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 …
Favourite holiday books to read by Kathy Jarvis on 22nd May, 2015 Favourite holiday books to read For some it’s their mobile phone, tablet or laptop, and sometimes the travel companion. For others, it’s still the book (or e-reader) to turn to, to while away the hours, to relax while on holiday. Here are Andean Trails’ top travelling books. Let us know what you like to read …
Top 10 dishes to try Chile by Kathy Jarvis on 14th May, 2015 Top 10 dishes to try Chile Food and eating are a huge part of a successful and enjoyable holiday. Chile has great seafood and meats, as well as some great wines – our own Alan Lyall lived in Santiago for almost two decades, and shares his favourite Chilean dishes. If you’re heading off to Chile, …
City Walking Tours: Lima, Santiago & Buenos Aires by Kathy Jarvis on 8th May, 2015 City Walking Tours: Lima, Santiago & Buenos Aires Capitals on foot A great way to get a feel for a city and also to get your bearings is to do a city tour. The best way to do so and “feel the vibe” is to include a guided walking tour in one of these South …
Top 10 travel tips for Chile holidays by Kathy Jarvis on 10th April, 2015 Top 10 travel tips for Chile holidays Andean Trails’ Alan Lyall lived in Chile for almost 20 years, working in tourism and here he shares, in no particular order, his Top 10 tips for holidays in Chile. There are five things to do, and the five best times to go. Things to do 1. Atacama …
“Best of Buenos Aires” Food Experiences by Kathy Jarvis on 2nd April, 2015 “Best of Buenos Aires” Food Experiences These are alternative and great ways to experience the burgeoning fine cuisine and food of Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires. The Argentine experience Treat yourself to three hours among the finest food and wines of Argentina. This is not a cooking class, but you will learn how to make …
Cycling Sunday in Bogota, Colombia by Kathy Jarvis on 20th March, 2015 Cycling Sunday in Bogota, Colombia Sunday is cycling day in Colombia’s vibrant and burgeoning capitlal, Bogota. A kaleidoscope of people, colour and sights and smells to enjoy from the safety of the saddle, on roads without traffic. Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis describes her recent, Colombia bike tour, part of our new Colombia Highlights holiday. …
Top 10 restaurants, Santiago, Chile by Kathy Jarvis on 13th March, 2015 Top 10 restaurants, Santiago, Chile Andean Trails’ Alan spent nearly two decades living in Santiago and he gives us some of the best restaurants to eat in Chile’s vibrant capital. Where to eat…. 10 restaurants in Santiago If you are spending a day or two in Santiago, here are some top tips as to where …
Luxury trekking to Machu Picchu – go glamping by Kathy Jarvis on 6th March, 2015 Luxury trekking to Machu Picchu – go glamping Maria discovers a new way to trek to Machu Picchu: the hike remains the same, but canvas is swapped for comfortable beds, jacuzzis and glasses of wine. She writes: “Back in November, I was in Peru travelling and hiking. I walked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu …
Self-guided Quito city walking tour by Kathy Jarvis on 27th February, 2015 Self-guided Quito city walking tour Want to see Quito, but don’t want a group city tour – then take a look at our self-guided walking tour. Our rep in Ecuador, Emma Morgan, has lived in the capital for over a decade and shares her top independent walking tour. Go at your own pace, choose which …
Top 5 restaurants, Lima, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 20th February, 2015 Top 5 restaurants, Lima, Peru Peru is one of the world’s most geographically varied countries and it’s no surprise that Peruvian food reflects this dazzling diversity in its many restaurants. Here are Andean Trails’ top tips for places to eat in coastal Lima, fast becoming the culinary capital of South America. Lima is famed for …
Family trip to Machu Picchu by Kathy Jarvis on 13th February, 2015 Family trip to Machu Picchu Tullio, our Peru-based representative, shares his family’s recent ‘back door to Machu Picchu’ trip. Eschewing the traditional Inca Trail, Tullio used 4x4s, bike and feet to make his way to the famous Inca citadel, powered by mangos and hot baths. All part of the Andean Trails’ service of finding new …
Local guide to Top 5 restaurants, Buenos Aires by Kathy Jarvis on 30th January, 2015 Top 5 places to eat in Buenos Aires Argentina: land of steak, red wine and pizza/pasta – and much more. The latest Latin America Best 50 restaurant list contained 15 of the country’s eateries. Our local guide and BA resident, Laura Videla, gives us the lowdown on the top five places to eat in Buenos …
Top 5 Quito restaurants – the insider’s guide by Kathy Jarvis on 16th January, 2015 Top 5 restaurants and cafes in Quito Eating out where the locals go in Quito has never been easier – thanks to our off-the-beaten-track guide to restaurants and cafes. One of our staff in Ecuador, Emma Morgan, has lived in the capital for over a decade and sends her top tips for dining in genuine …
Merry Christmas and travel wishes by Kathy Jarvis on 19th December, 2014 Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Hope you all have a great one, here’s our travel and gift wish list for Christmasses past and future. Kathy Jarvis What I wish for in my Christmas stocking I think I’d like a neat little suitcase with wheels – I’ve always used back packs …
Sacred Valley Via Ferrata zipline by Kathy Jarvis on 28th November, 2014 Sacred Valley Via Ferrata zipline This week, Andean Trails’ Maria lives like a condor – flying atop mountains and sleeping while hanging over a precipice in Peru. Check her fantastic photos on Facebook. She writes: “On the zipline, we were literally flying over and between mountains, stifling those little whimpers that both calm and …
Five star hotels in Cusco, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 21st November, 2014 We take a look at Cusco’s burgeoning five star hotel scene this week, for all of which we get good booking rates for our passengers. These hotels are perfect for a treat or to rest aching bones after some trekking on the Luxury Inca Trail or the adventure of the Apurimac. Or …
Giving something back – volunteering at Huchuy Yachaq by Kathy Jarvis on 13th November, 2014 Volunteering at Huchuy Yachaq Our own María Lucas Jaqueti is spending a month taking part in the daily activities at the community project Andean Trails supports at Huchuy Yachaq, Cusco, Peru. Here she shares her first week’s experiences. She writes: “Above the Cusco valley, with a panoramic view of the city, Huchuy Yachaq Community Project …
A day in the life of a guide in Peru’s Amazon rainforest by Kathy Jarvis on 24th October, 2014 A day in the life of a guide in Peru Have you ever wondered what it might be like to work as a guide in the Peruvian Amazon? The following story came to us from one of our most experiences guides, Aldo Malaga … with some great photos on Facebook. Aldo writes: “Whether guiding at …
Spotting whales in Colombia by Kathy Jarvis on 17th October, 2014 This week our own Alan Lyall waxes lyrical about his recent encounter with humpback whales in Colombia…with great photos on Facebook. He writes: “There are angry clouds in the sky whilst we skim along the Pacific Ocean in a small motor boat off the Pacific coast of Colombia’s Choco province. There is an air …
