Travel Planning
Advice to anyone thinking of a career break to travel
Thinking of a career break to travel? Tom writes about his six months travelling across South America. The tour, with his partner Elena, encompassed Chile, Patagonia, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Galapagos and Colombia. He writes: “Just do it. A gap year, a gap half-year or a midlife crisis (I’m approaching 40 fast): call it what …
Top 10 reasons to join a group tour in South America
Top 10 reasons to join a group tour in South America Travelling solo doesn’t have to mean travelling alone and we are experts at dovetailing group tours with independent travel – the best of both worlds! In this week’s blog Tom shares his top tips with us. Tom writes: Some people prefer travelling only, …
Peru with the kids, Inca Trail, the Amazon, Ecuador and Galapagos
South America is rapidly becoming a top destination for family holidays. Its mix of adventure, great activities and fascinating cultures take place around dramatic Andean peaks, steamy Amazon rainforest to coastal idylls like the Galapagos Islands, to name a few. Andean Trails’ traveller Sue Daniels and her two teenaged children Geena (15) and Joseph (13), …
Book your South America holiday early or late?
Book South America holidays early or late? Early bird catches the worm – or do they – does it really pay to book early for South America holidays? Tom looks at the merits of planning in advance. He writes: “South America is a distant holiday destination. Almost every country is vast and even those …
Eat your way to summit success
This week Tom remembers how important nutrition is when taking on peaks in cold conditions, all part of a mountaineering course. Tom writes: “The clouds whisped over the creamy white summit of Cairngorm, creating a game of show and tell of the mountain’s lethal mashed potato cornices. That February morning in Scotland’s Highlands was a …
Families in the north of Peru
Gocta falls with family and kids Peru with the family? Three generations – a grandmother, two mothers and two children aged 10 and 6 – set off recently to explore Gocta Lodge, in the north of Peru. Margaret Jarvis, fresh from her Amazon trip, was determined to make the most of the tour, as was Lorne Blythe, …
South America honeymoon planning and travel advice
South America honeymoon planning Pros and cons of private and group tours in honeymoon packages, plus recommendations some super South America honeymoon destinations in this week’s blog. Tom writes: “The honeymoon dream; the romantic getaway, be that trekking up a mountain, or relaxing on a beach with a glass of something cold. A joint …
Get fit for trekking holidays across South America
Get hiking fit for trekking holidays This week Andean Trails looks at how to get fit for your trekking holiday in South America, with a top joke at the end to boot! Getting trek in South America Your mind’s eye pictures the open path, yourself as a mountain goat eating up the miles, gamboling …
Peru: Weather, seasons and when is the best time to travel
Peru: When to go? What will the weather be like? Based on seasonal weather and best times to visit, our blog this week will help you plan your Peru holiday to climatic perfection. In general It’s true that you can visit Peru on holiday almost any time of the year, but some months offer …
Travelling as a new parent: nappies, sleepless nights and wanderlust
Holidays and travel as a new parent Kat has returned to work after maternity leave and looks forward to her new lifestyle with her husband Dave and their lovely wee daughter, Lina. Kat writes: “It will change your life, they told me. And how right they were. In February my daughter Lina was born …
Out and about around Santiago de Chile
Discovering Chile’s capital: Santiago Santiago, Chile’s capital, is in a privileged location; a mere stone’s throw from the highest peaks of the Andes; a short drive from the Pacific and in the heart of Chile’s wine country. If you are passing through Santiago, take a few days to explore some of the delights the area …
Galapagos Islands holiday: Cruise or hotel?
Galapagos Islands holiday: Cruise or hotel? Cruise or hotel? It’s the biggest Galapagos Island holiday decision you will make; Galapagos cruise, or Galapagos hotel based trip? The Andean Trails’ team has used its experience of both trips to come up with a handy ‘Galapagos cruise / Galapagos land based trip?’ guide. The similarities Once-in-a-lifetime, fully guided, …
Top 5 reasons to travel solo
Top reasons to travel solo This week, Andean Trails’ Tom exhorts why we should travel solo, and why it’s one of the best adventure holidays you’ll ever take. He writes: “Like going to the cinema on your own, solo travel is often more about how you feel about yourself than how you think other …
Happy 90th Birthday South America Handbook
South America Handbook’s birthday This year the South America Handbook celebrates its 90th birthday, and here we look back at some of the travel advice handed out by the book through the decades. Somethings will never change In some ways, things are reassuringly similar now as they were then. Thomas Cook was operating guided tours …
The best things about travelling
The joy of travelling As Andean Trails’ Tom prepares to go on holiday to Spain’s Cabo de Gata, he thinks back to long travels, short travels, all travelling – and what he feels that he misses about them all. He writes: “Some of things that I miss and love about travelling when I’m at …
Top 10 things to do in Cusco, Peru
Cusco is one of Peru’s top holiday destinations, thanks to its proximity to Machu Picchu and its own vast array of attractions. Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis has been visiting Cusco for more than two decades, while Fiona Cameron lived in the bubbly and bustling Inca city for more than 12 years. Here we share …
Know before you go: Top 10 holiday tips for Peru
Top tips for Peru holidays Know before you go – read our Top 10 holiday tips for a successful holiday to Peru. Money Take twice as much money and half the amount of clothes you think you need. There are an abundance of markets to buy clothing should you need, as well as launderettes. You only …
Tips for trekking in the Andes
Top trekking tips for the Andes Here, Andean Trails’ Tom gives his top tips and some know-before-you-go advice about hiking in the Andes and trekking in South America in general. Check your fitness The fitter you are before the trek starts, the more you will enjoy hiking. This seems an obvious tip, but it’s …
