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 …
Family trip to Machu Picchu by Kathy Jarvis on 13th February, 2015 Family trip to Machu Picchu Tullio, our Peru-based representative, shares his family’s recent ‘back door to Machu Picchu’ trip. Eschewing the traditional Inca Trail, Tullio used 4x4s, bike and feet to make his way to the famous Inca citadel, powered by mangos and hot baths. All part of the Andean Trails’ service of finding new …
Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia – backpacker or eco-hotel? by Kat Dougal on 6th February, 2015 Salt flats of Uyuni, Bolivia Kat compares the backpacker and eco-hotel Salt Flats of Uyuni tour packages in this week’s blog, from a comfort and community viewpoint. Revisiting Bolivia recently allowed Kat to reflect on the changes in her and her travel style, too. She writes: “The Salt Flats of Uyuni are a truly spectacular …
Local guide to Top 5 restaurants, Buenos Aires by Alan Lyall on 30th January, 2015 Top 5 places to eat in Buenos Aires Argentina: land of steak, red wine and pizza/pasta – and much more. The latest Latin America Best 50 restaurant list contained 15 of the country’s eateries. Our local guide and BA resident, Laura Videla, gives us the lowdown on the top five places to eat in Buenos …
A guide to Floreana Island, Galapagos by Tom Shearman on 22nd January, 2015 A guide to Floreana Island, Galapagos Tom writes about his visit to the remote and sparsely populated Floreana Island on Galapagos. He said: “I’ve left out the much publicised Wittmer history, which you can watch in The Galapagos Affair, because it’s been often told. “These are my impressions of the people and the place, somewhere I’d …
Top 5 Quito restaurants – the insider’s guide by Kathy Jarvis on 16th January, 2015 Top 5 restaurants and cafes in Quito Eating out where the locals go in Quito has never been easier – thanks to our off-the-beaten-track guide to restaurants and cafes. One of our staff in Ecuador, Emma Morgan, has lived in the capital for over a decade and sends her top tips for dining in genuine …
A day at Machu Picchu – guided tour & highlights by Tom Shearman on 9th January, 2015 A day at Machu Picchu – guided tour & highlights Machu Picchu. Peru. The Inca Trail. These ruins inspire people to travel and hike great distances to view a wonder of the world, crossing high Andean passes to reach the mysterious Machu Picchu. Nothing can truly prepare anyone for the moment you first fix eyes …
Merry Christmas and travel wishes by Alan Lyall on 19th December, 2014 Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Hope you all have a great one, here’s our travel and gift wish list for Christmasses past and future. Kathy Jarvis What I wish for in my Christmas stocking I think I’d like a neat little suitcase with wheels – I’ve always used back packs …
Choose the best rucksack for trekking in the Andes by Tom Shearman on 12th December, 2014 Choose the best rucksack for trekking in the Andes This week, outdoor clothing specialist Rachel Keir talks us through the maze of which rucksack to choose for which trekking trip, drawing on her experience at Silverfox Travel & Outdoors. She writes: Choosing a rucksack for trekking So you’ve made the decision to book a trekking …
Sacred Valley Via Ferrata zipline by Kathy Jarvis on 28th November, 2014 Sacred Valley Via Ferrata zipline This week, Andean Trails’ Maria lives like a condor – flying atop mountains and sleeping while hanging over a precipice in Peru. Check her fantastic photos on Facebook. She writes: “On the zipline, we were literally flying over and between mountains, stifling those little whimpers that both calm and …
Five star hotels in Cusco, Peru by Alan Lyall on 21st November, 2014 We take a look at Cusco’s burgeoning five star hotel scene this week, for all of which we get good booking rates for our passengers. These hotels are perfect for a treat or to rest aching bones after some trekking on the Luxury Inca Trail or the adventure of the Apurimac. Or …
Giving something back – volunteering at Huchuy Yachaq by Kathy Jarvis on 13th November, 2014 Volunteering at Huchuy Yachaq Our own María Lucas Jaqueti is spending a month taking part in the daily activities at the community project Andean Trails supports at Huchuy Yachaq, Cusco, Peru. Here she shares her first week’s experiences. She writes: “Above the Cusco valley, with a panoramic view of the city, Huchuy Yachaq Community Project …
Top 10 reasons to join a group tour in South America by Tom Shearman on 7th November, 2014 Top 10 reasons to join a group tour in South America Travelling solo doesn’t have to mean travelling alone and we are experts at dovetailing group tours with independent travel – the best of both worlds! In this week’s blog Tom shares his top tips with us. Tom writes: Some people prefer travelling only, …
Cholita Wrestling – the tough ladies of La Paz by Kat Dougal on 31st October, 2014 Cholita Wrestling – the tough ladies of La Paz So you think you are tough? Read on to find out about Kat’s recent encounter with the female Cholita Wrestlers of La Paz, where she met some truly feisty ladies. Kat writes: “I was picked up at my La Paz hotel for Sunday afternoon entertainment …
A day in the life of a guide in Peru’s Amazon rainforest by Kathy Jarvis on 24th October, 2014 A day in the life of a guide in Peru Have you ever wondered what it might be like to work as a guide in the Peruvian Amazon? The following story came to us from one of our most experiences guides, Aldo Malaga … with some great photos on Facebook. Aldo writes: “Whether guiding at …
Spotting whales in Colombia by Alan Lyall on 17th October, 2014 This week our own Alan Lyall waxes lyrical about his recent encounter with humpback whales in Colombia…with great photos on Facebook. He writes: “There are angry clouds in the sky whilst we skim along the Pacific Ocean in a small motor boat off the Pacific coast of Colombia’s Choco province. There is an air …
Puma spotting in Torres Del Paine by Kathy Jarvis on 10th October, 2014 Puma spotting in Torres Del Paine Vicky Brown and Manny Sidhu recall their thrilling and rare sighting of not one, not two, but three pumas while on a Winter in Paine tour in Chile with Andean Trails earlier this year. Vicky writes: “We arrived in Torres del Paine on a cold winter’s morning …
Bolivia & La Paz: Top Tips for families by Kat Dougal on 26th September, 2014 Bolivia & La Paz: Top Tips for families Kat found Bolivia’s La Paz a great place for families as she shares her Bolivia trip memories as well as photos on Facebook. Kat writes: “This was the first time I left my little girl and husband behind. But even as I was travelling without my …
