…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,…
From ancient Incan citadels to a rich gastronomy scene, it’s easy to forget amidst the pisco sours that Peru is known for its incredibly abundant and diverse wildlife. Did you know that an incredible 1 in 10 of the planet’s species is found in Peru’s Amazon Rainforest? Having spent two years discovering the far less varied wildlife of the UK’s own more urban jungles; it’s now time to start treating ourselves to the experiences we deserve. So, to get you started with your planning, we’ve broken down some of the top wildlife experiences you should look to include on your big trip to Peru… Alpacas The smaller, fluffier cousin of a llama, alpacas can be distinguished by their shorter faces and are highly prized for their fine fleece. You’ll find clothing made from Alpaca Wool at shops throughout your stay in Peru, keeping you warm for your time in the…
In the previous two parts of ‘The Wonderful Wildlife of Chile’ we looked at the country’s fascinating land mammals such as the elusive Puma as well as under water creatures such as whales and dolphins. That leaves us with another kind of animal that we haven’t yet covered. Up in Chile‘s vast skies, looking down over the longest stretching mountain range in the world and the deep blue waters of the Pacific coastline, the animals are as varied up here as they are on the ground or in the sea below. Now, when talking about Chile’s bird life, a special mention must be given to the Lauca National Park, located high up in the Andes and close to the border with Bolivia. The huge ecosystem that exists here in the Altiplano, the High Andean Plateau, has one of the highest altitudes in the world, but despite the plummeting night time…
After Brazil, Chile has the largest area of protected conservation land in South America. Most of this protected land falls in the rugged and highly untouched expanse of Patagonia. From top to bottom there are a total of 36 National Parks in Chile, all with something a little different to the other, from magnificent volcanic landscapes of Hornopiren to the temperate ‘enchanted’ rainforests and hanging glaciers further South in Queulat. Once inside these parks you can’t help but marvel at the never-ending mountain ranges and beautiful natural wonders that nature has created. It is here that nature has the power to make you feel tiny and insignificant. An important place for wildlife in Chile is the recently rehabilitated Valle Chacabuco, part of which was once a working sheep farm or estancia. Today Chacabuco’s much greener pastures are home to many of the animals that you will find described below. Interestingly,…
Welcome to the wonderful world of Chilean wildlife; a huge, magnificent and surprising collection of animals inhabiting one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world. Chile is a land of extremes; from the driest desert in the world to the cold archipelago at ‘the end of the earth’ and even an isolated pacific island in between. With so much bio-diversity, it’s easy to see how Chile became the place where Charles Darwin made some of his most vital observations, those that would influence his theories on natural selection. Volcanoes and mountains line the interior border with neighbouring Argentina and are home to some very resilient and well adapted land mammals, while birds of all shapes, colours and sizes fill the skies thrilling any visiting bird-watcher. Chile is, in short, a nature lover’s paradise. Today the focus is on fish, mammals and amphibians that exist in the fresh water…
Thursday night the BBC aired its latest episode from the brilliant series Natural World and here at Latin Routes it did a great job of reminding us why we love the Antarctic so much. The fascinating hour long programme, Penguin Post Office, was filmed over a 6 month period on the Island of Goudier in the Antarctic Peninsular. The show follows a colony of over 4000 Gentoo Penguins that live just outside the island’s only Post Office in Port Lockroy. The Gentoo is one of 17 species of penguins that breed in the Antarctic and sub Antarctic islands… that’s a lot of penguins! The film crew documented the colony’s story throughout the 6 month stay, showing us how comical, mischievous and resilient the little Gentoos can be. I wanted to know more about the filming of the show so I started reading the Penguin Post Office blog (https://penguinpostoffice.blogspot.co.uk/), which I found…
An incredibly beautiful region with close links to nature, Southeast Brazil is known both as an area to relax in, but also has no shortage of nightlife to keep you occupied in the evening. A great idea if you’re looking to escape the trials and tribulations of city life without sacrificing the small luxuries associated with it. The Area The majority of the beaches in the Southeast region of Brazil are based around the beautiful city of Florianopolis, a unique city situated mainly on an island but linked to the mainland by a network of bridges. This city has a lively feel and is well-known as a party town, but also has areas that cater for those looking for peace and quiet, as well as over 40 secluded, sandy beaches for all to enjoy. Florianopolis is also known as one of the best places for surfing in the whole of Brazil, with consistently good…
In a unique location at the foot of the famous Sugarloaf Mountain, overlooked by the majestic sight of the statue of Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro is not just the host of the 2014 World Cup, it is also a centre for Brazilian culture – a thriving city with thousands of wonderful and unique things to experience. What are you waiting for! The Area With lush green mountains on one side and crystal clear blue waters on the other, Rio de Janeiro is one of the most fascinating and culturally diverse places in the world. An economic powerhouse in Brazil, its rich history has led to it being one of the most visited places on the planet. Featuring some of Brazil’s most iconic and recognisable landmarks (including the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer) as seen in countless photos, films and TV shows. Past the spectacular surface is an even more fascinating cultural underbelly….
This week we’re focusing on one of the lesser-known regions of Chile – the Chilean Lake District. A stunning haven of outstanding natural beauty, this region has it all – mountains, volcanoes, pristine blue lakes and dense green forests. With a photo opportunity around every corner, the Chilean Lake District will certainly not disappoint! The Area This region features around twelve major lakes located in and amongst rivers, waterfalls, forests and thermal springs, all framed by the towering Andes Mountains. Seven of these lakes feature along a single road, known by its popular name ‘Road of the Seven Lakes’ (who would have guessed). This 107km road stretches between San Martin de Los Andes and Villa La Angostura, providing views over 7 of the main lakes in the district, including the beautiful Espondido andCorrentoso lakes. The area is perfect if you’re looking to explore independently – hiring a car and visiting the multitude of highlights…
After exploring some of the fantastic wildlife-spotting opportunities available in this incredible continent, today we’re looking at a specific cruise that Latin Routes can offer you. With the 2014/15 season starting in November, now is certainly the time to book. Latin Routes can also offer some great discounts – contact us here to find out more. Antarctic Fly and Cruise This 8 day cruise is perfect for those looking to avoid sailing across the notorious Drake’s passage, or if you’re just looking for a slightly shorter trip, as you fly straight from Chile to Antarctica Day 1: Arrive in Punta Arenas, on the North bank of the Strait of Magellan. Transfer to a local hotel for an informative briefing about your trip. Stay for your welcome dinner, offering an opportunity to meet your travelling companions. Day 2: Board your plane and relax – the flight is just 2 hours to King George…
