Buyer’s Guide to Otavalo Market: From Souvenirs to Jewellery by Tom Shearman on 7th October, 2022 The picture-postcard and colourful indigenous artisan Otavalo market is surrounded by dramatic Andean peaks in the heart of Ecuador. Handmade crafts and textiles of incredible quality have helped make Otavalo a traveller’s favourite and the largest market of its kind in all of South America. The Otavalo Market is authentic and dates back to …
Fascinating Facts About Mount Aconcagua by Tom Shearman on 20th September, 2022 Mount Aconcagua towers over Argentina and Chile from its location close to Mendoza. Standing at 6,961m/22,838ft, Aconcagua claims several lofty titles: the highest peak in South America, the tallest in all the Americas, and the highest mountain outside Asia. Aconcagua is part of Aconcagua Provincial Park, and its formidable climbing challenge has attracted adventurers for …
Coral Galapagos Cruise: A Traveller’s Review by Tom Shearman on 9th September, 2022 Andean Trails’ traveller Jana Meerman has just returned from the diversity and magic — her words — of the Galapagos Islands. Jana and her folks chose the Galapagos to celebrate her dad’s 60th birthday. They weren’t disappointed. Jana, a travel blogger and photographer, describes their August trip, what to expect, and the wildlife she encountered. …
What to Wear: Packing Guide For Your Patagonia Holiday by Kathy Jarvis on 31st July, 2020 Patagonia, mythical land at the end of the earth. What a wonderful part of the world. This is one of my all time favourite places. Patagonia is remote and stunningly beautiful. It is a land of vast landscapes, with sharp granite spires such as Cerro Torre and Fitzroy, big mountain ranges, extensive ice-caps, masses …
Galapagos Islands Guide: A list of the top 10 birds to see by Kathy Jarvis on 5th June, 2020 The Galapagos is a wonderful place to visit. It is on the bucket list of many a nature enthusiast, especially for the fauna and in particular, the Galapagos birds. Here you will find our guide to the top 10 Galapagos birds. Blue-footed Booby Scientific name: Sula nebouxii This bird is a favourite for …
Plan the perfect Patagonia honeymoon by Alan Lyall on 19th July, 2019 Patagonia – remote, wild and inspiring – a unique destination at the end of South America for the perfect adventurous honeymoon between October and May. In her poem “Patagonia”, Kate Clanchy begins: I said perhaps Patagonia, and pictured a peninsula, wide enough for a couple of ladderback chairs to wobble on at …
Visit to Kaieteur Falls, the highest waterfall in Guyana by Alan Lyall on 24th May, 2019 The Kaieteur falls in Guyana are one of the world’s tallest single-drop waterfalls by volume of water. At 226 metres they are almost 5 times higher than the Niagara falls and have an average flow rate of 663 cubic metres per second. They are located in the Kaieteur National Park which is roughly 241 …
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 …
Peru’s Rainbow Mountain High Altitude Trek – Our Guide by Kathy Jarvis on 18th January, 2019 The fabulously coloured Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, Montaña de Siete Colores, or Montaña de Colores is a mountain ridge in southern Peru, at an altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level. In recent years it has become one of the top attractions for visitors to the nearby city of Cusco. What …
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 …
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 …
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 …
South America travel books – a Christmas wishlist by Kathy Jarvis on 23rd December, 2017 Recommended Travel Books It’s that time of year where many of us are searching high and low for Christmas present ideas for brothers/ aunts/ friends/ whoever it may be. Books, we’ve found, are always welcome gifts. And for those who like travel – and South America – here are some of our Christmas gift recommendations. …
South America travel books for kids – review by Kat Dougal on 24th November, 2017 Travel Books For Kids. Working for Andean Trails and in general just in love with South America, Kat has been telling her two girls (2 and 4) a lot about South America already. Next year she is taking them to Ecuador, and here’s how she is getting them excited… “Apart from learning basic words and …
5 top tips to prepare for the Inca Trail by Kathy Jarvis on 1st March, 2017 Preparing for the Inca Trail – top tips Getting trekking fit for your Inca Trail means you’ll enjoy your hike to Machu Picchu even more. With Inca Trail permits selling 4-6 months in advance, you have to plan ahead. Starting early means your heart and lungs will be get stronger and more efficient, which is …
Avoid seasickness on Galapagos cruise top tips by Tom Shearman on 27th November, 2016 Avoid seasickness on Galapagos Islands Andean Trails’ Tom and fellow Galapagos expert Doris Welsh share their Top Ten Tips on how to have a fantastic Galapagos holiday while minimising the risk of seasickness. This advice applies to cruises and hotel-based tours. Tom writes: “Many people’s number one fear before a Galapagos cruise is running …
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 …
Top tips: Prepare for the Inca Trail, Peru by Tom Shearman on 13th January, 2016 Top tips: Prepare for the Inca Trail Getting trekking fit for your Inca Trail means you’ll enjoy your hike to Machu Picchu even more. With Inca Trail permits selling 4-6 months in advance, you have to plan ahead. Starting early means your heart and lungs will be get stronger and more efficient, which is what …
Before you go by Kathy Jarvis on 18th August, 2012 Travel checklist We’ve put together this travel checklist to help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe whilst you are there. Information from the Foreign and Commonwealth office (FCO) of the UK. Before you go: Check out this advice for specific types of travellers for your destination. Check our travel advice pages for …
