"Southwind is the only company I've taken adventure trips with (besides rafting trips) and there's a good reason for that. I've never had a bad experience with Southwind so I don't see any reason to try another company. As long as Southwind has new, challenging adventures for me, I'll keep coming back."

- Ann Ehlers
frequent traveler

"I wanted to let you know what an extraordinary experience this trip was! Thank you. I took an African trip to Kenya with A&K and you are both equally excellent, however I felt Southwind was the better choice for South America. Your articles & maps were appreciated and you have excellent background material."

- Loretta Klassen
Galápagos & Machu Picchu

"Southwind is probably one of the most friendly, efficient, and caring organizations we have encountered in 40 years of travel. My only recommendation is that you continue doing what you have been doing. We have seen more personal attention in our brief dealing with you than with any other travel company. Our best wishes for your continued success. We hope to use your services again soon."

- Dr. Alex & Janet Ciegler
Manu Rainforest Adventure

Media Kit

This is your resource for information on Southwind Adventures, story ideas and marketing contact information. We have an extensive library of high quality images that are available for articles on the Andes, Amazon or Galápagos. Check back regularly to find out about new trips, destinations or trends in South America travel. Contact us to be included on our list of media professionals and to receive press releases and other materials. Indicate in the comments section if you are a travel writer, producer, editor, or other media professional.

Media Contact:
Tom Damon
President
Southwind Adventures, Inc.
PO Box 621057
Littleton, CO 80162
(800)377-9463 or (303)972-0701 fax: (303)972-0708
Email: tom@southwindadventures.com

Press Releases
Press Trips
Awards & Media Mentions

The Southwind Story

Southwind Adventures has its roots in the Peruvian Andes where Luis Felipa, Director of Operations, started a local tour company called TrekPeru in 1979. As the organization grew, top guides from the fields of archaeology, biology, ornithology and anthropology began working with Luis. Soon, trips expanded to serve diverse client interests in nature, culture, and adventure.

Southwind Adventures was founded in Santa Fe, NM in 1990 to further promote tours to Peru and the local staff, which had worked so hard to become successful. With strong ties to South America and a dedication to the practice of ecotourism, in which both nature and the local culture of host countries are respected and preserved, the company gradually expanded its partnerships and business relationships to include destinations throughout the continent. Eventually establishing itself as the leading company specializing in first-class nature, cultural and adventure tours to South America.

Southwind's regularly scheduled departures include programs in Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile. Customized itineraries account for almost half of company business. Prompt response to inquiries and flexibility in accommodating our guests' particular needs are company strengths.

Southwind has a personal style of travel and outstanding customer service both of which have been carefully developed and managed at home as well as in the field. Southwind clients are remembered by name. Every effort is made to see that each traveler's adventure meets or exceeds expectations. It is this commitment to the highest standards that inspires Southwind's vision for the future.

Press Releases

The press releases below are Adobe PDF files. Adobe® Reader® is needed in order to view. The program is free and easily obtained from the Adobe website. Contact us if you would like press releases sent to you in another format.

February 12, 2004
Qoyllur Rit'i - Peru's Ancient Festival of the Snow Star

October 6, 2003
Inca Sun Festival: Peru's Fabulous Inti Raymi Celebration

January 13, 2003
Southwind announces Inca Visions: A Photographic Tour of Cusco & Machu Picchu

Press Trips

Southwind can help you develop a unique story. We understand the importance of first-hand experience of a destination and its people in order that travel writers and photojournalists can share their own narratives with their audiences. We collaborate with our partners and suppliers to design itineraries that feature discounted (or complimentary) space for media professionals. Independent travel writers must demonstrate that at least one article is on assignment from a travel related publication. Please contact us to discuss how we can help you or your editors pursue and develop an idea for an article.

Awards & Media Mentions

Iconic Itineraries: Peru - January 2007
Condé Nast Traveler launched a new series featuring detailed itineraries for some of the world's must-see destinations. Working with Southwind's own "world's top travel specialist," Tom Damon, editor Brooke Wilkinson tested, streamlined and perfected the ultimate tour of Peru's highlights in this premiere piece, Iconic Itineraies.

Top Travel Specialist - 2005 – 2007
For the third consecutive year, Condé Nast Traveler magazine has recognized Tom Damon for his extensive knowledge of South America and exceptional customer service, as well as Southwind's connections and value. Once again Tom is privileged to be honored alongside the handful of select travel professionals on this exclusive list.

National Geographic Traveler - October 2004

Experts For Your Travel Files - October 2004
Selected as a top-of-the-line tour operator in National Geographic Traveler. Author Margaret Loftus complies a list of experts for when you need more than "your standard, surf-the-Internet sort of planning."

Best Regional Specialist - April 2004
Recognized in Men's Journal as part of their "100 Best Trips" article by David Nolan. Southwind was given the nod as the South American experts offering an "insider's perspective."

Ten Year Award & Recognition Customer Satisfaction

Ten Year Award & Recognition of Customer Satisfaction - January 2004
Honored by the Rocky Mountain Better Business Bureau for more than ten years of active participation (Southwind has been a member for twelve years), Southwind received additional kudos for having been "complaint free" for the past three consecutive years.

Trips 2004: Wild Horizons - November 2003
Southwind's Vilcabamba Exploratory Trek was selected as one of the World's Top 25 Trips by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. Authors Sarah J.M. Tuff, Katherine Koss and Kiya Bajpai reveal the best adventures for the upcoming year.

Top Travel Specialist - August 2003
Suzie Shride received this coveted Condé Nast Traveler Magazine award as an expert on travel to South America. Southwind's co-founder traveled to New York in October to meet other top travel professionals and receive her award.

Take It To The Limit- March 2003
Outside Magazine's "76 Dream Destinatinons" highlights Southwind's Continental Ice Cap Traverse in Argentina. Described as a "wilderness fix on the gnarliest mass of ice and granite this side of the South Pole."

Editor's Choice Award - November 2002
Southwind was a recipient of Travel Holiday Magazine's "Editor's Choice Award" for quality in travel.

Travel Holiday Reviews: Natural Selection - June 2002
Samantha Berman describes for Travel Holiday's Reviews section her experiences in Ecuador's Enchanted Isles aboard the M/S Alta. Her eight day cruise was part of an eleven day Galápagos Wildlife Odyssey, a trip arranged by Southwind Adventures.

25 Trips of a Lifetime - March 2002
Section ten of Outside Magazine's 25 Trips of a Lifetime is subtitled "Free Your Soul on a Pilgrimage." Southwind's Highland Vistas Trek, a combination of the Inca Trail with the Ausangate Circuit Extension, is listed along with the classic pilgrimage routes of El Camino de Santiago in Spain and Tibet's Mt. Kailas trek.

Southwind Adventures, Inc
PO Box 621057 Littleton, CO 80162 Toll Free: 800.377.9463 Tel: 303.972.0701
Fax: 303.972.0708 info@southwindadventures.com
Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm, Mountain Time

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