Take this trip if you possibly can. Laura Sanchez of Fitzroy Expeditions did a terrific job keeping us informed, leading our hikes, getting us to ground transfers and air travel, arranging excellent meals and lodging, and generally making us feel comfortable in a foreign country. Argentina is beautiful and the people are kind and helpful to strangers. Patagonia is one of earth's most beautiful places and a wonderful place to hike. The mountains, glaciers and lakes are unsurpassed. The hikes are moderately difficult, with the longest about 13 miles. The elevations are low compared to a lot of mountain hiking, so there's no need to acclimatize for elevation. The food and lodging were usually excellent, with only slight variations. One of the great treats was drinking glacier water untreated out of streams on the hikes. Yes, steak, lamb, and wine were on the menu, but also a good variety otherwise. A night and a day in Estancia Christina is worth the price of the trip. Try to arrive in Buenos Aires a day or more early. It is a beautiful city with lots of historical and artistic activities.

Like Earl I was part of the gang of 10 on the latest 2/8 --2/22 foray here. Extraordinary trip: great native culinary treats (BBQ beef and lamb & Malbec wine and Mate) challenging treks over every kind of topography including glaciars, absolutely stunning scenery unecumbered by flocks of tourists and knowledgeable, solicitous and laid back tour guides. My highlight was Estancia Christina, formerly a family owned sheep farm now an estate in on an arm of Lago Argentina in The Glaciar National Park: think simple elegance wedded to rustic tranquility and throw in snow capped mountains and glaciers, one of which we approached through a mesa that resembled a moonscape (on foot of course). Temperatures during this South American summer ranged from 3 to 6 degrees C. and snow flurries in Tierra del Fuego to 40 C. (about 103 F. one day in BA which even the portenos thought a bit oppressive. That said I would suggest to prospective Scholars to take an extra couple days before or after the program if possible in BA. The program as now constituted only allows one day there . Buenos Aires is a great city with wide boulevards , great museums and restaurants and fabulous shopping and at least for the time being is cheaper than most other world capitals. One last thing: if you are a futbol fan (as I am ) you must got to a partido;(there are about seven 1st Div clubs in BA)- but especially to the Bonbomero (the "candybox"), home to Boca Juniors. For a soccer fan it is an unforgetable experience.

Just returned from a trip of a lifetime! Our group of 10 had a great time. All of the hikes, lectures and activities were well planned and well executed. The scenery was stunning. Laura, our guide in Patagonia, was perfection. Be prepared for cool and windy weather and if you have prepared adequately the day long hikes (10 and 13 miles) are super.

Patrick Cronin did his best to adjust on the fly to problems that Fitzroy/ Holbrook had with mismatch of processes they employ with other groups and the ROAD SCHOLAR catalog promises-
Departure taxes in country, no one to pick us - al the group up on Day 2 at hotel in BA to go to airport to start the trip- gratuities to wait staff at included meals.
We spent time almost every day dealing with these issues. Very unsatisfactory administrative information transfer to contract partners.
Educational content was limited by poor choice of guides as instructors. Only one appropriately qualified teacher with a lesson plan and materials. Rest were FAR below standard- if one did any of the reading, the delivered on trip content was very very very weak. Program founders spinning in graves as mission creeps away from education to just trips.
Guide was wonderful.