South America honeymoon planning and travel advice by Tom Shearman on 4th July, 2014 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 …
Saving Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest by Tom Shearman on 30th May, 2014 Saving Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest This week we talk to the manager of an Ecuador Amazon eco-lodge with a difference – they want you to see oil and destruction as they try to save the rainforest. Huaorani Most Amazon trips offer a spectacular visit to the highlights of the Amazon – wildlife, community life and …
Get fit for trekking holidays across South America by Tom Shearman on 16th May, 2014 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 …
Wildlife shock in Amazon rainforest of Guyana by Tom Shearman on 9th May, 2014 Wildlife in Amazon rainforest of Guyana The Amazon rainforest of Guyana brings surprises at every turn, and not just for tourists who venture to this pristine environment. Animals get a shock too – as Tom describes one eventful night in Guyana (and more), many moons afore, in the name of conservation … Tom writes: …
Naked ramblings by Tom Shearman on 21st March, 2014 Naked Ramblings Security is being stepped up at Machu Picchu – to prevent a rise in streaking tourists at the World Heritage site. Andean Trails’ Tom recalls his own Scottish naked winter ramble of a decade ago in his quest to raise money for charity. Have you ever met a naked rambler? Or stripped off at a …
North West Argentina – the painter’s palette by Tom Shearman on 14th March, 2014 North West Argentina NOA to the locals, North West Argentina is dazzling our Alan with its diversity – he’s seen frogs, ships, cathedrals and devil’s throats, to amphetheatres, ships, monks and much more. Check his stunning photos on our Facebook page. He writes….. “NOA is a place to let your imagination soar and wonder, …
Thoughtful/lessness of a long distance hiker by Tom Shearman on 30th January, 2014 Tom writes: “Some time ago, when my sister told me hers was a cancer diagnosis, the thought of being half the world away in the Huayhuash mountains of Peru produced two vivid feelings. Firstly, the shame of wanting to hide away from it all overseas; and then the overwhelming desire to see my sister as …
Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu: Standard tour or luxury service? by Tom Shearman on 12th December, 2013 Luxury or standard Inca Trail? The iconic Inca Trail trek to the Machu Picchu ruins in Peru is deservedly the most famous walk in South America. This once-in-a-lifetime hike requires planning, permits and porters – and the decision of whether to go on the standard trek or the luxury trek or, of course, by train. …
Galapagos Islands holiday: Cruise or hotel? by Tom Shearman on 27th November, 2013 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, …
Horse riding in Ecuador by Tom Shearman on 6th November, 2013 Horse riding in Ecuador The final, horse riding part of a brilliant and in-depth blog from Andean Trails’ travellers Jane and Greg Windsor, who spent four fantastic weeks in glorious Ecuador. We are horse riding today, having visited the Ecuadorian Amazon and cloud forest, the Galapagos Islands and Quito, with photos on Facebook too: Horse riding in Ecuador As we approached Otavalo and its colourful …
Ecuador Cloud Forest Travel Advice by Tom Shearman on 4th November, 2013 Cloud forest travel advice The fourth and penultimate part of a brilliant and in-depth blog from Andean Trails’ travellers Jane and Greg Windsor, now in the cloud forest, as part of four fantastic weeks in glorious Ecuador. We are in the Ecuador Cloud Forest today, having visited the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Galapagos Islands and Quito, with horse riding to follow and we have photos …
Top 5 reasons to travel solo by Tom Shearman on 25th October, 2013 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 …
Galapagos Islands holiday report by Tom Shearman on 11th October, 2013 Heading to Galapagos Islands The second part of a brilliant and in-depth blog from Andean Trails’ travellers Jane and Greg Windsor, who spent four fantastic weeks in glorious Ecuador. We are in the Galapagos Islands today, with Quito featured last week and Amazon and horse riding to follow, with photos on Facebook too: Jane and Greg write: “The …
Travel – what MUST you see before you die by Tom Shearman on 13th September, 2013 Travel to which place before you die? The question, the ultimate for people that like travel. Do you go for something remote? Personal? Unaffordable? To impress dinner guests? Where is the one place you’d like to see before you die? Here are the places Andean Trails’ staff want to visit before they die. Where is …
Argentina: Top 10 off-the-beaten-track sights by Tom Shearman on 29th August, 2013 Argentina: Top 10 alternative things to do Argentina has many famous destinations from Buenos Aires to Patagonia. Here we look at 10 of its unknown nooks and crannies to whet your Argentina travel holiday appetite. We can help to arrange any of these trips, contact us for more. Moconá Waterfalls An incredible site. Unique, …
Happy 90th Birthday South America Handbook by Tom Shearman on 16th August, 2013 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 …
Who prints holiday photos? by Tom Shearman on 2nd August, 2013 Printing holiday photos This week Andean Trails’ Tom’s sister posted him a collection of real, hold-them-in-your-hand photos of family memories from the last three years. There were weddings, births, parties and forgotten moments, all bringing a smile, and causing Tom to ponder if the post-holiday photo printing ritual has died. Tom writes: “After my …
The best things about travelling by Tom Shearman on 19th July, 2013 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 …
Journey to Falkland Islands and Patagonia by Tom Shearman on 5th July, 2013 Travel to the Falkland Islands Former RAF man John and his partner Helen recently decided to fulfil a life’s dream and visit the Falkland Islands and Patagonia. They flew with the RAF via Ascension Island to the islands in the south Atlantic – check their photos on Facebook here. John and Helen write: “Ascension …
Patagonia Ice Field trek – the revenge! by Tom Shearman on 25th April, 2013 Patagonia Ice Field trek Tom writes about his South Patagonia Ice Field trek in Fitzroy National Park, Argentina – a tale of hiking, food and revenge…. ¡Raton! ¡Raton! There was hardly time to translate as tent mate Ezequiel sprang towards me wielding his metal water bottle, shouting ‘Raton!’. The first bottle blow was to …
