Nearing the end of our journey, we landed in Puerto Montt. Overcast day which eventually brightened as we tendered into the port. Today’s excursion was the Emerald Lake Cruise, Petrohue Falls & Puerto Varas on our “South America & Chilean Fjords” Viking Itinerary.
This excursion consisted of over an hour bus ride to Emerald Lake. This excursion option had over 280 passengers from the Viking Jupiter. There were eight bus loads of people descending onto a catamaran type covered boat. Our bus was number 5 and when we got there, there were only single single seats available. It was crowded and not a very enjoyable cruise. The lake is a beautiful emerald green color but there’s really not much more to see on this 40 minute cruise. The Osorno volcano could be viewed in the distance.
After the cruise we took a short bus ride to Petrohue Falls where Holland America’s passengers and Viking’s mingled into a staggeringly congested area. The falls were very nice but the main run off was earlier in the season. The terrain is a bit rocky so be careful.
Finally, our luncheon in Puerto Varnas consisted of salmon, some sort of creamed corn mush and a raspberry cake dessert. I personally don’t eat salmon, and had requested a meat dish which was chicken.
This excursion cost $149 per person and personally, I don’t think it was worth it. This was one of two disappointing optional excursions on this trip. Organization of time and congestion during excursions should be evaluated in advance. I think Viking can do better on this one.
Happy travels,
~ Cindy
#MyVikingStory #VikingJupiter
Cindy, I hope you let them know your feelings about these excursions on your eval. survey. They need to know this. I did for one on our Danube trip and told the C.D. personally and he said he'd check on it. I'm sure you are ready to be home now, so dream of your own bed tonite.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Sorry for the delay in responding. The surveys are so important and it's great that Viking wants to know what worked and what didn't. It's good to be home but it was an amazing trip!
ReplyDeleteWe were interested in this excursion but glad we didnt take it. We opted for a private tour which was awesome. Our guide timed it so we got up Osorno Volcano when no one was there, hiked and coming down 5 busses were going up. Same at the Falls - no busses. We drove to look at Todos los Santos lake which was a disappointmeht due to the dusty road work and traffic. Would have preferred to have more time at the falls. We only walked 1 trail whereas there were 3.
ReplyDeleteI’m glad you had a better experience than we did. The falls were lovely but having so many busses from not only us but Holland America was a bit distracting. It happens :).
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