Year: 2016
Arequipa Top Restaurant Picks
by Kathy Jarvis on
Arequipa Top Restaurant Picks Peruvian gastronomy is famous throughout Latin America – and increasingly the world – for its quality and variety. Many say it’s the best on the continent. Here are the top seven picks for where to eat in Arequipa as compiled by Lieveka, one of our partners in Peru. She had a …
Peru and Bolivia: Mieke reports back from her holiday
by Kathy Jarvis on
Three week tour across Peru and Bolivia This week we hear from Mieke, who’s just returned from a three-week tour of Peru and Bolivia. She and two friends explored Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu plus Lake Titicaca in Peru. Next, La Paz, Sucre and the Salt Flats of Uyuni in Bolivia. Which was her …
Avoid seasickness on Galapagos cruise top tips
by Tom Shearman on
Avoid seasickness on Galapagos Islands Andean Trails’ Tom and fellow Galapagos expert Doris Welsh share their Top Ten Tips on how to have a fantastic Galapagos holiday while minimising the risk of seasickness. This advice applies to cruises and hotel-based tours. Tom writes: “Many people’s number one fear before a Galapagos cruise is running …
Expert advice for family holidays
by Kathy Jarvis on
Thinking about a family holiday to South America? Such a vast continent with such a range of attractions, from snorkelling in the sea to high altitude treks, can make it hard to pick the right trip for you and your family. Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis has spent over 20 years exploring South America, the …
Q&A: Kat in Colombia – expert tips and advice
by Kat Dougal on
Colombia expert tips and advice Andean Trails’ Kat reports back from beautiful Colombia, where the heady contrasts and sheer beauty of the country inspired her adventure traveller within. Check Kat’s cracking photos, which take in everything from beaches to mountains to multi-coloured rivers. Where have you just been? Colombia! What did you see …
South America family holidays – top tips and advice
by Kathy Jarvis on
South America family holidays South America is fast becoming a popular place for families to visit on their holidays. Here we share the experiences of some of the families and groups that have travelled to South America with Andean Trails, and how it changed them. There are more flights to South America than ever, and …
Q&A: Kim Stark on running marathons in Patagonia and Easter Island
by Alan Lyall on
Patagonia and Easter Island marathons Adventure traveller Kim Stark has moved one step closed to achieving her dream of running a marathon on every continent after her recent South America tour with Andean Trails. Kim mixed sightseeing with long distance running while in Paine, Atacama, Bolivia and Easter Island. Kim sends this Q&A field report …
A day aboard a Galapagos cruise – what to expect
by Tom Shearman on
What to expect on your Galapagos Islands holiday You’ve booked your Galapagos cruise, watched the nature videos and bought the sun cream – then start to wonder… Is the cabin too small? Will I get seasick? Here, Galapagos Islands’ expert Tom explains what to expect during a typical day on your dream Galapagos holiday. Don’t …
Five things I wish I’d known before visiting the Galapagos Islands
by Tom Shearman on
Before visiting the Galapagos Islands Galapagos Islands’ expert Tom Shearman gives his top tips about travelling to this fantastic archipelago. Have a look at our own Galapagos photos on Facebook and Pinterest, plus our youtube videos. He writes: “Galapagos is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, so you want to get the planning and kit right. “I’ve …
Help plan a big group tour to Peru
by Kathy Jarvis on
Help plan a big group tour to Peru Andean Trails organised a fantastic summer Peru adventure for 14 teenagers and two adults from Dunfermline’s Queen Anne High School. The group camped in the Amazon, trekked the Inca Trail, visited remote communities in the Sacred Valley and went fishing with locals in Lima. Check their photos on …
Travel guide to Bariloche, Argentina
by Alan Lyall on
Travel guide to Bariloche, Argentina Andean Trails and its team lend their advice on the best attractions to enjoy in Bariloche, as well as some great restaurants to sample. Contact us and get planning for your adventure holiday in Bariloche. Alan writes: “San Carlos de Bariloche nestles into the Argentine side of the Northern …
Where to stay in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
by Tom Shearman on
Where to stay in Torres del Paine National Park Trek options and where to stay in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile Changes in Torres del Paine park regulations make it imperative you book your accommodation before hiking. Tom writes: “Torres del Paine National Park authorities (CONAF) has just announced that only trekkers who …
Top things to do in Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas
by Alan Lyall on
Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas Read out guide to the top things to do in Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas. Chile’s southernmost cities of Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales offer the visitor to Patagonia much more than just an overnight stay. PUNTA ARENAS As with many far-flung settlements, Punta Arenas started life in the …
Spot the best wildlife in Patagonia on holiday
by Tom Shearman on
Spot the best wildlife in Patagonia on holiday Patagonia is full of terrific wildlife – check our Facebook photo album. Tom looks at the where and when of the wildlife you may encounter on a wildlife holiday in Patagonia – be it in Chile or Argentina. He writes: Patagonia: steppes, fjords, mountains, forests, lakes, glaciers …
Ecuador Cloud Forest – Santa Lucia
by Tom Shearman on
Ecuador Cloud Forest – Santa Lucia Andean Trails’ Tom regales us with an account of his recent trip to Santa Lucia Lodge in the Ecuadorean cloud forest not far from the capital Quito. He writes: “Looks like a young male tarantula, they can get quite aggressive,”. The big black and purple spider before us …
Colombia – Top 10 places to visit and things to do
by Tom Shearman on
Top 10 places to visit and things to do in Colombia Travel advice and tips for Colombia holidays Colombia is the country that has everything you could need from a South America holiday. Andean Trails’ Tom spent two months enjoying the diverse landscapes and people that make this a country rich in wildlife, nature and …
Travel insurance – essential holiday planning
by Alan Lyall on
Travel insurance – essential holiday planning Andean Trails’ Alan has just returned from Chile where his trip did not quite go as planned. An unfortunate accident on his first day gave a timely reminder of how necessary travel insurance – a condition of booking with Andean Trails – can be. He writes: “I was …
Acclimatisation hikes, Cusco, Peru
by Kathy Jarvis on
Acclimatisation hikes, Cusco, Peru Peru and particularly Cusco is a massive draw for trekkers, with great hikes from the Inca Trail to Salkantay and more to enjoy – and everyone needs to acclimatise to the altitude before hiking. Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis has written many Peru trekking guides, including the recently updated Bradt Peru …
Peru: best ceviche and pisco sour recipe
by Tom Shearman on
Peru: best ceviche and pisco sour recipe To mark Peru celebrating its Independence Day today (Jul 28), Tom describes his joy at learning how to make its iconic national drink and dish on a day tour in Lima. Ceviche and pisco sour are the staples behind Peru’s deserved and burgeoning foodie reputation. He writes: …
Patagonia restaurant guide – best places to eat
by Alan Lyall on
Patagonia restaurant guide – best places to eat The Patagonia season is not far off and, eating is always one of the great pleasures when travelling in Argentina and Chile Here are some of our top tips for restaurants to eat in Southern Patagonia. EL CALAFATE, ARGENTINA El Cucharón, 9 de Julio 145 Go where the …