John
United Kingdom
Customer
Rating
7
Customer Rating On return from their adventure we ask customers: “On a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the highest, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?”
John's Trip Date:
28th Nov - 17th Dec 2019
What was your most memorable moment?
Reaching the base of the Towers on a bad weather day and having the sun come out just as we arrived at the moraine lake
Which of the following best describes your adventure?
Great holiday
On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely is it that you would recommend Swoop to a friend or colleague?
7 out of 10
Tell us about Hotel Las Torres
Located in prime position the hotel gives ideal access to the park. Food and drink is expensive but of good quality. Excursions are well organised (very well led) but availability is dependent on numbers. Overall I did most of what I wanted to do (including a half day riding excursion which was very enjoyable)
Tell us about the trekking
Ideal i
Tell us about the Atacama
I enjoyed my time in the Atacama. It was interesting. Hotel Don Thomas is comfortable and very efficient. Food OK. Very cheap laundry!! San Pedro is very touristy (more tour companies than any other business) Best trip was geysers because it took you into the high Andes and lots of wildlife seen. A local visit to Pokara archeological site was also good (I walked there from town) because it gives access to a high view point at the ‘citadel’ which is stunning. Note the Astrological tour is outstanding but drops you in town at midnight and let’s you find your own way home
Tell us about Easter Island
Exceeded expectations - unique! Very friendly hotel. Outstanding food. Expensive. Planning is limited beforehand because the local organising company offer only the standard tours (1 full day and 2 half days) and are not very helpful in linking up with other companies. There are sunrise tours to Tongariki, Astro photography, walking opportunities- to the crater or north coast.
Tell us about Torres del Paine
Visually outstanding. Lots of people even got to see Pumas! (Not me 😭) the availability of excursions made so much of the park very accessible. With some planning I could have done a lot of the W trek whilst based at the hotel (maybe 1 night at the Cuernos refuge)
Do you have any recommendations or feedback for the Swoop team?
My only problem was that on 2 occasions pick up/ transfers went wrong. The first was the half day tour of Santiago where Southbound forgot to tell the tour operators that I had moved hotels. The second was when my transfer to the airport failed to appear. In both cases the situation was rescued by the staff of the Castello Rojo hotel
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Patagonia?
Add Easter Island to the trip. If you are going that far it is worth it!!! Having been to Patagonia I might drop Atacama and spend more time in the south - maybe Fitzroy?