Seeking luxury travel to Machu Picchu? Embark on an extraordinary journey through the Peruvian highlands with our exclusive Luxury Peru tour. Indulge in the comfort and elegance of luxury accommodations as you explore the captivating destinations that have made Peru a must-visit destination. From the vibrant city of Lima to the majestic ruins of Machu Picchu and the enchanting city of Cusco, this meticulously...
Do you have a group of people who you enjoy spending time with each week? Are you ready to change up your routine? Mix things up by planning a group trip! There are a lot of advantages to group travel. Group trips are an awesome way to make memories and bond with others, whether you elect to travel with people who you are already close with or people who you are just getting to know. The social aspect of group...
Peru is a beautiful country with a diverse range of attractions. Home to lush Amazon rainforest, the ancient Incan empire, the awe-inspiring Andes mountains, and many other fantastic features, Peru is enchanting and exciting! If you love vacations full of adventure and culture, then you need to visit Peru.   When planning a trip to Peru, it is natural to start by looking for accommodations. Luckily, there...
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...
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...
**DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME CONTEST IS ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE**Southern Explorations’ ‘Trip of a Lifetime’ Story ContestCelebrating 15 Years of Award-Winning Latin and South America ToursAs we prepare to celebrate our 15th anniversary in 2020, 1 lucky winner and a guest will WIN a "Trip of a Lifetime" to Experience Machu Picchu or Classic...
Yes, it feels like 2018 just started, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about your 2019 South America and Central America travel plans! In fact, for some of our trips, if you don’t start planning now, you’ll miss out entirely, especially if you’re thinking of exploring South America in 2019 on a Southern Explorations luxury trip, particularly Luxury Patagonia....
The Inca Trail is a legendary hike that leads to Machu Picchu through the mountains and cloud forests of the Peruvian Andes. Only travelers with the Inca Trail travel permit are allowed on the trail. Permits for the Inca Trail have gone on sale a full three months early for 2018. Southern Explorations encourages travelers to book next year's trips to Peru now before the trail permits sell out.The Inca...
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...
 Trip Advisor is one of the best-known and trusted travel resources worldwide, and every year they turn to millions of travelers to vote on the best of the best for the Travelers’ Choice Awards. We weren’t surprised to see many of our favorite Latin American destinations grab the spotlight for must-see landmarks, destinations, beaches, restaurants, and destinations on the rise in the 2016 Award...
Travel Tip! Planning A Trip to Machu Picchu? Be Sure to Book Early!It’s never too early to book Machu Picchu tours. Only 500 people are allowed to hike the Inca Trail per day, and new government regulations limit the number of visitors who can be at Machu Picchu at any one time.Sights Of The Sacred ValleyAfter touring the important Inca sights in and around Cusco, many visitors make Pisac their first stop. A...
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...
Peru, the third largest country in South America and the nineteenth largest in the world, is slightly smaller than Alaska.With forty mountains higher than 19,000 feet, the country is a hiker's paradise. Its whitewater-rafting routes travel through idyllic scenery, from the Andes to the Amazon, and through two canyons twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Peru's reputation as a surfing mecca is growing. Now...
HistoryIn Quechua, the language of the Incas, Qosqo means navel or vital center. Since no early maps of the area exist, archeologists aren't sure when or how the city was founded. According to legend, Qosqo was considered the promise land, settled by the first Inca king, Manco Capac, after he left his birthplace, Lake Titicaca.During Inca times, roads from the four corners of the empire converged on Qosqo....