We love helping travelers plan unforgettable vacations for important milestones in life. We will help you customize your itinerary in a way that fits your budget, interests, and travel style, but that also reflects the magnitude of the occasion. We happen to know of a remarkable place that is perfect for your next special trip. Celebrate your special occasion in style with a trip to Ecuador! With its gorgeous,...
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...
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...
Single-use plastics will now be banned in the Galapagos Islands! The ban, created to protect wildlife and their habitats from the detrimental affects of plastic waste, will roll out in phases over four months and affects all residents, tour operators and visitors. New Plastic Restrictions in the Galapagos Islands, Starting the Summer of 2018 The Galapagos Governing Council announced the plastic ban in...
If you don’t know yet who Mark Wolters of Wolters World is as of yet, then allow us to introduce you to one of YouTube’s favorite travel tips and advice personalities. Wolters World videos provide honest first-hand travel advice to help fellow travelers get the most out of their travel experience. From the best and worst parts of travelling, to better preparing you for your vacation in a way that helps...
In 2005, Howard & Linda Payne made the decision to follow their dreams of pursuing the open road, exploring the world, and documenting their travels along the way on their website. The couple recently did some exploring with Southern Explorations, experiencing the Galapagos Islands and the incredible flora & fauna they'd always dreamed of seeing for themselves. This is their story. My wife, Linda, and I...
  This past week you may have noticed penguins taking over your Instagram or Twitter feed as World Penguin Day was celebrated on April 25th and proved once again that pretty much everyone, everywhere loves penguins. Penguins are without a doubt the most sought after wildlife viewing experience we offer at Southern Explorations, and it’s no mystery as to why. Across the 17 species of penguins,...
This past month, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) issued a call from the Galapagos to fight back against the plastic polluting the oceans, before it’s too late. “It is alarming that these plastics have invaded places as remote and pristine as the Galapagos, we must urgently change our consumption and production patterns to stop this torrent of contamination… We have to do this...
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...
Born and raised in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, a rural region of Vermont right on the edge of the Canadian border, Kaitlyn was an outdoorsy kid, snowboarding in the Green Mountains as Vermont kids are apt to do. She studied psychology in college and worked in mental health (child and family services) for a few years before finding herself crafting intricate and compelling South America and Central America...