Southwind has compiled a list
of companies, organizations and supplier websites that we use ourselves or past
guests have recommended as helpful. Please
let us know if there is a
site we should include on this page.
Books & Maps | Clothing
& Gear | Destinations |
Health & Safety | Non-Profit Organizations
Panterra Adventure Alliance | Travel Insurance | Weather, News, Currency & Other
Panterra Adventure Alliance | Travel Insurance | Weather, News, Currency & Other
BOOKS & MAPS
Adventurous Traveler
A simple, easy-to-navigate website featuring selected lists of popular guidebook series such as Lonely Planet. Purchases of books are actually made through Amazon.com.
A simple, easy-to-navigate website featuring selected lists of popular guidebook series such as Lonely Planet. Purchases of books are actually made through Amazon.com.
Amazon.com
An online megastore featuring books, videos, music and more. A great place for easy searches and purchases.
An online megastore featuring books, videos, music and more. A great place for easy searches and purchases.
Longitude Books
Our favorite online bookstore features a wide variety of titles including guidebooks, travelogues and novels. Excellent selection and easy to navigate.
Our favorite online bookstore features a wide variety of titles including guidebooks, travelogues and novels. Excellent selection and easy to navigate.
South American Explorers Club
More, much more than a bookstore this 27 year old organization is a great source for information, maps, music, handicrafts and gift items from South America.
More, much more than a bookstore this 27 year old organization is a great source for information, maps, music, handicrafts and gift items from South America.
CLOTHING & GEAR
Eagle
Creek
Purveyors and creators of adventure travel gear par excellence for 25 years, this site features a variety of bags, duffles, backpacks, packing accessories, totes and more. Each item specifically designed for those whose wanderlust takes them off-the-beaten-path.
Purveyors and creators of adventure travel gear par excellence for 25 years, this site features a variety of bags, duffles, backpacks, packing accessories, totes and more. Each item specifically designed for those whose wanderlust takes them off-the-beaten-path.
Ex Officio
Creators of lightweight, easy to pack clothing, Ex Officio has continued to introduce clothing innovations since 1987. Ex-O offered the first climate control vented shirts, moisture wicking, fast-drying clothes that provide serious UV protection, stain-resistant and now even bug repellant clothing were all introduced by Ex-O.
Creators of lightweight, easy to pack clothing, Ex Officio has continued to introduce clothing innovations since 1987. Ex-O offered the first climate control vented shirts, moisture wicking, fast-drying clothes that provide serious UV protection, stain-resistant and now even bug repellant clothing were all introduced by Ex-O.
Lowe
Alpine
The leader in mountaineering gear and packs since 1967 Lowe has expanded their product line to include technical outerwear, clothing, travel packs and more.
The leader in mountaineering gear and packs since 1967 Lowe has expanded their product line to include technical outerwear, clothing, travel packs and more.
Magellan's
Since 1989 Magellans has been a leading supplier of travel supplies ranging from electrical devices and converters to comfort products and lightweight travel clothing and luggage.
Since 1989 Magellans has been a leading supplier of travel supplies ranging from electrical devices and converters to comfort products and lightweight travel clothing and luggage.
Patagonia
Designer of active wear and outdoor clothing & gear of outstanding quality, Patagonia was among the first companies to embrace the idea of lightweight, high tech equipment with the idea of protecting the environment.
Designer of active wear and outdoor clothing & gear of outstanding quality, Patagonia was among the first companies to embrace the idea of lightweight, high tech equipment with the idea of protecting the environment.
Performance Bicycle
Nationally renowned bicycle chain, Performance offers excellent values in cycling gear, bikes, clothing, parts, & accessories.
Nationally renowned bicycle chain, Performance offers excellent values in cycling gear, bikes, clothing, parts, & accessories.
Travel Smith
This company provides the goods that made the going smoother, simpler, lighter and more convenient for savvy travelers. TS offers a wide array of clothing created in wrinkle-resistant fabrics that look great after being stuffed in a suitcase for a week or worn on the redeye overnight, and they developed lightweight, innovative accessories that make travel more secure and comfortable.
This company provides the goods that made the going smoother, simpler, lighter and more convenient for savvy travelers. TS offers a wide array of clothing created in wrinkle-resistant fabrics that look great after being stuffed in a suitcase for a week or worn on the redeye overnight, and they developed lightweight, innovative accessories that make travel more secure and comfortable.
DESTINATIONS
CIA World Fact Book
The facts and just the facts (no fluff here). Great for an overview of the politics, economics and geography of a country.
The facts and just the facts (no fluff here). Great for an overview of the politics, economics and geography of a country.
Frommers
Same as the guidebook series, this website has brief but accurate background information for specific destinations.
Same as the guidebook series, this website has brief but accurate background information for specific destinations.
Geographia Information
More extensive than the CIA site, this site has excellent photographs and more cultural information.
More extensive than the CIA site, this site has excellent photographs and more cultural information.
Lonely Planet
This is the most in-depth and versatile of the destination websites. Travelers can research countries or cities, buy the renowned Lonely Planet travel guides and participate in travel-oriented forums.
This is the most in-depth and versatile of the destination websites. Travelers can research countries or cities, buy the renowned Lonely Planet travel guides and participate in travel-oriented forums.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Center for Disease Control
The government's guide for health and illness prevention both on the road and at home. This is THE source to check for vaccination requirements and recommendations.
The government's guide for health and illness prevention both on the road and at home. This is THE source to check for vaccination requirements and recommendations.
High Altitude Medicine Guide
A well-written document on high altitude, its effects, normal acclimatization, preventing and treating acute mountain sickness. Great information for travelers to Peru, Bolivia, Aconcagua and other high Andean regions.
A well-written document on high altitude, its effects, normal acclimatization, preventing and treating acute mountain sickness. Great information for travelers to Peru, Bolivia, Aconcagua and other high Andean regions.
Travel
Health
Basic online country profiles, health information. The latter is not as complete as that found on the CDC site but it is in a more easily readable format. You must register with the company, Shoreland, Inc. in order to access the site information.
Basic online country profiles, health information. The latter is not as complete as that found on the CDC site but it is in a more easily readable format. You must register with the company, Shoreland, Inc. in order to access the site information.
US State Department Travel Warnings
Up-to-date fairly accurate travel information including some country facts in an easier to read format than those on the CIA site.
Up-to-date fairly accurate travel information including some country facts in an easier to read format than those on the CIA site.
US State Department Passports Services
The site for information on obtaining or renewing a US passport and other passport-related information.
The site for information on obtaining or renewing a US passport and other passport-related information.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Conservation International
CI applies innovations in science, economics, policy and community participation to protect the Earth's richest regions of plant and animal diversity in the hotspots, major tropical wilderness areas and key marine ecosystems. CI works to ensure that local people benefit from tourism, and that communities receive training and support to establish and manage their own ecotourism businesses. By creating direct links between the economic benefits of ecotourism and the protection of biodiversity, CI has found that people who earn their living from ecotourism are more likely to protect their natural resources and support conservation efforts.
CI applies innovations in science, economics, policy and community participation to protect the Earth's richest regions of plant and animal diversity in the hotspots, major tropical wilderness areas and key marine ecosystems. CI works to ensure that local people benefit from tourism, and that communities receive training and support to establish and manage their own ecotourism businesses. By creating direct links between the economic benefits of ecotourism and the protection of biodiversity, CI has found that people who earn their living from ecotourism are more likely to protect their natural resources and support conservation efforts.
Ecotourism Society
TIES defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." Members around the globe, including Southwind, work to create destinations, lodges and tours that challenge and fulfill traveler's passion for sustainable, environmentally- and culturally-friendly travel.
TIES defines ecotourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." Members around the globe, including Southwind, work to create destinations, lodges and tours that challenge and fulfill traveler's passion for sustainable, environmentally- and culturally-friendly travel.
IGTOA
International Galápagos Tour Operators Association members are tour companies and other organizations dedicated to the complete and lasting protection of the Galápagos marine and terrestrial ecosystems and all endemic species. The mission of the organization and its members which includes Southwind is to preserve the Galápagos Islands as a unique world heritage site that will provide enjoyment, education, adventure and inspiration to present and future generations of travelers.
International Galápagos Tour Operators Association members are tour companies and other organizations dedicated to the complete and lasting protection of the Galápagos marine and terrestrial ecosystems and all endemic species. The mission of the organization and its members which includes Southwind is to preserve the Galápagos Islands as a unique world heritage site that will provide enjoyment, education, adventure and inspiration to present and future generations of travelers.
The
Nature Conservancy
The mission of The Nature Conservancy's Ecotourism Program is to work with partners to better harness the potential of ecotourism as a tool for long-term biodiversity protection and local economic benefit. The Ecotourism Program uses guidelines, publications, training opportunities and technical assistance to help its partners and others develop ecotourism enterprises that are environmentally, culturally and economically viable.
The mission of The Nature Conservancy's Ecotourism Program is to work with partners to better harness the potential of ecotourism as a tool for long-term biodiversity protection and local economic benefit. The Ecotourism Program uses guidelines, publications, training opportunities and technical assistance to help its partners and others develop ecotourism enterprises that are environmentally, culturally and economically viable.
South
American Explorers Club
The non-profit South American Explorers Club is the best overall source of information for South America specifically geared toward independent travel. As long time members of this organization we use their resources frequently in planning and scouting new trips and destinations. Additionally, we have bought a lot of books and maps from them over the years. If you are looking to explore, conduct research or volunteer in South America, then visit this site.
The non-profit South American Explorers Club is the best overall source of information for South America specifically geared toward independent travel. As long time members of this organization we use their resources frequently in planning and scouting new trips and destinations. Additionally, we have bought a lot of books and maps from them over the years. If you are looking to explore, conduct research or volunteer in South America, then visit this site.
World Wildlife Fund
Known worldwide by its panda logo, WWF leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats through policy work to campaigning, on-the-ground action to education and capacity building. WWF has been active in Latin America for over 40 years.
Known worldwide by its panda logo, WWF leads international efforts to protect endangered species and their habitats through policy work to campaigning, on-the-ground action to education and capacity building. WWF has been active in Latin America for over 40 years.
PANTERRA ADVENTURE ALLIANCE
Southwind Adventures is a founding member of the Panterra Adventure Alliance, a collection of independently owned companies with common philosophies and a commitment to the countries and regions in which they operate. We are confident in refering past guests to each other with the assurance that travelers will be treated equally-well from company to company.
Southwind Adventures is a founding member of the Panterra Adventure Alliance, a collection of independently owned companies with common philosophies and a commitment to the countries and regions in which they operate. We are confident in refering past guests to each other with the assurance that travelers will be treated equally-well from company to company.
Alaska Wildland Adventures
Since 1977, Alaska Wildland Adventures has been leading high quality, small group trips and adventures in Alaska's national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. The company has cultivated a participatory style of travel that allows guests to experience the natural beauty of Alaska without compromising comfort.
Since 1977, Alaska Wildland Adventures has been leading high quality, small group trips and adventures in Alaska's national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. The company has cultivated a participatory style of travel that allows guests to experience the natural beauty of Alaska without compromising comfort.
MIR
Corporation
Since 1986, MIR (whose name means "peace" and "world" in Russian), has embodied the solitary passion of guiding travelers through this mysterious and misunderstood region once veiled by an iron curtain. Explore the far reaches of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, the Baltics, Central Asia, Iran, China, Tibet, Mongolia, the Caucasus and Central-East Europe.
Since 1986, MIR (whose name means "peace" and "world" in Russian), has embodied the solitary passion of guiding travelers through this mysterious and misunderstood region once veiled by an iron curtain. Explore the far reaches of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, the Baltics, Central Asia, Iran, China, Tibet, Mongolia, the Caucasus and Central-East Europe.
Snow
Lion Expeditions
Snow Lion has been sending both seekers and sages to the 'Roof of the World' since 1988. From start to finish, the company has developed a reputation for excellent customer service for each guest.
Snow Lion has been sending both seekers and sages to the 'Roof of the World' since 1988. From start to finish, the company has developed a reputation for excellent customer service for each guest.
Thomson Safaris
Twenty-three years of expertise operating safaris in Tanzania. The company is the Tanzanian experts.
Twenty-three years of expertise operating safaris in Tanzania. The company is the Tanzanian experts.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel
Insurance Information
Southwind Adventures highly recommend guests protect themselves by participating in an accredited travel insurance protection plan. This page on our website includes information on one such plan and a link to the company.
Southwind Adventures highly recommend guests protect themselves by participating in an accredited travel insurance protection plan. This page on our website includes information on one such plan and a link to the company.
Travel Insurance for non-US citizens
Good site for guests and travelers who are not residents of the US. Has a comparison feature that shows selected policies side-by-side.
Good site for guests and travelers who are not residents of the US. Has a comparison feature that shows selected policies side-by-side.
WEATHER, NEWS, CURRENCY & OTHER
The
Weather Channel
Helpful for predicting weather-related airport delays. International forecasts are not as complete as other sites the South American radar map is good. Click on world on the home page header.
Helpful for predicting weather-related airport delays. International forecasts are not as complete as other sites the South American radar map is good. Click on world on the home page header.
Currency Rates
Great site to check the exchange rates before you travel to a country that doesn't use US dollars.
Great site to check the exchange rates before you travel to a country that doesn't use US dollars.
Spanish Lessons for Tourists
Visual Link™ Spanish has taught thousands of people to be conversational before their next vacation. Instead of just learning isolated vocabulary words, you learn how to form complete sentences. This teaching method enables individuals to quickly start speaking Spanish. By the end of the first interactive lesson you can already form multiple complete sentences in Spanish. This is an exciting way to make your trip more enjoyable and culturally enriching.
