I was on Jorge’s expedition in Chile in February.  He is an ideal guide because Chile is his home turf and because he puts his advanced training  in anthropology and Latin American Studies  to good use.  He introduced Chilean history and culture from pre-Colombian times to the present, including politics, art, music, and literature with an emphasis on indigenous peoples. He articulately shares his clear, coherent, nuanced point of view of Chilean history and culture. Jorge’s tour is a comprehensive survey course in which I learned through his explanations and actual experiences.  I learned about how the indigenous people adapted to living in the desert by visiting pre-Columbian and modern villages. I learned about the 1973 coup by visiting the Museum of Memory and Human Rights and the places the coup took place.  Jorge made the statues in the governmental plazas come alive as he told how each figure contributed to Chilean history.  By visiting all three houses of Pablo Neruda, I learned about the poet and his lifestyle.  I felt like I got to know Don Pablo personally.  

Besides sharing his in-depth knowledge, Jorge solved the few travel and hotel problems that arose with grace and gentleness, and his pleasant and relaxed demeanor made us feel at home and safe wherever we went.  He skillfully took care of all hotel reservations, entry fees, in-country air flights, and car rentals.  The hotels he arranged for us were of the boutique type in the cities and the cabin type in the country, each one clean and comfortable and in excellent locations.  

Jorge adapted the itinerary that he originally presented to the interests of my friend and me.  I was very interested in visiting Neruda’s house in Isla Negra after seeing the first two of his houses, so he adapted the schedule so we could do that.  My friend wanted to see the salt flats in the Atacama Desert, and again Jorge adjusted the schedule to do that.  Jorge wants to keep the groups he leads on these explorations small, and that’s ideal for adapting to the needs and interests of the individuals in the group.  

I have no reservations in giving Jorge the highest and most enthusiastic recommendation.  I really don’t think there is a better introduction to Chile’s beautiful geography, political and cultural history, and to its progressive people than Jorge’s Cono Sur Expeditions.  

James Schindler