Last Frontiers Newsletter #15 March 2010

We receive so many wonderful and diverse pictures each year that we thought it high time to exhibit our very favourite photos. If you have a prize-winning shot taken from your travels and would like your image to feature in our up-and-coming photographic exhibitions, please let us know.

How Puerto Varas has changed. It's been at least 4 years since I last visited the pretty town of Puerto Varas, at the heart of Chile's southern Lake District, but I was amazed by the new generation of hotels that has sprung up. The best of the options now include the Cumbres Patagonicos with spectacular views across Lake Llanquihue, the modernistic Hotel Patagonico and the Hotel Puelche an excellent 4* option whose chef was trained by Heston Blumenthal himself! Hiring a car is an ideal way to explore the surrounding national parks and a good base just outside of town is the Hotel Casa Molino with comfortable rooms and beautiful views of the volcanoes - weather permitting of course! A hire-car is one thing but imagine exploring Chile's picturesque Lake District in a helicopter overflying the famous rapids of Petrohue and the breathtaking Volcano Osorno - wow! Such helicopter tours are now more affordable than ever, especially for families and include a stop at Peulla island for lunch - truly wonderful! Please contact us for more details.

From Puerto Varas, I hired a car and returned to my old haunt of Chiloé to catch up with friends and re-explore the island. Little has changed in the choice of hotels, though I was taken by the simple Hostal Palafitos in Castro and the new motor cruiser Ona that offers short cruises through the archipelago focusing on the traditional culture of the islands. Back on land, leaving the car to one side, our friends at Austral Adventures are now offering a wonderful 3 day/2 night multi-activity trip that combines a dramatic clifftop hike (including a visit to the unique penguin colony of Puñihuil) with kayaking through sunken forests of the impressive River Chepu - please contact us for details.

We love Peru! No other country in South America offers such an incredible mix of scenery, wildlife and culture not to mention the wealth of fascinating pre-colombian and inca ruins - Machu Picchu is just the tip of the iceberg! If you are considering a visit, why not escape from the well trodden tourist circuits and tours and add a splash of adventure to your trip? Our friends at Amazonas Explorer have launched a series of hiking, riding and rafting side-trips for all abilities to complement any visit into the inca heartland. In the Sacred Valley, why not leave the road and spend a day mountain biking (downhill of course!) through the famous saltflats of Maras and ruins of Moray? Or how about a day’s hike to the stunning and lesser know inca site of Huchuy Qosqo with wonderful views over the Vilcabamba range? You may even like to spend a night camping under the stars next to the atmospheric ruins themselves.

In Cusco, the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Tambomachay are an integral part of any city tour, but you could avoid the tour buses and make a day of it by visiting the sites on horseback or even on foot - there are a number of a beautiful trails to explore. Or even rafting. Why not join Amazonas Explorer for an exhilarating afternoon paddling down the upper reaches of the Urubamba to enjoy the beautiful scenery from a totally different perspective. These are just a few of the activities that will make a real difference to your trip and which are also ideal preparation if you have already decided upon hiking the Inca Trail or joining a Mountain Lodges of Peru departure. In Peru, a little imagination goes a long way!

I made a return visit to Colombia just before Christmas, where the festive decorations were out in force, a real highlight! The coffee area around Pereira was a delight - gorgeous boutique-style hotels in lush tropical gardens such as Hacienda Sazagua and San José, and nearby sulphuric hot springs nestling beneath cascading waterfalls on the mountain side behind. I climbed the high snow peak of El Ruiz in Los Nevados national park and learnt how to hike and breathe (at the same time!) at an altitude of 4,900m, spectactular views of the summit swirling in and out of the mist.

For a complete contrast I flew to the Caribbean islands of San Andrés and Providencia, just off the coast of Nicaragua and with the third longest reef in the world. There I discovered a very warm welcome in the simple lodgings run by the friendly islanders, my favourites were Cabañas Agua Dulce and Posada del Mar. Entertainment on Providencia included dancing with the locals under the stars on Roland the rasta's beach and seeing no fewer than five shooting stars in the brilliant night sky (nothing to do with the rum and coconut cocktails). For anyone wanting to get right off the beaten track, this little-visited part of Colombia comes highly recommended.

Chartering a boat or taking over a villa is a great way to celebrate a special event with family and friends. We have had many groups of friends and families charter a Galapagos cruise boat and it's a great way to ensure that you get the most out of the experience and share it with those you enjoy spending time with. As well as Galapagos cruises there are a number of other options, such as the Noctiluca traditional wooden boat that sails through the fjords of southern Chile and to the awe-inspiring San Rafael Glacier. There are also some fantastic private beach properties in Brazil and Mexico, city apartments in Rio and Buenos Aires, or you could even take over an entire coffee finca in Colombia, or a colonial sisal hacienda in Mexico. There are many options and we would arrange everything for you so you can relax and enjoy the experience at your own pace.

Our top 3 suggestions are:

• Sagitta - Galapagos Cruise (accommodating up to 14)
• Noctiluca - Chilean Fjord cruise (accommodating up to 8)
• Jardin Escondido townhouse in Palermo, Buenos Aires (accommodating up to 14)