My name is Stefania, l am a 55 year old doctor from Melbourne, Australia, l embarked on my trip to Patagonia to escape the pressures of day to day work, recharge and reconnect with nature. I travel extensively for both work and pleasure and my aim with the South American Active Adventures trip was to challenge my fitness and endurance, meet locals from both Chile and Argentina, experience their culture and meet like minded people on the trek. Unlike many in my group this was my very first hike which initially probably stressed my guide, Alvaro, but l endured and made it all the way to the finale!! I enjoy life and ALL my trips but this one will stay with me forever!Starting from the guides Alvaro (all 14 days) and Sergio (who joined us for the W trek) all the way to our drivers, our accommodation, the food and ALL my new friends on the trip, it was simply exhilarating. Alvaro had everything under control. I normally coordinate many of my trips but there was no need here. He was just brilliant - it all just happened without a glitch!! Sergio helped us do the challenging W trek. The expertise of both Alvaro and Sergio were noted as they safely guided us through the rough terrain. Both were extremely professional and knowledgeable. Visiting Punto Arenas, Puerto Natales, hiking the W then moving across to Argentina to El Calafate and El Chalten to hike Mt Fitz Roy were incredible adventures which l was lucky to share with a group that consisted of a multitude of personalities that embraced life and we all escalated the fun to a new level!! So many fun stories to tell: reading signs on the trek and allocating a different meaning to them, dancing Zumba at a refugio, singing and creating RAP songs to narrate our story. What an absolute blast!! Our accommodation was much better than what l expected. I did expect the refugios to be basic and they were. The food was amazing, in fact, it was plentiful and delicious. I am definitely booking in for another trip with Active Adventures as they encapsulate what we all should be doing with our life: STAY ACTIVE for as long as possible and be healthy. Well done!!

| January 1970