"Remarkable trip to Chile, Argentina and Patagonia"

This was a great trip with very good arrangement by Eclipse tours with the local travel agencies. The local guides were very helpful and informative . The hotels were good for all the stops we made and the food served for breakfast was quite good.

Overall the journey in Patagonia was awesome and the sights were astounding. The activities suggested by the hotel Tierra Patagonia was well suited to what we desired. We enjoyed our stay there including the activities done. We would have liked an extra day in El Calafate as this was the place where you come close to the largest glacier. It was a sight worth visiting and experiencing. El calafate being a quaint place with maybe other notable things was only a stop for one day when we could have spent an additional day looking at other activities there.
The trip across to Buenos Aires was also quite seamless, but we were slightly disappointed that we could not get to see more museums. We went to one where it was all in Spanish and wasted some time and entrance fee there although this should have been advised to us. The estancia trip stood out as it was immensely enjoyable and worthwhile with some horse riding thrown in. Pablo our guide was also quite informative.The dinner and tango was also good and the dance was quite sensational.

The Bariloche trip was good. Most of the excursions there especially the chairlift and also Mt Tronador was good but the last trip to the lakes centre was a bit disappointing for the amount we paid.

The trip to Puerto Varas, although through the cruise and buses did provide a close up of the Andes, however the trip was quite cumbersome as it went through various stops and manual handling and inspection of baggage by the customs and immigration. If there was al alternative as in a flight to Puerto Varas as opposed to this long journey that would have been satisfactory.

The trip back to Chile and trip to Valparaiso with our lovely and helpful Chilean guide Tania was also to be remembered as we saw Pablo Nureda's home on the hill in Valparaiso, soaked the sights in Valaparaiso with its bohemian culture and cafes including street art.

We definitely enjoyed this trip.

Jay and Kris,Vic,Australia

"Mexico Cuba"

We have just returned from our trip to Central America - Mexico (with Mexcellence) and Cuba (Green alligator) through Eclipse Travel. Everything went as planned with all guides and drivers arriving on time in both Mexico and Cuba (except the first one in Mexico - 40 minute wait). We felt quite safe with all drivers (except from Villahermosa - very fast scary 2 hour trip- road rules totally ignored).

All of our guides in Mexico were knowledgeable with a reasonable command of English. In Merida we were however mixed with a Spanish group that made the tour 8 hours long instead of 4hrs to allow for double translations. The guide favored the Spanish with their requests.

Our guide/driver in Cuba had good English but needed to be questioned to get information- not forthcoming. He also told us there were no public only private beaches at resorts in Trinidad so we would have to pay to access - quite expensive. Apparently he could not take us to the national park as a special car was needed. No places were available on organised park tours (100 cuc+ lunch) but we were offered a private tour for 110 CUC and no lunch. We don't think having our driver/ guide at our disposal for the weekend was necessary given there was nowhere he could take us.
We had car warning lights coming on regularly on our trip from Havana to Trinidad forcing us to pull over many times to rest the car and restart. Not sure how safe the car was given it was warning the engine needed repairs. We had fewer stops on the return trip. We had a very good local guide in Trinidad anyway so it would appear our driver's presence for the weekend was a totally unnecessary expense for us as was the extra day for us in Trinidad. We would have thought placing us close to the beach with a day excursion to Trinidad more logical given the extra time allocated, so we at least had free access to a beach.

All of our accommodation in Mexico was conveniently located at the start of walking tours, near restaurants and points of interest (except Palenque which was quite isolated). Most of our rooms were large and of 4 star standard and boutique in style (except Palenque- very tired 3* at best). However the position of our rooms was often in the busiest part of the hotel- busy streets, adjacent to eating areas, next to lifts or maid service areas. Our hotel in Havana was at best 3 star. Our room was on a very busy street with loud noise until 3am. We had 2 single beds. Their website claims 20 standard bedrooms (double beds??). Apparently there were only 2 double beds in the whole hotel. It was a historic building with a beautiful foyer but our room was very tired and was in great need of an update - not touched for decades- government owned. It was also very dingy - only half the room light bulbs worked. The lift was out of service 4 times in 2 days forcing us to lug all our luggage up and down very steep stairs. Our key cards needed to be reprogrammed every time we returned to our room and that usually meant a trip up and down the steps. Given how cheap the cost of living is in Cuba we can't believe that this was the best accommodation (4*) on offer. We saw much better accommodation nearby. On the Havana accommodation website claimed free internet (untrue- there are only 2 hotspots in old Havana- cards cost$4.50/ hour). Our guide greeted us with ' I can't fix your accommodation' - as if he expected it would be a problem. Our accommodation in Trinidad Cuba was cheaper than advertised 3* accommodation on the beach. It was clean, boutique style but lacked privacy. Windows opened onto street level markets or family dining table.

Most breakfasts were of a good standard in Mexico, but Havana breakfasts were disappointing in the government hotel.

The included excursions and entrances to museums were all interesting and culturally informative in Mexico. Apart from introductory walking tours in each town, there were no excursions, activities or museum entry fees included in Cuba. The absence of inclusions in Cuba meant we were abandoned by our guide to fend for ourselves, even at the free entries where he left us. Most museums that we visited after our introductory tours were quite cheap entries but they had limited explanations in English. We expected our guides to have taken us through the main ones (as done in Mexico).

Overall, we would say that the Mexico part of our trip was on the whole quite well organised and up to our expectations. We were however disappointed with the Cuban section.

"Great customer service."

Thank You Eclipse Travel and Karen-my travel agent.
You made everything simple and fast for my last minute trip to Antarctica.
And thanks for double checking on me to get everything in order.
Roland.

"Eclipse Travel- Efficient, professional, knowledgeable and trustworthy"

We were looked after by Matt at Eclipse Travel who was extremely helpful, intuitive and not pushy at all. From our enquiry all the way to our actual travel in Mexico, Matt and the team at Eclipse Travel made sure our experience was one that would be unforgettable. It was an amazing experience, hassle free and value for money. My husband and I would highly recommend Eclipse Travel to anyone, for an amazing travel experience.

"Friendly, knowledgable advice"

Great advice on Antarctica and Patagonia trekking. Staff had been there and didn't hesitate to introduce other staff members with specific experience relevant to my trip.

"ARGENTINA, BRAZIL & CHILE"

All services, hotels, transfers and tours were all first class, well organised by Tim
Thank you

"Wonderful experience"

Nice Staff, Stephen gave me lots of useful suggestions for my dream Antarctic expedition. I think I will continue to ask for help when I plan to go Arctic Cruise with Eclipse Travel in the future.

"Helpful Travel Consultant. Overall Nice Plan."

Eclipse travel consultant Mauricio & Matt are very helpful for making the plan arrangement. Thanks!

Overall, it's a nice trip. We were satisfied with Eclipse travel! Thanks!

At every airport, they picked us up on time. Thanks!

Most of the tour was performed well as plan described, we like the tour at Peru Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu; Brazil Rio, Iguazu (Argentina & Brazil), Chile Viña del Mar & Valparaiso, Santiago. Thanks! But there were some disappoints, e.g. some tour visit places were closed or some tour were not performed as planned -- e.g., 12/26 half day tour at Santiago Chile, 12/20 one day tour at El Calafate Glacier National Park, 12/24 half day tour at Punta Arenas, 12/18 one day tour at Buenos Aries.

Most local tour guys were good, patient and helpful. Thanks! Except the one for 12/18 one day tour at Buenos Aries, she (Mariana) had no patient when asking her questions about Recoleta & Palermo part and showed her mad, it made the tour time unhappy.

Most tour pick up was on time. Thanks!

Most meals included were good. Thanks!

"Reliable friendly and professional"

I have generally always organised our holidays myself or through a travel agent who is a friend and travelled with us.However for our trip to to Antartica with some time in South America and in particular Patagonia I realised I would have to rely on others and Shae from Eclipse travel sure didn't disappoint ! She gave valuable and reliable advice on all parts of our trip and where I didn't take her advice regarding more time in Patagonia and less in Santiago we came to regret that and it was the only slight cloud on a memorable and enjoyable time away

"Highly recommended"

In December 2016- January 2017, my husband and I had a fabulous 5 week trip to South America. Our agent was Richelle who was efficient, friendly, professional and an excellent communicator. We were asked about the standard of accommodation we wanted and what we wanted to do and then the trip was organised for us.Apart from the things we knew about, Eclipse recommended and organised a range of interesting experiences that really added to the trip.
Documentation we received with our itinerary was clear and detailed and the emergency contacts provided were very reassuring. The companies they subcontract to in South America are very professional and reliable. Accommodation chosen for us was excellent. It was always central which allowed us to explore on foot.
Overall Eclipse is a company we have recommended to our friends and we would certainly use again.