5 top tips to prepare for the Inca Trail by Kathy Jarvis on 1st March, 2017 Preparing for the Inca Trail – top tips Getting trekking fit for your Inca Trail means you’ll enjoy your hike to Machu Picchu even more. With Inca Trail permits selling 4-6 months in advance, you have to plan ahead. Starting early means your heart and lungs will be get stronger and more efficient, which is …
Family holiday in Ecuador by Kathy Jarvis on 25th February, 2017 Two families, four parents with 6 teenagers, have just got back from a family walking holiday in Ecuador and written to let us know how they got on. Read their top tips for family holidays in Ecuador. They said: “Our trip was great. We all had a fantastic time and the hiking was excellent. …
Helping Cusco kids – Huchuy Yachaq by Kathy Jarvis on 16th February, 2017 Helping kids in Huchuy Yachaq Nigel Mallon has just returned from Peru with wonderful images of his visit to the Huchuy Yachaq charity, in Cusco. At Huchuy Yachaq, Nigel took photos of the beautiful jewellery the local women produce in an effort to raise additional income. Nigel’s photos will be used in a leaflet given …
Advice on plane journeys with kids by Kat Dougal on 10th February, 2017 Advice on plane journeys with kids Andean Trails’ Kat Dougal, intrepid traveller and intrepid mother, gives valuable advice on flying with toddlers. “Embarking on a flight with two little ones under 4 is always an adventure, ” says Kat, mum of two who regularly flies with her two in tow. She continued: “Just recently I was …
When to visit Galapagos Islands: weather and wildlife by Tom Shearman on 3rd February, 2017 There is no real ‘best’ time as something is always happening and Galapagos are a great year-round destination for a holiday. As the Galapagos Islands are located right on the equator, air and water temperatures do not vary by much, and most species are here year-round. There are two recognised seasons, and each months brings …
Colca Canyon travel advice by Kat Dougal on 19th January, 2017 Colca Canyon travel advice, Peru Kat reminisces about her trip to the Colca Canyon in Peru, walks in verdant countryside, midnight cocktails in hot springs and marvelling at Condors soaring above. (Oh, and don’t forget the hot, sweaty climb out of the canyon). Check her pictures on Facebook and Pinterest. She writes… The Valley …
Lake Titicaca: Stay overnight on Amantani island by Alan Lyall on 12th January, 2017 Lake Titicaca: Stay overnight on Amantani island Alan takes us onto the waters of Peru’s famous Lake Titicaca, and describes his overnight stay with a local family on Amantani. Check his photographs on Facebook and Pinterest. He writes: “Lake Titicaca in Peru is the highest navigable lake in the world. Perched 3.8km (2.4 miles) …
Dear Diary – Inca Trail trek review by Kat Dougal on 6th January, 2017 Inca Trail trek review – diary of a hiker Kat trekked Peru’s famous Inca Trail and has opened her diary for us. Day 1 We are picked up at 6am by our guide William. It’s just my husband and I trekking and we have 2 cooks and 2 porters with us. The cooks are …
Arequipa Top Restaurant Picks by Kathy Jarvis on 9th December, 2016 Arequipa Top Restaurant Picks Peruvian gastronomy is famous throughout Latin America – and increasingly the world – for its quality and variety. Many say it’s the best on the continent. Here are the top seven picks for where to eat in Arequipa as compiled by Lieveka, one of our partners in Peru. She had a …
Peru and Bolivia: Mieke reports back from her holiday by Kathy Jarvis on 2nd December, 2016 Three week tour across Peru and Bolivia This week we hear from Mieke, who’s just returned from a three-week tour of Peru and Bolivia. She and two friends explored Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu plus Lake Titicaca in Peru. Next, La Paz, Sucre and the Salt Flats of Uyuni in Bolivia. Which was her …
Avoid seasickness on Galapagos cruise top tips by Tom Shearman on 27th November, 2016 Avoid seasickness on Galapagos Islands Andean Trails’ Tom and fellow Galapagos expert Doris Welsh share their Top Ten Tips on how to have a fantastic Galapagos holiday while minimising the risk of seasickness. This advice applies to cruises and hotel-based tours. Tom writes: “Many people’s number one fear before a Galapagos cruise is running …
Expert advice for family holidays by Kathy Jarvis on 24th November, 2016 Thinking about a family holiday to South America? Such a vast continent with such a range of attractions, from snorkelling in the sea to high altitude treks, can make it hard to pick the right trip for you and your family. Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis has spent over 20 years exploring South America, the …
Q&A: Kat in Colombia – expert tips and advice by Kat Dougal on 18th November, 2016 Colombia expert tips and advice Andean Trails’ Kat reports back from beautiful Colombia, where the heady contrasts and sheer beauty of the country inspired her adventure traveller within. Check Kat’s cracking photos, which take in everything from beaches to mountains to multi-coloured rivers. Where have you just been? Colombia! What did you see …
South America family holidays – top tips and advice by Kathy Jarvis on 10th November, 2016 South America family holidays South America is fast becoming a popular place for families to visit on their holidays. Here we share the experiences of some of the families and groups that have travelled to South America with Andean Trails, and how it changed them. There are more flights to South America than ever, and …
Q&A: Kim Stark on running marathons in Patagonia and Easter Island by Alan Lyall on 4th November, 2016 Patagonia and Easter Island marathons Adventure traveller Kim Stark has moved one step closed to achieving her dream of running a marathon on every continent after her recent South America tour with Andean Trails. Kim mixed sightseeing with long distance running while in Paine, Atacama, Bolivia and Easter Island. Kim sends this Q&A field report …
A day aboard a Galapagos cruise – what to expect by Tom Shearman on 21st October, 2016 What to expect on your Galapagos Islands holiday You’ve booked your Galapagos cruise, watched the nature videos and bought the sun cream – then start to wonder… Is the cabin too small? Will I get seasick? Here, Galapagos Islands’ expert Tom explains what to expect during a typical day on your dream Galapagos holiday. Don’t …
Five things I wish I’d known before visiting the Galapagos Islands by Tom Shearman on 13th October, 2016 Before visiting the Galapagos Islands Galapagos Islands’ expert Tom Shearman gives his top tips about travelling to this fantastic archipelago. Have a look at our own Galapagos photos on Facebook and Pinterest, plus our youtube videos. He writes: “Galapagos is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday, so you want to get the planning and kit right. “I’ve …
Help plan a big group tour to Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 7th October, 2016 Help plan a big group tour to Peru Andean Trails organised a fantastic summer Peru adventure for 14 teenagers and two adults from Dunfermline’s Queen Anne High School. The group camped in the Amazon, trekked the Inca Trail, visited remote communities in the Sacred Valley and went fishing with locals in Lima. Check their photos on …
Travel guide to Bariloche, Argentina by Alan Lyall on 29th September, 2016 Travel guide to Bariloche, Argentina Andean Trails and its team lend their advice on the best attractions to enjoy in Bariloche, as well as some great restaurants to sample. Contact us and get planning for your adventure holiday in Bariloche. Alan writes: “San Carlos de Bariloche nestles into the Argentine side of the Northern …
Where to stay in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile by Tom Shearman on 23rd September, 2016 Where to stay in Torres del Paine National Park Trek options and where to stay in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile Changes in Torres del Paine park regulations make it imperative you book your accommodation before hiking. Tom writes: “Torres del Paine National Park authorities (CONAF) has just announced that only trekkers who …