South America: The Best Countries To Visit on Holiday by Alan Lyall on 31st January, 2020 When planning your holiday to South America you may ask yourself; which are the best countries to visit in South America? South America is a continent of amazing contrasts. These range from tropical jungle to glaciers, remote high mountain villages to bustling coastal cities, mountain ranges to endless pampa. The continent is blessed with a …
Best Walks and Climbs Around Huayna Potosi mountain, Bolivia. by Kathy Jarvis on 30th August, 2019 Climb and trek around one of the most well-known mountain in Bolivia: Huayna Potosi. Read our expert guide to the best trails around and up to the summit. Huayna Potosi is a 6088 metre, non-technical peak, readily accessible from La Paz – three characteristics that make it attractive to novice and experienced mountaineers alike. Snow route up Huayna Potosi This majestic mountain lies at the heart …
A travel diary of a day and night on Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni by Tom Shearman on 9th August, 2019 Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni has inspired travellers for decades – read travel expert Tom Shearman’s guide to a day and night on these magnificent salt flats. He writes: I woke around 5.30am, put on my down jacket and left the (relative) warmth of my salt hotel to walk down to watch the coldest …
Best hikes and trails in Bolivia by Kathy Jarvis on 2nd August, 2019 The hills and mountains of Bolivia are much less known than the Cordilleras of southern Patagonia or the high Andes of neighbouring Peru. The Bolivian Andes are beautiful and majestic and offer a wonderful array of multi-day treks as well as some superb day walks, trekking peaks and some technical mountaineering. We sum up just …
Travel Guide to Chalalan, Bolivia’s Amazon jungle lodge in Madidi National Park by Tom Shearman on 28th March, 2019 The journey started with a short, 30-minute and spectacular flight from La Paz (sit on the left), up and over the Bolivian Andes before dropping down into the steamy Amazon at Rurrenbaque airport. A tiny airport increased the special feeling that accompanies visiting a remote area. My backside did not feel so special after the …
Bolivia – its weather, seasons and best time to visit by Kat Dougal on 28th November, 2018 Planning a trip to Bolivia? Make sure you have read our guide on when to go and what weather to expect from the Andes to the Amazon. Bolivia’s climate, as varied as its geography, is affected by latitude and, especially, by altitude. The best time to travel is the winter (dry season) between May and …
Guide to tipping and gratuities in Bolivia by Tom Shearman on 31st August, 2018 Bolivia: to tip or not to tip, that is the question? If you’re not from a tipping culture, or simply want some advice on how much to tip and to whom, read our guide to travelling and tipping in Bolivia. Background Tipping is not mandatory in Bolivia and completely discretionary. However, as a tourist, …
Incallajta, Cochabamba, Bolivia by Tom Shearman on 23rd August, 2018 Want to visit Inca ruins, far away from the crowds? Then head to Incallajta, write Andean Trails’ Tom, to remote and beautiful Inca ruins that are the largest in all Bolivia. He writes: More than 500 years ago and having conquered much of what are the modern day mountains of Peru and Bolivia, …
Bolivia – things to know before travelling on holiday by Kat Dougal on 10th August, 2018 Land-locked Bolivia is a country of dramatic landscapes and fascinating native cultures and traditions. Being prepared for travel means you will enjoy the country at its best, so we have put together a list of essential and useful tips and facts to know about Bolivia, before you go. OVERVIEW Bolivia’s Altiplano (High …
Bolivia – its best cuisine and top restaurants by Tom Shearman on 1st August, 2018 What is the food like in Bolivia? Find out in our food and Top 10 restaurant guide, all sampled by our travel expert, Tom. He writes: “Bold, big and burgeoning – the best way to describe the food scene blossoming in Bolivia. Servings are often as enormous as the Andean mountains that define …
Preparing for altitude trekking in Bolivia and Peru – part 2 by Kathy Jarvis on 6th October, 2017 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 by Kathy Jarvis on 6th October, 2017 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 by Tom Shearman on 6th October, 2017 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 by Kathy Jarvis on 6th October, 2017 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 …
Copacabana – Gateway to Bolivia’s Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca by Kathy Jarvis on 4th October, 2017 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 …
Bolivia – festivals, parties, fiestas and customs by Kat Dougal on 23rd June, 2016 Bolivia – festivals, parties, fiestas and customs Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year in Bolivia. From the traditional to the more westernised, Bolivia’s festivals are full of great music and colourful displays. The following is a list of some of the main events that each month takes place throughout the country; however at any …
Tips and advice to Climb Huayna Potosi, Bolivia by Kathy Jarvis on 17th June, 2016 Climb Huyana Potosi in Bolivia BOLIVIA: Huayna Potosi is one of the most accessible 6,000m climbs in all of the Andes. It is the perfect Andean mountain for novice or experienced mountaineers. Here, some Andean Trails’ climbers our own staff give us an insight to their experiences on this fantastic Andean summit. The customers …
El Gran Poder – dancing in the streets of La Paz by Kat Dougal on 3rd June, 2016 Dancing in the streets of La Paz Every year around the end of May/ beginning of June the streets of La Paz are filled with life in honour of the Senor del Gran Poder (great power) Jesus Christ. Its origins go back to the 17th century but as our local La Paz representative Scarlet Herrera …
Expert travel advice: Peru and Bolivia by Kathy Jarvis on 27th May, 2016 Expert travel advice: Peru and Bolivia Andean Trails’ owner Kathy Jarvis gives her tips and insights from her recent tour with son Lewis through southern Peru and Bolivia. Where have you just been? I went to Peru and Bolivia for a month What did you see and do? I wanted to check out …
La Paz city walking tour, Bolivia by Kat Dougal on 24th March, 2016 La Paz city walking tour, Bolivia Kat writes… “I had been to La Paz, Bolivia, a couple of times but this time I decided I wanted to do an actual city tour, to get the most out of my visit. And rather than doing a standard city tour I chose a tour taking me behind …
