Lan Chile group?
 

A magazine popped out of my mailbox with an interesting piece on Patagonia, and piqued my interest in Chile. There doesn't seem to be a discussion group for Lan Chile, or did I just miss it? (If not, anyone here have any personal comments on the place?)

Are you looking for feedback on Chile, or on LanChile? If the latter, go to the trip reports and do a search. I just did, and am now engrossed in reading the rave reviews about the airline. (We will be flying LanChile as part of our RTW in November.) Also try a search in the FT Archives; I remember a superb report from Darren who is a great LanChile enthusiast.

Great airline, in general, but I have not been to Patagonia. Have spoken to several people who have been, though, and they all rave about it.

My first curiosity was why there didn't seem to be any place for Lan Chile - unless I totally missed it it's not even included in the "all other" category at the bottom of the list. Since the searches are specific to a forum, it's easier to search if I know where to start.

My second question was about Patagonia specifically. A freebie magazine from Lexus had a hype piece on it and a "theme" hotel there, and it would be nice to know how overblown the article was, from the point of view of the well-traveled folks here.

We have been to Torres del Paine. Is the hotel by any chance the Explora? If so, I consider it absurdly overpriced, and am baffled by the glowing press it has gotten over the years.

There is a section for South America on the travel board where you can post specific questions about travel in Chile.

John, it's in "Other North America/South America Programs," or however it's named. There is info there and here, and just doesn't get its own forum because not enough people fly or (imo, more importantly) have LanPass as their FF program.

Thanks, Darren. I looked there. It's not one of the airlines listed on the title page, and "Patagonia" didn't show up in a search there. Must be a very un-used airline.

San1K, Explora was indeed the one. I was kinda afraid of that from what I could find on-line. I found one web site with some spectacular pictures, and a lot of hype from travel agents, but not much else. I appreciate the comments - it's a long way to go for expensive ho-hum. We don't normally even think about SA - anything you think we're missing in Lan Chile territory (besides a mileage run?)

Depends on how you are getting there, to be honest. I would recommend Easter Island, but very expensive to go to if you are buying a ticket outright. Cuzco and Macchu Picchu are way up there on my "did it" list, and both are amazing. In my opinion, anyway. I seem to remember someone being thoroughly underwhelmed when they compared MP to the Pyramids in Egypt. I have not been to Buenos Aires, but have been told it is a cool place to go. Want to go and learn the tango one of these years. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

If you are on a RTW, consider Easter Island and Lima, and get a side ticket to Cuzco. Depending on how much time you have, take the trip through Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, and down to La Paz. Easter Island hotels will run from $30 to $130 a night, but the accomodations are still rather spartan regardless of where you stay. Anywhere in the Andean highlands, you can go for a few bucks or a wad of cash. I dont remember the names off hand, but I stayed in a guest house for 10 soles when I was there, down the street from a hotel that was built in a monestary that charged about $200, iirc. Poked my head in, and it looked *very* nice.

I didn't include Brazil because I don't really know much about it other than they bent me over on a visa technicality, and I refuse to pay another $65 for something so silly. Needless to say, I haven't been there.

If you take Lan Chile, you will have to connect through Santiago. Worth a couple of days, because it's a really nice city, but any more and it gets boring unless you go outside the city to Vina del Mar or somewhere. But it is not the most exciting of places, it's just a nice place to be. Can't help on the rest of Chile, but I would like to eventually go see the penguins in the south.

Oh, and if you are in first, try to get the a340 instead of the 767. It is a nicer, bigger plane, and since there is the same number of seats across, it feels a lot more spacious. It also has the upgraded a/v system...and I *think* bigger screens. And this is the *only* time you will ever see me say nice things about an airbus. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif If you are on your own, then get the middle seat because you have your own compartment on the side.

Sorry to continue the off-mileage topic but just got back from southern Chile, so couldn't resist a follow-up. There are 2 Explora hotels: one in Torres del Paine and the other in the Atacama desert in the north. Per earlier postings, both are unbelievably expensive - you can occasionally find availability at very marginal discount by booking through LAN Chile's travel agency, but the difference is negligible.

Both Exploras look like a James Bond villain's hideaway, but IMHO you're probably better off saving your cash to explore other parts of the country or continent. Hosteria Lago Grey is a more modest alternative with a knockout view of the nearby glacier.

To get there fly LAN Express from Santiago to Punta Arenas (about 4-5 hours flying time with one stop at Puerto Montt). There are onward flights (during the summer) to Puerto Natales but the 5-hour drive from Punta Arenas to the Torres del Paine is well worth doing - mile after mile of 'scorched earth' vista that'll blow you away. Make sure you hire a 4 x 4 as the road turns into dirt track a few miles outside Puerto Natales.

If your heart is set on the Explora, the price includes transfers to/from Punta Arenas.

If you want something unforgettable get a cruise or a flight to Antarctica, or the Falklands - only about 1.5 hours flying time from Punta Arenas.