Best Hikes to Trek in South America by Alan Lyall on 4th January, 2019 South America is a great destination for adventure lovers especially those who are looking for a good trek. Mountains, forests, jungle and desert provide spectacular backdrops for hikes on and off the beaten path. In no particular order, here are our top 10 treks or hikes in South America. Paine W Trek, …
Wildlife spotting in the Iberá wetlands, Argentina. by Alan Lyall on 14th December, 2018 Black caiman, capybara, howler monkeys and rheas are just some of the species you might come across in the Iberá wetlands, the second largest wetland in the world. Covering an area of over 6,500 square miles in north-east Argentina, the wetlands are a collection of lakes, bogs, swamps and rivers and are an important …
Guide to tipping and gratuities in Ecuador by Kat Dougal on 29th November, 2018 Background Tipping is not mandatory in Ecuador and completely discretionary but it does form a strong part of the culture and people look to tips as a reward for good services. As a tourist, a little generosity with ‘propinas’ will go a long way, especially if you’re happy with the service you received. If …
Ecuador – its weather, seasons and best time to visit by Kat Dougal on 22nd November, 2018 Ecuador is pretty much an all-round destination with little change in weather and less pronounced dry/ rainy seasons than some of its South American neighbours – thanks to its location on the equator. Weather can be defined by region, and many Andean mountain ranges in particular develop their own micro climates, making it …
When to visit Galapagos Islands: weather and wildlife by Tom Shearman on 2nd November, 2018 When is the best time to visit Galapagos? There is no real ‘best’ time to visit Galapagos on holiday as there is always wonderful wildlife and weather to enjoy. Most animals – tortoises, sharks, sea lions and boobies – are found all year round and many of the species here are non-migratory. The Galapagos …
Visit Peru with the family – expert advice and tips by Kathy Jarvis on 29th October, 2018 Peru- top tips for taking the kids Andean Trails director Kathy and her son (now eleven) are frequent travellers to Peru. Their latest trip was earlier this year and top of their list was the Lodge to Lodge Lares trek, a community tourism project in the Sacred Valley and a homestay with some day …
Peru – its weather, seasons and best time to visit by Kathy Jarvis on 12th October, 2018 Kathy, director of Andean Trails since 1998, gives some tips on the best time to travel to Peru: You can certainly visit Peru on holiday at any time of year, but some months are definitely better than others depending on what you want to do and which part of the country you would like …
Argentina – its weather, seasons and best time to visit by Alan Lyall on 14th September, 2018 Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world, covering an area of 2.78 million km² (1.074 million mi²) which is about 1/3 the size of the USA. It covers most of the Southern part on the South American continent and as such has a varied climate. It is flanked by the Andes mountains …
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 …
Chile – Climate and when to travel by Alan Lyall on 24th July, 2018 When planning a trip, one usually takes into consideration the weather at their chosen destination in order to make good choices for activities as well as when to travel. Chile is a thin sliver of a country running from north to south. It extends around 4,500 Km (2,750 miles) and as such has …
Guide to wine tours in Chile by Alan Lyall on 17th July, 2018 How would you like to go to Chile, visit a winery and taste the wines produced in situ? Chilean wines have placed Chile firmly on the world map and a great addition to a holiday to Chile is to include some wine tours to your itinerary. In and around Santiago The Chilean capital …
Liana Lodge – top tips for taking the kids to the rainforest by Kat Dougal on 4th July, 2018 When travelling to Ecuador with her family, Kat knew that visiting the rainforest was top of her list of places to go. They chose Liana Lodge and Kat is sharing her top tips for taking children to the rainforest. Choose a soft adventure Don’t travel too far, especially for younger children a softer …
The Tierra Hotels Experience, Chile by Alan Lyall on 3rd July, 2018 Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience a luxury adventure holiday? Alan was invited to Chile at the end of 2017 to experience the newly renovated Tierra Chiloe Hotel. He says: “When the invitation came through to visit the Tierra Chiloe Hotel in Chile, I jumped at the chance …
Tren de la Libertad – a train ride from Ibarra to Salinas, Ecuador by Kat Dougal on 22nd June, 2018 Kat and her family hopped aboard the Tren de la Libertad and experience the beautiful change in scenery from the highlands town of Ibarra to the lowlands village of Salinas, surrounded by sugar plantations. Kat writes… Ibarra – leaving the hustle and bustle behind The train – well a train car, a hybrid between …
Quito with kids – top things to do with children by Kat Dougal on 1st June, 2018 Visiting a big city can be daunting with children , especially when they are young. But Quito has a range of options that can keep little ones entertained and is well worth a visit. Entrance fees are typically low, and parks provide plenty of free fun. Below, in no particular order, some of Kat’s tips …
Lodge based treks in Peru: Salkantay, Lares, Ausangate by Kathy Jarvis on 14th May, 2018 If you are planning a trek in Peru but prefer some luxury and you really don’t want to camp then there are a number of excellent options. There are three lodge to lodge mountain treks that offer superb mountain scenery, contact with the local community and a good degree of luxury. Each of the lodge …
Kat’s family holiday to Ecuador by Kat Dougal on 4th May, 2018 This week Kat is setting off on her own travel adventure – time to revisit Ecuador, return to old haunts and explore some that are new to her, to get fresh ideas and inspiration. This time, however, she’s taking her family with her to get a perfect first hand experience of an Andean Trails family …
Patagonia bucket list by Alan Lyall on 25th April, 2018 Patagonia as a destination has inspired many an explorer, author, poet and simple traveller and is on many a bucket list. Below you will find a sample bucket list that we hope will inspire the explorer, author, poet and traveller in you, and which would be entirely feasible in one incredible holiday to …
Kathy in Peru – two treks near Cusco by Kathy Jarvis on 24th April, 2018 Twenty four years since she first set foot in Peru Andean Trails’ Kathy is heading back to some of her old haunts with her 10 year old son. The plan is to trek in two of the big mountain areas just near to Cusco : Lares and Ausangate – both very familiar areas with …