Quito, Ecuador is a unique city full of rich culture, engaging history, and beautiful scenery. Sadly, it is often overlooked, as many think of it as nothing more than a jumping off point for a trip to the Galapagos Islands. If this has been your mindset, then you’ve been missing out. Quito has a lot to offer visitors in its own right. It’s about time you experienced Quito! Fall in Love With Quito...
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,...
Today we have Kaitlyn, one of our adventure travel planners at Southern Explorations, joining us to talk about her recent trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. As a seasoned travel planner, Kaitlyn understands the importance of firsthand experience when it comes to recommending destinations, accommodations, and activities to travelers. Let's hear what she has to say about her most recent trip.Can you give...
The Galapagos Islands gained international fame after a visit from Charles Darwin in 1835, when the scientist discovered many species found nowhere else on earth, and many others that had adapted specifically to the island environment they called home. Darwin’s theories of evolution are supported by many of the species that are found here, due to the differences in the species that vary from island to island...
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...
The Galapagos Islands are an in-demand travel destination. With gorgeous scenery, unbelievable wildlife, and various outdoor adventure activities, these incredible islands are worth exploring! There are many ways to visit the Galapagos Islands, so it is easy to customize your trip to suit your needs. Not sure where to start? We recommend a lesser-known option: a Galapagos lodge-based trip! The Galapagos Islands...
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-...
There are two distinct Galapagos Island travel experiences. You can travel by land, island-hopping while staying in small towns and unique lodges. This experience offers a more immersive adventure on each island and maximizes your time. Alternatively, small-ship cruises take you to further corners of the archipelago, but at the expense of time on terra firma. Galapagos cruises remain a perennial favorite, but with...
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...
The Galapagos Islands, secluded in the Pacific Ocean six-hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador, have long enticed intrepid travelers and wildlife aficionados. The unique ecosystem that fascinated Darwin with its pristine waters and rare wildlife can be visited in a way not seen in decades: undisturbed. Thanks to thorough Covid-19 protocols, testing and vaccination, and widespread public cooperation, Ecuador...
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...
We are excited to announce that we have added a new trip to our collection with the introduction of our 10-day Ecuador & Galapagos Family Adventure. With kayaking, snorkeling, trekking, biking, zip lining, volcano hikes and wildlife viewing all on the itinerary, there’s no shortage of adventure for every one of every age.  We’ve been exploring Ecuador and its legendary archipelago for years...
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...
If you’ve always dreamed of witnessing penguins in the wild, then our team of South America and Central America travel experts has you covered. While Antarctica is famously the best place to go if you’re looking for the ultimate penguin trip, there’s also no shortage of opportunities to do some penguin watching everywhere from the Galapagos Islands all the way through Peru, Chile, Argentina,...
  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...
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....
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...
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...