February Reviews

If you like hiking (or the outdoors in general) and wine, Chile is one of the best places on the planet to visit. Landscapes remind me of the Montana nickname - Big Sky Country. Wildlife was more abundant and more accessible than we expected. People were friendly and helpful. Didn't really go in with specific expectations, so we really were not "surprised" by anything. I/we learned much more detail about the society and the original European settlers than we knew. I had no idea that Croatians migrated in some numbers to the area - like my ancestors (Rick).

Glacier hike and day tour guide in Buenas Aires.

There were many highlights, some via Swoop's efforts and others through our individually arranged trips. Landscapes are amazing, thank goodness my husband was driving on the lengthy trips. Wildlife at Iguazu was fantastic, from the coati's; monkeys, beautiful butterflies, tree snake (not my favourite). We met some really lovely people; were really impressed by the police & security in Buenos Aires and the cleanliness of the city. What to tell the grandchildren - it's hard to know where to stop, but I think the waterfalls on the Argentinian side at Iguazu were really spectacular. The main surprises were the bike racks on the BA trains - so efficient and space saving; the clear and simple directions when taking transport in Buenos Aires, particularly the lit up sign boards inside the train carriages ; the transport & tourist police - again not seen in London & very reassuring; the cleanliness of Buenos Aires.

There are places on this earth that change you. Las Torres, Patagonia is one of them. Staying inside Torres del Paine National Park is unlike anything else—waking up to golden light spilling over jagged peaks, the sound of guanacos calling in the distance, and the absolute silence of a place untouched by time. Here, the land, the people, and the experience weave together to create something truly unforgettable: 🐎 The Horses – Riding across the wild landscape with Joaquín, Milky, Marcello, and Pacho, learning the deep connection between the vaqueros and these incredible animals. 🔥 The People – From hiking guides who share their love for the trails to Héctor and José, who slow-roast lamb over an open fire, passing down the traditions of this land. Every meal is farm-to-table, sourced from the gardens—homemade beer, fresh-picked berries, and gin distilled from native plants. 🗻 The Land – Towering granite spires carved by glaciers, rivers as blue as the sky, valleys filled with wildflowers. To stand at the base of the Torres, to feel the silence wrap around you, is to feel completely alive. I found a condor feather on the trail—a gift from the great spirit. A reminder that this land, these people, and this experience will stay with me forever. Next time, I’m coming back with my husband and adventurous couples who want to elope in one of the most awe-inspiring places on earth. Looking for adventurous couples who crave adventure, iconic landscapes, and a wedding day that feels truly free. I'm so down, let’s make it happen. Instagram: / elopewithcorey Website: https://coreylynntuckerphotography.com/

The W-hike adventure was amazing and challenging in so many ways. For better or worse, the variable weather thoroughly beat us up, but that added to the memories. For joy of beauty, the first reveal of the mountains at Cuernos were spectacular.

Impossible to pick just one! Cerro Torre lookout? Laguna de los Tres? Reaching the glacier at Aquas Arriba Lodge? The spectacular underwater calving at Perino Moreno glacier? The adorable penguins in Ushuaia? It was ALL amazing! I must say something here - Natascha told us we must not miss Aquas Arriba & so we planned our trip around the available dates there! She was SO RIGHT! It is a magical, special retreat & we both cried when we left. Natascha I am so very thankful to you - being able to take my daughter to such a place makes my heart sing. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I wish we had stayed another day - as you suggested (!) & skipped a day in Ushuaia.

The activities we did with Swoop providers were part of an extended trip in Chile. Every day we have spent in Chile (and a bit in Argentina) either with a Swoop activity or traveling on our own has been fun and enjoyable. We have met many great people - locals as well as other travelers. Having said that there is no ONE thing that stands out, since the entire trip has been memorable.

The highlight was seeing the puma mother and cub playing for an extended period of time. The landscapes were beautiful just like the pictures. The wildlife was fantastic. We were extremely lucky in seeing several endangered, endemic species, the southern river otter, the pudu deer, the huemel deer. Nancy checked off about 80% of the birds on the Chiloe Island/Lake District checklist, thanks to our great guide Rafa di Biase The employees of the resorts and the natives in Chiloe Island especially, were very friendly and helpful.

I cannot think of one particular moment that stands out. The most memorable are all my wow! moments when first seeing a particular mountain or glacier.

Reaching the summit of the John Garner pass in clear calm weather and seeing the entire Gray glacier and the Patagonian ice cap.

So many highlights! El Chalten was the first area we explored and our first hike was to Mt Fitzroy as the weather was beautiful that day. A very special time sitting in front of the lake looking at the granite spires after a hard scramble to the top. Another favourite hike was Loma del Pliegue Tumbardo with it snowing at the top! Also Puerto Moreno Glacier seeing carvings, the Petrified Forest at Leona, the W trek and whale watching with a very knowledgeable guide on the 'Forrest' boat. Probably the best weeks scenery was the Carretera Austral and surviving the gravel roads! This area should be recommended more although the beauty was fewer people! I think it will take a while to fully appreciate all we saw.

The Alto de Toro hike from Patagonia Camp!

The landscape with vast open spaces, snow capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers, shrubs with edible berries, delicious food and wine and world class hiking and horse riding. The light was very different to the light in Australia which allowed for excellent photographic opportunities. The wildlife was great. We saw an armadillo, but alas, no puma. I lost count of the number of condors and we saw many other animals including skunks, foxes, guanacos, rheas and domestic animals such as horses, sheep and cattle. We met no locals but the staff at the hotels and lodges were all delightful.

Having a nice lunch in the sun amidst gale force winds close to the Penon Glaciar at the top of the Penon Pass with Cerro Castillo and all its glory about a mile away.

Too many to list

Highlight - scenery which came up to expectations. Wildlife pretty good. people we dealt with generally excellent. That said, the reason I have ticked 'maybe' on the 'would I return' box is because TdelP in particular is now being 'loved to death'. If I returned to Patagonia I'd need to be convinced that I could do so with fewer people around - and preferably without the need for guiding all the time. [I would add that one thing I will consider and would need a guide for is an ice shelf walk out of El Chalten. As a general comment I preferred the experience at Fitzroy cf TdelP except for the back end of the O circuit. I would recommend Fitzroy over TdelP W circuit. Magical moments - there were a few - the Loma de Plieges Tumbado walk on a brilliant day was one. Arrival at Petit peninsula in Barriloche was another (what a top hotel). Going over the top of the John Gardner Pass. And a little thing, but being met by Victor at AEP in BA and him driving me to the Holiday in at Ezeiza was a pleasure for me as I was not comfortable with travelling across BA at night.

The whole Australis boat experience.

I was unexpectedly moved to tears as we suddenly saw the moai quarry with unfinished/half-buried heads -The futility of human effort and faith.... and (if I can have a second most memorable moment) a cloudless flight North up the Andes with ice sheets, glaciers, volcanoes ...

Seeing glacier calving and spotting leopard seals at the San Rafael Glacier

My first glimpse of Lago General Carrera surrounded by the Andes mountains. The sunrise over the lake in Purto Varas. Our view of the light hitting Cuernos del Paine from our yurt outside Torres del Paine National Park.