If you still haven’t made summer travel plans, consider joining me in Peru this July on what is surely a once-in-a-lifetime trip, trekking to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay route and celebrating an authentic Peruvian festival with locals on our Escorted Trek to Machu Picchu + Virgen del Carmen Festival trip.   We only feature this trip once every few years and space is limited to 12 participants.      Beneath the towering snowy peaks of Mt. Salkantay (meaning Savage Mountain in Quechua), we’ll hike along high mountain passes, meet local Quechua communities and engage in traditional customs honoring the spirits of the mountains and descend through the lush, bird and orchid-filled cloud forest to arrive at Machu Picchu.   You’ll carry just a day pack as we trek between comfortable mountain lodges, enjoying gourmet Andean cuisine, delicious wines, relaxing Jacuzzis and camaraderie each evening.   Pack horses accompany our group...

Wildland traveler Keiko Pitter recently returned from the White Continent, which she explored as a single traveler on our Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica Peninsula trip aboard the 92-passenger expedition ship Sergey Vavilov .  Keiko has traveled extensively around the world but called this Antarctica cruise the 'trip of a lifetime' and returned to us with a wonderful report of the experience, plus tips for travelers considering this trip in the future.  So if Antarctica is on your radar, either for the near future or a distant dream, keep reading for first-hand advice!   Why did you choose this trip over other trips to Antarctica? I've wanted to travel to Antarctica for quite some time, but just did not have the time. I had always heard that going to Antarctica without going to South Georgia and Falklands was a mistake, so now that I'm retired this was the perfect trip! I...

Forget your sweetie this Valentine’s Day? Avoid the wrath of an angry cupid and borrow a page from some of our friends in Latin America who don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14. Buy yourself some extra time with one of these lines… Brazil: Everyone is busy getting their Carnaval samba on, so there’s no time to celebrate on February 14th. Instead, Brazilians celebrate Dia dos Namorados (Lovers’ Day) on June 12, conveniently located the day before Saint Anthony’s Day who is known as the ‘marriage saint.’ Tell your special someone that you were hoping to declare your love with a trip to Brazil in June to celebrate the way the locals do. We can help you make good on your promise! In Colombia, February 14th means little more than a boom for the country’s flower growers as this South American nation is one of the world’s largest exporters of roses....

Inca Trail Permits go on sale Monday, January 7th! Permits for the Inca Trail Trek are now given on a “first-come, first-serve” basis. Therefore, if you plan to trek during the most popular months of the year (April-Sep) it is important to make your reservation with Wildland Adventures as early in the new year as possible when permits go on sale; many key dates sell out within the first few weeks of January each year. Immediately upon receipt of your deposit at the time of your reservation, we require your full name (as shown on your passport), date of birth, nationality and passport number and expiration date. To confirm your Inca Trail permit, we must submit this information, along with an $80 non-refundable deposit. The final deadline for securing a permit is 30 days prior to the trek, however the likelihood of obtaining a trekking permit for last minute bookings is...

Even though the falling snow provides ample opportunity to venture outside and be active, let’s face it; winter, especially the calorie-laden holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Years, is a difficult time to stay in shape. Having goals to look forward to, particularly if they involve both travel and a physical challenge always keeps me motivated and a trekking adventure in Peru can be just the thing to ditch your winter hibernation and get ready for an exciting 2013. If you are free in July, consider joining me on a spiritual, physical and cultural journey through the Andes on our Escorted Trek to Machu Picchu + Virgen del Carmen Festival . I’ll be leading an exclusive group of Wildland Adventurers around the sacred Apu of Mt. Salkantay, along foot trails of the Incas on this specially escorted journey from July 5-18, 2013. We’ll savor 5 ½ days of spectacular trekking between...