The simple joys of life come alive in our spectacular Patagonia. The friendly and passionate people of Argentina have weathered more than their share of storms, and are an inspiration in dealing with the rollercoaster rides of life, and doing so with style and a smile. The serenity of the wide-open spaces here brings quiet times; troubles feel smaller and your mind feels bigger.

If you are sitting on the fence about an upcoming dream trip, whether it’s skiing this summer, hiking beneath FitzRoy and Cerro Torre as a mid-winter get-away or touring the Malbec trails of Mendoza, here’s our pitch to get you to come now, and to see Patagonia with us.

Come in the off season: Travelling in springtime (which here means November) or in autumn (March and April for late summer weather and harvest season in Mendoza) is just plain smart. Rates are considerably lower than in the busy December-February months. It’s easy to get where you want to go – far from the hustle and bustle.  

Eat like - and with - the locals: While some nights warrant an unforgettable gourmet meal in a stunning location (and we’ve got the ultimate insider’s list), sometimes an unpretentious meals shared inside a real home is the ultimate nights out and the real reason you’re making this trip – to discover something new. Stick with us as we ditch the top ten lists and open oft-closed doors into the real Patagonia.

What’s new at Cerro Catedral?: There’s more than just epic and wide-open terrain, deep and dry powder, stunning scenery and steep runs to entice adventurers down to our neck of the woods in August and early September. Add in that chic ruggedness so typical of Patagonia, plus new Nordic trails and a new terrain park, and you’ve got the best of all worlds. Our guides grew up here; just follow their tracks to hidden powder stashes and the coolest après scene.

 Trust Us, Cristina is Incredible: There are some places you just can’t miss. For the best view of the massive Patagonian Icefields, rise early for a hike up to the Glacier Upsala lookout above the sublimely beautiful Estancia Cristina, in the remotest corner of Los Glaciares National Park. It’s the view made ‘infamous’ by An Inconvenient Truth. You’ll come back to luxe lodgings, a giant lamb roasting on the grill, smiling gauchos and that solitude so alluring in these busy times. Our friends run the place; we’ll make sure you rediscover what peace and seclusion can mean.

Pizza in Patagonia: At Patagonicus Pizzeria in El Chaltén, you can dine on a great pizza napolitana while rubbing shoulders with alpine royalty. There’s a good chance the guy next to you is one of the most accomplished climbers on the planet. And since our buddy is the owner, you can count on a friendly welcome!

Valle de Uco: The mountains are so big at this high altitude wine region south of Mendoza, you may be distracted from the task at hand: sampling some of the finest Malbecs in the world. Bodegas here range from teeny tiny to massively modern. Our trips let you pay a visit to friends at each stop, and wake to the crisp mountain air each morning. And don’t worry, there’s time for mountain-gazing as well!

Frommer’s Again: Christie’s just wrapped the second editions of Frommer’s Chile and Frommer’s Argentina guidebooks – look for them on shelves this month, July 2009! Find them both at your local bookstore or online here.

 What our clients are saying: “Max is incomparable, 5 out of 4!  He knows everything about the mountains, their vegetation and animals. Great sense of humour! He knows when to call for a break, and when it is time to push. In everything we did, you were central to our success.  You helped us match our desires, finances and skills with adventure and hotels in every town.”  J. Clarke

Gracias: We owe many of you a great debt. Our business is based on referrals and word-of-mouth from clients who often become dear friends. Many of you have generously served as references to our services, or passed your experience on to others with a link to us. Thanks! Just ask us if you’d like to speak with someone who has ‘been there’. We’d love to hear from you!