One of the many joys of visiting Ecuador is the variety of experiences you can have while you’re visiting the country. From the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest to the uniquely untouched Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is truly a special place to visit. When you’re planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands or the Ecuadorian Amazon, the big question is always, “should I stay in a lodge or take a...
A multi-generational family trip is a wonderful way to bring loved ones together and make meaningful memories. Each trip is special – so why don’t more people plan them? The truth is that multi-generational trips can take a little extra planning, which is intimidating for some people. The extra planning is worth the rewards! Before we get ahead of ourselves, we need to make sure that multi-...
A travel journal to South America would not be complete without a trip into Peru. From culture and cuisine to challenging, high altitude aha-moments, Peru embodies the history, culture, and abundance of all of South America. Family-friendly with tourist-ready infrastructure, Peru’s dry season from April to October easily welcomes multi-generational groups, nature lovers, and active adventurers ready to immerse...
Photo by Kyle Frost on UnsplashGive your loved one a gift that will endure time and distance with a trip to South America for the holidays. The memories of a visit to Central or South America will endure long past that new tablet or InstantPot (which, to be fair, is a handy kitchen tool), spurring smiles and great stories for years to come. Watch your partner or children’s eyes shine every time they remember...
 Although much of the Amazon jungle is still nearly impenetrable and unexplored by all but its local indigenous people, Amazon river cruises provide a window into this still mysterious gem. Stepping aboard the Aqua Nera for your Amazon cruise means leaving much of the world behind as you wind your way upriver into one of the world’s last unexplored frontiers. Travel in comfort and luxury through untouched...
At Southern Explorations we’ve had a lot of time to reflect and take stock of the beautiful Latin American places, people, and adventures we’ve connected travelers with for nearly two decades. While we are at home, we’re still working hard planning new and exciting journeys and ensuring that those of you who have trips scheduled are able to take them when the time is right.  Our motto...
The Amazon rainforest and river has long been a fascinating, mysterious destination for travelers, scientists and dreamers alike. Spanning more than 2.1 million acres and spilling over the borders of several South American countries, it is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. These books and movies about the Amazon will help you learn more about the unique beauty of the jungle and its people. When you...
Southern Explorations wins Stride Travel's "Top Tour Operators to the Amazon" for 2017 Awardby Samantha Scott, Stride TravelThe beautiful Amazon rainforest has an aura of mystery unlike many other places on earth. The jungle atmosphere is dense with humidity as partial sunlight filters through, due to the heavy canopy which hides thousands of fascinating creatures. This all combines to create an...
Our team of South America and Central America travel experts take great pride in expertly crafting intricate and exceptionally well-executed revelatory travel experiences. But sometimes even we take a step back and marvel at the duration, breadth, complexity, and variety of experiences baked into the itineraries some of our guests have us build for them. We’re talking about the kinds of trips that get...
We absolutely love to hear from travelers new to Southern Explorations, excited to chat with our team of South America and Central America travel experts, custom-building their ideal South America trip experience. But there’s also something to be said for how much joy it brings our team to welcome back Southern Explorations guests for your second, third, fourth, fifth trips, and beyond with us. When we...
If you’ve traveled with us before, you know that one of the defining elements of our trips is taking our guests off the beaten path, no matter the destination you’re exploring. With that in mind we want to take you even further off the well-trodden trail as our team of South America and Central America travel experts give you the heads up on some of our most underrated trip itineraries. Ecuador...
Southern Explorations is now offering a more intimate way to discover unexplored tropical destinations. We are excited to offer stand up paddleboard tours in some of the most coveted areas in South America - specifically, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands.As one of the first tour operators to offer land-based tours in the Galapagos Islands, we have discovered a new way to give travelers an up close and personal...
SOUTHERN EXPLORATIONS 10 YEARS OLD AND GROWING!2015 marks Southern Explorations’ 10th year in business. What started as a two-person operation in a garage has grown into a company with destination coordinators in several countries, customers from throughout the world and awards from the national travel media for our authentic trips and sustainability values. Southern Explorations has become one of the leaders...
Travel the Amazon with Southern ExplorationsThe Amazon and its tributaries are divided into two segments. The Upper Amazon is comprised of the tributaries starting in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil that flow into the Solimoes River. The Lower Amazon includes the tributaries east of Manaus and the main channel the rest of the way to the Atlantic.Just east of Iquitos, Peru, the north-flowing...
Birdwatchers Planning Your Amazon ToursMany species nest along the river banks making them visible from watercraft traveling along the Amazon and its tributaries. The region is home to the bizarre pre-historic looking hoatzin and the multi-colored sunbittern that emits a low whistle and has bright red long legs. All five species of neotropical kingfisher are found as is the horned screamer, a species as large as a...
The Tambopata National Reserve (TNR) is part of a 3.7 million acre conservation unit in southeastern Amazonian Peru created in 1990 by the national government working in partnership with local grassroots and international conservation organizations, including Rainforest Expeditions.This reserve protects the biological diversity of the entire watersheds of the Tavara and the Candamo Rivers and most of the watershed...