The Patagonia Mountain Ranges Explained by Thomas Shearman on 19th May, 2022 The vast open spaces of Patagonia’s mountain ranges remain an enthralling draw to visitors from around the world. Be it climbing, hiking, rafting, or wildlife watching, Patagonia’s mountain ranges hold something for everyone. Soaring, ice-capped peaks, glaciers, dense and verdant forests line crystalline lakes and tumbling waterfalls. Let’s look at Patagonia’s inspiring geography, and the …
What to do For 3 Days in El Chalten, Patagonia by Thomas Shearman on 12th May, 2022 Do you have three days in El Chalten, Argentina? Here’s the lowdown on the best tours and attractions, plus sample itineraries to make the most of your time in Patagonia. El Chalten is a small town built on the floodplain of Rio de Las Vueltas and part of the vast Los Glaciares National Park. The …
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, …
The Best Hikes & Treks in Chile. by Thomas Shearman on 24th November, 2021 Chile’s sleek and elongated geography helps make it one of the best trekking destinations in the world. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best hikes in Chile. The country stretches some 2,690 miles (4,329km) from north to south; South America’s distinctive spine formed thanks to Chile’s mighty Andean mountain ranges. It’s …
Guide to the Best Hiking Trails and Walks in and around Bariloche. by Tom Shearman on 7th November, 2021 Bariloche is one of Patagonia’s most enchanting spots, nestled on Lake Nahuel Huapi and surrounded by glacial lakes, mountains, and beautiful forests. It is this landscape that makes Bariloche’s hiking trails so good. Also known as San Carlos de Bariloche, this town offers hikers access to some of the best trails in Argentina’s Lake District. At its …
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, …
What to Wear: Packing Guide For Your Patagonia Holiday by Kathy Jarvis on 31st July, 2020 Patagonia, mythical land at the end of the earth. What a wonderful part of the world. This is one of my all time favourite places. Patagonia is remote and stunningly beautiful. It is a land of vast landscapes, with sharp granite spires such as Cerro Torre and Fitzroy, big mountain ranges, extensive ice-caps, masses …
Best Hiking Trails in the Galapagos Islands by Kathy Jarvis on 2nd May, 2020 Our guide to the best guided and self-guided hiking trails in the Galapagos Islands. Hiking trails are found throughout the Galápagos Islands, and whether you choose to visit the islands on a cruise or opt for a land-based tour, you will certainly have opportunities for walking. Many excursions include gentle wanderings along rocky …
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 …
What to do in and around Los Glaciares National Park by Alan Lyall on 6th September, 2019 Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia is found nestling into the Andes in South Western Argentina and bordering with Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. It is an area of stunning beauty with towering mountains, glacial lakes and impressive glaciers. Covering an area of over 7,000 km2 (over 2,800 sq miles) it offers the …
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 …
All You Need to Know About Inca Trail Tours to Machu Picchu by Kathy Jarvis on 12th July, 2019 Our trekking and travel experts share our useful guide to the different Inca Trail tours available from Cusco, so you enjoy the perfect trek and visit to Machu Picchu. What is the Inca Trail? The Inca Trail is one of the world’s most famous trekking tours, a short but tough hike of …
Go Trekking in the Atacama Desert, San Pedro, Chile by Alan Lyall on 5th July, 2019 San Pedro de Atacama, in the heart of Chile’s Atacama Desert is a great place from which to enjoy half day or full day hikes or set off on a desert trek adventure over several days camping in the high Altiplano. Where is and how to get to San Pedro de Atacama San …
A Guide to the Quilotoa Crater Loop, Ecuador by Kathy Jarvis on 21st June, 2019 Kathy, Andean Trails’ director since 1998, was in Ecuador recently checking some of our walking options. She writes: “I recommend taking a few days to explore the Quilotoa area on your journey through Ecuador. The Quilotoa Area This is a beautiful remote farming area home to the indigenous Kichwa community of Tigua. The …
Choquequirao Trek – A good alternative to the Inca Trail. by Kathy Jarvis on 31st May, 2019 Kathy, Andean Trails’ director, recently spent a few days walking the Choquequirao trek. She had heard of new roads making the trek a bit shorter and more accessible than it used to be, so she set off to check it out. She says “The trek is stunning but it is a tough one. It is …
The Inca Trail and the Lares Trek with kids, Peru by Kathy Jarvis on 3rd May, 2019 Kathy, Andean Trails’ director, is just back from a trip to Peru over Easter. “ April is a fabulous time to travel to Peru. We have school holidays around Easter but many people don’t so flights are readily available and there are not many tourists around. The weather was excellent and the countryside stunningly …
Top Treks in Patagonia by Kathy Jarvis on 8th February, 2019 Patagonia is a vast area and full of fabulous mountains, so there are numerous treks and trails. Andean Trails’ director, Kathy, who has been exploring the area on and off for 25 years gives a round-up of some of her favourites. The Paine W The Paine W is a multi-day trek that takes in …
Peru’s Rainbow Mountain High Altitude Trek – Our Guide by Kathy Jarvis on 18th January, 2019 The fabulously coloured Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, Montaña de Siete Colores, or Montaña de Colores is a mountain ridge in southern Peru, at an altitude of 5,200 meters above sea level. In recent years it has become one of the top attractions for visitors to the nearby city of Cusco. What …
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, …
Trekking in Ecuador by Kathy Jarvis on 16th November, 2018 Kathy and her eleven year old son have just returned from Ecuador, where they spent four days exploring some of the walks on our lodge to lodge Ecuador trekking trip. Ecuador is a land of dramatic landscapes and extreme contrasts and we think it is often overlooked by walkers – who prefer to head …
