Photo highlights of 2018
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From the Iberian Peninsula to Latin America, 2018 has been filled with many trips for the Pura Aventura team. We re-connected with some places in order to stay updated and spend time with old friends, and also visited a few new destinations to dig up some gems for you.
Hopefully you'll enjoy the journey through these amazing highlights!
Diego kicked off the Pura team’s travels in early March with a recce in Portugal’s beautiful Alentejo region. Spending his time on medieval pathways winding through chestnut forests, he was delighted by how pleasant and quiet this part of Iberia was at this time of the year.
Around the same time, fellow co-founder Thomas went to Cusco to meet with Gaby and Pepe in order to settle Pura Aventura Peru. He took advantage of his trip to explore the most remote corners of the Sacred Valley and design a brand-new Inca trail alternative, passing through small weavers' communities and unknown archaeological sites.
But Thomas didn’t stop there as he continued his journey to Santiago de Chile and guess what? He launched Pura Aventura Chile too with our long-standing partner and dear friend Camilo Silva. After that they both flew to Patagonia to explore the new Cerro Castillo National Park – an absolute gem.
Later on in May, Diego went to the Spanish Pyrenees to guide a devoted US conservation organisation. They provided a generous donation and vital income to the Pyrenees Bird Center, an organisation which aims to protect the glorious bearded vultures.
The following month, we hosted an evening for our beloved clients in Belgrave Square, London. The event focused on how to protect and benefit Peru and the Galápagos Islands via sensitive and intelligent tourism. We were particularly honoured to have the Peruvian Ambassador, H.E. Miss Susana de la Puente-Wiese with us as well as BBC filmmaker Richard Wollocombe (he of snakes and iguanas fame) to talk about their experiences and views on sustainable tourism in both destinations.
In late June, it was Laura and Luisina’s turn to visit the Picos de Europa to see for themselves why Pura clients love these little-known Spanish mountains so much. What is more, the wildflowers were in bloom, painting the landscape with exuberant colours. How lucky!
In July and August, Diego travelled to the Pyrenees - Agüestortes more precisely – to set up a new route for and then along the quieter route of Camino del Norte for some guiding as well.
At the end of the Summer, Leesa took her adventurous family of four to Costa Rica. Crossing the country from East to West, they all had a great dose of adrenaline: snorkeling with sharks in Cahuita, zip-lining in Arenal, horse riding in Guanacaste, having private surf lessons in Nosara and even spotting a puma in the jungle. Both kids and parents returned flabbergasted...
In September, Diego returned to his home in the Picos and guided a VIP group that came to celebrate the centenary of the national park. The trip itself was essentially our inn to inn walk route, but with the advantage of being with one of the founders of Pura Aventura and meeting local guide Victor Sánchez to walk up to his grandfather's mountain hut. Cirilo Sánchez was one of the pioneers of guiding visitors hiking in the Picos in the early 20th centenary.
He also organised a familarisation trip for one of our US partners which consisted in a 10-day ‘hut to hut’ journey across the three massifs of the national park...
In October, Thomas led a VIP group to the Rioja and Basque regions, sampling wines, eating wonderful food and walking the autumnal landscapes.
Meanwhile Greta retrieved her hiking boots from her wardrobe to spend a week walking between the most beautiful medieval villages of rural Catalonia - from lush, green oak forests and pine trees, to the rocky coast and sand – enjoying a pretty warm autumnal atmosphere: 27 degrees please!
Around the same time Chris visited Ecuador, immersing himself in the glorious Andes and deep Amazon jungle. Behind the wheel of his 4x4, he explored some of the most remote corners of the country and met a few of our invaluable partners in this wonderful country.
In November, Linda swapped rainy Brighton for sunny Argentina for two weeks. She spent a couple of nights in Buenos Aires before heading to the new Ibera National Park in the North, spotting incredible wildlife from her motor boat. She then travelled South to El Calafate in Patagonia and the magnificent Upsala Glacier. On the walking trails she saw various puma prints and loads of fossils too.
Diego went back to the glorious autumnal Pyrenees for another trip he organised for a partner organisation. They specialise in active foodie adventures, focusing on regional specialties. He introduce them to local farmers, winemakers, artisans and chefs.
Finally, to end 2018, David travelled to Costa Rica, where he hiked Cerro Chirripó - the highest mountain in Costa Rica at 3,821m - and uncovered some new gems that we’ll be showcasing in our tours this upcoming year...
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The Pothole is Pura Aventura's popular monthly email. We share what we love, what interests us and what we find challenging. And we don't Photoshop out the bits everyone else does. We like to think our considered opinions provide food for thought, and will sometimes put a smile on your face. They've even been known to make people cry. You can click here to subscribe and, naturally, unsubscribe at any time.*
The Pothole is Pura Aventura's popular monthly email. We share what we love, what interests us and what we find challenging. And we don't Photoshop out the bits everyone else does. We like to think our considered opinions provide food for thought, and will sometimes put a smile on your face. They've even been known to make people cry. You can click here to subscribe and, naturally, unsubscribe at any time.