Paul Bird in Argentina

Paul Bird

  • The Americas

My Expertise

  • USA flag USA
  • Canada Flag Canada
  • Argentina Flag Argentina
  • Chile Flag Chile
  • Ecuador Flag Ecuador
  • Ecuador Flag Galapagos Islands
  • Peru Flag Peru

It wasn’t part of the script, career plans were quite different but after four global trips visiting such exciting destinations, travel became a passion that eventually led to me entering the industry. The more I have travelled the greater the desire has been to see and do more.

Having travelled extensively throughout South America it is a privilege to now be able to send so many people to experience the continent for themselves. It is a continent that you could travel to over a hundred times and still experience something new. Whether wildlife in the Galapagos Islands, dazzling salt flats in Bolivia, the world’s most impressive waterfall at Iguazu, or the archaeological ruins left behind by the Incas, this is a continent of an eclectic mixture of experiences. It is hardly surprising that our clients tend to visit the continent more than once.

Maras Salt Terraces, Cusco, Peru
Maras Salt Terraces, Cusco, Peru

Secrets of the Sacred Valley

Although photographs have daubed many international travel magazines and much has been written, nothing can fully prepare you for just how spectacular, awe inspiring and mythical this place really is. Naturally, when presented with the opportunity to return, I was both delighted and eager to marvel at this great wonder once again. On this trip I spent some days within the Sacred Valley before reaching Machu Picchu, and what I discovered highlighted just how much a visit to the area can offer.

Read my blog

Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina
Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina

Nature's Superstructures

‘It’s falling’ someone shouted, as I turned to see a sizeable chunk of the front of the glacier breaking and crumbling into the lake below. Quite a sight to watch as huge lumps of ice fell creating large waves across the lake below. Oh to be quicker with one’s camera but I was not disappointed, it was great to have witnessed this, a memory that won’t be forgotten.

Read my blog

Morning River Cruise, Amazon Rainforest
Morning River Cruise, Amazon Rainforest

Yasuni National Park

Ecuador is perhaps not the first country that comes to mind when thinking about a visit to the Amazon, but on a recent trip I discovered a region that is quite possibly the most pristine biologically diverse on earth. The Yasuni National Park is situated in the middle-eastern part of the Ecuadorian Amazon between the Napo and Curaray rivers. Over 2,450,000 acres, over 173 mammal species, 567 bird species, 83 reptile species, 97 amphibian species and 249 fish species can be found.

Read my blog

My Most Memorable Experiences

Tell us what you love doing and we’ll curate a journey that’s perfect for you.

Poison dart frog, Ecuadorian amazon

Night Walking in the Amazon

Walking along narrow trails of the might Amazon Rainforest gave me the sense of truly in one of Earth’s most remote spots. Using torch light, the night safari brought millipedes, frogs, tarantulas, ants, stick insects and many other inhabitants to my attention.

Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina

Crampon Walking the Perito Moreno Glacier

The western base of the Perito Moreno Glacier is where I equipped myself with crampons ready to walk across a tiny section of this vast glacier. From here it looked like a smooth wall of ice, with the edges meeting the water with a completely vertical face, but on top of the glacier you can see jagged peaks and bottomless crevices with an astonishing shade of deep sapphire blue.

Local woman weaving textiles, Peru

Peruvian Markets

One of the biggest draws to Peru and to the Sacred Valley in particular is the wonderful display of handcrafted clothing, jewellery and ceramics on offer at several of the village markets. In Pisac, I found the cobbled streets are lined with artisan creations that are often extremely colourful and superbly made.

Maras Salt Terraces, Cusco, Peru

Salt Terraces in Peru

One extraordinary place I discovered in Peru was the small village of Maras. High in the Andes where natural sources of salt seem impossible, the area was cultivated by the Incas to form salt ponds from a natural spring.

My Hand-Picked Holiday Ideas

Scroll to discover my pick of great journeys in the Americas. From driving some of the world’s most remote roads in Argentina to snorkelling with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands, I hope that this small selection of holiday ideas inspires an adventure of your own.

Start planning your trip


Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Name(Required)
Hidden

Meet the Americas & Polar Experts

With a combined total of more than 180 years working in travel, we are a small and immensely knowledgeable team of experts. Having driven vintage cars in Havana, climbed granite domes in Yosemite, snorkelled with sea lions in the Galapagos and camped in Antarctica, our passion lies in curating bespoke journeys for our clients, balancing our in-depth local knowledge with a penchant for picking up on the little details that make you tick.

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes