Slow Travel Patagonian Style: When Getting There is Part of the Adventure
Bristol, 02 March 2020: Specialist tour operator, Swoop Patagonia, is keen to encourage visitors to consider taking the slower, often less direct and little-known routes between destinations, in order to get the most from this fascinating region of South America.
Two new mini breaks which allow visitors to do just that, are a slow-travel crossing between Chile and Argentina via Isla Las Bandurrias, and a two-day horseback expedition into the popular Torres del Paine National Park, instead of the two-hour road journey from Puerto Natales.
The latter expedition, which is suitable for novice riders, families and expert equestrians alike, includes a boat journey across the Last Hope Sound to visit the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, overnight camping alongside Lake Brush, with spectacular views of the distinctive granite towers of the Paine Massif beyond, two days travelling on Criollo horses across the Patagonian steppe in the company of a local guide and gauchos, plus a traditional Chilean asado or barbeque.
Prices start from £902pp based on a minimum of two people travelling in March or April 2020.
For details, visit: https://www.swoop-patagonia.com/chile/torres-del-paine/horse-riding/2-day
Crossing from Chile to Argentina
Instead of taking the well-trodden path from Puerto Varas in Chile to San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina, Swoop recommends a new, leisurely break, which includes two night’s accommodation in a retreat on the idyllic, tranquil Isla Bandurrias on Lake Las Rocas.
Beginning in Puerto Varas, a private transfer takes participants towards the Andes on a journey punctuated with magnificent views of Chile’s second largest lake, Llanquihue, and the distinctive conical or stratovolcanoes, Calbuco and Osorno, which tower over 2,000 meters high.
A picnic lunch followed by a ferry journey across Lake Tagua Tagua, and a drive into the unspoilt Puelo Valley, bring passengers to La Colina Farm, where luggage is loaded on to pack-horses for the 50-minute trek to the edge of Lake Las Rocas. A short motorboat ride then transfers them to Las Bandurrias Island.
The rustic, homestay accommodation is available exclusively for the Swoop party, and the food served each day is sourced locally, with wine flowing freely at dinner.
During their stay, guests have the option of taking a boat ride to the lake shore and exploring one of the hiking trails that leads to the Blue Lagoon, either on foot or on horseback (the latter is available at an extra cost). There are also canoes and walking trails on Isla Bandurrias and, of course, beautifully clear waters in which to swim.
A top tip from Swoop Patagonia is to take goggles in order to get a close-up view of the silvery trees which, when they fall in to the lake, don’t decompose in the cold water, but create a magical, underwater spectacle.
A motorboat journey on day three, via the stunningly beautiful Inferior Lake, along the Puelo River and through a short rapid, which is the natural border between the two countries, brings passengers to Lago Puelo National Park; the last port of call before passing through Argentine customs.
Prices for this break, which may be extended or carried out in reverse, start from £1797pp based on a minimum of two people travelling between October and February.
For further details visit: https://www.swoop-patagonia.com/regions/lake-district/las-bandurrias
For images visit: https://bit.ly/32D5R4e
For enquiries please call: 0117 369 0196
For media enquiries please contact Debra Taylor E: debra@toucanmoon.com M. +44 7956 852197
About Swoop
The team at Swoop is passionate about the ends of the earth. Less travel agent, more destination ambassador, the specialist company focuses exclusively on arranging adventures in the Polar Regions and Patagonia. Offering extensive knowledge and experience gained from living, working and travelling in these regions, combined with a wide choice of options available through its long-standing relationships with tour operators and local partners, Swoop helps to plan trips that match individuals’ dreams, budgets and appetite for adventure.
So, whether it’s a tailor-made itinerary taking in the volcanoes, glaciers, fjords, mountains and plains of Patagonia, a hotel or ship-based holiday, a group tour, soft adventure or an intrepid polar expedition complete with mountaineering, Swoop has the contacts and expertise to make it happen.
About the Author
Founding director of toucanmoon, Debra has many years’ experience in the travel industry and has held director-level positions in several high-profile international companies.
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