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 …
Puma spotting in Torres Del Paine by Kathy Jarvis on 10th October, 2014 Puma spotting in Torres Del Paine Vicky Brown and Manny Sidhu recall their thrilling and rare sighting of not one, not two, but three pumas while on a Winter in Paine tour in Chile with Andean Trails earlier this year. Vicky writes: “We arrived in Torres del Paine on a cold winter’s morning …
Peru with the kids, Inca Trail, the Amazon, Ecuador and Galapagos by Kathy Jarvis on 19th September, 2014 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), …
Top Ten Tips For Taking Better Photographs On Holiday by Kathy Jarvis on 5th September, 2014 Taking better photographs on holiday This week, we have Top 10 Tips on taking stunning nature photographs on holiday from Mark Baber, product & marketing specialist at Panasonic UK. Mark studied photography when he was at Art College and has a huge passion for the form, helping customers make the most of their camera. He writes: …
Nutrition at altitude – how local crops can help by Kathy Jarvis on 29th August, 2014 Nutrition at altitude This week our guest blogger and expert nutritionist, Dr Chris Fenn, shares with us some tips on how to get the most from Peru’s native crops when at altitude. Chris writes: Whilst eating good quality foods for general health is important, there are several key nutrients associated with high altitude acclimatisation. As …
Climb Cotopaxi – making the journey count by Kathy Jarvis on 22nd August, 2014 Climb Cotopaxi – making the journey count Recently two Andean Trails customers returned from Ecuador, having successfully climbed Cotopaxi Volcano, which at 5897m stands tall in the Avenue of the Volcanoes, its beautiful conical shape easily recognisable from afar. Andean Trails’ Kat Dougal reminisces about her Cotopaxi climb. Kat writes: “It took me back to my honeymoon four years ago, …
Life as a Mountain Guide in Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 15th August, 2014 A mountain guide’s tale Rodolfo Oropeza shares his life story, from shepherd to top Peru mountain climbing guide, in this week’s fascinating, true life blog: Rodolfo writes: “When I was a school student, I always wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer and I was not interested in the mountains because they were …
Luxury Train Puno (Lake Titicaca) to Cusco by Kathy Jarvis on 25th July, 2014 Train travel from Puno to Cusco Pick-pockets, chicken claws and dodgy toilets – Alan experienced a very different Puno to Cusco luxury train journey to that of thirty years ago. This classic luxury train journey can be incorporated into many of our Peru trips. Alan writes: “In the mid 80s, on a family holiday …
Chile In Style: Luxury holidays and hotels by Kathy Jarvis on 18th July, 2014 Andean Trails’ Alan Lyall worked in tourism in Chile for more than 20 years. He draws from that well of knowledge and shares his tips for a luxury holiday or honeymoon In Style in one of the world’s most beautiful countries. He writes: “Chile is a destination that has been blessed by nature; Spectacular …
Families in the north of Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 11th July, 2014 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, …
Amazon holiday dream realised by Kathy Jarvis on 27th June, 2014 Amazon holiday Botanist and biologist Margaret Jarvis talks about finally realising a desire to the world’s greatest rainforests – the Amazon. She writes: “At 79 I have seen a bit of this planet, including tropical forest in Malaysia and Indonesia, but not the Amazonian rainforest. A longstanding ambition was achieved in April this year …
Chimichurri sauce recipe by Kathy Jarvis on 13th June, 2014 Chimichurri sauce recipe It’s summer time, it’s a year divisible by four and that means only one thing. Well, two. Barbecue season! World Cup time! We’re combining both to bring you a recipe for the tasty Chimichurri sauce, popular throughout South America, our favourite BBQ foods and our World Cup predictions below. Chimichurri Chimichurri …
Huchuy Yachaq community project by Kathy Jarvis on 6th June, 2014 Huchuy Yachaq community project For over 5 years Andean Trails has been supporting the Huchuy Yachaq community project in the marginalised neighbourhood of Hermanos Ayar near Cusco. We’ve been able to do this thanks to everybody who has travelled with Andean Trails. In this neighbourhood there is a high level of poverty, with little in the way of …
Is the water safe to drink in Peru? by Kathy Jarvis on 2nd May, 2014 Drinking water in Peru Kathy Jarvis talks about water treatment and reducing a traveller’s plastic footprint. She writes: “Can I drink the tap water?” is one of the most frequently asked questions we get here in our UK office from travellers heading to Peru. We always advise people not to risk it. The …
Buenos Aires city guide – the passion and the icons by Kathy Jarvis on 25th April, 2014 Buenos Aires Alan tells us about Buenos Aires this week, a city that he fell in love with, and how following its icons can make for a fascinating way to get to know the city. He writes: “Argentina is a country of passions. The Argentines are a passionate people. It must be from their …
What to drink while travelling in Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 18th April, 2014 What to drink in Peru This week we look at some of the top drinks of Peru which give a real taste for the country’s tipples. Check Tom’s Wanderlust blog about top places to eat across Peru, too. Drinks in Peru Imagine a holiday to France without wine. A visit to Dublin without Guinness. An …
Patagonia – its weather, seasons and best time to travel by Kathy Jarvis on 4th April, 2014 Best time to travel to Patagonia Temperate, tempestuous, terrible and terrific – some of the words that define Patagonia and its fascinatingly energetic and changeable weather. Our guide to Patagonia’s weather and seasons will be vital when planning travel and holidays to this beautiful region. Key points Nov-March: +5 to + 20°C, four seasons in …
