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Preparing for altitude trekking in Bolivia and Peru – part 2
Altitude trekking In the second part of our blog on preparing to trek at high altitude in Peru or Bolivia we look at what to take with you and how to deal with high altitudes. What will the weather be like in the high Andes? Peru and Bolivia are located within the tropics, but the climate varies significantly …
Preparing for high altitude trekking in Bolivia and Peru – part 1
Preparing for high altitude trekking There is no doubt that a high altitude trekking or mountaineering trip to Peru or Bolivia will be a fabulous, may be even life changing, experience. Why should I go on a high altitude hike? It can take you right out of your comfort zone and push your physical limits. You will be exposed to different ways of …
Explore Potosi and Sucre in Bolivia
Explore Bolivia A holiday in Bolivia is so much more than Uyuni, La Paz, Lake Titicaca and Amazon. Tom describes two more must-sees in this vibrant and fascinating Andean country – Potosi and Sucre. He writes… The Spanish have a phrase – ‘Vale un Potosi’ – which means something being worth as much as Potosi. The mountain Cerro Potosi …
All about hats – South America Travel Observations
Hats in South America Patti McCarthy has just returned from the trip of a lifetime with Andean Trails that included Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. She enjoyed her trip so much and was fascinated by the hats (and the wearers!) she came across that she was inspired to write this hat blog. Patti writes: I have always been fascinated by the …
Savouring the wines of the Andes
Savouring the wines South America and in particular Chile and Argentina have placed themselves firmly on the map with their fine good value wines. For those of us who like a wee tipple, a glass or two with some good food or in a spectacular location after a great day of adventures is heaven. At Andean Trails, we have …
Iguazu Falls – Why they are well worth a visit
Iguazu Falls Cascades of water thundering over hundreds of waterfalls over a 1.7 mile (nearly 3 Km) stretch of land at the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay attracts thousands of tourists every week. These are the Iguazu Falls. It is a popular tourist destination and at Andean Trails all of us have visited at different times. Tom says: “I’ve been lucky to see …
Visit Chilean Lake District , Green Patagonia
Chilean Lake District Snow-capped volcanoes that flank a string of emerald coloured lakes which are surrounded by lush farmland and cold rain forest are the main features of Chile’s Lake District and recently denominated Green Patagonia. In the north of this area you will find National Parks dedicated to the Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria Araucana) …
Active holidays, a challenging way to relax
Active Holidays Holidays are for recovering, doing as little as possible, eating and drinking, and reading books. This week Tom gives his takes on why a physically challenging trip offers as much of a break, if not more, than the above. He writes: “A beautiful wash of blue, purple and orange sky with snow-capped peaks in …
Luxury holiday in Atacama Desert, Chile
Atacama Desert “I’ll just bring you a cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc to the Jacuzzi, sir.” The sun was stubbing itself into in an orangey cinder after a day of baking Chile’s Atacama desert. I was recently checked-in at the five star Alto Atacama hotel, thirsty and a bit dusty after an arrival then private tour …
Peru Trekking Experiences
Peru Trekking Experiences Patti and Dave McCarthy are 8 weeks in to a 12 week trip that has taken them from southern Patagonia, through north west Argentina, across the altiplano and salt lakes of Bolivia, to Sucre, Potosi and La Paz, on one trek in the Cordillera Real and another to Machu Picchu. Currently they are enjoying trekking in …
Copacabana – Gateway to Bolivia’s Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca
Copacabana Lake Titicaca. Arguably South America’s most renowed lake, at a breath-taking 3810m above sea level, is a lake claimed by two countries – Peru and Bolivia. The Bolivian gateway to the lake is Copacabana – a buzzing little town by the lakeside, albeit with a little less white sand and samba than the Brazilian …
Lost luggage tales – and advice
Tom, who really should know better, tells us about how not to travel, pack or arrive at your holiday destination. He writes: “No clean clothes? Check. No charger for phone or laptop? Check. No sun cream, insect repellent, malaria pills for the coming Amazon trip? Check. Card not working in the ATM. Check. …
Northern Patagonia, Trek back in time
Trek back in time Kathy Jarvis has just returned from Northern Patagonia and here are her thoughts on why you should go to that part of Patagonia. Torres del Paine and the Fitzroy mountains in southern Patagonia have long been the main attraction for visitors to Patagonia. The allure of those mountain areas is strong and the sheer …
Kathy’s Northern Patagonia off the beaten path expedition
Northern Patagonia Andean Trails’ director Kathy has just returned from a research trip to Northern Patagonia in South America. Here are the answers to our questions – they will make you want to go! Where have you just been? Patagonia What did you see and do? We spent a month travelling south, from …
Maria’s Patagonian Adventure
Patagonian Adventure Maria Lucas, who worked in our office for a year before moving permanently to Chile, has just come back from her first ever visit to Patagonia. Here are her observations: Located where the Andes slowly sink into the sea, Chilean Patagonia is characterized by numerous mountains, glaciers, fjords and channels that …
El Chalten, Patagonia: trekking options and more
El Chalten, Patagonia Kathy has just arrived, rather reluctantly, back in the office after a month exploring southern Chile, with a short foray into Argentina, to Los Glaciares national park, in particular El Chalten and the Fitzroy area. She says “I hadn’t been to El Chalten in southern Argentina, since my tour leading days …
Amazon rainforest or cloud forest?
Travel advice: Amazon rainforest or cloud forest? Visit the Amazon rainforest or cloud forest on your South America holiday? Some people want monkeys but not insects, some can’t stand the heat but want to see bears. Others want to walk through lush forest. There are a myriad of cloud forest and Amazon lodges across Peru, …
Top 5 snorkel sites in the Galapagos
Top 5 snorkel sites in the Galapagos Snorkelling around the Galapagos Islands is a true highlight of any Galapagos holiday. An abundance of inquisitive and beautiful creatures await you once you slip into the sea. Most snorkel sites are in calm waters and suitable for people that have never snorkelled before. Here – in no …
Top 10 markets to visit in Ecuador
Top 10 markets to visit in Ecuador Markets are great places to visit in Ecuador. Full of colour, noise, smells and activity, they really give you a feel of the place you are visiting and an insight into the local way of life. Ecuador is a colourful potpourri of cultures and its markets are particularly …
Galapagos Islands cruises – which itinerary to choose?
Galapagos islands cruises Planning your dream Galapagos cruise can feel daunting when you first start to research Galapagos boats and itineraries. Here, Andean Trails Galapagos holiday expert Tom Shearman gives his top tips to help you decide which trip is best for you. He writes: “Galapagos park rules were introduced a few years ago …
