ATOL
Andean Trails has nearly two decades of experience of dealing with South America holidays.
We also offer ATOL (Civil Aviation Authority) protected holidays to give our customers peace of mind when booking and travelling.
We pay a fee to the CAA for every licensable passenger we book since we hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance booking.
When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday package from Andean Trails Ltd you will receive a Confirmation Invoice from us confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 6275.
What is ATOL?
The CAA’s ATOL scheme offers protection to your money and your holiday if you book with us. Not everybody is covered (see ‘Who is covered?’ for more), as you must purchase an ‘air package holiday’ with Andean Trails to be protected.
And ‘air package holiday’ is defined as including a flight and some ground services (hotel, transfer, trek etc). This is also known as an ‘ATOL-protected holiday’.
Who is covered?
To be covered by ATOL, you must book a flight and some ground services with us and be from the UK. If you are from the UK and only book ground services and no flights, you are not covered by ATOL (see below for more on how non-ATOL clients are covered).
If you are outside the UK and buy flights with us, you will be ATOL protected IF any of the flights booked with Andean Trails touches/stops in the UK at any point during your holiday package booked with us.
If you buy your flights elsewhere, please check with that agent if you are ATOL protected. Be careful with online flight purchases and make sure you know what protection you have, if any, before paying for flights.
Not all holiday or travel services offered and sold by us will be protected by the ATOL scheme. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking.
For land only holidays not involving any air travel, in accordance with “The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992”, all UK passengers booking with Andean Trails Ltd. are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all money paid to us, arising from cancellation or curtailment of travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Andean Trails.
I’m not ATOL covered, what protection do I have?
If you are not ATOL covered, any payments you make to us go to a Trust account.
We can only access this money once your tour has been completed, meaning that if anything happens to Andean Trails Limited while you are on holiday, then your money is secure and you can either complete the trip or be able to make it home.
If you pay for your holiday with a credit card, some offer payment protection – please check with your cardholder.
You also should have cancellation protection written into your insurance (which we recommend you have at the time of booking) in case you need to cancel.
Need more information?
Contact us for more and with any questions.
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Testimonials
J. Parks, USA, Terra Luna, Aysen Chile 2026
Visiting the Marble Caves has been on my bucket list for some time. With our planned trip to SA ending in Santiago this was the chance I had been waiting for. I started researching how to get to the Marble Caves and stumbled across Andeans Trails and Terra Luna by chance. The more research I did the more this seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. (a shuttle to and from the airport, lodging, food, and other outdoor activities besides the Cave Tour) Plus it had good reviews and seemed reputable. I contacted Andean Trails and Kathy (you) responded immediately, and our conversation continued until we had everything booked and in place. I was extremely pleased at how promptly every question or concern I had was addressed! I was a little nervous about flying to such a remote area where I did not know the language very well. A few days before we arrived our guide Andres sent me a msg that had such a welcoming tone all my fears were erased.
From the minute we landed in Balmaceda until we returned home the trip was magical!!! Part of it was like taking me back to my childhood. A long gravel road I walked often to my grandma’s log cabin in the woods with a wood stove. And so much of the vegetation was the same! I found out Puerto Gaudal is close to the 45th parallel S, and I live on the 45th parallel N! I was like deja vu! (Except for the Andes, GC Lake and Northern Icefield.)
I knew there were other outdoor activities available but I didn’t do any serious research on them, my mind was on getting to the Caves. That lead to a wow moment around every corner! My love of glaciers was rewarded in the trip to Leones Glacier with lunch on the moraine. The horseback ride on Erradica taught me new glacial terms! The time spent in Patagonia NP was very moving, esp Doug Tompkins grave. The hike to the Confluence and the waterfall was awesome. The fossil bed hike was challenging but Andres took his time with us and was so encouraging. Well worth the effort to get there!
To sum this up: Andean Trails very nicely made my dream to see the Marble Caves come true. They were easy to work with, replied promptly and did everything they could to make sure the trip went smoothly.
Terra Luna – A hidden gem in the heart of Patagonia! the lodging - wonderful, the scenery - breathtaking, the activities – invigorating , food – delicious, staff – top notch (every single one), Phillipe – so welcoming, Andres – (guide) top notch!
The only critique would be Terra Luna needs to clean the hot tub. It is a beautiful tub, beautiful view and the water was hot but the boards were a little slimy. Overall the place was awesome and I give them 99.9 rating.
JoAnn
JoAnn Parks, Dec 2025
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