Bolivia – things to know before travelling on holiday by Kat Dougal on 10th August, 2018 Land-locked Bolivia is a country of dramatic landscapes and fascinating native cultures and traditions. Being prepared for travel means you will enjoy the country at its best, so we have put together a list of essential and useful tips and facts to know about Bolivia, before you go. OVERVIEW Bolivia’s Altiplano (High …
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 …
Chile – Climate and when to travel by Alan Lyall on 24th July, 2018 When planning a trip, one usually takes into consideration the weather at their chosen destination in order to make good choices for activities as well as when to travel. Chile is a thin sliver of a country running from north to south. It extends around 4,500 Km (2,750 miles) and as such has …
The Patagonia Highlights Trekking Tour Experience by Alan Lyall on 20th July, 2018 The majesty of Southern Patagonia can be experienced along the trekking trails of the Glaciares National Park in Argentina, infront of the impressive Perito Moreno Glacier, under the granite spires of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park and driving across enigmatic Tierra del Fuego. This can all be experienced on Andean Trails fully escorted small group Patagonia Highlights trekking …
Guide to wine tours in Chile by Alan Lyall on 17th July, 2018 How would you like to go to Chile, visit a winery and taste the wines produced in situ? Chilean wines have placed Chile firmly on the world map and a great addition to a holiday to Chile is to include some wine tours to your itinerary. In and around Santiago The Chilean capital …
Liana Lodge – top tips for taking the kids to the rainforest by Kat Dougal on 4th July, 2018 When travelling to Ecuador with her family, Kat knew that visiting the rainforest was top of her list of places to go. They chose Liana Lodge and Kat is sharing her top tips for taking children to the rainforest. Choose a soft adventure Don’t travel too far, especially for younger children a softer …
The Tierra Hotels Experience, Chile by Alan Lyall on 3rd July, 2018 Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience a luxury adventure holiday? Alan was invited to Chile at the end of 2017 to experience the newly renovated Tierra Chiloe Hotel. He says: “When the invitation came through to visit the Tierra Chiloe Hotel in Chile, I jumped at the chance …
Tren de la Libertad – a train ride from Ibarra to Salinas, Ecuador by Kat Dougal on 22nd June, 2018 Kat and her family hopped aboard the Tren de la Libertad and experience the beautiful change in scenery from the highlands town of Ibarra to the lowlands village of Salinas, surrounded by sugar plantations. Kat writes… Ibarra – leaving the hustle and bustle behind The train – well a train car, a hybrid between …
An Ecuador family holiday review from a travel expert (and parent) by Kat Dougal on 19th June, 2018 Kat has returned from Ecuador and is still enjoying the afterglow –read on for her sum up of their family adventure as we ask her about all things Ecuador. Where have you just been? I have just returned from Ecuador where I spent 3,5 weeks with my husband and two young daughters (3 …
Community homestay – Family Holiday in Ecuador by Kat Dougal on 19th June, 2018 Kat and her family visited the San Clemente community, near Ibarra in Ecuador, for 3 nights. This is what Kat thought of their stay… “San Clemente lies at the base of Imbabura Volcano, with a striking view of Ibarra below and the mountains around. The little community is spread out, and of the …
Quito with kids – top things to do with children by Kat Dougal on 1st June, 2018 Visiting a big city can be daunting with children , especially when they are young. But Quito has a range of options that can keep little ones entertained and is well worth a visit. Entrance fees are typically low, and parks provide plenty of free fun. Below, in no particular order, some of Kat’s tips …
Top Ten Things to Do in the Sacred Valley, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 25th May, 2018 Top Ten Things to do in the Sacred Valley, Peru Pretty much everybody that goes to Peru will visit Cusco and Machu Picchu. Sandwiched between them is the wonderful fertile Sacred Valley, full of unexpected delights. It would be easy to spend a week here, the climate being warmer than Cusco and the accommodation generally …
Homestays and community tourism in Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 18th May, 2018 Homestays and community tourism in Peru Lewis milking the cow “Have you ever milked a cow?” I find I keep asking this when friends question me about our recent trip to Peru. I hadn’t and milking was one just one of the new and very memorable experiences from our trip. Learning how to weave …
Lodge based treks in Peru: Salkantay, Lares, Ausangate by Kathy Jarvis on 14th May, 2018 If you are planning a trek in Peru but prefer some luxury and you really don’t want to camp then there are a number of excellent options. There are three lodge to lodge mountain treks that offer superb mountain scenery, contact with the local community and a good degree of luxury. Each of the lodge …
Kat’s family holiday to Ecuador by Kat Dougal on 4th May, 2018 This week Kat is setting off on her own travel adventure – time to revisit Ecuador, return to old haunts and explore some that are new to her, to get fresh ideas and inspiration. This time, however, she’s taking her family with her to get a perfect first hand experience of an Andean Trails family …
Patagonia off the Beaten track: Villa O’Higgins to El Chalten by Kathy Jarvis on 30th April, 2018 Driving south on the Carretera Austral you eventually reach the end of this amazingly spectacular road, at the small town of Villa O’Higgins, 550 km from Coyhaqui and 48°28 S (on a par with Washington, Ontario and much of central Europe). The River Baker The scenery driving south is stunning all the way, …
Patagonia bucket list by Alan Lyall on 25th April, 2018 Patagonia as a destination has inspired many an explorer, author, poet and simple traveller and is on many a bucket list. Below you will find a sample bucket list that we hope will inspire the explorer, author, poet and traveller in you, and which would be entirely feasible in one incredible holiday to …
Patagonia holidays for families by Alan Lyall on 24th April, 2018 Chilean and Argentine Patagonia is an incredible destination with spectacular scenery, wildlife and a plethora of activities and outstanding trekking especially during the main season from October through to April. For families, especially with slightly older children there are many activities that can be considered. Here are some ideas you might wish to consider: …
Fly to South America by Alan Lyall on 24th April, 2018 Andean Trails’ Alan recently flew out to South America. Here he lets us know how he got on. He says: Being a canny Scot I was looking for the best deal to get me from Edinburgh to Santiago. Routings and airlines vary depending on times of year, how busy the airlines are on your chosen …
Kathy in Peru – two treks near Cusco by Kathy Jarvis on 24th April, 2018 Twenty four years since she first set foot in Peru Andean Trails’ Kathy is heading back to some of her old haunts with her 10 year old son. The plan is to trek in two of the big mountain areas just near to Cusco : Lares and Ausangate – both very familiar areas with …
