Patagonia Park by Alan Lyall on 15th November, 2019 The Patagonia National Park in the Chilean region of Aysen was formed in 2018 and is the combination of the Lago Jeinimeni National Reserve, Lago Cochrane/Tamango Reserve and the Parque Patagonia also known as Patagonia Park in the Chacabuco Valley. The latter was created by Conservacion Patagonica, a nonprofit incorporated in California whose mission …
Buenos Aires Tasting Menu by Alan Lyall on 8th November, 2019 Alan was recently in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, where an important question was what to eat in Buenos Aires. This is the story of his personal experience of an evening of a tasting menu experience. He writes: Tasting menu – a lot of small “funny” dishes designed to confuse and challenge …
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 …
Colombia: Weather and best time to visit by Kathy Jarvis on 27th September, 2019 The best time to visit Colombia will depend on the regions you wish to visit and what you are going to be doing. Generally speaking it rains less between December and March. Due to its proximity to the equator Colombia’s climate is warm pretty much all-year round. This makes it the ideal holiday choice at …
What to do in and around Los Glaciares National Park by Alan Lyall on 6th September, 2019 Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia is found nestling into the Andes in South Western Argentina and bordering with Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. It is an area of stunning beauty with towering mountains, glacial lakes and impressive glaciers. Covering an area of over 7,000 km2 (over 2,800 sq miles) it offers the …
Best Walks and Climbs Around Huayna Potosi mountain, Bolivia. by Kathy Jarvis on 30th August, 2019 Climb and trek around one of the most well-known mountain in Bolivia: Huayna Potosi. Read our expert guide to the best trails around and up to the summit. Huayna Potosi is a 6088 metre, non-technical peak, readily accessible from La Paz – three characteristics that make it attractive to novice and experienced mountaineers alike. Snow route up Huayna Potosi This majestic mountain lies at the heart …
Five Vegetarian Restaurants in Santiago, Chile by Alan Lyall on 23rd August, 2019 South American countries with their traditions of eating and producing meat are not the easiest of destinations for vegetarians never mind vegans. However, things are changing and more and more vegetarian and vegan establishments are beginning to appear although mainly in the big cities or destinations that have a high percentage of foreign tourists. …
The Best Eco Camps and Lodges in Patagonia by Alan Lyall on 16th August, 2019 We’ve compiled a quick guide to some of the best eco camps in Patagonia, from eco-friendly domes to lodges and refugios, perfect for your Patagonian holiday. With many places filling up quickly, it’s important to get places booked up a long way in advance, especially in the busier season of November to March. At …
A travel diary of a day and night on Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni by Kathy Jarvis on 9th August, 2019 Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni has inspired travellers for decades – read our travel expert’s guide to a day and night on these magnificent salt flats. He writes: I woke around 5.30am, put on my down jacket and left the (relative) warmth of my salt hotel to walk down to watch the coldest sunrise …
Best hikes and trails in Bolivia by Kathy Jarvis on 2nd August, 2019 The hills and mountains of Bolivia are much less known than the Cordilleras of southern Patagonia or the high Andes of neighbouring Peru. The Bolivian Andes are beautiful and majestic and offer a wonderful array of multi-day treks as well as some superb day walks, trekking peaks and some technical mountaineering. We sum up just …
Chile family holidays travel guide by Alan Lyall on 24th July, 2019 Chile is a thin long country stretching around 4,300 Km and only 360 Km at its widest point. It is a country of incredible contrasting nature from desert to glaciers and from some of the highest mountains in the Americas to the sea. As such, for adults and children alike, its main attractions are …
All You Need to Know About Inca Trail Tours to Machu Picchu by Kathy Jarvis on 12th July, 2019 Our trekking and travel experts share our useful guide to the different Inca Trail tours available from Cusco, so you enjoy the perfect trek and visit to Machu Picchu. What is the Inca Trail? The Inca Trail is one of the world’s most famous trekking tours, a short but tough hike of …
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 …
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 …
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, …
Guide to Day Trips from Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands by Tom Shearman on 13th May, 2019 Almost every trip to the Galapagos Islands will take you to Santa Cruz. Read our quick guide to the best full-day tours for your holiday from Puerto Ayora. Discover what to expect to see and do while staying in hotels on Santa Cruz, and check out our advice about travelling to and around the Galapagos …
Guide to Day Trips on Isabela, Galapagos Islands by Tom Shearman on 13th May, 2019 Not sure which day trips to book on your hotel-based holiday to the Isabela in the Galapagos Islands? Read our quick guide to the best full-day tours and find out what to expect to do and see while staying on Isabela. Check out our advice about travelling to and around the Galapagos Islands. Tuneles …
The Inca Trail and the Lares Trek with kids, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 3rd May, 2019 Kathy, Andean Trails’ director, is just back from a trip to Peru over Easter. “ April is a fabulous time to travel to Peru. We have school holidays around Easter but many people don’t so flights are readily available and there are not many tourists around. The weather was excellent and the countryside stunningly …
