Know Before You Go: Peru Trekking and Hiking Travel Tips by Thomas Shearman on 7th November, 2023 Peru Trekking and Hiking Travel Tips Peru, one of the most diverse Andean nations, offers a feast of trekking and hiking routes that showcase the country’s beauty. The Andes Cordillera runs the length of Peru. Its soaring peaks and satin-white glaciers frame many trekking routes as they course through remote villages, many unchanged since Inca …
Amazon Rainforest Know Before You Go Travel Guide by Kathy Jarvis on 28th September, 2023 Amazon rainforest know before you go travel guide: enjoy a life-enhancing adventure. Our Amazon rainforest travel guide takes the pressure out of planning your Amazon visit. You’ll find what you need to know before you go with these travel tips. We cover everything from the big questions like when to go to the details like …
Meet Gill Christie, South America Travel Expert by Thomas Shearman on 6th March, 2023 Meet Gill Christie… Gill is the latest travel expert to join the Andean Trails team. Find out more about Gill, her passion for travel, and seeing the bright side of early morning hoof soup. How did you catch the travel bug? I fell in love with travelling as a teenager, starting with Interrailing around …
Amazon Rainforest Travel Guide by Thomas Shearman on 1st March, 2023 The Amazon rainforest is the world’s most famous wildlife habitat. This iconic forest covers 6.7 million square kilometres, making it twice the size of India, and spans eight countries. Some 10% of all species on planet earth live in the Amazon, and more than two million indigenous people call this rainforest their home. Join them, canoeing …
Machu Picchu: Guide to Tipping & Porter Welfare on the Inca Trail by Thomas Shearman on 16th January, 2023 The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru is one of the world’s most incredible treks, one which 200 keen hikers and 300 hard-working Inca Trail porters embark on daily. The four or 5-day hike over 28 miles/44 kilometres is a high-altitude walk past Inca ruins, soaring Andean peaks, and breathtaking views while walking on …
Plan the Perfect 4-week Trip Around South America by Thomas Shearman on 22nd August, 2022 South America is a vast destination with so many attractions. Often, the question is how to fit in as much as possible — such as 4 weeks in South America. We have a quarter of a century of experience putting together the logistics for top tours and making dream trip ideas a reality. Ask us …
Visitors guide to Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain by Thomas Shearman on 11th July, 2022 There are now three mountains to visit at Peru’s Machu Picchu Inca ruins with the opening of the Huchuy Picchu trail. The gentler elevations of Huchuy Picchu, which translates as ‘small mountain’ from Quechua, join Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain as hiking attractions with great views. Let’s look at the three options so you …
Surprising Facts About Rainbow Mountain, Near Cusco, Peru by Thomas Shearman on 14th June, 2022 One of Peru’s must-see travel highlights is the stunningly vibrant multi-coloured Rainbow Mountain near Cusco. It’s easy for visitors to see why at such a stunning site, high in the Peruvian Andes. Plump purple, arctic blues and lemon yellows weave over the shoulders of Vinicunca, its Quechua name, which means coloured mountain. This rich natural …
The Best View in Peru: The Sun Gate, Machu Picchu by Thomas Shearman on 20th April, 2022 First impressions last, which is why the Sun Gate leading to Machu Picchu is such a highlight for people visiting Peru’s world-famous Inca citadel. The Sun Gate, or Intipunku in Quechua, sits around 290m (951 feet) above Machu Picchu’s elevation, offering unparalleled views of the ruins some two kilometres away. Spread out before the eyes …
Discover Peru’s Little-known Chachapoya Culture by Thomas Shearman on 25th February, 2022 The Chachapoya culture and people are one of Peru’s endearing mysteries. Little is known about this pre-Incan civilisation, save for some scattered ruins and funeral tombs. Who Were the Chachapoya People? Also known as cloud people, the Chachapoya culture was full of warriors and skilled weavers of alpaca and llama wools. They settled …
Behind the Scenes: Planning a Trip to South America with Andean Trails. by Thomas Shearman on 24th January, 2022 There’s nothing we love more at Andean Trails than helping people when they’re planning a trip to South America. We hope our passion for this incredibly diverse continent shines through and inspires people to travel. Our connection with the destinations we offer comes from personal experiences spanning decades. You’ll find we ask lots of questions …
How Long Is The Inca Trail? by Thomas Shearman on 17th January, 2022 The Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu in Peru is one of the world’s iconic hikes. Very few walks can match its diversity, history, and appeal. Inca Trail trekkers enjoy cloud forest, sub-tropical jungle, and mountain passes with views of snow-capped Andean peaks en route to the famous Inca ruins at Machu Picchu. Orchids, condors, …
Successful High Altitude Acclimatisation by Kathy Jarvis on 15th September, 2020 How do I successfully achieve high altitude acclimatisation? This is the question that anyone travelling to the high altitude Andean areas of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina or Colombia should be asking themselves. Successful acclimatisation will make a huge difference to your visit. It will mean you have a much safer and more enjoyable experience, …
Inca Ruins near Cusco, Peru: Top Tours & Sights by Kathy Jarvis on 25th August, 2020 Visit the top Inca ruins around Cusco, Peru on your adventure holiday. Get our top travel trips about Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman and more. You’ve heard of Machu Picchu without a doubt – but what about Pumamarca, Choquecancha, and Quillatambo? These fabulous sounding names are lesser known Inca sites, all within a few hours travel …
Avoid Tourists: A Guide to Non-Touristy Things To Do in Peru by Kat Dougal on 17th July, 2020 Peru has long been one of the hot spots of tourism in South America, and quite rightly so! However, most of us love an element of off the beaten track travelling, and here’s how you can get away from the crowds with our guide to non-touristy things to do on holiday in Peru. Here’s a …
Northern Peru Travel Guide by Kathy Jarvis on 29th June, 2020 THE NORTH OF PERU The north of Peru is brimming with treasures and it is much less travelled than the southern hot spots of Cusco and Machu Picchu. Northern Peru travel never fails to surprise and impress, it is a fascinating part of this wonderful country well worth exploring. There is masses to see …
An Eco-Tourism Guide to Travelling in Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 29th May, 2020 Eco-tourism in Peru is key to ensuring that this popular Andean holiday destination will benefit from the large number of travellers it attracts each year, especially at its iconic sites of Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca and beyond. Here’s our advice on how to support sustainable tourism in Peru. An Eco-Tourism …
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 …
Not the Inca Trail: The best treks near Cusco and Machu Picchu by Kathy Jarvis on 14th January, 2020 The best treks near Cusco and Machu Picchu This week Kathy, co-author of the Bradt Peru trekking guides, takes us through what to do when the Inca Trail is sold out……. Inca trail permits sold out With the Inca Trail rigorously controlled through a permit system (500 a day) and constant high demand for this world famous …
Best South America Tours 2020 by Alan Lyall on 20th December, 2019 As 2019 draws to a close, we in the Andean Trails office are looking forward to a New Year filled with exciting and wonderful South America tours and adventures for our clients and of course ourselves! Kat is also returning in mid January after taking maternity leave. We have much to look forward to! …