I had the chance to visit the peninsula in November 2009, one of the best months for top wildlife encounters – an enormous whale mama and her baby, colonies of charming penguins, a nandu (less rhea) dad with his flock of chicks, and got up close and personal with a wide-eyed curious baby elephant seal. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, to say the least!

The peninsula is reached by a flight to Trelew, in the province of Chubut. There is then a 2 1/2 hour drive to reach the peninsula. The largest town on the peninsula is a the tiny hamlet of Puerto Piramides, which is also the launching place for boat rides to spot whales. However, the best accommodations, the ones that let you sample a luxurious version of ranchers’ traditional lifestyles combined with access to some of the most breathtaking sites, are outside town and deep in the peninsula’s arid grasslands.

My favorite is Estancia Rincon Chico, an owner-operated property near the coast, which continues to operate as a traditional sheep ranch. A charming guest house has rustic, elegant rooms and a cozy living room where guests can relax by the fire with an Argentine vintage. A collection of treasures found while beach-combing is displayed in the entryway, and books and magazines in the living room are perfect evening reading material. Within the estancia property there is access to several private beaches for elephant-seal expeditions. In fact, the owners have been involved in preservation efforts and scientific studies of these enormous creatures for the past 15 years, and both are locals. Watching the big bull seals fight, and seeing the sweet faces of the babies at short range makes for an exciting day.

An ideal stay at Rincon Chico is 2-3 nights, with visits around the property, and a day of whale-watching from Puerto Piramides.

Or, combine Rincon Chico with El Pedral, with two nights at each property. El Pedral is another favorite, located at Punta Ninfas (not on the peninsula). El Pedral is an early 20th century Norman-style house that was shipped piece by piece to Argentina from France in the 1920s. Lovely gardens surround the house, and there are views to the ocean. The estancia has activities like ATV rides along the beach (where you can beachcomb to your heart’s delight), horseback riding, bike riding, and hikes along the beach. They have a boat for whale-watching, and there is a small but growing penguin colony at one end of the beach.

Contact us for information on these properties and others, as well as visits to the Punta Tombo penguin colony, tea houses in Gaiman and the paleontology museum in Trelew – all fantastic activities for all ages. The best season for visiting this area is September-December.

The main damage occurred near Concepcion in the Bio Bio Region (515 km south of Santiago), and in coastal regions where buildings are often wooden and more vulnerable.

Santiago sustained some damage, particularly to older buildings, but strict building codes, solid infrastructure and history of major seismic activity made Chile generally quite prepared to deal with the earthquake.

Santiago services and hotels are functioning normally. Southward from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas and including Torres del Paine National Park, everything is as normal. In the north, the Atacama Desert and tourist destinations like San Pedro de Atacama are undamaged. Other destinations like Easter Island, the lake crossing between Argentina and Chile, and the land route from Chile to Mendoza, Argentina are undamaged.

Vineyards and wineries outside Santiago have been temporarily closed.

The international airport was closed to outbound flights for several days. Today a contingency plan will allow for departing international travelers to use a temporary facility for check-in and immigration procedures; inbound domestic and international flights before March 5 will be directed to a domestic airport for immigration and customs. Flights arriving after March 5 will arrive to the regular Santiago Airport, and arrival procedures will take place in a temporary facility.

During the meeting, a contingency plan was submitted, which should be implemented in coordination with various agencies involved and agreed with the airlines for the purpose of generating the associated flight schedules.

The plan set out in two phases. The first from March 3rd to 5th, includes the use of a tent for the attention of passengers – not using the terminal building. With this facility and gradually, domestic flights will depart from 8:00 to 20:00 (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM) and international flights will depart from 20:00 to 8:00 (8:00 PM to 8:00 AM). This is only for departing flights, arrivals for both domestic and international flights will be via another sector.

All international flights arriving to Chile prior to March 5, will be scheduled to call at another domestic airport, designated to carry out immigration, SAG and Customs. Arriving flights after March 5 will arrive to the Santiago Airport and the arrival procedures will be performed at a tent located in the western part of the air terminal.

I was in Torres del Paine in December 2009 to explore some luxury properties within the park, experience the beautiful vistas and hike some of the legendary trails. It was, quite simply, the trip of a lifetime.

The experience begins in Punta Arenas with a five-six hour drive past the Straits of Magellan, through flat steppe-land, and finally into the foothills of the mountains. This region of Chile is the only area where the Andes are to the west. En route are quaint villages to stop for a quick snack, as well as the famed Milodon Cave, where a giant sloth fossil was found.

The road to the park turns to gravel after Puerto Natales and the stunning vistas across Last Hope Sound. The park itself is nearly 600,000 acres, and filled with lakes, rivers, glaciers, valleys, and mountains to explore by foot, boat, horseback or car (although we recommend by foot to truly experience the area’s beauty). Be prepared for some intense days of hiking, though, if you’re traveling by foot! I did the Base of the Towers hike, a 22 km trek from Hosteria Las Torres to the Base of the Towers. Much of the initial trek is uphill, but luckily there are lovely views of Almirante Nieto, forests, waterfalls, wildflowers, with the river down below. The hike is approximately six hours for fast movers, although that number can increase with rest stops, a lunch stop, and time spent enjoying the views at the end.

I arrived to the end point after 11 km and three hours of hot hiking, wondering if the trip was worth it. It was. I won’t spoil the end result, but suffice to say that coming over the last lip of boulders blocking the final view is breathtaking.

Another popular excursion is the navigation to Grey Glacier, which is a fun three hours for a day off from physical activity. The captain gets as close as possible to the glacier, and lucky passengers can spot the glacier calve huge chunks. For the more intrepid, there is a full day hike to the glacier, which I didn’t have a chance to do, but have heard it’s spectacular.

Just outside the park (literally 20 minutes to the entrance) is Patagonia Camp, a collection of luxury yurts with views over the immense Lake Toro, with the Paine Massif in the distance. The yurts are quite possibly one of the most romantic ways to experience Torres del Paine – with the sound of the wind in the evening (they provide earplugs for light sleepers), the privacy of individual yurts scattered through Patagonia forest, and the sense of peace and isolation are ideal for couples. Meals are delicious, and the camp often grills up cordero patagonico (Patagonian lamb) for a tasty local feast. Daily excursions with bilingual guides are arranged each evening, with guests choosing from a variety of full and half day trips into the park. And, after a long day of hiking, enjoy a massage at the camp, followed by a glass of Chilean wine paired with tasty appetizers in the dining room. Driving distances from excursions like Grey Glacier, French Valley and Base of the Towers ranges from 45-60 minutes.

Inside the park, with one of the most privileged locations, is Explora. The majority of the rooms have views of the Massif. Sumptuous hydromassage baths are ideal for relaxing after a full day, as is the full service spa and hot tubs overlooking one of the park’s rivers. Excursions are arranged in much the same fashion as at Patagonia Camp. Explora is a great option for upscale travelers interested in being right inside the park, and equidistant from most major excursions (approximately 45 minutes maximum).

On the opposite end of the park from Patagonia Camp is Estancia Cerro Guido, a traditional estancia (ranch) that is still working. You’ll stay in the buildings where the family and management lived (updated, of course) and have a chance to experience life on the ranch! This could include watching sheep shearing in the huge shed, corraling wild horses, collecting cattle, and various other daily tasks. It’s a great way to mix the natural wonders of the region with the cultural experience of the locals who have lived here for hundreds of years. The ride from the estancia to the park is also the best place to get close to troops of guanaco (wild relative of the llama).

After your trip, it’s a nice idea to spend a night in Puerto Natales, where boutique hotels combine style and service with views over Last Hope Sound – and they all have hot tubs and generally offer spa services for a great way to unwind and soothe sore muscles.

Contact us for more information on putting together your dream Torres del Paine trip, and on combining this destination with other places throughout Chile like the Atacama Desert, Easter Island, central coast, and more!

Latin Excursions Best Beaches trip begins with one night in Panama city before your flight to San Blas islands-a pristine paradise of sandy beaches with a backdrop of lush rainforests.

You will learn about the local customs and traditions of the Kuna community which inhabit the islands and have plenty of time for water activities such as kayaking and snorkeling. Your home for this part of the trip is a private thatched bungalow perched above the turquoise water.

After a few days soaking in the sun in San Blas Caribbean paradise, you’ll make your way to the Pacific Islands of Boca Brava Island. Boca Brava’s 3,000 hectares of hiking trails, wilderness, and sandy beaches make it a top destination for wildlife viewing. Monkeys, sea turtles and over 280 types of bird species are just a few of the creatures that inhabiting this region.  Your home away from home in San Blas is a private bungalow with spectacular view of the ocean coastline. Surfing, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, hiking, and beach tours are just some of the many ways to spend your days.

Argentina is renowned for their huge spicy Malbecs that pair perfectly with some of the world´s best steak and a less known floral wine- Torrentes is another standout.

The itinerary begins with a few days in Argentina’s tango capital exploring the many colorful neighborhoods this cosmopolitan city has to offer.  After a few days of tasting the cultural and historical delights, you’ll head to Mendoza for wine tasting and fine dining that would make Dionysus proud. The itinerary visits both smaller, family-ran vineyards and larger, elaborate wineries with time for learning about the Argentina wine production, picnics in the rolling vineyards, bike rides, and leisurely lunches at top restaurants.

You’ll cross the Andean border with breathtaking landscapes of the massive Andes before landing in Chile. During the Chile visit, explore two valleys-Maipu and Colchagua Valley staying at picturesque wine lodges and personalized guide with numerous wineries. The tour ends with some time visiting Santiago’s highlights for more insight in the countries divided past.

For those with more time to spare, a visit to Chile’s coastal sandy beaches and cultural port city of Valparaiso is a must! All of our tours are customized for your specific enjoyment. So tell us how you would like to adjust to fit exactly what you want.

Guadalajaraalso known as the city of the roses, famed for its colorful mariachi music, tequila and rich traditional heritage is our next destination filled with monuments of historical significance. Followed by the peaceful colonial city of Morelia, with its wide boulevards and elegant plazas is also the home of the monarch butterfly migration each year from October to March. After a few days relaxing, shopping and touring around Morelia, the tour ends in bustling Mexico City.

Your visit wouldn’t be complete without a day exploring the gems of Mexico city. The National Anthropology museum is a must see with 12 exhibit halls showcasing the numerous indigenous culture artifacts. Other highlights are the Templo Mayor where the Aztec ruins were unearthed, The Palace of Fine Arts, and charming neighborhood and parks.

Our expert guides will personalize the tour to your interests to ensure a special experience exploring Mexico’s exciting capital city. Contact us today for more information.

We wanted to keep everyone updated on the situation for future travels to the area. As of now, the rain has stopped and the river has returned to its banks. Machu Picchu is undamaged, and the road to the citadel is passable. Although the train tracks are still damaged, the government will have trains to and from the town of Machu Picchu (formerly Aguas Calientes) running by the end of March, at the latest. In the meantime, there are other methods of reaching the ruins for those interested in traveling in February and March.

Travelers after March should not experience any issues, particularly since the rainy season ends in late April.

Please contact us if you have any questions about future travel to Machu Picchu and other areas of Peru. We work with high quality private tours to Lima, Machu Picchu and the Cusco area, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon.

The Aqua is a 130-foot boat with space for 24 guests in 12 spacious suites, all with air conditioning and panoramic views of the jungle and river as you cruise along. Daily morning and afternoon excursions – and even nighttime adventures to spot giant caimans – are led by local and English-speaking guides to give you an in-depth look at the flora, fauna and local cultures of the region.

Begin your journey in Lima, Peru, and then take a short flight to Iquitos to board your cruise. Each day you’ll explore tributaries, hidden lakes, take jungle walks and watch for the myriad of wildlife that lives in the forest and along the river. Some highlights include fishing for piranha, spotting pink dolphins, groups of noisy monkeys, giant caimans at night, flocks of parrots and macaws, the tallest trees in the rainforest, the Amazon headwaters, and local villages that still preserve traditions.

Contact us for more information on the Aqua cruise, other rainforest options, and combining this trip with other explorations and adventure travel in Peru.

For travelers looking for luxury off the well-trod wine routes of Mendoza, the San Patricio Valley is the ideal destination. Combined with outdoor adventure in Bariloche or San Martin de los Andes, its an ideal mix of the area’s natural beauty with various activities centered around the famed Argentine vino. For true wine enthusiasts, a combination of Patagonia wineries, Mendoza, and the high altitude vineyards of Cafayate in the Salta Province in Northwest Argentina, is an in depth exploration of the top Argentine wine producers. We can put together a custom wine adventure, you will find nowhere else!

Valle Perdido Wine Resort offers the valley’s best lodging alternative, with modern design, art and architecture. Guests have the chance to get involved in vineyard and winemaking processes at the vineyard, relax at the spa with wine and grape-based treatments. A wine and tapas bar and gourmet restaurant pair regional delicacies with local vintages. All rooms have vineyard views, and two grand suites have private balconies; all rooms have modern amenities.

Ask us about planning a wine and cuisine trip in Argentina, or combining Patagonia outdoor adventure with vine tasting in San Patricio del Chanar Valley.

Patagonia Argentina spans the lake district, glacier district, coast and Tierra del Fuego. This Argentina family adventure tour takes you to two of Patagonia’s top areas – El Calafate to experience a working ranch where kids can participate in daily activities and adults can enjoy top service, and Peninsula Valdes for amazing wildlife where kids can get up close to curious penguins and baby seals.

Begin your trip in Buenos Aires, where you’ll have a chance to explore the city, and kayak on the Tigre River Delta just outside the city. Continue south to El Calafate, home to the famed Perito Moreno Glacier. You’ll stay at a working estancia where you can enjoy endless vistas, participate in daily ranch activities, horseback ride, hike, and even go trekking on the glacier!

After a few days in El Calafate, head to the Atlantic coast, to the Peninsula Valdes area. Here you’ll stay at Estancia Pedral, on Punta Ninfas. This historic home was brought over from France in the 1920s, and has a prime location for wildlife viewing and other activities. The ranch offers boat expeditions to see whales, 4-wheeling, hiking and more! On your last day you’ll visit Punta Tombo, the largest Magellanic penguin colony in the world, where you can get up close and personal with charming penguins.

Ask us about the best time of year for this itinerary, and extensions to Iguazu or the lake region of Patagonia.