Michael
United States Of America
Customer
Rating
10
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?”
Michael's Trip Date:
23rd Dec - 28th Dec 2024
What was your most memorable moment?
Probably a tie between Reaching the Torres del Paine and watching a Puma!
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?
10 out of 10
On a scale of 0 to 10, how would you rate your trip: Safari in Southern Patagonia?
10 out of 10
Tell us about EcoCamp
The eco-responsibility of the camp is fantastic- our domes were very comfortable and we had an amazing view of the Torres del Paine from our windows. The food was amazing - the seamless transfer from the airport (welcome meal in town, drive into the park, etc) set the stage for an amazing time from our first step. But my biggest compliment is just how the program itself is run: Starting with the morning briefing (and dinner selection ;)) through breakfast, meeting your guides and the various activity options for the day, learning more about fellow visitors during that day's activity, and then coming back together at night to share a dinner + memories of the day with new friends (including our guide/s) and plan the next day: It was all a virtuous circle that just made each day better & better. There are an endless number of things to see in the park; EcoCamp made the experience even better by building community between the other guides (and drivers!) and guests throughout the entire experience. I am sure we will be keeping in touch with many of the new friends we made during this trip.
Do you have any tips or advice for other people planning a trip to Patagonia?
Heh. I only brought my 200mm lens (and left the 600mm home) because I was convinced we would not see puma. So of course we saw 2 :) For a fellow traveler wanting to save space, I would say: Bring the big lens - you can always leave it in the vehicles which are always under supervision. And it's most likely you will see puma from the road, not on a hike. I brought 3 big USB batteries b/c I was worried I would not be able to charge my devices in the welcome tent, but there were always outlets available (maybe bring 1 battery for emergencies and leave the others home: room for more camera stuff!). I brought a travel tripod but the wind was generally so strong I couldn't use it. I only used it for a few star pics at night.
Has your experience changed your perspective in any way?
We would love to explore other parts of the country. Also, this was our first time travelling over Christmas and I think it was nice to spend the season outside the US for a chance
How prepared and excited for Patagonia did you feel?
In the end, we used just about everything we brought with us *except* rain pants. 3-in-1 jackets were a great idea, followed by a base layer, and a wool layer. Hiking shoes (not boots) were fine. EcoCamp has plenty of poles, so you don't need to bring your own (I personally did not use any the entire trip - but if you don't have good knees or balance you should). Absolutely make sure to have liner socks and a little moleskin just in case. I only brought 2 pieces of footwear for the entire trip: hiking shoes for the day, and sandals for the evening - that worked out perfectly.
Would you consider another trip to Patagonia with Swoop?
Yes
Would you be interested in travelling to Antarctica with Swoop?
Yes
Would you be interested in travelling to the Arctic with Swoop?
Yes