After more than 30 years of planning my own adventures — from remote trekking routes to complicated international logistics — I don’t hand the reins over easily. I’m used to being the one researching flights, comparing lodges, mapping routes, double-checking transfers, and building itineraries down to the hour.
But for my recent trip to Patagonia, I did something different.
I let Curtis and the team at Privada Travel handle everything.
And I’m glad I did.
Patagonia is not a simple destination. It’s vast, remote, weather-dependent, and logistically complex. Flights don’t always connect cleanly. Transfers matter. Timing matters. The wrong hotel in the wrong place can turn a dream trip into a grind.
Even with decades of experience, I knew this was a trip where execution mattered more than ego.
From the start, Curtis delivered what every experienced traveler actually wants:
Everything — flights, hotels, transfers, activities — was thoughtfully sequenced and made sense on the ground, not just on paper.
One of the biggest surprises was how seamless the trip felt day to day.
Privada provided a digital itinerary accessible through an app that had:
No digging through emails. No screenshots. No “where did I save that?”
And when small changes happened — because they always do — updates were instant and clear.
One place. One source of truth. Zero friction.
As someone who’s spent years managing this kind of complexity myself, I can say honestly:
I could not have executed this better on my own.
What stood out most wasn’t just how smooth everything ran — it was the feeling of support without intrusion.
I knew exactly where to be and when.
I knew who to contact if something changed.
I knew someone had my back — without needing to hover.
That kind of confidence lets you actually be present on the trip.
And in a place like Patagonia — where the landscapes are massive, the weather dramatic, and the moments unforgettable — presence is everything.
There’s a misconception that experienced travelers don’t need travel advisors.
I disagree.
What I was reminded of on this trip is that the real value of a high-quality agency like Privada isn’t just planning — it’s judgment, anticipation, and execution.
It’s knowing:
That level of support doesn’t show up as a line item — it shows up as a trip that simply works.
This trip reinforced something I already knew, but hadn’t experienced as a client in a long time:
When you trust the right people, travel becomes lighter, richer, and more enjoyable.
Privada Travel delivered an exceptional Patagonia experience — not by overcomplicating things, but by getting every detail right and letting the adventure speak for itself.
I can’t wait to get out again, knowing I’ll have the same uncompromised support from a crew that truly knows what they’re doing.
And next time?
I won’t hesitate for a second to let Curtis handle it.