The Llama Travel Blog

Santiago, the capital of Chile, is a cosmopolitan city, and arguably quite underrated. Surrounded by the Andes Mountains and the Chilean Coastal Range, it has a striking setting, fascinating history and a nice, modern feel. 

The majority of our travellers to Peru opt to visit the Sacred Valley – its appeal is well-established. There is rich Inca history, indigenous local culture, striking scenery and a relaxing ambience.  Whether you should go or not hardly warrants the question. How long you should go for – that’s a different thing. 

You've been dreaming about visiting the Galapagos and now your flights are finally booked. Your departure date is looming and packing remains on your to do list. What exactly do you need for a trip to the Galapagos? This is a common question we receive, and although each traveller's needs may be slightly different, there are a few staple items which will make anyone's Galapagos visit more pleasant and convenient. Here's what you should pack for a trip to the Galapagos. 

Last September I visited Chile, and took on the Las Torres Trek. September is right at the start of the tourism season there, and it was only a few weeks after many of the hotels had re-opened. While there I discovered not only why the Las Torres trek is such a must-do, but why Llama Travel only offers this holiday from November to April. 

So you’ve decided that you want to go on a wildlife holiday in Latin America, but as you do more research, you realise that there are more options than you thought. Here we break down the main options, as well as the pros and cons of each.

Estancia Cristina is a remote ranch in Argentinian Patagonia. It boasts an amazing setting where the Andes Mountains cast shadows across the land and massive glaciers float on the surrounding lagoons. The crisp, fresh air here and the enormity of the landscape is well worth the early morning start! 

I have now made the journey between Cusco and Puno by coach, on the PeruRail Titicaca train and the Belmond Andean Explorer train. Whilst I have enjoyed all the trips, I found the Belmond Andean Explorer to be by far the most enjoyable, combining glamour, romance, luxury and service. It is not cheap, but it is very special.

In 2017 I headed out to Central America for a little over 3 weeks, spending most of that time in Guatemala. I can tell you with confidence it is an absolute must see. Here are four reasons why:

A hotel-based stay is an increasingly popular option for Galapagos trips, thanks to its affordability and comfort. The islands are explored on a series of day trips and here Jordan discovers the island of North Seymour.

Llama Travel director, Luca Newbold, hadn’t visited Rio in 18 years, but when he did finally go back, he discovered a city more lively and inviting than ever. This is his account of his recent trip to Brazil’s most iconic city.