Iguazu Falls – Why they are well worth a visit by Kathy Jarvis on 6th October, 2017 Iguazu Falls Cascades of water thundering over hundreds of waterfalls over a 1.7 mile (nearly 3 Km) stretch of land at the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay attracts thousands of tourists every week. These are the Iguazu Falls. It is a popular tourist destination and at Andean Trails all of us have visited at different times. Tom says: “I’ve been lucky to see …
Active holidays, a challenging way to relax by Kathy Jarvis on 6th October, 2017 Active Holidays Holidays are for recovering, doing as little as possible, eating and drinking, and reading books. This week Tom gives his takes on why a physically challenging trip offers as much of a break, if not more, than the above. He writes: “A beautiful wash of blue, purple and orange sky with snow-capped peaks in …
Peru Trekking Experiences by Kathy Jarvis on 4th October, 2017 Peru Trekking Experiences Patti and Dave McCarthy are 8 weeks in to a 12 week trip that has taken them from southern Patagonia, through north west Argentina, across the altiplano and salt lakes of Bolivia, to Sucre, Potosi and La Paz, on one trek in the Cordillera Real and another to Machu Picchu. Currently they are enjoying trekking in …
Lost luggage tales – and advice by Alan Lyall on 21st September, 2017 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 ATM. Check. …
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 …
Colca Canyon travel advice by Kat Dougal on 19th January, 2017 Colca Canyon travel advice, Peru Kat reminisces about her trip to the Colca Canyon in Peru, walks in verdant countryside, midnight cocktails in hot springs and marvelling at Condors soaring above. (Oh, and don’t forget the hot, sweaty climb out of the canyon). Check her pictures on Facebook and Pinterest. She writes… The Valley …
Dear Diary – Inca Trail trek review by Kat Dougal on 6th January, 2017 Inca Trail trek review – diary of a hiker Kat trekked Peru’s famous Inca Trail and has opened her diary for us. Day 1 We are picked up at 6am by our guide William. It’s just my husband and I trekking and we have 2 cooks and 2 porters with us. The cooks are …
Peru and Bolivia: Mieke reports back from her holiday by Kathy Jarvis on 2nd December, 2016 Three week tour across Peru and Bolivia This week we hear from Mieke, who’s just returned from a three-week tour of Peru and Bolivia. She and two friends explored Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu plus Lake Titicaca in Peru. Next, La Paz, Sucre and the Salt Flats of Uyuni in Bolivia. Which was her …
Q&A: Kat in Colombia – expert tips and advice by Kat Dougal on 18th November, 2016 Colombia expert tips and advice Andean Trails’ Kat reports back from beautiful Colombia, where the heady contrasts and sheer beauty of the country inspired her adventure traveller within. Check Kat’s cracking photos, which take in everything from beaches to mountains to multi-coloured rivers. Where have you just been? Colombia! What did you see …
Q&A: Kim Stark on running marathons in Patagonia and Easter Island by Alan Lyall on 4th November, 2016 Patagonia and Easter Island marathons Adventure traveller Kim Stark has moved one step closed to achieving her dream of running a marathon on every continent after her recent South America tour with Andean Trails. Kim mixed sightseeing with long distance running while in Paine, Atacama, Bolivia and Easter Island. Kim sends this Q&A field report …
Help plan a big group tour to Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 7th October, 2016 Help plan a big group tour to Peru Andean Trails organised a fantastic summer Peru adventure for 14 teenagers and two adults from Dunfermline’s Queen Anne High School. The group camped in the Amazon, trekked the Inca Trail, visited remote communities in the Sacred Valley and went fishing with locals in Lima. Check their photos on …
Ecuador Cloud Forest – Santa Lucia by Tom Shearman on 24th August, 2016 Ecuador Cloud Forest – Santa Lucia Andean Trails’ Tom regales us with an account of his recent trip to Santa Lucia Lodge in the Ecuadorean cloud forest not far from the capital Quito. He writes: “Looks like a young male tarantula, they can get quite aggressive,”. The big black and purple spider before us …
Expert travel advice: Peru and Bolivia by Kathy Jarvis on 27th May, 2016 Expert travel advice: Peru and Bolivia Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis gives her tips and insights from her recent tour with son Lewis through southern Peru and Bolivia. Where have you just been? I went to Peru and Bolivia for a month What did you see and do? I wanted to check out …
White water rafting in Ecuador by Kathy Jarvis on 8th April, 2016 White water rafting in Ecuador South America is full of fantastic white water rafting – a perfect extension to your adventure holiday, from those looking for massive rapids to paddling fun for all the family. We offer rafting trips in Peru, including the mighty Apurimac, as well as in Chile and arguably the best rafting …
First time trekker: a debut hiker in Colombian Andes. by Tom Shearman on 11th February, 2016 First time trekker in Colombia A first time hiker took on a brand new trek in Los Nevados mountains of Colombia, all part of Andean Trails’ determination to explore new routes. Elena Sanchez, aka Hiking Elena, had never before attempted a multi-day trek. Here, Hiking Elena gives an honest account of her 3-day adventure …
Toro Toro National Park, a hidden gem of Bolivia. by Kat Dougal on 26th November, 2015 Toro Toro National Park, Bolivia Our friend Remy van den Berg takes us through his impressions of Bolivia’s Toro Toro National Park, a hidden gem of Bolivia. He writes: “The best thing about the whole experience was that we were the only people at all of these natural wonders. Our Toro Toro experience was …
Amazing Peru: Walter Rhein’s inspirational book by Kathy Jarvis on 30th July, 2015 Walter Rhein´s inspirational book This week’s guest blogger, Walter Rhein, shares his Choquequirao adventure, the inspiration for the multitude contained in his recently published book. ‘Reckless Traveler’ chronicles a vast array of Walter’s experiences from a decade of living in that most colourful of countries, Peru, from its food to its AK-47s. Walter writes: …
Swimming with pink dolphins in the Amazon of Brasil by Kathy Jarvis on 19th June, 2015 Pink dolphins in the Amazon of Brasil Rare, curious and seldom seen, Maria recalls swimming in Brasil’s Amazon river with ‘botos’ – pink dolphins. Trip to Amazonas-Manaus Some friends and I were sailing in a wooden boat near Manaus, Brazil, when our guide excited began to shout ‘Botos! Botos!” We didn’t know what he …
Wildlife of South America by Kathy Jarvis on 11th June, 2015 Wildlife of South America South America is home to an enormous amount and variety of wildlife. From giant anacondas in Amazon swamps to the symbollic soaring condor, from llamas to tarantulas, the breadth of fauna and flora is still being catalogued. Here Andean Trails’ staff share our favourite wildlife experiences from travels across South America …
An ode to Galapagos Islands by Tom Shearman on 16th April, 2015 An ode to Galapagos Islands Andean Trails’ Maria has just returned from an inspiring Galapagos Islands trip that made her pulse race like nowhere before. She writes: “I wear a smile that will last forever. I was in the middle of the Pacific surrounded by volcanic islands full of exotic animals, with deep seas …
