Our Style at 'Andes'
Our trips are different.
Most of our customers find our trips better than the trips other companies run, and return year after year. Have a look at our Customer Satisfaction page for further details.
On this page we have tried to sum up what makes our trips different to those on offer from our competitors. But please note that what we give here are just examples. What you get on your trip may be different because we believe in the concept of genuine adventure and we also allow leaders considerable flexibility to run a trip in their own personal style. You can't package an adventure, so come to the Andes with us with an open mind and just enjoy yourself.
We take smaller groups with good leader ratios, so there is often room for some flexibility in itineraries and there is always more day to day flexibility when climbing or trekking. On the other hand we use fewer intrusive services in the mountains - there is unlikely to be a large mess tent, two cook tents and ten or more staff waiting for you when you get back from a remote summit. You may find yourself eating your supper while sitting out with a group of four or five others under the stars. We do use horses/donkeys and porters for quicker and easier access to the mountains, but we keep even these expeditions 'lightweight' and you won't be walking alongside a huge supporting column of porters or animals day after day.
Arriving at camp, Cordon del Plata 2008.
We lead where other companies follow. Many of our trips are pioneering, making first ascents or going into areas of the Andes where other 'commercial' groups don't go - yet. See our Firsts page for further details of some of our pioneering expeditions over the past 15 years. Eight years after we first pioneered a ski-mountaineering trip to Chile in 1999, Jagged Globe finally put one on their schedule in 2007 - by that time "Andes" had already run eight different ski trips to Chile. We first went to Colombia in 1999 and in March 2011 ran our fifth successful trip to this great country. Jagged Globe are again about ten years off the pace as they finally launched a Colombia trip for Christmas 2011.
We like to involve clients more in the day to day running of the trip. On our recent First Ascents in Peru trip several clients accompanied the leader on a reconnaissance trip and helped choose and check out the route. You might also get to visit a Peruvian supermarket to help your leader buy food. One client recently spent some time cleaning a stove that had been blocked by bad fuel. The majority of people find this involved approach much more satisfying and fulfilling than just sitting around waiting for things to happen. But please note that if you're tired or ill or even just can't be bothered, our leader will look after you. We don't run trips this way to make our leaders job easier, but to give you a more satisfying experience.
On the way to Aconcagua base camp, 'Andes' expedition January 2008
Dates and itineraries
Because we take small groups on our scheduled trips, there is often room for some flexibility in departure dates and itineraries, particularly if we receive your booking early. Dates quoted are normally provisional until we receive the first bookings on a trek or expedition. We have frequently set up dates for next years scheduled trips specifically to suit the first clients to book. Please contact us to discuss dates or an itinerary which would suit you if ours are not ideal.
Optional extensions
Many of our expeditions offer an optional extension for those who can take longer holidays. Sometimes these are extra weeks of climbing or trekking and sometimes a cultural or sightseeing tour. Please look for details in our dossiers or ask us about possibilities of extending the trip you are interested in. Again our vast knowledge of the Andes means we can offer you a comprehensive and un-biased choice
