Chaski News
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We named our quarterly newsletter after the renowned messengers of the Inca. Chaskis were each responsible for a section of trail estimated at 2 ½ miles, a route they knew so well they could run it barefoot on a starless night. Covering miles of Inca roadways daily, the swift Chaskis handled the intricate communications required to run the empire. Urgent messages, quipus knotted with vital information, or perhaps exotic foods from the jungle or the coast were passed from runner to runner, relayed from the far reaches of the kingdom to its hub in Cusco. This then, is our way of relaying information to you. SUBSCRIBE
Spring
2005
Winter
2005
Fall 2003
New! Cruises Out of Iquitos
We are happy to announce the addition of 7-day, deluxe Amazon cruises aboard the 16-29 passenger La Amatista, La Esmeralda and La Turmalina to our adventures. These elegant riverboats sail weekly upriver from Iquitos into the infrequently visited Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, offering one of finest natural history adventures and some of the best wildlife viewing along the Amazon River. The 2003 season in Peru
has gone very well. None of our guests had any problems beyond an occasional
delayed flight, and our outstanding safety record continues unblemished. We are
already seeing an increase in bookings for 2004. Save up to 10% per person by
making your deposit at least 10 months in advance (some restrictions
apply).
Patagonia Season
Gearing Up!
If Patagonia is not on your travel list, it should be. The region has been dubbed one of the 50 places of a lifetime by National Geographic Traveler and hiking in Paine Park is considered by Outside Magazine as one of the world's ten classic treks. There are now excellent small hosterías in both Paine and Glaciers parks that allow guests to enjoy civilized adventures - world class hiking, unbeatable mountain vistas, relatively easy access and low elevations (below 5,000'). Upcoming
trips:
Nov 14, 2003
Hiking the Patagonian Andes -
A non-camping departure of our most popular trip featuring Buenos Aires, Tierra del Fuego and Glaciers Park in Argentina, plus Chile's Paine Park and Santiago. Dec 27, 2003
Paine Towers Trek -
A non-camping, holiday departure of our best short hike offering trekkers the most bang for their buck! Group also forming for the Feb 14, 2004 departure. Jan 17, 2004
Bike Patagonia -
This classic trip features great biking and hiking through one of South America's most scenic regions plus an excellent look at the Chilean culture. Mar 05, 2004
Lake District Odyssey -
This new program is a walking and nature-oriented circuit through the beautiful Chilean and Argentine Lake District. Sign up by September 5 and save 5%. Custom Adventures Are
Popular
With more than 20 years of hands-on experience in South America, Southwind is well-equipped to customize an existing tour or design, from scratch, a special adventure for a group of friends, family or colleagues. If you lean toward something off-the-beaten-path or wish to have an in-depth or unique experience at popular destinations, a private adventure might just be what you're looking for. Reasonably priced, you get to see what you want, when you want, with your own special focus - be it wildlife, trekking, native culture, archaeology, biking or something else. More than half of our guests, now choose to customize their trip. One of the World's 125
Top Travel Specialists
Suzie Shride-Felipa, President and Founder of Southwind Adventures, was honored for her expertise in travel to Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Peru by her inclusion in Condé Nast's the "Greatest Travel Pros on Earth" article (Aug 2003). This very exclusive group is chosen for their extensive knowledge of a destination, strong relationships with local contacts, ability to work within a range of budgets, discriminating taste, unique excursions, access to places and people unavailable to the average traveler, and most importantly - solid record of satisfied clients. Suzie will be in New York Oct 8-10 to accept this award. If you have a group of four or more travelers and would like to meet with her to discuss your trip or have a private presentation, please contact us for an appointment. People are Talking
about Southwind Adventures . . .
"Working with Oscar made what was already a memorable experience unmatched. His complete knowledge of the regions visited was above and beyond any expectation for even an experienced guide, and his local connections smoothed any foreseeable difficulties before they could even manifest. The itinerary was beyond expectation. It was thoroughly thought out and built upon itself with a series of events that could not possibly be outdone - until the next one rolled along." ~ Dwayne Marsh - Private Patagonia (February 2003) "Our guide, Diego Canosa,
was tremendous! All of the people on our trip agreed that his knowledge of the
flora & fauna of Patagonia was extensive. He tailored our trip to meet the
needs and expectations of a diverse group. This is by far the best adventure
travel experience I have had. Nature has a way of rejuvenating a person and I
returned home full of joy and rested!"
~ Katherine Loberg - Paine Towers Trek (February 2003)
Winter 2003
New Royal Tombs Museum
in Lambayeque
Opened November 2002 and formed in the shape of a pyramid, this nearly 20-acre, three storey, state-of-the-art museum houses original pieces from the Sipan tomb (discovered in 1987 by a team of archaeologists led by Walter Alva, it was hailed as one of the most important archaeological finds of the century) and will be final resting place for the Lord of Sipan himself. This exciting new museum is featured in Southwind's 4-day Northern Peru Extension and can be added to our 12-day custom Kuelap Andean Explorer (available on request for a minimum of 4 guests anytime from May through September). Congratulations to
Kimberlee Dawn LaMothe and Fredrick Chikima!
Kimberlee and Fredrick were the two team members of Southwind's Aconcagua Climbing Expedition in January that summited on the world's highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. Despite harsh conditions that included 140kph winds and subzero temperatures that resulted in frostbite and frozen corneas, everyone in the group made it to personal high points past the Berlin Huts! Fredrick, a mountain guide with Thomson Safaris in Tanzania for their Kilimanjaro Climbs, is the first Tanzanian to have summited on Aconcagua. Good job everyone! If you want to attempt the Summit of the Western Hemisphere's Highest Mountain call about our Aconcagua Climbing Expedition It's February - so
Southwind must be hitting the road!
We co-hosted (with our partners in the Panterra Adventure Alliance) two private travel evenings this month. One at the Harvard Club in Boston, MA (Feb 10, 6:30-9:00pm) and the other at the renowned Explorer's Club in New York City (Feb 11, 5:00-9:00pm). Both were great opportunities to visit with past guests and potential adventurers, and let them meet Southwind staff face-to-face! Additionally, this will
be Southwind's 10th year attending the 13th Annual International Adventure
Travel & Outdoor Show in Chicago. As the specialists in Nature, Cultural
and Adventure Tours to South America, we've found this to be a great venue
to meet fellow travelers, share tales from your adventures, enjoy inspiring
presentations and discover new territory to explore. If you're in the Chicago
area, stop by booth #1019 in the South American pavillion. Held at Navy Pier,
the show is open to the public the following dates:
Southwind President,
Suzie Shride-Felipa, will present her slide show The Wonders of South
America: Andes, Amazon & Galápagos on Saturday February 22
at 3pm. For more details on the show, including directions to Navy Pier, the
event floor plan and discounted entrance coupons, visit
www.iatos.com
Intrepid Travelers
Wanted!
In addition to our classic adventures like the Galápagos Wildlife Odyssey or Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek, Southwind has many spring and summer departures to less frequented destinations that are guaranteed to operate or have groups forming, and we'd love to have you join us. Upcoming trips include:
People are Talking
about Southwind Adventures . . .
"Our experience in Patagonia was well beyond our expectations. We had an absolutely great time from beginning to end. The scenery was spectacular, Oscar and his people were wonderful, we were challenged and comfortable at the same time, even the weather was perfect. Thanks to you and everyone at Southwind. Our memories of Patagonia will stay with us always." ~ Holly Sacks - Hiking the Patagonian Andes (November 2002) "Every detail was
perfection! Everything went flawlessly. I definitely want to use Southwind
again, and I challenge anyone to do better."
~ Lawrence Starr - Private Machu Picchu & Amazon (October 2002) - third Southwind trip "We were both so
impressed with your guides in Ecuador . Their English was flawless; their
warmth and genuine interest in us having a good vacation enhanced the entire
experience. Carlos Ordonez ' friendly demeanor; his knowledge of the places we
visited; the perspective that he shared with us about each place; all combined
to guarantee that we would have a great time in the Quito area. You clearly
have the best agents in Quito."
~ Christopher Douglass - Galápagos Wildlife Odyssey (December 2002) Southwind's Family is
Growing!
Birth Announcements Francis Casapino, one of our top guides in Cusco and a favorite among our guests, and his wife Adriana, another great Cusco guide, announced the birth of their son Diego. We had the pleasure of meeting little Diegito in November and he seems as sweet as both of his parents. Our Cusco partner, Raul
Montes and his wife Rosa, have doubled the size of their family with the birth
of their daughter Fabiana in mid-December.
Fall 2002
Active Patagonia -
NEW Non-camping Adventures in Torres del Paine & Fitz Roy
You asked for it -- now Southwind Adventures can provide it! Spend a glorious day hiking the trails beneath soaring Andean peaks, photographing condors, grey foxes, and red-headed Magellanic woodpeckers and watching giant iceburgs roar off a glacier's snout. Then put your feet up before a crackling fire, glass of Merlot in hand and watch the sunset color the same peaks from the comfort of a charming lodge. Private baths and excellent food - snug and warm out of Patagonia's notoriously capricious weather! Any departure can be requested as non-camping. Call 1-800-377-9463 for details. Inca Visions Photo
Workshop Features Cusco's Inti Raymi Festival!
Scheduled June 17-26, 2003, this is an exciting cultural, scenic and archaeological photo adventure designed for photographers (experienced and novice alike) and travelers who want to deepen their knowledge of & ability to use their photo equipment while practicing the "art of seeing." After a stopover in Lima, we begin in Cusco, former capital of the Inca Empire, where we contemplate royal palaces and admire the precise stonework of the Coricancha & Sacsayhuaman. We then head to the Sacred Valley to photograph Quechua villagers in the community of Chahuaytire and explore the Pisac ruins. We spend the next morning at the Chinchero market and enjoy a private weaving demonstration by master craftswomen. In the afternoon we view the fortress at Ollantaytambo. Then, we're off by train to Machu Picchu where we spend two full days savouring the jewel of Inca architecture. Leaving the citadel, we journey back to Cusco and fly to Lima where we conclude with a tour of colonial downtown. This tour covers the technical as well as creative aspects of photography and includes early mornings and late evenings photo sessions as well as walking tours of 2-3 hours duration. July 05-20, 2003
Exploratory Trek!
Southwind has a handful of hardcore alumni hikers who can't get enough of trekking the Andes. You know who you are! Each year, we design a remote, interesting, high altitude trek to appeal to these wanderlust-stricken adventurers. This year's trek returns to Peru's Vilcabamba range - site of our first exploratory trek in July 1997 - but with the added appeal of recently revealed Inca sites! Almost unknown to the outside world, the cloud forests and deep canyons of the Vilcabamba, a region so geographically convoluted that authors have referred to it as an "inland island", hid the Inca rebels from the Spanish and have enshrouded the dwellings, terraces, cemeteries and other vestiges of several large Inca settlements such as Choquequirao, and the recently unearthed Cerro Victoria just 22 miles west of Machu Picchu! In addition to the thrill of discovery, we enjoy some of the best, off-the-beaten-path hiking the Andes have to offer with our route taking us from dizzying mountain heights to hot, humid cloud forest in a matter of a few miles! Southwind Receives
Travel Holiday's 2002 Editor's Choice Award!
Recognized for "quality in travel", SWA has had two programs, our Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Trek in Peru and our Galápagos Wildlife Odyssey in Ecuador, featured in Travel Holiday Magazine, and editor-in-chief, John Owens, personally sent Southwind a congratulatory letter along with a beautiful plaque. People are Talking
about Southwind Adventures . . .
"Southwind prepares participants far better than most other companies I have used. William Flores in Bolivia always went an extra mile to meet our expectations. Olga & Rosa in Peru are top notch guides and I got a good first impression of the Andean societies: culturally & economically. Machu Picchu is magnificent!" ~ Frits Tan - Highland Heritage Tour (August 2002) "Just wanted to let you
know that the entire trip was amazing--the trek with wild horses, condors, and
snow--as well as the penguins and boobies, and sea lions at sea. Thanks so much
for all of the assistance. Everyone involved was great. It was the trip I
dreamed of. Everything was great . . and the meals! "
~ Janice McIntyre - Antisana Trek & Galápagos Islands, Ecuador (July 2002) "The trip was
outstanding. I have a goal of a perfect vacation: physical demand, personal
expansion, aesthetic beauty, and cultural enrichment. Up to this point, only my
two-week rafting trip through Grand Canyon met all four criteria with top
grades. Now The Machu Picchu Trek vies for #1. It was a truly spectacular trip
from beginning to end, and I feel elated and enriched and enthralled, all at
once. We were not tourists watching the Andean world; we were visitors, invited
by Francis, to the hearth of the land. I truly believed that NOTHING could ever
challenge the Grand Canyon trip: it is a compliment of the highest order (and
one said with some degree of pleasant surprise) that I have TWO number one
spots right now. And let me reiterate again something that made it so special:
the warm contact that the two guides--Francis and Eduardo--made with the people
of their land."
~ Charlie Holmes - Inca Trail Trek w/ Lake Titicaca Extension, Peru (June 2002) New! Lake District
Odyssey - A Civilized Walking Adventure in Northern Patagonia
This dream vacation features the best of Chile & Argentina's Lake District, one of the most arrestingly beautiful destinations in the world, and is ideal for families, couples & individuals who enjoy active days, wonderful mountain scenery, friendly locals, great food and outstanding accommodations! Rolling hills & valleys caress the Pacific before soaring inland to snow-glazed volcanos. Quaint farms & villages, whose charming, gracious residents are descended from northern European immigrants, are carved out of dense, temperate rainforest lush with bamboo, rhubarb and fuchsia. Dazzling blue lakes embrace tracts of unspoiled forest, rich river estuaries and flower-dotted alpine meadows, all showcased in some of South America's oldest national parks. Starting with a couple of days in Puerto Varas, Chile, we next cross the Andes to Bariloche, Argentina via the renowned "Cruce de Los Lagos" route. After exploring Nahuel Huapi Park, we continue to Villa Angostura and then return full circle to Puerto Varas, stopping to enjoy hot springs and great hiking in Puyehue National Park! Departures are on request, most weeks from October through March, for a minimum of four guests. Panterra Adventure
Alliance (PAA) Board Meeting Held in Seattle, WA
As you know, Southwind Adventures is a founding member of PAA, five independent, travel specialists united to offer a greater variety of destinations while maintaining the highest standards as well as our own individuality. Our colleagues in this venture include:
One of the highlights of
this, our second annual board meeting, was the decision that each member
company will offer an exclusive tour to each other's destination, and each tour
will be hosted by an exceptional guide or staff member. So look for a Southwind
adventure to the top of Kilimanjaro accompanied by Raul Montes or a special
Trans-Siberian journey accompanied by Francis Casapino!
Spring 2002
South America - Among
the World's Safest Travel Destinations
Both Conde Nast Traveler (Dec 2001) and National Geographic Adventure (Jan 2002) magazines reported that not only are South American destinations close to home (typically 5-7 hours flight from a US gateway city) but that these days they are some of the safest destinations on the planet. Chile boasts the continent's strongest economy and political stability while Peru has seen more than five years of freedom from the problems that headlined US new reports in the late 1980's. Ecuador is prospering following the change to a US-dollar-based economy. As a precaution visitors
to any developing nation are urged to avoid political demonstrations should
they arise but because of Southwind's long-standing, close ties to our
in-country partners we are better able to judge risks, make alterations to tour
to avoid potential trouble spots and provide accurate, last minute safety
advice and information. In more than 12 years of operating tours in South
America, Southwind Adventures have never had to cancel a program due to safety
concerns.
"The red package
(pre-departure packet) was an excellent orientation to many things. We found
the information accurate. I just re-read the final documents and they are
extremely accurate. Only someone with intimate, up-to-date knowledge of what
was happening could have prepared them. Info about culture, nature, was good. I
think the close relationship, and constant communication between SWA and TP is
one key to your outstanding service. To me, that hands-on attention to
relationship building and consistent holding of high standards is crucial." ~ Lynda Fraser - Custom Peru Trek (June 01) |
