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SE Newsletter - Vol. 2, Issue 1 - September 2006

SOUTH AMERICA TOURS

CENTRAL AMERICA TOURS

GALAPAGOS NEWS

Sister Craft
Eric, Letty & Flamingo

Reserve Your Space Early!

As interest in visiting these world famous islands continues to grow, Galapagos cruise availability is becoming increasingly limited. Many boats and land-based tours are selling out well into 2007 and space is even more difficult during the holiday seasons. Luckily, for sold-out Christmas 2007 we have space blocked aboard the first-class cruise Eric/Letty/Flamingo and for our popular Galapagos Multi Sport trip; please contact us for details. For those intrigued by experiencing the world famous Enchanted Isles anytime this upcoming year, please contact us now to ensure space for your once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

Passengers from
Polaris go Ashore

New Cruises and Land Tours

To meet this mounting demand for Galapagos trips, we have recently added several yachts: the brand new catamaran Athala and the cruise ships the Polaris and Islander. As an excellent alternative to the traditional island cruise, we also lately began offering two additional active, land-based tours: the Galapagos Kayaking Adventure, designed for the paddle-enthusiast, and the Galapagos Hiking Adventure, which allows you to trek off the beaten path.

New Boats Coming Soon!

The brand-new Tip Top IV and, the English schooner the Beagle, the first-class motor yacht the San Jose, the SCUBA dive specialized Sky Dancer, the beautiful square-rigged Mary Anne.

TRIPS BY ACTIVITY

PATAGONIA TOURS

Optional Whale Watching
Available Jul-Dec

Welcome Argentinean Patagonia Tours

As the 2006 - 2007 Patagonia season approaches, our trips through Argentina are becoming increasingly popular. Travel through stylish Buenos Aires on your way to the ends of the world with our new Argentina tours: the comfy Patagonia Highlights and active Patagonia Hiking Adventure trips take you through Argentinean Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost part of the Americas.

New Chile Trips

We have also expanded our Chile trips, adding a Lodge-Based "W" Hike, allowing you to visit the highlights of Torres del Paine in comfort, and our Adventure Patagonia, which pairs rafting the world class Futaleufu River with the Classic "W" Hike for an journey featuring the two best areas of the Chilean Patagonia.

Chile and Argentina Combo Tours

Take lots of breaks during
Patagonia Hiking Panorama

A combination of travel through Chile and Argentina is a wonderful way to see the best Patagonia has to offer. Both our Patagonia Hiking Panorama and Luxury Patagonia tours allow you to experience Patagonia's amazing wilderness from Argentina's Fitz Roy National Park to Chile's Torres del Paine.

PERU NEWS

Porters on the final day
of the Classic Inca Trail

Inca Trail Permits Sold Out?!

Want to hike the Inca trail this season? If so, book your trip soon but it'll have to be for dates beginning November as Inca trail permits are sold out through October. With only 175 travelers allowed on the Inca Trail each day, along with increasing demand for the precious but limited permits, spaces fill up quickly and only travelers who plan ahead will be lucky enough to make this specific trek to Machu Picchu.

Short Inca Trail

Quechua Children from
high above the Sacred Valley

In response to the wishes of our customers, last year we added a Short Inca Trail trip that enables travelers to hike to Machu Picchu in one day. It is a perfect itinerary for those who enjoy trekking but don't like to camp. One recent passenger said: We had a fantastic time. I would recommend the trip and your company to others. I enjoyed the shortened Inca trail option that you provided, because it was a great balance for someone that wanted to hike (my boyfriend) but not camp (me). -Stacy Scherf. (The Alternative Inca Trail trip is still subject to the permit limitations described above.)

Alternative Inca Trail

See Authentic Peru on our
Alternative Inca Trail

If you are interested in trekking the Inca trail, but find yourself left without permits we have another option for you! Our Alternative Inca Trail trek takes you along the least populated path to Peru's most popular ruins: the hidden city of Machu Picchu. This tour provides opportunities to see the Incas' cultural traditions and engineering feats through the Sacred Valley while mingling with the indigenous populations who today make their home in the Inca heartland. This trek, which does not require permits and circumvents the busier Classic Inca Trail, is a great option for those looking for a solid trek combined with an authentic cultural experience.

Non-Trekking Routes to Machu Picchu

Even if Inca Trail permits are sold out but you have a burning desire to get to Machu Picchu that won't wait until next year you CAN still get there! Machu Picchu is accessible via train from Cusco and we have some great itineraries using this option.

SEASONAL NOTES

Brighten up your Winter
with a getaway to Costa Rica

Best Winter Vacations

Looking to brighten up this upcoming chilly winter season? South of the equator, summer generally lasts from late December until April, so why not trade in sleet and snow for blue skies and warm ocean currents with a rejuvenating South American tour? Costa Rica, the Galapagos, Patagonia and Peru all offer great travel options. Click here for our suggestions on how to beat the winter blues. . .

SOUTHERN EXPLORATIONS UPDATES

Southern Explorations Moving Offices

With our increase in staff members, we are expanding and moving to a larger office later this month to the heart of the vibrant Fremont neighborhood of Seattle. This relocation will increase our efficiency, give us room as we continue to grow, and, most importantly, help us serve our customers better.

The View from the Center of the Universe

SPECIALS

Galapagos

$400 off all departures from September 9th to December 16th aboard the luxurious Parranda, Alta, Evolution, and Mistral.

$375 off a cruise aboard the sailboat Sagitta for the November 17 - 23 departure.

Peru

$100 off last minute October cultural departures:

Experience Machu Picchu. October 7 - 1

Amazon & Machu Picchu. October 5 - 13

Machu Picchu &Lake Titicaca. October 7 - 15

Peru Highlights. October 5 - 15

$100 off Peru trekking tours:

Classic Inca Trail. November 10 - 19

Classic Inca Trail. December 22 - 31

Amazon & Inca Trail. December 20 - 31

Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca. December 22 - January 2

Discover Peru. December 20 - January 2

Patagonia

$100 off Torres Del Paine "W" hike. November 19-25 & February 18-24

$100 off Patagonia Hiking Adventure. February 2 - 13

Specials are based on availability and change frequently. Check our specials page often for an offer on your specific dream vacation.

© 2006 Southern Explorations LLC.

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