When is the Best Time to Go to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu?

We recommend traveling to the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu any time from March through December. The most popular months to travel for both destinations is April and May, and trips sell out very far in advance. June, July, & August are the second most popular time to visit both. March, September, October, November, and December […]

Travelers Against Plastic

Detour is a member of Travelers Against Plastic, (TAP, https://www.travelersagainstplastic.org). Single use plastic is a problem everywhere in the world, but it is an especially large problem in major tourism destinations in developing countries, where waste disposal is limited and recycling is virtually nonexistent. We strongly discourage the use of disposable water bottles, even if offered […]

Love Your Feet – Bring the Right Trekking Boots to Peru!

Nothing is more important than making sure your feet are happy for the trek of a lifetime! Here are our recommendations for what boots to take on your trek in Peru:

Preparing for a high-altitude adventure in Peru

Without a doubt, trekking in the Peruvian Andes will allow you to see some of the most stunning beautiful landscapes in the world, bring you to remote villages with entirely unique cultures…and leave you, literally, breathless. All this beauty surrounding you is roughly somewhere between 9,000 and 16,000ft. above sea level; and chances are you […]

2018 Inca Trail Permits On Sale Now!

Have you been dreaming about hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? If you want to go in 2018 (and you should!), then you need to act fast! Inca Trail permits for 2018 are on sale as of mid October, 2018! This is by far the earliest permits have gone on sale for the upcoming season […]

How Much Should I Budget For A Trip To The Galapagos?

The Galapagos is a trip of a lifetime, but you want to make sure that you have the right budget for the type of trip you want to do. How much should you budget for a Naturalist Cruise? Luxury Class boats are very high end. They have spacious cabins with larger king or queen beds, […]

How Far In Advance Should I Book My Trip To The Galapagos?

This depends on a few factors: when you want to travel, how flexible your dates are, how big your group is, and how picky you are about your itinerary & accommodations. When do you want to travel?  The busiest times in the Galapagos are around Christmas and New Years, followed by Easter and Spring Breaks, […]

When Is The Best Time To Go To The Galapagos Islands?

There is never a bad time to visit the Galapagos! The weather varies little at the equator and most of the wildlife does not migrate. The “High Season” and “Low Season” in the Galapagos mostly corresponds with holidays. The Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter Holiday are the busiest times in the Galapagos, and it can be […]

How Long Should I Go to the Galapagos Islands For?

Because it takes time and money to get to the Galapagos Islands and the first and last days of your trip are mostly travel days, we recommend that you spend at least 5 days in the Galapagos. The vast majority of travelers go to the Galapagos for 7 or 8 days. The more days you […]

How Do You Get to the Galapagos Islands?

The Galapagos Islands are located about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador in South America. So how do you get there? First you have to get to Ecuador All international flights to Ecuador arrive in Quito or Guayaquil, the two biggest cities in Ecuador. Both of these cities have domestic flights to the Galapagos, so […]

Should I Go on a Galapagos Naturalist Cruise?

Exploring the islands on a small yacht is the classic way to see the Galapagos, just like Charles Darwin did when he traveled around the Galapagos. What is a typical day like on a cruise?  Cruises are slow paced. You wake up early in the morning, have breakfast, and then head out for your first […]

Cusco’s Top 10 List: What to Do and What to Avoid

At the two-month anniversary of my arrival in Peru, I feel ready to offer a little unsolicited advice about what I recommend as do’s and don’ts before and during your trip to Cusco, Peru, and the surrounding area. Listed in no particular order, I’ll begin with my list of do’s. TOP TEN THINGS TO DO […]

Should You Hike Huayna Picchu Mountain Or Machu Picchu Mountain?

Before you confirm your trip to Machu Picchu, consider whether or not you want to do one of the two permitted hikes that start in the Machu Picchu complex. One of the hikes is Huayna Picchu Mountain, which is the small sugar loaf mountain you see in the immediate background of most photos of Machu […]

Short Galapagos Cruises to the Western Islands of Isabela and Fernandina

on the Ocean Spray Galapagos Cruise

So you’ve done a ton of research, and you know that you want to go to the far western part of at the Galapagos Islands: Isabela and Fernandina Islands. But you’ve run into a problem! Most cruises that go to Isabela and Fernandina Islands are 8 day cruises, and you just don’t have the time […]

Extra Costs for a Galapagos Trip

on the Ocean Spray Galapagos Cruise

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 […]

How to Pack For the Galápagos Islands

If you’re like me, it’s the night before you fly to Ecuador, and you’re wasting precious sleeping hours agonizing over what to pack for your trip to the Galápagos Islands and what to leave at home. If you’re like my co-worker Katie, you are super organized and have everything laid out and ready to go […]

Celebrating New Year’s in Ecuador

Ecuadorians really know how to party, and New Year’s Eve is no exception.  If you’re in Ecuador for this super fun holiday, you’re going to experience many of the same traditions (like kissing at midnight), and a lot of very traditions you’ve probably never seen before.  We’re here to fill you in on everything you […]

How much should I tip on my Patagonia trekking trip?

All tipping is, of course, at your own discretion and you are under no obligation to tip. In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with the service you received, your tip (or lack of) will reflect this. Trip members can contribute towards a group tip to be shared among the drivers, assistants, cooks […]

What do I need to do about altitude sickness in Patagonia?

Generally, you should not be overly concerned about altitude sickness in Patagonia because the elevation is not too great for many popular hikes. However, if you are climbing higher than 3,000 meters, then you should take precautions.If you are in generally good health, then you can usually prevent or alleviate altitude sickness fairly easily. The […]

What is the weather like on the Inca Trail?

Considering the very high altitude, the weather on the Inca Trail is relatively mild all year round.  The rainy, cooler season is between November to March; the warmer, dry season is from April to October. The average annual minimum temperature ranges between 5°C and 11°. In the months of June, July and August the temperature […]

Will I feel safe traveling the Inca Trail?

As always, please use common sense when traveling to a foreign country.  Theft is now not as common on the Inca Trail, but you should always take basic precautions. Don’t take any valuables with you that you don’t need for the trek.  Leave jewelry, large sums of money, or any other valuables in your hotel […]

Should I visit Machu Picchu if I Am Afraid Of Heights?

Visiting Machu Picchu shouldn’t be a problem if you are afraid of heights if you take the train to get there.  However if you hike the Inca Trail to get there be aware that there are some steeper areas and some exposed areas on the trail.  This means there are chances of loose rocks and unsure […]