Author: Paul

Paul came to Swoop after spending nearly 20 years researching and writing guidebooks for Lonely Planet. In Patagonia, he is particularly enchanted by the wild landscapes of Tierra del Fuego.

Stories & Inspiration

The Magellanic penguin: icon of Patagonia 

When it comes to Patagonia’s wildlife, people often talk about the ‘Big 5’: the puma, condor, guanaco, huemul deer and Darwin’s rhea. They’re all great to see of course, but there’s a certain degree of terrestrial bias when it comes to the list: they’re species you can see inland in one of the region’s great […]

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Stories & Inspiration

The art of drinking mate in Patagonia

What’s the most iconic drink in Argentina and Chile? If you take a look at a wine rack, you might imagine a full-bodied Malbec from Mendoza, or a flinty Sauvignon Blanc from Chile’s central wine valleys. They’re both delicious of course – and internationally celebrated, but if you’re an Argentinian or a Chilean, you’ll be […]

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Stories & Inspiration

Lago Greve: a kayaking expedition to the end of Chile

What do you do when your inflatable kayak gets a puncture while you’re crossing a lake strewn with icebergs, and you’re over a week’s overland travel from the nearest town? That was the challenge faced by explorer and environmentalist Charlie Tokeley on his expedition to Lago Greve, one of the largest, most remote and least […]

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Aysen Stories & Inspiration

Love and horses: marrying into Chilean gaucho culture

We’ve long been in love with Patagonia’s extraordinary landscapes, but what keeps us coming back time after time are its people. The deep relationships that we’ve built with our friends and partners over the years in Chile and Argentina allow us to show travellers the very best of the region – and we always adore […]

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Stories & Inspiration

Patagonia Azul Park: Argentina’s newest conservation success story

For most people, Patagonia conjures up visions of endless mountains, with condors soaring down from the snowy peaks, endless plains of pampas grass, the blue glaciers of Tierra del Fuego or the Chilean Fjords. But there’s another side to this vast region that deserves to be better known: Patagonia’s Atlantic coast.   This is an area […]

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Stories & Inspiration

Why Chilean Patagonia is as important as the Amazon rainforest

Patagonia is home to some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet, from thick temperate rainforests and wild steppe to fjord-crinkled coastlines and the great glacier-clad spine of the Andes Mountains that run along its entire length.  These aren’t just beautiful wilderness areas, ripe for exploration by adventurous travellers. A recent study has shown […]

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Stories & Inspiration

The return of the nandu: a Patagonia rewilding success story

In March and April 2025, a cheerful scene has been playing out in Chacabuco Valley in the heart of Chile’s Aysen region. Dozens of baby birds, looking like stripy ducklings on stilts, peck happily in the dirt and grass, investigating their new home. They have been bred under the most careful supervision, and are getting […]

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