Ben Line
Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.
Ben’s love for Latin America was sealed in 1995 during a 6-month backpacking trip from Colombia through Central America and into Mexico. He later lived in Peru for a year as part of his Spanish degree and during this time was able to explore neighbouring Andean countries.
After a few years at an investment bank, Ben decided to pursue his passion for travel with a return trip to Central America. When he joined Journey Latin America in 2002 he was therefore already highly qualified and in the years since his expertise has grown yet further. He is now Head of Sales and part of our Senior Management Team.
The highlights of his travels have included the chance sighting of a jaguar in Peru’s Manu National Park; spending a month in hammocks on the beaches of Colombia’s coastal paradise, Tayrona National Park; snorkelling with hammerheads in the Galápagos and seeing five species of Penguin in the Falkland Islands.
PersonAL favourites:
Place:
The Galapagos Islands (which I’ve been lucky enough to visit 3 times), have to be my favourite. From the incredible powder white beaches to the abundant and unique wildlife, the world class snorkelling and sunset cocktails after a busy day exploring it is the place that keeps on giving!
Hotel:
Having stayed at so many incredible properties in Latin America it seems wrong to single out a favourite! But as I have to, I’ll say Explora Atacama in Chile for its sublime views over Licancabur volcano, the first class service and vast choice of off the beaten track daily excursions. The outside swimming pools are the best in the area too!
Excursion:
Now this really is a difficult one! It’s a tie between the arduous but highly rewarding trek up through ancient forest to the cobalt-blue glacial lake at the base of Torres del Paine’s icy granite towers and the trek from a stunning panoramic viewpoint of Argentina’s Upsala Glacier down through the Fossil Canyon to the wonderfully isolated Estancia Cristina.
When flying internally in Chile (or between Chile and the Falkland Islands) be sure to get a window seat on the left hand side when heading south, or on the right hand side when heading north. The views of the majestic Andes’ smoking volcanoes and +5000m snow-capped peaks, is an excursion in itself.
One of the most exciting excursions you can do in the Amazon is a night-time walk to spot the weird, wonderful (and sometimes a little scary) nocturnal wildlife. Be sure to pack a head-torch, preferably with an infrared setting to keep bugs away, which makes it much easier to see the wildlife than a hand-held torch.
