Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary

No one could have done a more efficient job at getting us to a hard place to reach like Patagonia
Brad Knight | May 1, 2023

Tom worked with my wife and I for over a year to organize the best trip possible based on some of our special needs and desires. He was an absolute pleasure to work with and was able to provide extraordinary detail and service during the long planning sessions. Our goal was to go to Patagonia in Chile, without rushing around all over the place, guided privately, and have a pampered feeling with good food and accommodations. He actually listened to our requests and followed through with them! Tom truly excelled in this regard. He set us up to spend the entire trip in or next to Torres del Paine National Park. Our first week was spent in an Awasi villa with an incredible view of the tower side of the Massif. Awasi was a terrific place that proved that it REALLY cares about its clients. My wife and I are wildlife and landscape photographers and Tom arranged for us to have a photographer and nature lover for our private guide for the entire week at Awasi. Awesome. For the second week he set us up in a great room at Explora Salto Chico with an even more stunning view of the Massif — horns side. Explora was just OK but the amazing view made up for some of the negative aspects of the hotel. We will never forget that view! While there was some dysfunction in the airline travel (no fault of Tom’s), Tom was with us all the way making sure we were clear about our options. We have traveled to many places (this was our 4th WOW person trip) and I feel that no one could have done a more efficient job at getting us to a hard place to reach like Patagonia, Chile. Kudos all around to Tom Damon. We would not hesitate to benefit from his expertise again. WOW!

We had a private stargazing evening hosted by French astronomer Alain Maury at his observatory...
Barbara Schoenfeld | January 29, 2023
Alain Maury’s SPACE Observatory, Chile.

Alain Maury’s SPACE Observatory, Chile. Photo: Barbara Schoenfeld

Tom designed a Christmas/New Year’s trip to Chile for our family of six. He rose to the challenge of transporting us down and back up half the length of the continent. He organized visits to both Patagonia and the Atacama desert, securing rooms at Hotel Las Torres in Patagonia and Explora Atacama. Both were excellent choices for their top-notch adventure staff and boutique experience. He pretty much had to plan three trips because we originated in San Francisco, New York and New England, and we had three different time frames. He and his staff handled the transportation logistics smoothly. And, I’m not just saying this because I’m writing a review for Wendy’s WOW List, but the best part of the trip was the Wendy WOW Moment. We had a private stargazing evening hosted by French astronomer Alain Maury, at his observatory called SPACE (San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations). We have a video he recorded on my son’s cell phone where he described what we were seeing on the Sea of Tranquility on the moon — particularly the smudge where the U.S. Apollo 11 landed.

Private spots, tucked away in the mountains, that had phenomenal views and absolutely no other foot traffic
Jeannie Mullen | January 9, 2023
Traveler Jeannie inside the helicopter.

Traveler Jeannie inside the helicopter. The Lake District, Chile. Photo: Jeannie Mullen

Tom Damon planned a fantastic two-week holiday hiking trip to a part of Chile that I had never been to … the Lake District south of Santiago … an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. Of the many activities offered (hiking, floating, white water rafting, cultural visits among others), I would say that the heli-hiking in Pucon with my guide, Patricio Garrido, who is also a professional photographer, was a standout. Our pilot, Benjamin, was great fun and anxious to show us private spots, tucked away in the mountains, that had phenomenal views and absolutely no other foot traffic. What a phenomenal experience. It’s like we had the world to ourselves for the day. This was the third time that I have used Tom for trip planning in South America. He chose terrific properties which offered impeccable service and every possible amenity. Vira Vira, an AndBeyond property, was exquisite.

Tom really knows his stuff—he knows the area, knows the wrinkles that can happen in any trip to a remote destination
Virginia Coe | January 9, 2023

After two Covid delays, we were finally able to take our trip to Patagonia organized by Tom, and what a trip it was! Tom was gracious and helpful in handling our changed plans and when the time came to go, he was helpful in every aspect of the trip, including coaching us through various forms necessary to travel from Argentina to Chile and then to take a subsequent charter flight. He and his travel agent, Gabriela Proano, were particularly helpful when our flight from SFO to Houston connecting to Buenos Aires was delayed, so all connections were missed. They got us on the first available flight two days later, which was a blessing since we would have landed on the same day the Argentinian football team arrived after their World Cup victory. Basically all of Buenos Aires shut down and celebrated. There would have been no way to leave the airport. Talk about a silver lining! Our trekking guide in Argentina, Juan, was fantastic and particularly expert in helping five people with mixed skills get to the base of Fitz Roy. The service Tom arranged to get us from El Calafate to the Explora Torres del Paine was efficient and knowledgeable. All transitions were handled smoothly. Tom really knows his stuff—he knows the area, knows the wrinkles that can happen in any trip to a remote destination. We felt completely prepared for this glorious trip. Thank you Wendy Perrin and Tom Damon!

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