A day aboard a Galapagos cruise – what to expect by Tom Shearman on 21st October, 2016 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 13th October, 2016 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 7th October, 2016 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 29th September, 2016 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 23rd September, 2016 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 15th September, 2016 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 9th September, 2016 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 24th August, 2016 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 19th August, 2016 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 11th August, 2016 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 5th August, 2016 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 28th July, 2016 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 22nd July, 2016 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 …
Fly business or economy class to South America by Alan Lyall on 14th July, 2016 Fly business or economy class to South America Known in the office as ‘Aviation Man’ thanks to his in depth knowledge of flight routes and planes, Alan gives us his personal lowdown and experience of business flights to South America. He writes: “Most of us, when we walk down the jetty and board the …
Empanadas across South America – whose is the best? by Alan Lyall on 8th July, 2016 Empanadalicious! Almost every South America country has its version of the emblematic empanada – but who makes the tastiest version? Baked, or fried? Pastry, or bread? Empanadas are staples in many countries in South America with differences in sizes, stuffings and spices but a firm favourite with locals and travellers alike. What’s your …
Lastarria – Santiago’s new neighbourhood hot spot by Alan Lyall on 1st July, 2016 Lastarria, Santiago’s new hot spot Alan shares his top tips of where to eat, drink and find cultural stimulation in Lastarria, Santiago’s new neighbourhood hot spot He writes: Lastarria neighbourhood in central Santiago has blossomed in the last few years into the hot new area to stay whilst visiting Chile’s capital. Sandwiched between the Parque …
Bolivia – festivals, parties, fiestas and customs by Kat Dougal on 23rd June, 2016 Bolivia – festivals, parties, fiestas and customs Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year in Bolivia. From the traditional to the more westernised, Bolivia’s festivals are full of great music and colourful displays. The following is a list of some of the main events that each month takes place throughout the country; however at any …
Tips and advice to Climb Huayna Potosi, Bolivia by Kathy Jarvis on 17th June, 2016 Climb Huyana Potosi in Bolivia BOLIVIA: Huayna Potosi is one of the most accessible 6,000m climbs in all of the Andes. It is the perfect Andean mountain for novice or experienced mountaineers. Here, some Andean Trails’ climbers our own staff give us an insight to their experiences on this fantastic Andean summit. The customers …
Inti Raymi: Cusco Inca festival on a budget by Tom Shearman on 9th June, 2016 Inti Raymi: Cusco Inca festival on a budget Inti Raymi festival – enjoy the Inca parade on a budget Andean Trails’ Tom describes how to witness the incredible Inti Raymi festival in Cusco, Peru, without having to spend a fortune on tickets. He writes: June 24, 8am. We’d been out the night before, …
El Gran Poder – dancing in the streets of La Paz by Kat Dougal on 3rd June, 2016 Dancing in the streets of La Paz Every year around the end of May/ beginning of June the streets of La Paz are filled with life in honour of the Senor del Gran Poder (great power) Jesus Christ. Its origins go back to the 17th century but as our local La Paz representative Scarlet Herrera …
