Travel Guides

Nestled in the Icelandic highlands, right on the edge of the black Laugahraun lava field, you will find Landmannalaugar. Well known for its natural geothermal hot springs (the name ‘Landmannalaugar’ translates to 'the people’s pools') and a stunning rugged landscape, Landmannalaugar is part of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve and is most commonly visited by hikers as it is situated at the northern end of the famous Laugavegur hiking trail.Planning a visit to Landmannalaugar to take advantage of its spectacular hikes? Here’s all you need to know before you go!

Rising from the ground to a staggering height of 3,359m, Mount Fitz Roy is one of the most formidable peaks to conquer in the world. The mountain sits in Los Glaciares National Park in Argentinian Patagonia and is iconic in shape with sheer jagged edges and no discernable walking path. In brief, Fitz Roy is no easy climb. With only an average of one person making it to the top of this mountain each year, the eight-day expedition to its summit is not hugely popular — or easy. Yet many people travel to the vicinity to trek one of the several routes on or around the mountain.

Katla volcano, the most powerful volcano in Iceland, packs a punch that has garnered a fearsome reputation. Due to patterns that have developed over time, it is now believed that whenever Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupts, Katla follows suit with a more powerful and destructive explosion, which is why it is thought to be a twin of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. The name ‘Katla’ is steeped in Icelandic folklore, where it is told that the volcano was named after a maid on a nearby farm that dabbled in witchcraft. This mystical link only adds to the reverence given to volcanos in Iceland, a land that has been shaped and formed by these beautiful forces of nature. Found in the south of Iceland, hidden under the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Katla’s eruptions cause massive floods and ash fall, resulting in major destruction. In 2010, Icelanders held their breath after the famous Eyjafjallajökull eruption, though luckily Katla stayed quiet. However, an eruption is now long overdue, so who knows how long the calm will last!

The Cordillera Blanca trekking and hiking trails in Peru are a playground for all trekking lovers. Some of Peru’s iconic treks and challenging technical climbs can be found in the Cordillera Blanca region. However, Cordillera Blanca has a number of attractive day hikes as well, of which the Laguna Churup hike is one of the most popular.

The Lares trek vs. the Inca Trail. Which one to take a classic dilemma many trekkers in Peru will face. Both treks are two of the best treks in Peru. The Inca Trail is the classic Peruvian trek and is one of the most famous multi-day treks in South America. The four-day route follows an ancient mountain trail, offering splendid views and passing various Inca ruins. The trail crosses three high passes, the highest of which is the infamous Dead Woman’s Pass (4212 m), before finally arriving at the world-famous ruins of Machu Picchu. However, the Inca Trail is also the busiest and is always fully-booked months in advanceFor those searching for something more authentic, the Lares trek offers the chance to walk a route far less commonly attempted than the classic Inca Trail. The Lares trek is shorter and considered a little easier although it reaches higher altitudes than the Inca Trail. This trek offers spectacular mountain scenery of waterfalls and lakes and is commonly combined with a visit to Machu Picchu on the final day. This trek also passes through several traditional Andean villages and offers the chance to meet locals and learn about their way of life, something not possible on the classic Inca Trail. Below we give you a breakdown of the Lares trek vs. the Inca Trail.

Located in the region where the tropical Andes meet the Amazonian lowland forest and covering almost two million hectares, Manu National Park in Peru is one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots. Recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1977, the area is home to a staggering variety of plant and animal species, including giant otters, capybaras, peccaries, tapirs, jaguars, caiman, 13 different species of monkeys, over 1000 species of birds and over 1300 species of butterflies.Manu National Park is divided into three zones, the ‘cultural zone’, the ‘reserved zone’ and the ‘restricted zone’. Visitors are permitted to enter the cultural zone independently, where there are several native communities that welcome tourists. Access to the reserved zone is only possible through one of a very small number of tour companies that are allowed to operate there. The restricted zone is an area of pristine forest still home to a number of uncontacted tribes and is not open to tourists.

Kruger National Park is the jewel in the crown of South Africa’s national parks and no trip to South Africa is complete without a visit. Not only is it one of the oldest reserves on the continent but it is also one of the best organized and best managed to make it one of the top tours in South Africa. The range of species that exist in the park is astounding and any trip to Kruger offers a real chance to see lions, leopards, hyenas, giraffes, hippos and many more. Kruger’s population of elephants is flourishing and Kruger is also home to around a quarter of the world’s population of wild rhinos. For these reasons, it is no wonder that Kruger is also one of the most popular safari destinations in Africa. Here is a guide to the best times to visit.

A trip to Argentina isn’t complete without witnessing the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia. Imagine towering walls of glistening blue ice stretching endlessly, their jagged peaks shimmering under the golden sunlight. The glacier’s massive front plunges into the turquoise waters of Lake Argentino, where thunderous cracks echo as colossal ice chunks crash into the lake below. Framed by snow-dusted mountains and verdant forests, this natural wonder offers an unforgettable scene that feels like a dream.

Kruger National Park is world-famous for its great concentration of wildlife and the opportunity to observe some of Africa’s most iconic big animals, specifically the big five, in their natural habitat. Undoubtedly, no trip to South Africa can be complete without a visit to the park. Since, spending just a day in Kruger cannot be enough, there is a broad range of accommodations available within the park for all budgets. It can be tough choosing where to stay, so this guide to Kruger National Park accommodations will explain the different choices to help you choose the perfect base for your safari adventure.

The Big 5 refers to five African game animals: the African lion, the African leopard, the African elephant, the Cape buffalo, and the rhinoceros. These animals were originally called the Big 5 not for their size, but for the level of difficulty and danger big-game hunters faced when tracking and hunting these animals on foot. Bringing down one of these big five animals won the hunter a trophy, therefore making them the most sought-after African animals in the big-game hunting world. Over one hundred years ago, these five animals were abundant. American president Theodore Roosevelt himself embarked on an African hunting expedition and was quoted as saying the “African elephant would never become extinct” due to the sheer number he encountered. Flash forward to the current day and most of the Big 5 animals are currently listed as “vulnerable” or “endangered” species. Although hunting of all these animals is still allowed to some degree, Africa has put strict laws in place to protect and conserve each species. However, poaching has been and continues to be a concern. Nowadays, African safari operators and local hunting guides borrow the term Big 5 when marketing their tours and services. Visitors and big-game hunters who come to these African reserves will experience what it’s like to see these regal and majestic animals in the wild on their massive reserves or even experience the thrill of hunting one. In either case, it’s an accomplishment that is on many traveler’s bucket list.

Safaris are one of the biggest draws of tours in South Africa. If you are staying in the vibrant city of Cape Town, you might be far away from some of the main wildlife reserves like Kruger National Park, but it doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on safari experiences. During your trip to Cape Town, within a short drive, you can find a wide range of private game reserves, like Aquila Games Reserve and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. The Big 5 (elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and African buffalos) are the creme de la creme of the South African safari world, and you can encounter these amazing animals in a conservation setting. So, with that in mind, let’s dive in and discover the seven best safaris near Cape Town.

For many, the chance to go on safari and spot large wild animals, especially the Big Five, in the African wilderness is the opportunity to realise a lifelong dream and is an experience that few will ever forget. Yet there are many factors to consider before choosing the perfect safari that corresponds most closely with your expectations. One of the most important questions many don’t consider is of national parks vs game reserves. Both kinds have specific advantages and disadvantages that can lead you to the best safari experience. Here are some of the things you need to think about before making this important decision.

If you are planning a Chile tour you would be crazy to miss the Cerro Castillo trek. Located in the lesser known Cerro Castillo National Reserve, Cerro Castillo or 'Castle Hill' is a mountain adorned with sharp basalt cliffs that make it look a bit like a castle. Described by some as the ‘new Torres del Paine’, completing this trek is certainly no easy task, but is an incredibly gratifying experience. Those who take it on will have a range of different landscapes to admire as they walk, from gentle green hills to magnificent craggy, basalt cliffs, dusted with snow.Those willing to undertake the Cerro Castillo trek can expect vivid turquoise lakes, dense pine forest, irregularly-shaped mountain peaks and some exceptional panoramic views. Be sure to charge your camera up and take a spare battery pack before you head off, you’re going to want to capture this.

Isla Navarino within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the South of Chile is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in South America and features one of Chilean Patagonia’s most gruelling treks – the Dientes de Navarino trek. This trek might well be the best trek you could ever do in the great Patagonia and we'll bet you’ve never even heard of it.

While most people are familiar with Patagonia in the South of Chile, far fewer are acquainted with Chile’s Lake District. Greener and less rugged than its Patagonian counterpart, the Lake District is bathed in vivid green and peppered with brilliant, turquoise lakes. Blessed with gorgeous backdrops of snow-capped mountains and verdant valleys, the magical scenery of the Lake District gives Switzerland some tough competition.But this Latino wonder is more than just a pretty face. The Lake District in Chile has all kinds of exciting and exotic things to see and do; from exploring nature and getting an adrenaline rush, to getting in touch with its unmistakably Chilean cultural. Whether you plan on a tour of Chile's Lake District or heading out solo, listed below are the top things to do in Chile’s Lake District, in no particular order.