Rhianna

I grew up on a completely off-grid Black Mountain farm in Wales, near Hay-on-Wye, where my childhood was full of books, horses, and being outside. I spent hours on my own up on the mountains with my dogs, training and exploring on horseback, and I think that's where my love of remote places and of being where the people aren't began.

I studied English and French at Exeter University based in Falmouth, and during this time I spent a year teaching English on La Réunion, a tiny volcanic island in the Indian Ocean. I've been drawn to off-the-beaten-track travel ever since. I've now been to 52 countries, but the trip that shaped me most was a year slow-travelling South America in late 2021. I spent four months in Torres del Paine, training horses and guiding guests through the park, then another two months exploring the Argentine side of Patagonia with no plan beyond going where felt good.

These days I live in Cornwall, and you'll find me in the sea off Falmouth, freediving and snorkelling, and whenever I'm back home I'm out riding in the Black Mountains. I'm a keen Coast Path walker and genuine nature lover; and I'll happily spend a day in a forest hunting for fungi and wildlife. I'm also a massive foodie. Wherever I go, I want the authentic local dishes and a glass of whatever the locals drink, so if you want restaurant, wine or regional speciality tips for your trip, I can help! When I'm not out exploring, I'm usually reading travel writing or geopolitical fiction and planning the next adventure.

I first went at the end of 2021 with nothing but a job secured on an estancia in Torres del Paine. Growing up Welsh, our teachers used to dangle Patagonia in front of us as an enticement to listen when we were being indignant about learning a ‘dead’ language: "You can go to Patagonia and speak it!" Having done little to no research, I assumed this was true. In Gaiman it is, but I never made it there. Instead I used my farming and equestrian background to work from a puesto in the park, taking guests out into Torres del Paine and getting fully immersed in gaucho life. In many ways it was like home from home, though on an entirely different scale: mountains, horses, sheep farming, traditional methods, and a diet of mostly lamb…! So I slotted right in, and fell immediately in love. 

There are huge sweeping vistas, and a bleakness that is actually full of life if you take a moment to really look and listen. Great condors soar overhead, and one of my life highlights was watching a puma hunt guanaco in front of the Torres at dusk. I love being alone, and heading out on horseback by myself through the forests with the wind howling all around is a real reminder that we are small and the world is big.

I also love the Argentine side. Camping at Fitz Roy after hiking up to the iconic viewpoint is something I'll never forget. Patagonia has something for everyone, and if you love the wild and natural, with great culture to match, I know you'll love it too.

Working remotely gives me the incredible opportunity to connect with clients and colleagues all over the world, bringing a constant flow of new cultures and perspectives right to my desk in London.

My focus every day is simple: listen closely to what you envision for your journey to Chile and Argentina, and turn that into reality. I know firsthand how meaningful these trips are, which is why getting every detail right matters so much to me. No two itineraries are the same, and having the creative freedom to tailor each trip to the individual traveller is what keeps me inspired. 

How can I help plan your Patagonia trip? Having lived and worked in Torres del Paine and explored the Argentine side too, I know Patagonia from the inside, not just from a brochure. I'll use that first-hand knowledge and the expertise of the wider Swoop team to build a trip that suits how you like to travel, whether that means big hikes, time in the saddle or great food and wine. Tell me what you're dreaming of, and I'll help you shape it into something unforgettable.