Category: Uncategorized

More than just a drink, mate is an elaborate ritual, shared amongst friends, family and colleagues.  Nothing captures the essence of Argentina as well as the preparation and consumption of mate (pronounce mah-tay). Yerba mate is a dried, chopped leaf similar to the common evergreen member of the holly family. It supposedly contains ingredients that […]

Although the Chilean and Argentine national capitals are not without their charms, trekkers impatient for the Patagonian wilderness and adventures that await them will be disinclined to lose too much time in these large metropolises. However, those with a bit more time or for those who want to experience the hectic, vibrant city life; start […]

Puerto Montt is the hub for anyone wanting to travel to the Chilean Lake District. The city of Puerto Montt has a beautiful view to the Orsno and Calbuco volcanoes, located at the northern end of the Reloncaví (seno de Reloncaví), in the western area, and is protected by the Tenglo Island (Isla Tengo). Calbuco […]

Its name has roots in the indigenous Quechua language, the Quechua word Anco (white) and Cahuac (sentinel) and when translated means “The Sentinel of Stone”. However, in the Aymara language there are two terms, Kon and Kawa which mean snowed and mount respectively. Therefore, in this language the name Aconcagua would translate as “snow-capped mountain”.  Aconcagua, […]

The Los Alerces National Park is a national park in Chubut Province, Argentina, some 30 miles from Esquel. The park borders Chile and was established in 1937 with the main purpose to protect the forests of the “alerce” (larch) tree, from which the park takes its name. The alerce tree is an endangered confier from the […]

Deriving its name from a flowering bush with dark blue berries and yellow flowers that once eaten, apparently guarantees your return to Patagonia, El Calafate is a quaint town nestled at the base of the cliff on the shore of the vast Lago Argentino. It is surrounded by small farms, which grow vegetables and fruit […]

Thousands of tiny black dots sprinkle the shoreline as the ferry approaches Isla Magdalena. This is one of the continent’s largest penguin sanctuaries, a population of approximately 120,000 which peaks during its breeding season from the end of December until February. During the colder months however, they migrate up the coast to Brazil in search […]

This is a guest post from Chris reviewing Patagonia at the London Film Festival. The Swoop team travelled to London to see the film last friday and thought it was brilliant!  “And so on a crisp autumn afternoon to the Ritzy in Brixton to see Patagonia with an audience of urban adventurers and film aficionados”. […]