Behind the Scenes: Planning a Trip to South America with Andean Trails. by Tom Shearman on 24th January, 2022 There’s nothing we love more at Andean Trails than helping people when they’re planning a trip to South America. We hope our passion for this incredibly diverse continent shines through and inspires people to travel. Our connection with the destinations we offer comes from personal experiences spanning decades. You’ll find we ask lots of questions …
What Inspired Charles Darwin’s Evolution Theory in Galapagos Islands. by Tom Shearman on 7th December, 2021 Charles Darwin and the Galapagos Islands are linked forever thanks to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. The Galapagos Islands helped the English naturalist, geologist, and biologist formulate his groundbreaking work on evolution. Today, some 186 years after Darwin first stepped foot on the Galapagos Islands, their connection is as strong as ever. Let’s see how the …
Galapagos Islands: Guide to the Best Beaches. by Tom Shearman on 30th November, 2021 Galapagos Islands beaches are a traveller’s dream. There are white sand beaches (and other colours!), warm weather, and very few other people to be found on most Galapagos beaches. Jump into the crystalline waters, and you could be snorkelling with sea lions, sea turtles, manta rays, and more. Or watch the wildlife from the shore, …
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 …
The best things to do in Mindo, Ecuador by Kathy Jarvis on 22nd May, 2020 Mindo, just 80 km from Quito is a small, friendly and fun town, popular with tourists and packed with fabulous things to do. It is easy to get to Mindo as it is just 80km from Quito and it’s beautifully located in the wildlife rich cloud forest on the western slopes of Ecuador’s Andes. Mindo …
Best Hiking Trails in the Galapagos Islands by Kathy Jarvis on 2nd May, 2020 Our guide to the best guided and self-guided hiking trails in the Galapagos Islands. Hiking trails are found throughout the Galápagos Islands, and whether you choose to visit the islands on a cruise or opt for a land-based tour, you will certainly have opportunities for walking. Many excursions include gentle wanderings along rocky …
Best cloud forest lodges in Ecuador by Kat Dougal on 20th March, 2020 Ecuador’s Cloudforest is a magnet for those in search of wildlife, bird watching and the elusive Spectacled Bear. Sustainable eco-lodges in the cloud forest are a fantastic base to explore the flora and fauna and are so easily reached from Quito, being only a 2 hour car journey away. Here’s Andean Trails’ low down …
Things to do in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador by Kathy Jarvis on 6th March, 2020 Puerto Lopez is a vibrant fishing community on Ecuador’s Pacific coast. It lies at the heart of Machalilla National park. The scenery, vegetation and wildlife of the area are exceptional and there are plenty of opportunities to get out of town and explore the area fully. Puerto Lopez itself, although not pretty, can offer excellent …
Guide to the Best Amazon Rainforest Lodges in Ecuador by Kat Dougal on 28th February, 2020 Ecuador’s best rainforest lodges are known for their great location in the country’s Amazon basin, their standard of comfort and the wildlife that surrounds them. When we say “best” at Andean Trails, we try to look beyond comfort and like to focus also on the community projects each eco-lodge supports, the wildlife we find …
South America: The Best Countries To Visit on Holiday by Alan Lyall on 31st January, 2020 When planning your holiday to South America you may ask yourself; which are the best countries to visit in South America? South America is a continent of amazing contrasts. These range from tropical jungle to glaciers, remote high mountain villages to bustling coastal cities, mountain ranges to endless pampa. The continent is blessed with a …
Dream honeymoons in South America by Alan Lyall on 18th October, 2019 Honeymoons are a wonderful cause for a celebration and should provide memorable experiences. South America offers opportunities for all types of honeymoon, something to suit every couple. Here are some picture postcard memories which could be created on your honeymoon. Wildlife cruise and adventure: M/Y Grace, Galapagos Islands Picture this: You are sitting …
Restaurants and Eating Out: Food in Galapagos Islands by Kat Dougal on 11th October, 2019 Eating out choices in the Galapagos Islands have blossomed, with many new bars, cafes and restaurants opening in recent years, as hotel-based holidays have become more popular. Top-end dining has truly yet to arrive at the Galapagos Islands due to its remote location and difficulty in importing ingredients. However, the three main islands, Santa …
A Week In Ecuador and The Best Travel Itinerary by Kathy Jarvis on 28th June, 2019 Ecuador’s compact size and excellent infrastructure means you can pack in many sights and experiences in a week’s holiday, from the Amazon to Galapagos and snow-capped mountains. Our travel expert’s travel guide includes top tips and four outline itineraries to help you plan a fantastic trip of spectacular variety. Introduction to the …
A Guide to the Quilotoa Crater Loop, Ecuador by Kathy Jarvis on 21st June, 2019 Kathy, Andean Trails’ director since 1998, was in Ecuador recently checking some of our walking options. She writes: “I recommend taking a few days to explore the Quilotoa area on your journey through Ecuador. The Quilotoa Area This is a beautiful remote farming area home to the indigenous Kichwa community of Tigua. The …
Ecuador Honeymoon Holiday Ideas by Alan Lyall on 14th June, 2019 Are you a nature lover, adventure seeker and culture enthusiast looking for that special honeymoon? Well, Ecuador might just fit the bill. Sitting on the Equator in South America, this small country offers incredible diversity from the spectacular scenery of the mountains and volcanoes of the Andes to the rugged Pacific coast, from the unique …
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, …
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 …
Ecuador – its weather, seasons and best time to visit by Kat Dougal on 22nd November, 2018 Ecuador is pretty much an all-round destination with little change in weather and less pronounced dry/ rainy seasons than some of its South American neighbours – thanks to its location on the equator. Weather can be defined by region, and many Andean mountain ranges in particular develop their own micro climates, making it …
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 …
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 …
