park Hyatt (Diamond Member) or Four Seasons? OR a Starwood property for a special discount/bonus miles deal?

We're on that 10pm flight Tuesday night bound for MIA/DFW.

She has to be back at work in Phoenix, and I in Dallas, on Thursday morning at 4am!

I'll go back and see the cities again sometime. She and I love the mountains and I seem to think late Spring would be a great time to maximize the beauty of the lakes region, even for the shortest of trips.

All I know of SoAm is Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu.

Let her rip, Ladies and Gentlemen! In advance, I appreciate your suggestions and thank you for them.

Having been to Chile twice and planning trip 3 as we speak...

With particular reference to your itinerary (and not having been to, but going to PMC in December) -

If you are of the mindset that you will return to Chile (and YOU WILL once you have been), then remember that SCL will be part of any trip you have there. However, some other places may or may not be. For instance, if you go down to PMC and spend a couple days and wish you had spent "one more day" you probably won't return on another trip to do a couple more things. If you really love it, you will return anyway. My next trip I am spending (generally) 2 nights each in 4 places. And other than Santiago, I haven't been to any of the others.

Another tip, I think the Hyatt is in Las Condes which is not most convenient for cramming in quick Santiago sightseeing. Yes, there's a big beautiful mall nearby with an excellent supermercado, but other than cheap prices, you will not think you are "anywhere special" in Las Condes.

My little "taste of Chile" from last November had me returning for 7 nights last December and another 9 nights or so this December! Disfrutelo.

Having been to South Am about four time this year, I prefer EZE over SCL, shopping wise as well as ambiance. Having said that SCL is expensive - Hyatt is quite way off from the Airport. Seafood and Chilean wines are excellent.

Don't forget they charge USD 65 tax at the Airport for US Citizens. If you tix does not include departure tax, you'll ave to pay one at EZE too.

Hope this helps.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by akhullar:
Don't forget they charge USD 65 tax at the Airport for US Citizens. </font>

One consolation is that it's good for the duration of your passport (they staple a little tax sticker onto the last page of the passport showing that you've already paid).

I too am heading to EZE. Any suggestions for a 10-day visit?

I was thinking of Punta del Este, Mar del Plata and the falls.

Any other suggestions?

I would suggest that MarDel is a waste of time in comparison to other places you might go. I was there a few years ago and Mar del Plata appeared to be the hot spot for beaches about the time when Lucy and Ricky had a top hit on TV. While it wasn't unpleasant (except for the weather), it was a disappointment. Airfare (AEP/MDQ) seems to be bunches cheaper than when I went. If you want another "city" experience, there are some cheap fares EZE/SCL (US $115 +tax)

Mileshawk:

The Park Hyatt in Buenos Aires is now a Four Seasons -- great Park Hyatt in years past. I would recommend either the Palace Alvear (a Leading Hotels of the World member) for a classic experience or the Hilton in Buenos Aires for a modern experience -- especially if HHonors Gold or higher. The Sheraton Park Tower is great too.

One place you have to have dinner in Buenos Aires is Cabana Las Lilas in Puerto Madero neighborhood of Buenos Aires. I have my first meal (a lunch) and my last full meal there before leaving B.A. It is the best steakhouse in the world as far as I am concerned food-wise and it is ridiculously cheap due to the peso plummet.

Any suggestions for a 2.5 day mileage run to EZE? I'll definitely try out GUWonder's steak house.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PaulSEA1:
Any suggestions for a 2.5 day mileage run to EZE? I'll definitely try out GUWonder's steak house.</font>Run a search on Gaucho100K in the MR and Trip Report fora (and look for BA or EZE in the title) for some other good ideas.

John

I'd second GUWonder's advice for Cabana las Lilas in Buenos Aires-- it's the best steak house ever.
Highly recommend the Alvear Palace Hotel-- very classic Argentina, very elegant, and a great location central to everything in Recoleta-- from there it's a quick jaunt to a lively fair held every sunday in the park right outside the famous Recoleta cemetery, which you must visitin Buenos Aires.
Iguazu Falls is incredible. you'll be able to visit both sides (and normally they waive the visa requirement for US touists) and the Argentine side is beautiful.
stay clear of Mar Del Plata, Punta del Este is better.
I'd also recommend a day trip over to Colonia in Uruguay-- it's a ferry trip from Buenos Aires, and it's beautiful for the day.
Have a great trip and let me know if you have any more questions-- I lived in Buenos Aires for a year and it's a great city, despite its current challenges.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mileshawk:

This is probably the one place I can turn for advice without being scorned for trying to cram so much into 6 days! It's all in the name of 'getting a taste' and earning some miles.

After Thanksgiving lunch, a friend and I will hop AA at DFW bound for SCL (via EZE b/c of a necessary ticketing arrangement) on-board Lan Chile. I've booked us into the Hyatt Santiago as a base-camp for our 3pm Friday through 9am Saturday stay. Hoping the F seats all-the-way from DFW (and the late-hours of So American existence) allow us SOME quality time in SCL.

1) Should we EXTEND our time in SCL by a few hours in favor of experiencing more? Thus, shorting time in the lakes region?

Our time in between an arrival at Puerto Montt on Saturday AM .. and our departure from Bariloche on Monday afternoon at 3pm is UNPLANNED, as of yet.

2) Does anyone have past experiences in this beautiful part of the world, without venturing TOO far from the route of crossing? She and I both love to kayak and hike. The vineyards would be nice, too. There may be time for little else but scenic snapshots and eating. I would imagine the SUNDAY in the middle might present a challenge with services, hours of operation, etc.

Our Monday afternoon flight drops us into Aeroparque at 5pm .. giving us just more than 29 hours in a city which, I know, could fill a month's worth of activity.

3) In BA, Park Hyatt (Diamond Member) or Four Seasons? OR a Starwood property for a special discount/bonus miles deal?

We're on that 10pm flight Tuesday night bound for MIA/DFW.

She has to be back at work in Phoenix, and I in Dallas, on Thursday morning at 4am!

I'll go back and see the cities again sometime. She and I love the mountains and I seem to think late Spring would be a great time to maximize the beauty of the lakes region, even for the shortest of trips.

All I know of SoAm is Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu.

Let her rip, Ladies and Gentlemen! In advance, I appreciate your suggestions and thank you for them.</font>

We are going to the Lakes District over Thanksgiving as well.. arriving into SCL on Thursday the 28th, and continuing down to PMC on the 29th, then flying back home Sunday night. We're looking to do the lakes crossing to Bariloche, or at least the day trip to Peulla. Try to spend as much time in the Lakes district... while Santiago is a nice town, it's just another city. The rest of Chile is gorgeous and best to spend time out enjoying the natural beauty.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by akhullar:
....
Don't forget they charge USD 65 tax at the Airport for US Citizens.
</font>

I'm told that starting Nov 1, it has been raised to USD100 cold hard cash http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Looks like last November, I spent the best $61 I've ever spent, as my passport still had 9 years on it, and next month will be my 3rd entry into Chile.

Thank you all for your advice and replies!

I've been out-of-commission for a few weeks with a broken shoulder; needless to say, I couldn't reply timely nor easily AND the philosophy for our upcoming trip has changed significantly. Ha!

We're still going -- just sans the kayaking and hiking. So, may I open the advice jar, again?

All that seems to be firmly UNchangeable (at this point) is our long-haul segments:

arrive EZE on Fri 29NOV at 1040a
depart EZE on Tue 02DEC at 0940p

My domestic (paid) arrangments remain unticketed; Christina has some ticketed segments in her Lan Chile award EZE to SCL / SCL to PMC. We may be paying a re-routing fee based on your advice and availability of flights.

SANTIAGO
Should we completely forgo our one afternoon/night in Santiago to get in-place PMC by late evening Friday to accomplish a Saturday/Sunday lakes crossing? ANY POINT IN TRYING TO SEE ANYTHING IN SANTIAGO DURING A 5-HOUR LAN CHILE LAYOVER (2pm-7pm on a Friday)?

LAN CHILE
1) If I'm holding confirmed, paid coach on the flights we want -- do you think they're likely to allow my companion to use her Business/First tickets to grab a coach seat to travel with me, even though there are no award-class seats available on my WIDE-OPEN flights? Namely, EZESCL on same-day, earlier flight; SCLPMC a day early.

LAKES CROSSING
1) is it better accomplished East to West or is that arbitrary? If we can do it, our air ticket routing supports a West to East movement from PMC to BRC.
2) is there ANY WAY to do this as a 1-day crossing on a SUNDAY? No packages seemed to be offered on Sundays. I'm assuming it's because some or all of the transportation links are govt-owned?

LLAO-LLAO
How accessible is this to Bariloche and the airport? Worth the cost for these spectacular views arriving from the crossing the night of our stay and then having a 3pm flight out of BRC this next day?

The cities will still be there .. does anyone have advice about how to maximize our time in the mountains, given ALL of these circumstances?

Sincerely,
Tylenol 3

THANK YOU!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mileshawk:
SANTIAGO
Should we completely forgo our one afternoon/night in Santiago to get in-place PMC by late evening Friday to accomplish a Saturday/Sunday lakes crossing? ANY POINT IN TRYING TO SEE ANYTHING IN SANTIAGO DURING A 5-HOUR LAN CHILE LAYOVER (2pm-7pm on a Friday)?

</font>

No, there is not. Traffic back to the airport may just be horrendous. That said, and with further thought, if it is a particularly clear day, you may want to negotiate a rate with a taxi where you could go to Cerro San Cristobal and maybe drive by a few other places. Santiago, IM(nsh)O has no real MUST SEE places, which is not an insult in any way (as I have been there 2x and am returning next month).

If your español is ok, you will be able to negotiate a slightly better rate. Also the taxi prices quoted in $US are a good chunk higher than the converted peso price, so get a peso price. I negotiated (rather quickly) prices that were a few $ less than the original price, and when the driver was very nice, more than made up for it in the tip.

I would be really concerned with planning for oodles of time getting back to the airport.

Sorry I can't help you with the other questions.

Just coming back from a similiar tour. I totally agree with Eastbay1K's comments above.

Santiago
SCL has no must see sights; so it's also ok to skip SCL! I had one afternoon to explore SCL (I arrived at 13:00 and left the next morning). IMO, the main sights are around the cathedral and around the San Francisco church: 2-3 hours are a lot of time. The traffic can be very worse during rush hour!

Lakes crossing
Puerto Montt: I spent two nights in Puerto Varas and started from there a day trip to Peulla only. Most people continue to Bariloche - I think it's worth while to do so (I didn't know about this possibility before ...). I see no difference in a east-west or a west-east crossing. The lakes crossing is done on a catamaran. Maybe the catamaran is scheduled Mo-Sa only?!