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Mountaineering Classes

Andean Trails Limited

Andean Trails Limited is a company based in Edinburgh, Scotland that specializes in mountaineering classes and sports and hobbies.

Introduction to Andean Trails Limited

Andean Trails Limited is an adventure travel company based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Established in 1998 by Kathy and Alan Rankin, the company aims to provide sustainable travel experiences in South America. With a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to responsible tourism, Andean Trails Limited has become a leading provider of mountaineering classes and adventure tours in the region. What sets them apart is their focus on tailoring trips to the individual needs of their customers, providing unique and unforgettable experiences.

Services & Products

Andean Trails Limited offers a range of adventure travel services, including guided tours of South America, mountaineering classes, and bespoke travel itineraries. Customers can choose from a variety of outdoor activities, such as trekking, climbing, and skiing, all led by experienced guides. The company also offers cultural tours, wildlife watching, and family-friendly trips. With a commitment to sustainable tourism, Andean Trails Limited ensures that all tours are eco-friendly and support local communities.

Location

Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Leith in Edinburgh, Andean Trails Limited is surrounded by a variety of businesses, including cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops. Visitors can expect to experience the local culture and history of the area, with attractions such as the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Ocean Terminal shopping center nearby. The company is easily accessible by public transportation, with the closest stops being the Leith Walk tram stop (0.4 miles away), the Newhaven Road bus stop (0.2 miles away), and the Ocean Terminal bus stop (0.3 miles away).

Benefits

Customers should choose Andean Trails Limited for their adventure travel needs because of their commitment to sustainable tourism and their personalized approach to trip planning. With a focus on providing unique and unforgettable experiences, the company ensures that every trip is tailored to the individual needs of their customers. They also work closely with local communities to support sustainable tourism practices and minimize their impact on the environment.

Good to Know

Customers should be aware that Andean Trails Limited specializes in adventure travel, with an emphasis on mountaineering classes and outdoor activities. While they offer cultural tours and family-friendly trips, these are still focused on outdoor experiences and may not be suitable for all travelers.

Reviews

Customers rave about the personalized and professional service provided by Andean Trails Limited. They appreciate the company's commitment to sustainable tourism and their focus on creating unique and unforgettable experiences. Many reviewers also highlight the expertise and knowledge of the guides, who are able to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts.

Amenities

  • amenity
    helmet
  • amenity
    harness
  • amenity
    rope
  • amenity
    carabiner
  • amenity
    climbing shoes
  • amenity
    belay device
  • amenity
    chalk bag
  • amenity
    crash pad
  • amenity
    guide
  • amenity
    instructor

FAQ

What level of experience is required to participate in your mountaineering classes?

Our mountaineering classes cater to all levels of experience, from beginners to advanced climbers. We have courses designed specifically for those who have never climbed before, as well as more challenging courses for experienced climbers.

What kind of gear is included in the cost of the classes?

We provide all necessary gear for our mountaineering classes, including helmets, harnesses, ropes, and other safety equipment. We also offer rental gear for those who do not have their own equipment.

Do you offer any customized classes or private instruction?

Yes, we offer customized classes and private instruction for individuals and groups who want a more tailored experience. We can work with you to create a program that meets your specific needs and goals.

What is the instructor-to-student ratio in your classes?

Our instructor-to-student ratio varies depending on the course and the number of participants, but we always strive to maintain a low ratio to ensure individual attention and safety. In general, our ratio is one instructor for every four to six students.

How do you ensure the safety of participants during the classes?

Safety is our top priority, and we take a number of measures to ensure that our participants are safe at all times. Our instructors are highly trained and experienced in mountaineering and rescue techniques, and we use only top-quality equipment. We also carefully assess weather and route conditions before each class, and adjust our plans as necessary to ensure safety.

Reviews

  • Sarah Davis

    We had an absolutely wonderful experience. Traveling as a family of 8 could have been really challenging but everything was lined up really well and went smoothly. I highly recommend these folks.

    28-03-2023
  • Erika Haydon

    Kat at Andean Trails was absolutely fantastic in helping us plan our multigenerational trip to Quito and the Galapagos. The accommodations, guides, transports, etc were all absolutely wonderful! I would highly recommend them!

    28-01-2023
  • Olly Woodman

    I booked a mountaineering trip to Equador through Kathy at Andean Trails. Kathy was very responsive, and got everything in organised quickly as I was booking at short notice. The trip itself was awesome, and the local company and the guides used were very experienced.

    28-11-2022
  • Cheryl Martin

    The service we received was simply fantastic. The personalised approach from planning our trip, and it being delivered exceeded our expectations. I will certainly look to use Andean Trails again for any future visits!!

    28-11-2022
  • Lucinda Mercer

    We just returned from a family trip to the Galapagos, organized by Andean Trails, truly the most fabulous vacation I have ever been on. First Tom (in 2019/2020) and then Kat (in 2021/2022) booked us onto the Nemo II for a 7-day island cruise, then into the Hotel Isamar on Isabela for three days. They arranged everything - flights, transfers, guides, places to eat, you name it. The guides on the boat and on Isabela were excellent, the Nemo II crew was great and kept us well-fed and cared for. There was the right mix of snorkeling, walking, and resting and we got up close and personal with so many animals. The Nemo II was a perfect size for 12, ranging in age from 26 to 66 with comfortable bedrooms and lots of space to spread out up top. I highly recommend Andean Trails for your Galapagos adventure.

    28-08-2022
  • Sean

    I organized a mountaineering expedition to Huascaran National Park in Peru through Kathy at Andean Trails. Everything went amazingly! Kathy was very informative and responsive to any questions that I had. Our guide and associated company were very skilled, professional, and nice. We can't wait to go back for another trip!

    28-07-2022
  • Marie Claire Becker

    The trip planned by Kat was just amazing! I am so grateful and happy to have chosen Andean Trails, it was the best possible way to visit the incredible Galapagos Islands.

    28-06-2022
  • Mariya Godsafe

    We just came back from Galapagos!! What a trip. There is so much wildlife to see which is equally inspiring and also highlights the fragile nature of their ecosystem.

    28-05-2022
  • Dunkeld Birnam

    Just been on the most amazing trip to the Galapagos Islands thanks to Andean Trails. Used them to organise it after a referral from Responsible Travel. Tom in the Andean Trails office was excellent and took on all my requests to put together a great package of cruise plus a few days staying on the islands. The flights from Quito and all the transfers were included too and the booking process was easy. One of the main plus points was the choice of the Aida Maria for the cruise. Being Galapagos built, owned and crewed it was keeping the money in the local economy. I can't fault any aspect of the trip. The islands and wildlife were as spectacular as I'd heard. The highlight for me was the snorkeling, especially with the penguins and sea lions. My only regret was not getting familiar with my underwater camera earlier and missing out on a pic of 2 hammerhead sharks! The crew on the boat worked tirelessly and kept us very well fed. We had two different guides during my trip, with very different styles. One was fab, the other didn't quite hit the mark for me but more on personality rather than anything else, but that's a minor gripe on what was otherwise the trip of a lifetime.

    28-05-2020
  • Neil Buckley

    We have just returned from 2 weeks in The Galapagos which we organised with Tom. This was our fourth trip with Andean Trails and as usual everything was great. We had a fabulous time, enjoying a variety of boat tours needed to fully appreciated this wonderful area. All the tours were different providing us with the opportunity to see as much as possible. We chose to island hop as we wanted to experience life on the islands rather than be confined to a cruise. This was definitely the right choice for us as we had plenty of free time to explore on our own. Thank you Tom, this trip certainly lived up to and exceeded our expectations. Neil & Julie Buckley

    28-05-2020