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 …
Bolivia & La Paz: Top Tips for families by Kat Dougal on 26th September, 2014 Bolivia & La Paz: Top Tips for families Kat found Bolivia’s La Paz a great place for families as she shares her Bolivia trip memories as well as photos on Facebook. Kat writes: “This was the first time I left my little girl and husband behind. But even as I was travelling without my …
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), …
Book your South America holiday early or late? by Tom Shearman on 12th September, 2014 Book South America holidays early or late? Early bird catches the worm – or do they – does it really pay to book early for South America holidays? Tom looks at the merits of planning in advance. He writes: “South America is a distant holiday destination. Almost every country is vast and even those …
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 …
Eat your way to summit success by Tom Shearman on 8th August, 2014 This week Tom remembers how important nutrition is when taking on peaks in cold conditions, all part of a mountaineering course. Tom writes: “The clouds whisped over the creamy white summit of Cairngorm, creating a game of show and tell of the mountain’s lethal mashed potato cornices. That February morning in Scotland’s Highlands was a …
Being at high altitude – expert advice by Tom Shearman on 1st August, 2014 Being at high altitude – expert advice This week Tara Guerin and Georgia Upjohn, performance specialists at the Altitude Centre, share their expert advice with us on going up high. Altitude: Be the tortoise, not the hare. As a mountaineering destination, The Andes offers no end of attractions. The scenery is peerless, and with …
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, …
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 …
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 …
Volunteer in the Amazon Jungle by Kat Dougal on 20th June, 2014 Volunteer in the Amazon Jungle Kat takes us into the Amazon on a volunteering project which may inspire you to pack up and do the same. Check her Facebook photos for some irresistibly cute pictures, and read on … Kat writes: “My first big travel adventure was a six month trip to South America …
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 …
