Patagonia off the Beaten track: Villa O’Higgins to El Chalten by Kathy Jarvis on 30th April, 2018 Driving south on the Carretera Austral you eventually reach the end of this amazingly spectacular road, at the small town of Villa O’Higgins, 550 km from Coyhaqui and 48°28 S (on a par with Washington, Ontario and much of central Europe). The River Baker The scenery driving south is stunning all the way, …
Patagonia bucket list by Kathy Jarvis on 25th April, 2018 Patagonia as a destination has inspired many an explorer, author, poet and simple traveller and is on many a bucket list. Below you will find a sample bucket list that we hope will inspire the explorer, author, poet and traveller in you, and which would be entirely feasible in one incredible holiday to …
Patagonia holidays for families by Kathy Jarvis on 24th April, 2018 Chilean and Argentine Patagonia is an incredible destination with spectacular scenery, wildlife and a plethora of activities and outstanding trekking especially during the main season from October through to April. For families, especially with slightly older children there are many activities that can be considered. Here are some ideas you might wish to consider: …
Fly to South America by Kathy Jarvis on 24th April, 2018 Andean Trails’ Alan recently flew out to South America. Here he lets us know how he got on. He says: Being a canny Scot I was looking for the best deal to get me from Edinburgh to Santiago. Routings and airlines vary depending on times of year, how busy the airlines are on your chosen …
Kathy in Peru – two treks near Cusco by Kathy Jarvis on 24th April, 2018 Twenty four years since she first set foot in Peru Andean Trails’ Kathy is heading back to some of her old haunts with her 10 year old son. The plan is to trek in two of the big mountain areas just near to Cusco : Lares and Ausangate – both very familiar areas with …
Peru – there is so much more than Machu Picchu by Kathy Jarvis on 23rd April, 2018 When most people hear of Peru the first thing that comes to mind is Machu Picchu. The lost city of the Incas is the best-known archaeological site on the continent and the main reason why in high season over 2500 people visit daily. The most popular trek in that part of the world is …
Southern Patagonia ice field trek – what’s it like? by Kathy Jarvis on 18th April, 2018 Jan and Anne booked a month in Patagonia, including the classic W trek in Torres del Paine, and then a fabulous expedition into Los Glaciares National park and on to the south Patagonia ice field. They rounded of their trip with the Montes Martial trek in Ushuaia. We emailed Jan and Anne to see …
Trekking Advice – the right nutrition when trekking at altitude by Kathy Jarvis on 9th March, 2018 Kathy’s 16 year old niece Sasha has been visiting from Namibia this week. Sasha has a keen interest in sport and nutrition and has been researching the nutrition guidelines for high altitude treks for us. Sasha writes… “Trekking is a great way to improve fitness and get in shape whether it’s walking around …
Santa Cruz Trek, Northern Peru by Tom Shearman on 2nd March, 2018 Looking for something different from your trekking trip to Peru? Read all about Santa Cruz, one of Huaraz’s best kept trekking secrets, with Andean Trails’ Tom’s personal account: He writes: “Huaraz in north Peru is a trekking and climbing dream, with its multitude of remote trails, ice-clad peaks and famous hikes like the Huayhuash …
Galapagos Islands holiday: Cruise or hotel / land-based trip? by Tom Shearman on 27th February, 2018 Cruise or hotels? With the increase in Galapagos hotel-based trips – also called island hopping or land-based – most people planning to visit Galapagos have to ask themselves: Should I go on a Galapagos Cruise or stay on land in nice hotels? Read our expert advice comparing both types of trips, helping you decide …
Ecuador bucket list : Top 10 by Kathy Jarvis on 27th February, 2018 What not to miss in Ecuador Ecuador offers the visitor so much to see and do. Here are our top 10 bucket list picks of what not to miss in Ecuador, to inspire you: Galapagos Cruise For many a dream destination. The Galapagos – abundant wildlife, dramatic volcanic islands and a guaranteed unforgettable experience. Take a …
Advice for travelling with kids by Kat Dougal on 14th February, 2018 Holidays with the kids Travelling with kids is rewarding, yet daunting at times. At Andean Trails we love to help put together itineraries that work for families with children of all ages. Having kids ourselves, certainly helps… as does research. Which is why Kat is about to embark on her first trip with children (aged …
Active family holidays in Ecuador and Galapagos by Kathy Jarvis on 2nd February, 2018 It is that time of year when you might be starting to think about where to take the family in 2018. We can highly recommend Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Perfect for family holidays Ecuador is a relatively compact country with numerous highlights. It is easy to get to and quick to travel …
Stella Australis review – a day on a Patagonia cruise by Tom Shearman on 23rd January, 2018 Stella Australis review. Andean Trails’ travel expert Tom Shearman describes a day aboard a Patagonia cruise ship, among the fjords of Chile. He spent four days aboard the Stella Australis on the Punta Arenas-Punta Arenas route. Wildlife seen included penguins, dolphins, seals and albatrosses, amongst pristine fjords and mountains. If you need help planning a …
Patagonia in autumn or spring. by Kathy Jarvis on 19th January, 2018 Patagonia out of season. Two of Patagonia’s most iconic destinations are the Torres del Paine National park in Chile and the Glaciares National Park near the Argentine towns of El Calafate and El Chalten. The granite spires, glaciers, spectacular scenery and wildlife are a magnet to the adventurous traveller and nature lover. High season is …
Peru Treks from Cusco by Kathy Jarvis on 11th January, 2018 What trek should I do in Peru? Kathy, Andean Trails’ director, has been trekking in the Andes since 1994. Here she gives her round up of treks in the Cusco area, from the Classic Inca Trail to the more remote and rugged mountain Ausangate Circuit. All prices correct at the time of publishing 11/01/2018 CLASSIC …
Top 5 places in Peru to visit by Kathy Jarvis on 5th January, 2018 What should I see in Peru? Peru travel expert Tom gives travel tips and his top places to visit in Peru. He writes: “Peru is one of my favourites places for a holiday – there is variety, so many attractions plus wonderful food. “If you can only go once, these are the best places …
South America travel books – a Christmas wishlist by Kathy Jarvis on 23rd December, 2017 Recommended Travel Books It’s that time of year where many of us are searching high and low for Christmas present ideas for brothers/ aunts/ friends/ whoever it may be. Books, we’ve found, are always welcome gifts. And for those who like travel – and South America – here are some of our Christmas gift recommendations. …
Travel Tips to get you off the beaten track in South America by Tom Shearman on 9th December, 2017 Off The Beaten Track Andean Trails give you top tips on suggestions of where to travel ahead of the pack. Toro Toro National Park, Bolivia Kat Dougal, Intrepid explorer and family travel expert, gives as her hot tip the Toro Toro National Park in Bolivia. She says: “With every year Bolivia is becoming …
Chiloe Island, Chile: travel expert reviews latest trip in Q&A by Kat Dougal on 8th December, 2017 Chiloe Alan escaped the office for a two week trip to Chile, which involved much pampering, lots of action and checking out Tierra Chiloe Hotel on Chile’s beautiful, off the beaten track island of Chiloe. We’ve asked him about his stay at the hotel, and he couldn’t stop gushing… Where have you just been? …
