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Published: February 14th 2023
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“Lake Escondido Scenic Alpine Drive” Shore Excursion – Ushuaia, Argentina
The Weather Was Gloomy as We Made Our Way through the Cockburn and Beagle Channels Most of our passage from Punta Arenas, Chile to Ushuaia, Argentina through the Cockburn and Beagle Channels was made under the cover of darkness. The Beagle Channel was named after the ship that carried English naturalist, Charles Darwin around the world. Most of the shore excursions include a disclaimer that bad weather is not cause for a refund, so I held out for a weather forecast before I spent $164.95 on the shore excursion, “The Train to the End of the World.” By the time I was ready to commit, however, the tour was sold out. I initially asked to be placed on the waiting list, but, as the time drew nearer, I requested to be removed from the waiting list and purchased the shore excursion, “Lake Escondido Scenic Alpine Drive.” Since I have been mystified by the southern tip of South America since grade school, I surely didn’t want to leave empty–photoed. Ushuaia is another tender port which is somewhat a logistical problem. It is difficult to know the waiting time to catch the tender to board the bus for the tour, yada, yada, yada, but the ship crew is adept at getting the entire tour group on the same
tender, thus the correct bus, yada, yada, yada.
Again, here’s the tour description from the Holland America optional tours web page, “A scenic drive leads you into the heart of the Tierra del Fuego mountain range. Travel through the Olivia River Valley, leaving Ushuaia city behind. The views along the way include sawmills, beaver dams, forest and peat bogs. As the motorcoach starts to climb the Andes mountain range, take in the great views from your window. At Garibaldi Pass there is an awesome view of Lake Escondido and, in the distance, part of Lake Fagnano. After visiting the Lake Escondido area, you'll stop at a winter sports center. A delicious snack served here includes a traditional lamb empanada (turnover) and a buffet of finger foods -- sandwiches, Argentinian pastries, quince jelly pie -- and a small cupcake. Enjoy a beverage -- juice, wine, a hot chocolate, tea or a 'mountaineer coffee', made with sugar, orange peel and liqueur. Notes: It is essential that you wear warm, layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion. Outer layer should be waterproof and windproof. Bring gloves, a warm hat and a scarf. Tour does not operate on
holidays.”
The weather is the luck of the draw and cannot fairly be considered when rating a shore excursion or other attraction; however, I can fairly tell you that the $89.95 price tag for this tour is excessive and unjustified. I understand the tourism season is short, and the operational expenses need to be generated in that short period of time. You do the math with 40-50 passengers on a 1-1/2 hour ride out, a very delicious, well-presented and comprehensive snack buffet at even $25.00 per person and then a 1-1/2 hour drive back. I’m not sure where the profit is landing, but I’m sure the Holland America propeller is in the mix somewhere. In that regard, I talked to my friend Tony who took, “The Train to the End of the World” shore excursion. He agreed that his shore excursion was also excessively priced. What does one do? Pay the price or stay on the ship!
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