We are often asked the question: how much should I tip my guide if they’ve done a great job? Rough rules of thumb might be: If it’s a group of 1 or 2 people then maybe $10-$20 per day For…
Cruce Andino
An exciting way to see the mountains and lakes of the Patagonian Lake District, Cruce Andino is a boat and bus journey that mixes pleasure and adventure with views of snow-capped volcanoes, glaciers and forests. It’s practical too – leaving…
Map of Torres del Paine
It can be difficult to find a decent map of Torres del Paine National Park, so we hope that these maps will help you to understand the layout of the park and the best ways to trek whilst you’re there.…
Why booking in advance is the way to go
We often receive enquiries from travellers who don’t feel that it’s necessary or cost effective to book their adventure holiday in advance. It’s easy to understand their logic, if you’re a confident person who is happy just to rock…
El Chalten – Swoop’s top tips
On my first visit to El Chalten in 1999 I was wowed by Mount FitzRoy and the other peaks and glaciers that lie within a few miles of the small town. In January 2011 I returned to the town that,…
Bill and Lynn’s Review of Swoop Travel’s service
“We had decided to visit Patagonia and, in particular, the Torres del Paine National Park. Initially, we contacted a number of local operators in Chile and obtained quotations and ideas regarding an itinerary. However, this process only served to confuse…
Isla de Chiloé, Chile
When Darwin visited Chiloé in 1835, he described the island as “the border of Christianity”, both in the geographical and spiritual sense. The brilliant researcher was marveled by the co-habitation achieved between Mapuche Indians and the Spanish conquerors over three…
Travelling to Patagonia from the UK
Booking international flights to a place as vast as Patagonia can seem a bit daunting. However, it’s not as complicated as you’d think and it needn’t cause you a headache, especially if you plan your trip in advance and read…