…with Product Executive, Hannah In the next instalment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, Product Executive, Hannah Finch describes her amazing journey to Ecuador. From Quito’s historical marvels and Otavalo’s colourful markets to the natural wonder of the Ecuadorian Amazon and rich wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, her adventure was a mosaic of experiences. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS? Ecuadorian Amazon, Quito, Otavalo and the Galápagos Islands. HOW DID YOU GET THERE? From London to Quito, via Miami – with American Airlines/British Airways. FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP? (IF REPEAT, WHAT WAS DIFFERENT THIS TIME?) First time, it’s somewhere I’ve wanted to go for years and was so magical to be able to take my son. FAVOURITE LOCATION? The Galápagos Islands, they are just so unique and so well protected it’s incredible. It felt like we’d gone back in time, everything – the terrain,…
The idea behind the ‘Big 15’ concept is to showcase how important and valuable the Galapagos Islands wildlife truly is. Though there are different opinions on which animals should be included in this by no means comprehensive list, it’s a great starting point for learning about the island’s wild side. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador, this archipelago is renowned for its unique biodiversity. See which iconic animals make the cut, and be inspired to make your personal wish list for a Galapagos wildlife safari! Giant Tortoise These gentle giants are perhaps the most famous residents of the Galápagos Islands. They can live for well over 100 years and weigh up to 64 stone! Blue-footed Booby These seabirds are known for their bright blue feet, which they use in elaborate courtship displays. They are excellent divers and feed primarily on fish. Galápagos Hawk These apex predators…
…with Latin Team Leader, Charlie For the newest installment of Our Routes series dedicated to sharing travel experiences from our experts all over Latin America, Team Leader and Travel Specialist Charlie Mason shares with us the highlights of his marvellous multi-centre trip to the Ecuadorian Amazon and the Galapagos Islands. YOUR MAIN DESTINATIONS? Quito, Galapagos, and the Amazon. HOW DID YOU GET THERE? I flew into Quito via Houston with United Airlines. And then flew on to the Galapagos and Coca (Amazon). FIRST TIME OR REPEAT TRIP? Repeat, this was my second time in Ecuador and Galapagos. Last time I did a land-based stay in Galapagos whereas this time on a cruise. I also visited Mindo cloud forest, Cotopaxi, and Antisana Volcano as day trips which are places I didn’t manage to visit on my first trip. I Have also visited Amazon in Bolivia so it was good to see the…
All four seasons (sometimes in one day!) can play their part in shaping your experience throughout Latin America, so let’s delve deeper into the rolling peak and shoulder seasons that dominate the sky, land, and sea on your next trip to this stunning big outdoors continent. Argentina High Season: November – February & July The Patagonia region in southern Argentina hits a peak from December to February with the best weather for pursuing outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a Christmas / mid-winter getaway, the beaches from late December through January are popular times along the Argentine coastline as well. For skiers, July is the best time to hit the big resorts of Mendoza and picturesque areas like Bariloche. Shoulder Seasons: September – November & March – May Buenos Aires enjoys ideal temperatures in shoulder seasons, and it’s also a good shout for seeing Patagonia with the beautiful Lake District…
Imagine a continent with over 300 national parks to choose from, ranging from rugged rocky peaks to palm tree-lined beach forests! To help narrow such an astounding choice down, we have handpicked ten of the most incredible national parks in South America to help you get started. Argentina Tierra del Fuego National Park This 245-square-mile park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Argentina’s only coastal national park. Just outside the park’s border you’ll discover Puente Quemado (“the burned bridge”) and Macarena Waterfall, plus the Pipo River, which flows into the park and runs alongside the peat bog, giving the Laguna Negra (black lagoon) its colour and name. Inside the park, sits the sixty-five-mile-long Lake Fagnano which offers views of Andes Mountains. Los Glaciares National Park At a whopping 2,800 square miles, this is the largest national park in the country and another one on UNESCO’s list. As the park…
A magnet for wildlife lovers and a region tied to the very roots of natural history, the Galapagos remains one of the world’s most inspiring destinations. Whilst the draws of the Galapagos are clear, the logistics of how to experience the archipelago may not be. Below we look at some of the questions you will need to ask yourself whilst considering a trip to the Galapagos. Cruise or Land Based? The first thing to consider is whether you want to explore the Galapagos primarily by sea or by land. Cruising options allow visitors to explore the furthest and most remote corners of the archipelago whereas travelling by land and ‘island-hopping,’ will give greater focus to the beautiful landscapes whilst staying in comfortable hotels in the main towns. Both options have strong advantages so the choice should be purely based on preference, although some consideration should be afforded to combining the…
With increasing awareness and consciousness of the impact we have as a society on the natural environment, it is more important than ever that we consider the way that we see the world and the effect we have as travellers. Whilst the myriad of natural wonders and the diverse biodiversity of Latin America continues to amaze visitors, its protection is paramount for the future generations to come. Below we look at some of the key destinations that are setting the benchmark for sustainability. The Sacred Valley, Peru With 50% of the country covered in rainforest and the creditable protective efforts made in the Machu Picchu region to reduce the impact of tourism, there are multiple destinations in Peru worthy of a mention for sustainability. However, it is the Sacred Valley that makes the cut for its ecotourism. As well as being an unparalleled hub to experience the ancient traditions of…
Here our Travel Specialist Kit shares his experience of diving with Giant Manta Rays in the Galapagos Islands.…. It was a talk by Peruvian Conservationist and Rolex Prize winner Kerstin Forsberg in 2017 that first alerted me to the existence of Giant Oceanic Manta Rays. These vast, majestic Rays can grow up to 9 metres across and spend their lives circumnavigating the world’s equatorial waters. Gently gliding through the water filter-feeding on microscopic plankton, small fish and crustaceans. Sadly, like so much of our planet’s incredible wildlife, they are under threat by fishing practices, both as bycatch and through direct fishing (their gills are viewed as “remedies” for chickenpox and cancer in traditional Chinese medicine). Their long reproductive cycles delivering once about every 2-5 years means that even the slightest pressure from fishing puts the long term viability of the species in jeopardy. The prospect of seeing these magnificent creatures…
Samir, one of our travel specialist team leaders, has returned from a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Here he shares the 5 things he enjoyed most. Highlands & Darwin Research Centre, Santa Cruz Island The Highlands and Darwin Research are located on Santa Cruz Island and are a typical pit stop for cruise going visitors as it is en route to Puerto Ayora from Baltra airport. This was the perfect start to my Galapagos adventure and got my taste buds salivating. As the bus worked its way along the only road from the north side of the island, the desert-like terrain slowly transitioned into lush green vegetation. I was entering the home of a local resident that I had been waiting to encounter for a very long time – the giant tortoise! The water saturated Highlands provide the perfect conditions for the giant tortoise and their insatiable appetite. This can…
As a Continent of wonders, South America is the place where the most incredible adventures can happen. If you haven’t been to this exquisite part of the world yet, hold on tight because what we are about to reveal will start a new life addiction – Latin America! Here are 10 reasons why you will be love-struck: Number 10: Perito Moreno Glacier The Perito Moreno Glacier is in the Los Glaciares National Park, in southwest Santa Cruz, Argentina. It’s considered to be one of the most important Argentinian Patagonian attractions and with good reason. It is 30 km long and one of the 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes. Other than that, it’s just another wonder of the world, and one of the reasons why (after this post) you will be booking a flight to South America! You can learn more about the…
