There were so many problems with this tour that it's difficult to list them all. First, this was not really a tour at all. Rather, Aborigen is a useless middle-man that provides no value. They simply book vouchers for you, and then you're on your own, unsupported. There is no tour group. My wife and I never heard from Aborigen unless we asked. For instance, there was no information provided regarding rental equipment needed, what to do with bags, weather, the necessity for guides, etc. We did not receive any details until days before the trip, after pressing for information ourselves.
Second, Aborigen changed the itinerary just days before the trip started. Aborigen replaced around $1,500 (each!) worth of activities with "free days" which we could then fill (and pay for!) ourselves.
Third, not only are Aborigen a useless middle-man, but they actually act against their clients' interests. For instance, we realized one day that we didn't need a $500 (yes, $500!) guide for a simple 1-day hike, so we asked Aborigen to obtain a refund from the local provider in accordance with the refund policy. Aborigen refused to answer our calls, refused flatly to refund us, told us we were out of time (we weren't), to us to "just be happy" with the services we had (we weren't), told us they had booked the hike 6 months ago (it was only 3 days prior) and ended up calling me "childish" and "unacceptable" when I refused to accept their position. It was only after I spoke to the local provider (which had no problem issuing a refund) that Aborigen agreed to my reasonable request. It bears mentioning that none of the local companies had heard of Aborigen, so that gives you an idea of their lack of status in Patagonia. Aborigen is based in Buenos Aires and is a thousand miles away.
Let me be clear - we have done tours around the world, and we are easy and experienced travelers. We rarely leave negative reviews. But trust me, do not do this "tour". You will be left alone and unsupported; they will fail to price the activities properly: you will be forced to pay for your own excursions because Aborigen can't price them properly: and Aborigen will not help when you need it. They are worse than a middle-man: they will actually hinder you and get in your way. Trust us on this one. Patagonia is expensive and difficult enough as it is, so please don't associate with a company like this. The only reason we were able to salvage the "tour" is through our own determination and because of the competence of the local providers, which were mostly excellent. You're better off booking an actual tour, or booking all the items yourself at a fraction of the cost.
Dear Customer, We are writing in response to the recent feedback you provided regarding your experience with our services. While we always welcome constructive criticism to improve, we feel it is necessary to clarify and address each point raised, as many of the statements made are inaccurate or misleading. First and foremost, it is incorrect to suggest that we do not provide value or that we are merely a "middle-man" booking vouchers. From the outset, our company provided you with a personalized itinerary and detailed support throughout your planning process. We maintain regular communication with all our clients, as was the case with you and your wife. The fact that you did not reach out to us for additional assistance until shortly before the trip does not indicate a lack of support, but rather that our services were working as expected. Regarding the lack of information about rental equipment, baggage, weather, and guides, this is also unfounded. You received a detailed itinerary well in advance of your trip, which included all necessary recommendations regarding gear, weather conditions, and logistics. If any of this information was unclear or insufficient, we would have gladly provided further clarification upon request. However, it is inaccurate to claim that you were left "unsupported." Second, while it is true that the itinerary was adjusted a few days prior to the trip, this change was necessary due to circumstances beyond our control. As a travel operator, we are subject to unpredictable conditions such as weather or changes in availability from our partners, and our goal is always to provide the best alternative experience. The "free days" you mention were included to offer flexibility for you to explore as you saw fit, with the option to arrange other activities—again, something we would have assisted with had you requested it. Third, the claim that we acted against their interests is simply false. The problem related to the return is that you asked for a refund, we told you that we would see it with the supplier and you harassed us with the obligation of that return. It was only perceived as a threat that he is a lawyer and will act against our company. However, we offered only assistance at all times without rejecting their calls; rather, the deadline for requesting a refund was tight and we did our best to accommodate your request within the limitations. It is important to note that the guide was originally booked as part of the confirmed package, which you accepted. Referring to us as you do is not only false but unfairly characterizes the professional efforts we made to resolve the situation. Furthermore, the claim that our company is unknown to local providers is entirely inaccurate. We have longstanding partnerships with reputable companies across Patagonia, and they know us well. Our operations are based in Buenos Aires, as is the case for many travel companies coordinating activities in remote regions, but this in no way diminishes the quality or professionalism of our services. Finally, while we respect your experience as seasoned travelers, it is unfair and misleading to state that our company "hinders" clients or fails to price activities properly. All costs were transparently presented to you in advance, and at no point were you forced to pay for additional activities outside the agreed itinerary. We regret that this experience did not meet your expectations, but we must strongly refute the accusations made in your review. We remain committed to delivering excellent service and ensuring that our clients have an exceptional experience, even in the face of unpredictable challenges. We encourage open dialogue and wish you had brought these issues to our attention during the trip, as we could have resolved many of them in real-time. Thank you for your feedback, and should you wish to discuss this further, we are available at your convenience. Sincerely, Aborigen Tours Team
The movement around the continent was surprisingly efficiet and the Tour Coordinator had to be a genius in balancing time tables, pick up and drop off, customs, delays ( really were none) and all registrations. All we needed for check in was passports and we did not have to check in on line. Baggage was for the most part no hassle although one booking receptionist had us down as over weight and checked our bags but at no charge. All the flights were comfortable with one exception of some turbulence causing the cabin passengers to clap on landing!
Now accolades to our Tour Company Aborigen Tours were fantastic coping with a CLOSED AIRPORT! Fast juggling and good results! KUDOS AND APPRECIATION. Neil Sinclair April 2024
We have rented 4×4 car from Hertz via Bariloche Car.
The price we got was very economic.
During our trip, there was an unexpected situation which required the intervention of Bariloche Car to change the rental conditions.
Bariloche Car did a lot of efforts and minimzed our unexpected extra costs.
I recommend Bariloche Car for car rental, and will engage with them next time.