Family Adventures on the Rise
 Families looking for a good travel value will find it among
Ecuador's Andean haciendas, Mindo
cloud forest reserves and biodiverse Amazon rainforest. In Peru, kids love our
classic World of the Incas tour with
an emphasis on active learning experiences, quality time as a family and fun for all ages. Machu Picchu’s
history and alluring natural location will generate lifelong memories. Chile and Argentina have long captivated
families with the alpine charm of the Lake District, pristine
wilderness of Patagonia and vibrant capitals. If the best beaches in South America are your fancy, Brazil is
the place for sun and R&R with fantastic side trips to
Rio de Janeiro and historic Salvador! . Southwind ("SWA")
will be adding more family friendly itineraries in 2012/13 and our experienced Travel Consultants are ready
and eager to design custom Family Adventures on request.
Travel Fact: Those traveling with either children or grandchildren make up 30% of U.S. adult
leisure travelers. Family or multigenerational travel is the fastest growing rate of all sectors of
leisure travel.
M/C Athala debuts in Galápagos
 Recently refurbished, a high-end look and now under Ocean Adventures ownership!
Among the onboard improvements, all 8 staterooms feature new picture windows, a fully stocked
mini-bar (complementary for initial use), improved baths and interconnecting doors for families in
4 cabins. Guests enjoy a new larger jacuzzi on the sun deck and a retractable awning. Public areas
received new furnishings, interior and exterior ceilings and new flooring. Engines and generators were
completely overhauled and a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant helps to maintain Athala’s
conservation commitment. Four new double kayaks add to your enjoyment while cruising the islands.
Travel Fact: Take advantage of lower introductory prices for the rest of 2011 and an early
bird discount when booking a cruise for September 2012.
Southwind expanding to Central America in 2012
 Costa Rica and Panama will soon become available to travelers who have come to know
Southwind’s exceptional quality, value and personalized service. SWA President Tom Damon lived for
2 years in Costa Rica while working on ecotourism and sustainable development projects in the
early 90’s. Our Director of Operations, Luis Felipa, spent 3 weeks traveling throughout Costa
Rica in February this year. He observed capuchin monkeys, sloths and other wildlife in Tortuguero
NP on the Caribbean coast and at Manuel Antonio NP on the Pacific coast. Luis also visited Poás
Volcano crater, tried a zip line and searched for quetzals in the Monteverde cloud forest. White-water
rafting on the Reventazón River, horseback riding the slopes of the Arenal Volcano, exploring the
Nicoya Peninsula by boat near Tamarindo beach and hiking to the secluded falls of Rio Celeste in
the heart of Tenorio Volcano NP were all on his itinerary. Most importantly, he discussed custom
trip design and professional insight with boutique hotel owners, resort managers and local guides. This
winter Luis will continue his logistical scouting in Panama.
Travel Fact: Costa Rica is a model for worldwide conservation, this small megadiverse
country (about 1/5 the size of Colorado), boasts 186 protected areas, among them are 32 National
Parks, 8 biological reserves and 51 wildlife refuges. Almost 27% of the national territory is set
aside for some form of preservation. Costa Rica is one of the safest and friendliest countries
for travel in the world.
Chile’s Explora Patagonia Re-opens
 Salto Chico Hotel re-opens after mid-August renovations.
Here are some facelift highlights:
- spa redesigned with new flooring and ceilings
- pool improvements including massage area, outdoor jacuzzi , deck and soon-to-be steam bath
- new “Explorer’s Bar” with superb wine offerings
- downstairs dining room transformed into a lush lounge, wine bar and wine cellar
- new furniture in all common areas
In addition to the classic Explora transfer service from Punta Arenas, the hotel will offer a new
Argentina transfer service from El Calafate’s airport and main city hotels to Paine Park beginning
September 1st. (approx. 232 miles covered in 4.5 to 5 hours driving). Call SWA to customize your
itinerary to include Explora together with Santiago and the nearby wine country or the Argentinian
side of Patagonia, Ushuaia and Buenos Aires.
Travel Fact: Explora is active in environmental and social responsibility. About 80% of the
Explora team was born and raised in nearby Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas. The hotel supports local
groups helping at risk elderly and disabled children. Every year on Children's Day, guides take
children from the “Madre Teresa de Calcuta” children's home to explore Torres del Paine National Park.
Peruvian senior guide Romulo Lizarraga
Romulo is one of the most knowledgeable, experienced and professional guides in the Andes. This University
of Cusco graduate was born in Intihuatana at the foot of Machu Picchu. His grandparents grew up exploring
the region making Romulo a descendent of the local discoverers of Machu Picchu! Romulo has 24 years of
experience in the Peruvian Andes and has co-authored two guide books. He is married with two daughters
and is fluent in Quechua, Spanish and English. In the year 1875, Romulo’s grandfather, Agustín Lizarraga,
arrived in the foothills of Machu Picchu from Mollepata looking for new lands for agriculture. They
established present-day Mandor and began cultivating fruits, sugar cane, yucca and coffee. In 1902,
at age 47, Agustín expanded his farming lands and cleared vegetation below the Incarakay ruins at the
base of Huayna Picchu (the famous backdrop peak in Machu Picchu photos). There he found an ancient trail
up the mountain which he ascended to the current Machu Picchu citadel where Agustín made a small inscription
below the temple of the 3 windows that read “Agustín Lizarraga 1902.” Agustín and his family utilized the
current terraces of Machu Picchu and the main plaza for cultivation of maiz among other crops. In 1904,
Agustín escorted friends up to the ruins and later in 1911 he and other locals guided Hiram Bingham to
the citadel where they were hired by Bingham to help with the clean up and conservation efforts.
Want to travel with Romulo? If you are interested in having Romulo guide a personalized Southwind
Adventure for you and your party, please contact us.
Travel Opportunities
Small-group departures with openings for 2012:
May 26-June 3: World
of the Incas: A classic tour of Peru's heart of the Inca empire, the flavorful Cusco and enigmatic Machu Picchu. Early
Signup Discount is available (6% if signing up by Nov. 26).
Ways to Save!
Southwind offers several ways to save on our adventures,
including discounts for Early Signup,
Groups and Children.
Also inquire about Galápagos cruise specials.
Please visit our
Travel Discounts page for further details.
What's a Chaski?
"Chaski" refers to the messengers of the Inca who
would run along the kingdom's vast network of trails delivering
vital information. News, intricate communication, quipus -
knotted strings conveying regional statistics or perhaps exotic
foods were relayed between Chaskis as they made their way
towards the Incan capital of Cusco.
|
