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).

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

Oooh, impossible question. In general, experiencing the vast, spectacular, rugged landscape of Torres Del Paine--whether hiking, biking, horseback riding or mountain biking--with no other people in sight. The enormity of Perito Moreno Glacier. The remoteness and beauty of the Estancia stays. Seeing the wildlife of Peninsula Valdes, again, with no other humans in sight.

Hiking while surrounded by incredible snow-covered peaks and glaciers on all sides.

The highlight was definitely going over the John Gardner Pass. It was a tough but really rewarding day. One of the most magical moments was when we made it through the pass and had an absolutely gorgeous view of the Grey Glacier in front of us. I also really enjoyed going through the windy passes and fighting our way through the infamous Patagonian wind! It was a pleasure to meet other people on the trail and to discuss what we had seen already and comparing experiences.

There were lots! it was a real surprise to be offered White Horse whisky on glacier ice on the return trip from visiting Lake Dickson and seeing the glaciers. I treasured the moment lying in The sunshine at Lake Dickson while viewing The three glaciers and all the group became quiet just enjoing the peace and the spectacular views. Sitting round the campfire at the first outpost while the hailstones fell on us was certainly memorable. The views from my horse while riding were also very memorable.

Highlight was definitely all the hikes. The landscape and wildlife were amazing. The drive itself wasn't that great, except from El Calafate to El Chalten. However, I enjoyed seeing all the guanecos everywhere! We didn't quite meet too many people, but everyone was friendly that we met. Especially in El Calafate, when we had issues with our car and had to change our plans - the hotel staff were especially helpful. Seeing Mt. Fitz Roy, cloudless and framed by the beautiful lake was amazing.

Seeing the Gray Glacier from the top of surrounding mountains