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 …
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 …
Machu Picchu: Guide to Tipping & Porter Welfare on the Inca Trail by Thomas Shearman on 13th April, 2022 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 …
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 …
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, …
Sustainable Travel at Patagonia’s Hotel Las Torres. by Thomas Shearman on 26th November, 2021 With Chile’s border entry arrangements relaxing from December 1, travellers can now look forward to taking the first steps back to an adventure holiday — including a sustainable trip to Hotel Las Torres. And what better than a green, responsible, and ecological path to follow. Hotel Las Torres in Patagonia has taken the time the …
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 …
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 …
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 Week In Ecuador and The Best Travel Itinerary by Kathy Jarvis on 28th June, 2019 Ecuador’s compact size and excellent infrastructure means you can pack in many sights and experiences in a week’s holiday, from the Amazon to Galapagos and snow-capped mountains. Our travel expert’s travel guide includes top tips and four outline itineraries to help you plan a fantastic trip of spectacular variety. Introduction to the …
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 …
Patagonia Traveller’s blog: Fitzroy, Paine and Ushuaia by Kathy Jarvis on 15th March, 2019 Larry and Gillian are coming to the end of their month of travelling with Andean Trails in Patagonia. We put together a tour designed to take them off-the-beaten-track – read the first instalment in their blog – covering Santiago and Aysen and remote border crossings. Once in Argentina, Gillian and Larry trekked to the base of …
Adventure holiday highlights in Aysen, Northern Patagonia, Chile by Kathy Jarvis on 1st March, 2019 Larry and Gillian are on a 4 week adventure through Patagonia. Currently they are just half way through and enjoying the small Argentinean frontier town of El Chalten, and walks to the magnificent granite spires of Fitzroy and Cerro Torre. They have sent some fabulous photos and some comments on their highlights so far. …
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 …
