A hungry and happy group of trekkers after conquering the Inca Trail's Dead Woman's Pass

A hardy hike deserves nothing less than some hardy food — and on our Inca Trail treks you’ll get it; sometimes with little extras that leave a big impression.

For example, last time I was traveling in Peru my husband was celebrating a birthday during our trek. Surprise — a cake and candles were presented at his birthday dinner. Another personal touch the cook added en route was freshly picked avocado that was growing wild in the region. And each morning, our wake up call included hot coffee or tea served at our tents. A bit of a peace-offering for the early-morning rise — but it worked.

Enjoying a bit birthday cake on an Inca Trail trek

In other words, prepare to be spoiled.

This is just a sample menu, but gives you a good idea of what type of food and the variety to expect on your Inca Trail trek. Vegetarians out there (yours-truly included) don’t worry – you are easily accommodated and I promise you won’t have to make due with mere beans, bread and butter substitutes (that drives me crazy).

Inca Trail Menu

Day 1
-Snack: Chocolate bar, dried fruit, chocolate cookie, candies, banana
-Lunch options: Chicken pickled, bread, yucca, sweet potato OR Roast Chicken with salad OR Swiss chard pie with salad
-Tea time: three kinds of corn (grey, chullpi, white), cheese, coffee, tea, cookies, peanut butter and jam
-Dinner: Vegetable soup, Trout Meuniere, mashed potatoes, salad with vanilla flan or apple strudel

Day 2
-Breakfast: Oat with Kiwicha (a super grain like quinoa –think super oatmeal), scrambled eggs and bacon, toast, coffee, tea, cookies jam and butter
-Snack: chocolate bar, chocolate cookie, candies, tangerine and apple
-Lunch: Corn cream, chicken salad, avocado, olives, breadcheese and chicha morada juice
-Tea time: Tequenos rellenos (fried cheese sticks – they are delicious), guacamole, coffee, tea, cookie, peanut butter and jam
-Dinner: Tomato soup with grated cheese, Lomo saltado (soymeat, potato and rice), with strawberry jelly and peaches

Day 3
-Breakfast: pancake with honey, yogurt, granola, milo, coffee, bread, jam and butter
-Snack: orange, cookie, chocolate bar and candies
-Lunch: Macaroni salad with avacado, eggs, cheese, olives and basil with peach juice
-Tea time: pop corn, cookies, coffee, tea, bread, peanut butter, butter and jam
-Dinner: Inca soup (with quinoa), milanesa de eggplant con rice (eggplant and rice) and flan for dessert

Day 4
-Breakfast: Omelet with cheese, coffee, milo, bread, jam and butter
-Snack: red apple, peach juice, chocolate bar, granola bar and candies
-Lunch: Cream asparagus soup, causa rellena (a potato dish with or without tuna), salad and pineapple juice

You’ll arrive at Machu Picchu with a full belly!

Want to go?

Panama Travel: Much more than the Canal

And as the New York Times points out, Panama’s economy is booming, which means good things for infrastructure. “Even Panama City’s famously dilapidated historic quarter, Casco Viejo, has been transformed,” states the NYTimes. “The neighborhood, a tangle of narrow streets, centuries-old houses and neo-colonial government buildings, was designated a Unesco World Heritage site in 1997 and is now a trendy arts district with galleries, coffeehouses, street musicians and some of the city’s most stylish restaurants and boutique hotels.” Panama travel for 2012? Sounds good to me. Want to go?

Carpets of Semana Santa - Antigua, Guatemala Easter Festival

The carpet designs reflect Maya tradition, biblical symbolism and scenes from nature. The art of carpet-making is thought of as sacrificial because of the intense detail and amount of time dedicated to their creation, only to be destroyed once the processions pass.

For nearly a decade, we have shared this culture-rich event with our travelers on our Guatemala Easter Festival trip. It is a trip is designed coincide with Semana Santa and filled with spirituality, artistry, tradition and infectious energies. Want to go?

Airlines announce that starting Jan. 1, 2012 - all internal Ecuadorian flights - including those to the Galapagos - will have a fuel surcharge

UPDATE Jan 9, 2012 – For both Aerogal and TAME flights, fuel surcharges can now be paid in advance to our offices. There will no longer be any payments made locally at the airport. Please see additional details in comments section below.

All flights starting on January 1, 2012 to the Galapagos, will be subject to a fuel surcharge. It does not matter when the flights were booked, and applies to flights departing/arriving from both Quito and Guayaquil to/from the Galapagos. Travelers should expect the fuel surcharge to be roughly $70 for each leg; a round-trip ticket will see an increase of $140.

Depending on the airline and departure city, here is the costs for fuel surcharges for flights to/from the Galapagos for flights on or after Jan. 1, 2012:

Aerogal
$50 USD per way in flights to/from Quito – Galapagos
$50 USD per way in flights to/from Guayaquil – Galapagos

TAME
$70 USD per way in flights to/from Quito – Galpaagos
$60 per way in flights to/from Guayaquil – Galapagos

Why the increase?
In the past, the Ecuadorian government supplied a 40% fuel subsidy for internal flights. Officially announced earlier this week, the government is no longer offering this subsidy to the airlines, which means, in order to cover costs, there will be an increase in costs for all domestic Ecuadorian flights, this, of course, includes those to the Galapagos Islands.

There is still some mystery to exactly what travelers can expect to pay for which airline and whether or not this surcharge needs to be paid locally or in advance. We’re on top of things, and are eagerly waiting details from the airlines.

I understand that this is surprising and frustrating – believe me, we, and operators throughout the industry, share your sentiments. I will share updates as soon as they are available. In the meantime, please contact us if you have any questions on how this will affect your Ecuador or Galapagos travels.

Good travels and good cheer, from Adventure Life travelers, the Costas

We had the good fortune to dance quite a lot
Waltzes and cha chas, and of course, the foxtrot
The chamarita in Gridley’s Portuguese hall
When we danced in Peru, twas the most fun of all

For the Art Deco Ball, Joe donned white tie and tails
At the Gatsby picnic, his seersucker prevailed
Sandra dressed as a wench for the Renaissance Faire
To Dickens a silk gown and a bonnet she’ll wear

We traveled a bit, as we both love to do
A quick trip to Boston where they serve lobster stew
On his fly fishing trip Joey stayed in Dunsmuir
He caught lots of fish with a new partner this year

Our bestest trip ever, our trip to Peru
An amazing adventure to Machu Picchu
A few days in Lima, bumped into Mick Jagger
We hiked in the Andes which made our legs stagger

We ate the ceviche, and guinea pig too
A few pisco sours, goodnight and whoo hoo
Arequipa, a city of charm so delightful
The poverty there, overwhelmingly frightful

Saw condors, guanaco, alpaca and llama
Were guests of a family on Lake Titicaca
An Andean train ride which began in Puno
We gawked at the scenery all the way to Cusco

For four days we trekked on the high Inca Trail
A 14,000 foot pass our poor lungs did assail
With porters to carry all of our belongings
And Vidal there to guide us, we thought we were kings

Climbed on stone stairways which made our knees ache
Inca temples of stonework, their meanings opaque
Butterflies, lichen, and orchids in blossom
Our escapades there were amazingly awesome

Finally, this year, to hold Joe’s book collection
We built a library with shelves of perfection
The other thing perfect, is dear Joey’s health
Ten years without cancer, now how’s that for wealth?!

May your stockings be filled with good health and good cheer
And may happiness find you throughout the whole year

Argentina Travel: Bariloche's main city square

Here is an official statement released today (Dec. 12, 2011) from airline Aerolineas Argentinas regarding flights, closure and alternative travel:

The Bariloche airport was originally scheduled to reopen later this month but will now open in late February 2012. Bariloche passengers are being protected on flights to/from Esquel (EQS) and/or Neuquen (NQN). Ground transportation between Bariloche and these two cities will be provided. The travel time between Bariloche and Esquel is approximately 3 hours. Travel time between Bariloche and Neuquen is approximately 6 hours.* When passengers disembark in Esquel and Neuquen there will be a bus that will take them to Bariloche. When in Bariloche they should check with AR locally to find out about the transportation to Esquel and Neuquen.
…
Our flights to/from San Martin de los Andes (CPC) were scheduled to restart on January 01, 2012. Now the first flight between Buenos Aires and San Martin de los Andes is scheduled for March 04, 2012.
…
Also, El Calafate-Esquel-El Calafate flights have been changed to El Calafate-Neuquen-El Calafate flights.

For questions regarding refunds or exchanges, please contact your flight booking agent or Aerolineas Aregentinas directly.

Additional updates are available on Aeorlinas Argentinas’ website.

*Travel by bus between Bariloche and Neuquen can potentially take up to 9 hours.

If you have any questions on if or how this closure will affect your Argentina travels, please give us a call at 1-800-344-6118.

November 29, 2011

Dear Valued Travel Partner,

As you may know, American Airlines today took a necessary and responsible step to secure the future success of our company by filing for reorganization under Chapter 11. We took this action in order to become a more efficient, financially stronger, and competitive airline that is even better positioned to deliver for customers and the communities we serve. It will be business as usual at American during the Chapter 11 process.

In recent years, we have built the foundation for our future growth and long-term success. We strengthened our domestic and global network; fortified our alliances with the best partners around the world; launched a transformational fleet deal that will give us the youngest and most efficient fleet in the industry; and invested in our product, service and technology to build a world class customer experience.

However, to capitalize on these foundational strengths, we must address our very substantial cost disadvantage compared to our larger competitors, all of which restructured their costs and debt through Chapter 11. We are committed to working as quickly and efficiently as possible to appropriately restructure American Airlines so that we can emerge well-positioned to compete effectively in the marketplace for the long-term.

The Chapter 11 process lets us continue normal business operations while we restructure our debt, costs and other obligations. American’s $4.1 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments, as well as cash generated from operations, is anticipated to be more than sufficient to assure that all vendors, suppliers, and business partners will be paid timely and in full for goods and services they provide us during the Chapter 11 process in accordance with customary terms.

Our relationship with you is paramount to us, and we look forward to continuing it well into the future. Please be assured that our sales agreement with you remains in full effect.

During the reorganization, American Airlines will also continue to:

• Provide safe and reliable service. Our customers remain our top priority and will continue to enjoy the quality service they know and expect from us.
• Operate our regular flight schedule. There are no immediate changes to our service or schedules as a result of the Chapter 11 filing. We intend to maintain a strong presence in domestic and international markets, including our cornerstones in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, Miami and Los Angeles, while using the flexibility of our fleet renewal program to remove less-efficient aircraft in our fleet.
• Honor tickets and reservations as usual. Policies regarding exchanges and refunds remain the same.
• Maintain the AAdvantage program and ensure all miles and elite status earned by members remain secure and intact.
• Remain an integral member of the oneworld Alliance, of which American is a founding member, and continue our relationship with our codeshare partners.

If you have any questions about the reorganization process, please contact your American Airlines sales representative. Further information can also be found at AA.com/restructuring.

American Airlines has a proud history, and we will have a successful future. Through this process, we will enhance our reputation as a global leader known for excellence and innovation, a travel partner customers seek out, and a carrier that serves communities throughout the world. All of us on the American team appreciate your support, loyalty and business, and look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship well into the future.

Best regards,
Derek DeCross
Vice President – Global Sales

Huaorani guide, Eme, shows us how hunters call a toucan

Visiting the community of Quehueri’ono

An all round cool adventure in the Amazon, but that’s only the beginning…

A visit to the Huaorani Lodge is about learning about the remarkable Amazon forest from the people who have lived here for centuries. Community interaction and education is a significant part of this itinerary. The Huaorani Lodge is a community owned and operated lodge – designed specifically to help preserve the territory and traditions of the Huaorani community.

The fight to protect the Huaorani culture and environment first came to the fore in the mid nineteen nineties. Moi Enomenga of the Quehueri’ono community was featured by the New Yorker magazine and was the principle character of Joe Kane’s book ‘Savages’ (1995); an NBC television documentary later told of his struggle to protect his people’s land from oil companies. Moi’s experiences gave him a new perspective. He came to believe that ecotourism could provide a means by which his people might receive an income while maintaining the integrity of their culture and conserving their rainforest territory.

The ecolodge is one of the outcomes of Moi’s vision. The project to build and run the lodge was developed by the Ecotourism Association of Quehueri’ono – representing five communities on the upper Shiripuno River – and a well know pioneer ecotourism operator based in Quito. Low impact and local participation were given priority.

Carefully chosen expert guides (who have spent significant time with the Huaorani) and Huaorani community members join travelers throughout this trip. Not only are travelers accompanied by local guides on this trip, but they will also spend time visiting the Huaorani Community of Quehueri’ono. There is no set agenda for the community visits – sometimes visits will include a welcome ceremony, sometimes a dance, sometimes travelers are welcomed into a household for the afternoon, sometimes they help the Huaorani in the field… It all depends on what the community’s agenda is for the day. Travelers can also purchase crafts directly from community members. It is very common for community members to causally stop at the lodge and campsite to visit travelers.

Waterfall retreat from Nenkepare campsite

The Huaorani Lodge is one of the lodges that Adventure Life has worked with on an USAID funded project with the Rainforest Alliance. The purpose of this project is to support to community owned lodges in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The goals of this project include the preservation of at least 200,000 hectares of Amazonian rainforest in Ecuador — combined with training and technical assistance to community-owned lodges located in or adjacent to protected areas. The focus is on reducing negative impacts associated with tourism — and reevaluating the most successful and practical practices of responsible tourism. The Huaorani Lodge – as all lodges involved in the project – specifically requested to be involved.

Laurie Allread and Emperor Penguins on Antarctica's Snow Hill

By Laurie Allread
Iceberg! Iceberg! Everyone grabs their parkas and runs outside to the deck while other passengers view the sculptured ice from inside the warm ship while sipping hot cocoa. I’m getting near my destination I recall thinking. Antarctica is near. Now, as I prepare for the fourth trip to the white continent, I dream of seeing that first iceberg.

It is nearly impossible to explain what lures me back to the white continent for the fourth time. The first trip to Antarctica was to the peninsula for mere curiosity. The next two trips were to Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea to visit the emperor penguin rookeries. Each time I said it would be the last, but, now I find myself again traveling on the Russian Icebreaker, Kaptian Khlebnikov. This time I will travel from Christchurch, New Zealand to Antarctica for a 29 day expedition. Once again, friends wonder what lures me back. Undoubtedly, Antarctica is like no other place on earth but it is the adventure, uncertainty and the senses she stirs in me that lures me back.

Adventure always begins at departure. The duration of the voyage, the roughness of the seas or when the first iceberg will appear is always uncertain. This trip will be longer and rougher than the prior trips that departed from South America as I will travel through the roaring forties, furious fifties and shrieking sixties. These areas are known for their unpredictable high winds and large waves. Just imagine, Robert Scott traveled this same route Antarctica exactly 100 years ago in his wooden vessel the Terra Nova .

As a person who dislikes predictability, the uncertainty of Antarctica intrigues me. Everything about travel to Antarctica is uncertain. The environment dictates your every move. Each day is a surprise. I’ve trekked across the ice during a sunny day to see wildlife, had expeditions canceled due to severe whiteout conditions and been stuck in the ice for days. During this trip, weather permitting, I hope to visit the huts of the historic explorers and fly in helicopters along the Ross Ice Shelf and the Dry Valley.

No place stirs my senses as strongly as Antarctica. The ever changing light creates reflections in the ice and changes the vivid colors to pastels and back again. The numerous shades of blue and white go on forever. There is little point of reference to determine distance or size. I feel so small in the vast icy wilderness. It is an eerie feeling. Still, I feel so confident standing on the bow of the ship while it loudly breaks through the thick ice. But when the ship is parked in the ice, there may be complete silence with the exception of the cracking ice or the splash of a penguin or seal.

Happily, I have been lured back again but, this time I am not placing any bets about this being my last journey to the white continent.

Happy trekker at the top of Huayna Picchu Peak

Hiking the ruins of Machu Picchu itself can be enough for some travelers. But there are some amazing peaks to trek while at the ruins — and offer a rare perspective to the legendary Inca ruins. The catch? There’s a fee, and you’ll want to do a little planning in advance to save your spot. Here are some helpful details.

Huayna Picchu
Huayna Picchu or Wayna Picchu (Young Peak) is that iconic peak you see behind Machu Picchu in all of the postcards. Hikers start in the morning at Sacred Rock and pass through a gate that is open 7:00AM to 1:00PM. The hike is a 1-2 hour steep hike on a well-established trail, but the last 65 feet (20 meters) is a steep rock slab that is climbed with a ladder and a rope. Take care when the weather is wet, as it can be slippery. The summit provides a great view of the ruins as they spread out below you. Only 400 people are permitted on this hike per day, so if Huayna Picchu is on your to-do list, I highly recommend purchasing the $10 per person admission with us ahead of time.

Views from Machu Picchu Mountain

Machu Picchu Mountain
Another hiking alternative is Machu Picchu Mountain (Old Peak), which is the higher peak towering above the ruins opposite Huayna Picchu. This is a lesser known, 2-3 hour hike up, sometimes steep, stone steps through the forested mountainside. The summit provides a truly bird’s eye view of the ruins and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The last start time is 2:00PM. This hike is $5 per person; we can also help travelers purchase these ahead of time, but there is no limit.

The hike up to the Sun Gate is free and provides a priceless view of the ruins.

It should be noted that Machu Picchu itself has daily restrictions on the number of visitors allowed into the site. The number is capped at 2500 visitors a day. Daily passes into the ruins are $55. It is also recommended to purchase these tickets in advance, especially if you are planning your Peru trip during busy season or during an important festival, such as Inti Raymi. During this past July’s 100th Anniversary celebrations, the site met capacity a number of days.