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 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 …
Southern Patagonia ice field trek – what’s it like? by Alan Lyall on 18th April, 2018 Jan and Anne booked a month in Patagonia, including the classic W trek in Torres del Paine, and then a fabulous expedition into Los Glaciares National park and on to the south Patagonia ice field. They rounded of their trip with the Montes Martial trek in Ushuaia. We emailed Jan and Anne to see …
Santa Cruz Trek, Northern Peru by Tom Shearman on 2nd March, 2018 Looking for something different from your trekking trip to Peru? Read all about Santa Cruz, one of Huaraz’s best kept trekking secrets, with Andean Trails’ Tom’s personal account: He writes: “Huaraz in north Peru is a trekking and climbing dream, with its multitude of remote trails, ice-clad peaks and famous hikes like the Huayhuash …
Advice for travelling with kids by Kat Dougal on 14th February, 2018 Holidays with the kids Travelling with kids is rewarding, yet daunting at times. At Andean Trails we love to help put together itineraries that work for families with children of all ages. Having kids ourselves, certainly helps… as does research. Which is why Kat is about to embark on her first trip with children (aged …
Active family holidays in Ecuador and Galapagos by Alan Lyall on 2nd February, 2018 It is that time of year when you might be starting to think about where to take the family in 2018. We can highly recommend Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Perfect for family holidays Ecuador is a relatively compact country with numerous highlights. It is easy to get to and quick to travel …
Top 5 places in Peru to visit by Kathy Jarvis on 5th January, 2018 What should I see in Peru? Peru travel expert Tom gives travel tips and his top places to visit in Peru. He writes: “Peru is one of my favourites places for a holiday – there is variety, so many attractions plus wonderful food. “If you can only go once, these are the best places …
Travel Tips to get you off the beaten track in South America by Tom Shearman on 9th December, 2017 Off The Beaten Track Andean Trails give you top tips on suggestions of where to travel ahead of the pack. Toro Toro National Park, Bolivia Kat Dougal, Intrepid explorer and family travel expert, gives as her hot tip the Toro Toro National Park in Bolivia. She says: “With every year Bolivia is becoming …
Lost luggage tales – and advice by Tom Shearman on 13th October, 2017 Lost luggage Tom, who really should know better, tells us about how not to travel, pack or arrive at your holiday destination. He writes: “No clean clothes? Check. No charger for phone or laptop? Check. No sun cream, insect repellent, malaria pills for the coming Amazon trip? Check. Card not working in the …
Getting to Southern Patagonia and travelling around by Tom Shearman on 13th October, 2017 Southern Patagonia Southern Patagonia lies at the bottom end of the South American continent, stradling Chile and Argentina. Patagonia is remarkable and popular for its incredible scenery, granite peaks, glaciers and abundant wildlife. Due to its far flung location, the distances involved and the sparse population getting there and travelling around can take some planning. …
Preparing for altitude trekking in Bolivia and Peru – part 2 by Kathy Jarvis on 6th October, 2017 Altitude trekking In the second part of our blog on preparing to trek at high altitude in Peru or Bolivia we look at what to take with you and how to deal with high altitudes. What will the weather be like in the high Andes? Peru and Bolivia are located within the tropics, but the climate varies significantly …
Preparing for high altitude trekking in Bolivia and Peru – part 1 by Kathy Jarvis on 6th October, 2017 Preparing for high altitude trekking There is no doubt that a high altitude trekking or mountaineering trip to Peru or Bolivia will be a fabulous, may be even life changing, experience. Why should I go on a high altitude hike? It can take you right out of your comfort zone and push your physical limits. You will be exposed to different ways of …
Luxury holiday in Atacama Desert, Chile by Tom Shearman on 4th October, 2017 Atacama Desert “I’ll just bring you a cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc to the Jacuzzi, sir.” The sun was stubbing itself into in an orangey cinder after a day of baking Chile’s Atacama desert. I was recently checked-in at the five star Alto Atacama hotel, thirsty and a bit dusty after an arrival then private tour …
Top 5 places to visit around Salta, Argentina. by Alan Lyall on 4th October, 2017 Visit Salta North West Argentina (NOA to the locals), is an area of incredible beauty and where you will find the peoples and culture of the high Andes. Salta is a charming colonial city nestling into the Andean foothills. Located in the Lerma Valley at just over 1000 metres above sea level, it is the …
Northern Patagonia, Trek back in time by Kathy Jarvis on 26th May, 2017 Trek back in time Kathy Jarvis has just returned from Northern Patagonia and here are her thoughts on why you should go to that part of Patagonia. Torres del Paine and the Fitzroy mountains in southern Patagonia have long been the main attraction for visitors to Patagonia. The allure of those mountain areas is strong and the sheer …
El Chalten, Patagonia: trekking options and more by Kathy Jarvis on 5th May, 2017 El Chalten, Patagonia Kathy has just arrived, rather reluctantly, back in the office after a month exploring southern Chile, with a short foray into Argentina, to Los Glaciares national park, in particular El Chalten and the Fitzroy area. She says “I hadn’t been to El Chalten in southern Argentina, since my tour leading days …
Amazon rainforest or cloud forest? by Tom Shearman on 25th April, 2017 Travel advice: Amazon rainforest or cloud forest? Visit the Amazon rainforest or cloud forest on your South America holiday? Some people want monkeys but not insects, some can’t stand the heat but want to see bears. Others want to walk through lush forest. There are a myriad of cloud forest and Amazon lodges across Peru, …
