Food – a taste of Bolivia by Kathy Jarvis on 4th March, 2016 Food – a taste of Bolivia Bolivia, landlocked and hidden in the middle of the South American continent is not widely known as a “foodie” destination, and yet you will be pleasantly surprised at the offerings you will find to tickle your palate. Tubers are widely used, particularly oca, (a sweetish potato), chuño and tunta (both …
Moon Temple and Choquequirao by Kathy Jarvis on 25th February, 2016 Moon Temple and Choquequirao Director of Andean Trails and Peru trekking guide book writer, Kathy writes: ” There’s a lot more to Peru than the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. If you want to explore some amazing Inca sites, walk deep in the mountains, and get away from the crowds then two of my …
Day walks for altitude acclimatisation – Huaraz by Kathy Jarvis on 5th February, 2016 Altitude acclimatisation in Huaraz Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis, writes about altitude acclimatisation and day walks out of Huaraz, northern Peru. She writes: Fly into Cusco, Huaraz, Quito or La Paz and you’ll notice the altitude. Try running up the hotel stairs and you’ll wonder what happened to your fitness, and how you will …
Packing list for mountain trekking by Kathy Jarvis on 21st January, 2016 Packing list for mountain trekking Trekking has been at the top of our adventure list for many years. We have learned quite a bit and have some valuable tips to share with future trekkers. Good kit is vital for the enjoyment of any trekking trip – we’ve all heard it before but it’s just so …
Alternative treks to Inca Trail, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 15th January, 2016 Alternative treks to Inca Trail, Peru What to do when the Inca Trail is sold out… Permits gone When those 500 much sought after permits are sold, often many months in advance, then that’s it. They are gone. But don’t despair – our alternatives are all great treks in their own right and are in fact preferred …
Top 10 restaurants in Cusco, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 20th November, 2015 Top 10 restaurants in Cusco, Peru Most traveller’s to Peru will at some point spend some time in Cusco – here are some of our suggestions for restaurants to eat in. Fallen Angel Amazing décor and ambience, best at night for drinks and partying. Also has a guest house with four individually designed funky …
Top 10 things to do in Salta by Kathy Jarvis on 12th November, 2015 Top 10 things to do in Salta Argentina’s most ‘Andean’ of cities, Salta is the gateway to the northwest of this amazing country. The city itself is a bustling hub full of commerce and history, surrounded by mighty Andean peaks, arid puna and crazy, coloured rock formations. Here are 10 great things to do …
Laguna Quilotoa, Ecuador – well worth a visit by Kathy Jarvis on 9th October, 2015 Visit Laguna Quilotoa, Ecuador Our own Maria encourages everyone to visit Quilotoa lagoon on their Ecuador holiday. She writes: “Quilotoa crater lake is located 135 kms south-west of Quito and is a must-see in Ecuador! It is an enigmatic spot for visitors not only for the colourful lake deep inside the volcano’s crater, but also …
Top 10 tips – Colombia family holidays by Kathy Jarvis on 21st August, 2015 Top 10 tips – Colombia family holidays Kathy travelled to Colombia earlier this year with her 7-year-old son Lewis, to see just how much had changed since her previous visits over 10 years ago. Here are her Top 10 (and then some more!) tips on travelling around Colombia. She writes: “We found that there …
Moon Temple trek to Machu Picchu, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 13th August, 2015 Moon Temple trek to Machu Picchu Maria walks the Moon Temple trek in this week’s blog, and takes on the highest mountain pass of her life, in Peru. Check her Facebook pictures and a short video with a guide explaining ‘apachetas.’ She writes: “Quillatambo. Composed of two Quechua words, it perfectly captures this adventure trek, the Moon …
Amazing Peru: Walter Rhein’s inspirational book by Kathy Jarvis on 30th July, 2015 Walter Rhein´s inspirational book This week’s guest blogger, Walter Rhein, shares his Choquequirao adventure, the inspiration for the multitude contained in his recently published book. ‘Reckless Traveler’ chronicles a vast array of Walter’s experiences from a decade of living in that most colourful of countries, Peru, from its food to its AK-47s. Walter writes: …
Sol y Luna Luxury Lodge, Sacred Valley, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 24th July, 2015 Sol y Luna Luxury Lodge, Sacred Valley, Peru Sol y Luna is Maria’s favourite Sacred Valley hotel, Peru, for pampering and and luxury. She writes… “Sol & Luna is a charming place on the shores of the Urubamba river, in the heart of the Sacred Valley and on the way to Machu Picchu. The Sacred …
On a city bike tour in Lima, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 3rd July, 2015 On a city bike tour in Lima, Peru Get off the bus and get on your bike – city bike tours are a fabulous way to discover the hidden corners of the city. Seeing all the sights while pedaling around gives a real feel for a city, and Lima in Peru is no different, replete …
Swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon of Brasil by Kathy Jarvis on 19th June, 2015 Pink dolphins in the Amazon of Brasil Rare, curious and seldom seen, Maria recalls swimming in Brasil’s Amazon river with ‘botos’ – pink dolphins. Trip to Amazonas-Manaus Some friends and I were sailing in a wooden boat near Manaus, Brazil, when our guide excited began to shout ‘Botos! Botos!” We didn’t know what he …
Wildlife of South America by Kathy Jarvis on 11th June, 2015 Wildlife of South America South America is home to an enormous amount and variety of wildlife. From giant anacondas in Amazon swamps to the symbollic soaring condor, from llamas to tarantulas, the breadth of fauna and flora is still being catalogued. Here Andean Trails’ staff share our favourite wildlife experiences from travels across South America …
Favourite holiday books to read by Kathy Jarvis on 22nd May, 2015 Favourite holiday books to read For some it’s their mobile phone, tablet or laptop, and sometimes the travel companion. For others, it’s still the book (or e-reader) to turn to, to while away the hours, to relax while on holiday. Here are Andean Trails’ top travelling books. Let us know what you like to read …
Cycling Sunday in Bogota, Colombia by Kathy Jarvis on 20th March, 2015 Cycling Sunday in Bogota, Colombia Sunday is cycling day in Colombia’s vibrant and burgeoning capitlal, Bogota. A kaleidoscope of people, colour and sights and smells to enjoy from the safety of the saddle, on roads without traffic. Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis describes her recent, Colombia bike tour, part of our new Colombia Highlights holiday. …
Luxury trekking to Machu Picchu – go glamping by Kathy Jarvis on 6th March, 2015 Luxury trekking to Machu Picchu – go glamping Maria discovers a new way to trek to Machu Picchu: the hike remains the same, but canvas is swapped for comfortable beds, jacuzzis and glasses of wine. She writes: “Back in November, I was in Peru travelling and hiking. I walked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu …
Self-guided Quito city walking tour by Kathy Jarvis on 27th February, 2015 Self-guided Quito city walking tour Want to see Quito, but don’t want a group city tour – then take a look at our self-guided walking tour. Our rep in Ecuador, Emma Morgan, has lived in the capital for over a decade and shares her top independent walking tour. Go at your own pace, choose which …
Top 5 restaurants, Lima, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 20th February, 2015 Top 5 restaurants, Lima, Peru Peru is one of the world’s most geographically varied countries and it’s no surprise that Peruvian food reflects this dazzling diversity in its many restaurants. Here are Andean Trails’ top tips for places to eat in coastal Lima, fast becoming the culinary capital of South America. Lima is famed for …
