There’s more to see and do in Quito than just visit the Equatorial line and ride a cable car up a steep hill. Quito has a thriving arts scene and vibrant city life that many tourists miss unfortunately. Our top recommendations will get you off the beaten path, where you can soak up the local […]
02
Jul
Jul
You’ve paid for Galapagos trip and booked your hotel in mainland Ecuador, but there are a few more costs you’ll need to plan on paying once in Ecuador for your Galapagos trip. Below you will find a list of typical extra costs for any Galapagos trip. Keep in mind that your trip may differ a […]
Active Galapagos, Testimonials
Review of the Galapagos Islands Multisport Adventure: Family with 3 Teens
23
Apr
Apr
Wondering if the Galapagos Islands Multisport Adventure trip is right for your family? Our most recent review of the trip is a great description of the experience and evaluation of the tour. This family of five traveled with their three teenage kids (ages 12, 14, and 16) in April 2014. They booked a privately guided […]
15
Jan
Jan
Planning your international and domestic flights for a Galapagos trip can seem complicated initially, but they’re actually quite simple to arrange. Detour’s tips and suggestions below will help you plan exactly the flights you need without the headache.
Argentina loves a good party and it seems this is never more true than on New Years Eve. My own experience celebrating New Years in Argentina will remain one of my most memorable ever, but I wanted to know how typical Argentinians celebrate as well. The experts over at Wanderlust Expediciones let me know that […]
You’re all set to fly to Argentina where you’ll trek Fitzroy, sip wine, and learn to tango . . . but what is up with that reciprocity fee? This very confusing fee is a somewhat new requirement for US, Canadian, and Australian citizen to enter the country. But no worries, we’ve got you covered with […]
11
Dec
Dec
As a destination, Ecuador’s rainforest is nowhere near as popular as the Galapagos. That famous archipelago shines brightly on every Westerners bucket list, leaving Ecuador’s many other wonders into the background as an afterthought. But in terms of wildlife diversity and unique plantlife, the Ecuadorian rainforest definitely rivals the Galapagos as a must-see destination. Plus […]
Anyone can plan a trip to Machu Picchu, but it takes a real travel ninja to see the site in the wee hours of dawn, avoid the crowds, and hike to the top of Huayna Picchu. Commit these 6 insider tips to memory and you’ll get the Machu Picchu experience you’ve been dreaming of.
You want to visit the rainforest to see monkeys, caimans, toucans, sloths, and capybaras up close, not just sit in a tree and itch mosquito bites. So how do you maximize your chances of seeing pink river dolphins splashing in the river and macaws swooping in by the hundreds? It’s actually not too hard as […]
The end of December and beginning of January are the absolute busiest times in the Galapagos Islands (aka, the Christmas and New Year’s High Season). It’s pretty tricky to find an available trip over these dates, but right now, there are actually some discounted options available for those who move fast. ARCHIPELL I CATAMARAN CRUISE […]
Active Galapagos, Adventure Travel, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
Awesome Adventure Trips Without Camping
24
Sep
Sep
Love the adrenaline of whitewater rafting, high-altitude trekking, and singletrack mountain biking — but don’t enjoy camping? These exciting tours all over Latin America bring on the adventure without skimping on creature comforts when it’s time to hit the hay. 1. TORRES DEL PAINE “W” TREK WITH ECOCAMP DOMES By day, you’ll hike the famous […]
Dreaming of a Galapagos cruise at a discount price? In the Galapagos, there is a special, little-known time of the year when you can travel on a top-notch boat and during the best weather/wildlife season at a great discount. So when is this magic, sparkly time? The First Few Weeks of December. Do a cruise on […]
Adventure Travel, Ecuador Travel, Family Travel
A 10-Year Old’s View of the Huaorani Ecolodge and the Ecuadorian Rainforest
06
Aug
Aug
If you’re worried if it’s a good idea to bring your kids to the rainforest, I understand that concern because I used to have the same reservations myself. But after sending lots of families to some of the most remote lodges in the Amazon, I realized that kids actually dig the rainforest even more than […]
Although Costa Rica is in the tropics, it actually contains a dozen micro-climates so there is always somewhere amazing to visit any month of the year. No matter the season or region though, the climate is overall quite mild and rain is always a possibility. Our guidelines below should help with trip planning and let […]
Adventure Travel, Galapagos Cruise, Galapagos Travel
The 3 Best Times of Year to Visit the Galapagos Islands
12
Jun
Jun
While there is no bad time to visit the Galapagos, there are three times of year that are the absolute best for wildlife viewing, weather, and water temperature. Though the animals active all year round, and the weather doesn’t fluctuate very significantly between seasons, there are some differences from month to month and this may […]
Adventure Travel, Galapagos Travel
New 3-Island Galapagos Multisport Adventure: Floreana, Isabela, and Santa Cruz Islands
06
Jun
Jun
Can’t decide between a cruise and land-based Galapagos tour? Detour’s new Galapagos Multisport trip with Floreana, Isabela, and Santa Cruz Islands may be the perfect solution. On these few islands, you get to experience the Galapagos at a completely different pace than those on a cruise but still swim with penguins, hike to see giant […]
Thinking about a last-minute Galapagos adventure . . . .? The Angelito Galapagos Cruise has 2 last-minute spaces available on their April 7 – 14 cruise. This is one of the most highly regarded tourist-class boats in the Galapagos and on these dates, the Angelito will be visiting some of the best wildlife sites in […]
So you have a bit of time in Quito, but what to do? The most obvious choices for those who have a day to kick around Quito is either to have a city tour or get outside the city to see Otovalo. But what if you’re looking for a few thrills or just want to […]
21
Dec
Dec
My mom is a better hiker than I am. This was proved to me when we embarked on the epic Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek together. I had been traveling all around Latin America, doing adventurous and dumb things, thinking I was kind of a hot-shot traveler. My mom was totally game to join on […]
19
Dec
Dec
The way I see it, in the Galapagos, traveling by Stand-Up Paddleboard (or SUP) is way more entertaining and rewarding than kayaking. While I do like kayaking (I mean, who can argue with the ripped shoulders you get from some serious sea kayaking), SUPs really shine in the Galapagos. I’ll break it down:
Today we were informed that Machu Picchu will be closed to the public on July 6 and 7, 2011. Those who already have their Inca Trail trek permits will be allowed to trek into Machu Picchu, but it looks like they will only have until 10am to visit site. So those who haven’t yet booked […]
While resting atop a quiet mountain pass, overlooking the sweeping valley below spotted with deep blue lakes, my hiking companion and I had to agree that the Lares Valley was one of the most stunning places we’ve visited. We later chatted with our guide about how improbable it seemed that such a lovely place wasn’t […]
Detour announced today that it is donating an 8-day trip to Peru for two people to be auctioned off at the Prickly Pear Land Trust’s annual Harvest Moon Banquet and Auction. Detour, as a sustainable tourism agency, is pleased to donate the featured item in the Prickly Pear Land Trust’s (PPLT) annual fundraising auction, Saturday, […]
Most Sacred Valley tours follow the same well-rutted route: Ollantaytambo Ruins, lunch in Urubamba, and a stop at the Pisaq Market/ruins. Everyone leaves and returns to Cusco at the same time, so you wind up swimming through a lot of tourist groups during your one-day excursion. It doesn’t mean you should skip the Sacred, but […]
Many hopeful travelers have recently learned that Inca Trail permits are now sold out for the entire 2010 summer; so the most obvious alternative is the Salkantay Trek. But once you start looking into all the Salkantay treks, it’s kind of tricky to suss out the differences between each option. Our handy guide below will […]
Adventure Travel, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu Travel, Peru Travel, Trekking in Peru
Beautiful day in Cusco
18
Jun
Jun
Most people come back from Peru wishing they had spent more time in the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco, and I definitely agree with them. Before any trek, it’s very important to acclimatize to the altitude, but loads of travelers worry that they’ll be bored by having two relatively unscheduled days in Cusco. […]
You’ve got your sunscreen packed and your hiking boots broken in, but is there anything you’re missing? Here are some last-minute packing tips I’ve figured out (mostly by learning the hard way!) to consider before your next trip abroad. 1. Call the issuing bank for your credit/debit cards: If your bill suddenly shows a lot […]
I have to admit something embarrassing. The first time I journeyed to Latin America (to Peru specifically), I expected Peruvian cuisine to be more or less just like Mexican food. It didn’t occur to me that there are probably massive cultural, agricultural and cuisine differences, given that Lima and Mexico City are 2,600 miles apart. […]
We all know the biggies to pack: camera, undies, sunscreen. But it’s the small, multi-purpose items that separate the pros from the amateurs. 1. Plastic zip-lock bags Not just for getting your liquids through security, these babies come in handy when you least expect it. Caught in a sudden downpour, the ziplock will keep your […]
Before I reveal the best price for a Peru trek, I need to explain a concept I’ve been mulling over recently. When we think of the “best” rate or price for something, are we actually thinking about the lowest price? But maybe those words shouldn’t be interchangable, especially when we’re talking about something we really […]