Galapagos Islands: Essential Honeymoon Planning Guide by Tom Shearman on 17th May, 2019 What better way to celebrate the biggest day of our life than going to the Galapagos Islands on honeymoon? Our travel expert Tom Shearman explains why this remote archipelago’s blend of adventure, romance and comfort make it the perfect place to visit after your wedding. He writes: “Freshly prepared cocktails on deck, …
Guide to Day Trips from Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands by Tom Shearman on 13th May, 2019 Almost every trip to the Galapagos Islands will take you to Santa Cruz. Read our quick guide to the best full-day tours for your holiday from Puerto Ayora. Discover what to expect to see and do while staying in hotels on Santa Cruz, and check out our advice about travelling to and around the Galapagos …
Guide to Day Trips on Isabela, Galapagos Islands by Tom Shearman on 13th May, 2019 Not sure which day trips to book on your hotel-based holiday to the Isabela in the Galapagos Islands? Read our quick guide to the best full-day tours and find out what to expect to do and see while staying on Isabela. Check out our advice about travelling to and around the Galapagos Islands. Tuneles …
Aida Maria Travel Review: Cruising the Galapagos Islands by Tom Shearman on 10th May, 2019 Les and Heather Bunce booked a last-minute Aida Maria Cruise with Andean Trails to cap off a 5-month tour of South America. Read Les’ excellent blog and pictures from his week in Galapagos. Setting the scene The sea before me is coloured a pale deepening to deep azure blue banded with black volcanic …
Essential Travel Guide to Puerto Madryn in Argentina by Tom Shearman on 19th April, 2019 Our visitor’s guide to Puerto Madryn gives lots of ideas, tips and advice to help plan your holiday to this scenic corner of Patagonia, Argentina. Read first hand advice from our travel expert Tom Shearman who spent 10 days exploring the region. “Puerto Madryn is a fairly large town of around 100,000 souls, first …
Travel Guide to Chalalan, Bolivia’s Amazon jungle lodge in Madidi National Park by Tom Shearman on 28th March, 2019 The journey started with a short, 30-minute and spectacular flight from La Paz (sit on the left), up and over the Bolivian Andes before dropping down into the steamy Amazon at Rurrenbaque airport. A tiny airport increased the special feeling that accompanies visiting a remote area. My backside did not feel so special after the …
Self-drive and self-guided trekking holiday in Patagonia by Tom Shearman on 1st February, 2019 Steve Smith and Karla Miller took a 4-week trip with Andean Trails to celebrate Steve’s 50th birthday. The couple started at the mighty Iguazu Falls then flew to Ushuaia to start a series of treks; Montes Martial, and then self-guided in Chalten and Chile’s Paine W in Torres del Paine National Park. After …
Know Before You Go: Our Top Tips for Holidays to Peru by Tom Shearman on 23rd January, 2019 Thinking about a holiday in Peru? Andean Trails’ Peru travel expert Tom Shearman has visited Peru more than 10 times and shares his top travel tips and what to know before you go. When to go The best months for hiking, highlands and jungle are in the dry season – May …
When to visit Galapagos Islands: weather and wildlife by Tom Shearman on 2nd November, 2018 When is the best time to visit Galapagos? There is no real ‘best’ time to visit Galapagos on holiday as there is always wonderful wildlife and weather to enjoy. Most animals – tortoises, sharks, sea lions and boobies – are found all year round and many of the species here are non-migratory. The Galapagos …
Cusco: Top 10 restaurants and best Peruvian food by Tom Shearman on 12th October, 2018 Almost every tour to Peru will pass through the famous Inca capital of Cusco. Learn which typical plates to taste, where to jump in for a quick and hearty meal and where to and enjoy fine dining. The below is a list of a variety of all types of restaurants to suit all occasions …
Travel guide to Peninsula Valdes National Park, Punta Norte by Tom Shearman on 7th September, 2018 Where can you see almost a millions penguins, hundreds of sea lions, dozens of whales and even orcas, all in one place? Andean Trails’ travel expert Tom describes his trip to Argentina’s wildlife haven – Peninsula Valdes. He writes: “What’s that? Did you see that? Looking like a….Can’t be. Quick, let’s get a …
Incallajta, Cochabamba, Bolivia by Tom Shearman on 23rd August, 2018 Want to visit Inca ruins, far away from the crowds? Then head to Incallajta, write Andean Trails’ Tom, to remote and beautiful Inca ruins that are the largest in all Bolivia. He writes: More than 500 years ago and having conquered much of what are the modern day mountains of Peru and Bolivia, …
Bolivia – its best cuisine and top restaurants by Tom Shearman on 1st August, 2018 What is the food like in Bolivia? Find out in our food and Top 10 restaurant guide, all sampled by our travel expert, Tom. He writes: “Bold, big and burgeoning – the best way to describe the food scene blossoming in Bolivia. Servings are often as enormous as the Andean mountains that define …
Santa Cruz Trek, Northern Peru by Tom Shearman on 2nd March, 2018 Looking for something different from your trekking trip to Peru? Read all about Santa Cruz, one of Huaraz’s best kept trekking secrets, with Andean Trails’ Tom’s personal account: He writes: “Huaraz in north Peru is a trekking and climbing dream, with its multitude of remote trails, ice-clad peaks and famous hikes like the Huayhuash …
Galapagos Islands holiday: Cruise or hotel / land-based trip? by Tom Shearman on 27th February, 2018 Cruise or hotels? With the increase in Galapagos hotel-based trips – also called island hopping or land-based – most people planning to visit Galapagos have to ask themselves: Should I go on a Galapagos Cruise or stay on land in nice hotels? Read our expert advice comparing both types of trips, helping you decide …
Stella Australis review – a day on a Patagonia cruise by Tom Shearman on 23rd January, 2018 Stella Australis review. Andean Trails’ travel expert Tom Shearman describes a day aboard a Patagonia cruise ship, among the fjords of Chile. He spent four days aboard the Stella Australis on the Punta Arenas-Punta Arenas route. Wildlife seen included penguins, dolphins, seals and albatrosses, amongst pristine fjords and mountains. If you need help planning a …
Travel Tips to get you off the beaten track in South America by Tom Shearman on 9th December, 2017 Off The Beaten Track Andean Trails give you top tips on suggestions of where to travel ahead of the pack. Toro Toro National Park, Bolivia Kat Dougal, Intrepid explorer and family travel expert, gives as her hot tip the Toro Toro National Park in Bolivia. She says: “With every year Bolivia is becoming …
Jaguar spotting in Amazon rainforest, Peru by Tom Shearman on 13th October, 2017 Jaguar spotting We’d been cruising upriver for two hours when the engine noise suddenly cut and a whispered word rose above the lapping of the muddy Amazon river water. “Jaguar,”. Ten souls stirred from soporific slumber and eyes started to scan the riverside. Spanish speakers stole a march as the boat captain murmured: “Izquierda, …
Lares Trek – an alternative to the Inca Trail by Tom Shearman on 13th October, 2017 Lares Trek Tom has just returned from trekking in the Lares Valley, in the surroundings of Cusco – and is happy to share fond memories…and check his Facebook photos, too. The beauty of the Lares Valley I can’t believe I’ve spent almost 17 years driving past these wonderful valleys and not known the beauty to be enjoyed …
Lost luggage tales – and advice by Tom Shearman on 13th October, 2017 Lost luggage Tom, who really should know better, tells us about how not to travel, pack or arrive at your holiday destination. He writes: “No clean clothes? Check. No charger for phone or laptop? Check. No sun cream, insect repellent, malaria pills for the coming Amazon trip? Check. Card not working in the …
