Explore the remotest corners of Patagonia at Remota Inn

Remota Inn is one of the best places to stay and explore the last frontiers of Chilean Patagonia. Located outside Torres del Paine National Park excursions focus on both, the classic highlights of this world famous National Park, and just as spectacular, but little visited destinations surrounding it.

Remota Inn offers visitors to the region a wonderfully comfortable stay in style and a great choice of fantastic adventures at the end of the world.

And (drum roll)
Make use of their special offers (January and February only):

Pay 3 nights / Enjoy 4 nights

Book a 3 night program and REMOTA will treat you to an extra night for free. Published rates of the 4 night program: US$ 1,980 per person in double room occupancy. With this offer pay only US$ 1,548 and save more than US$ 400 per person!

or, even better:

Pay 4 nights / Enjoy 7 nights

Book a 4 night program, and REMOTA will treat you to three additional nights so you will have a 7 nights program. Published rates of the 7 night program: US$ 2,988 per person in double room occupancy. With this offer you pay only US$ 1,980 per person and save more than US$ 1,000!

These offers are valid for travel during January and February 2010, limited and subject to availability at time of booking.

So, what are you waiting for? This Patagonian adventure has never been more affordable.

Learn more about Remota Inn and excursions at Remota Inn

Galapagos - Special Deals - Letty, Flamingo and Eric

Do you get excited when the first flakes drift through the winter sky and an exquisite, pure white, icy blanket of snow covers the murky remains of slushy fall days?

Do you feel revitalized by crisp, cold air and clear blue skies? Do you enjoy the coziness of log fires and hearty treats?

Or do you get depressed at the thought of winter and think of nothing but escape to a beautiful white sand beach, palm trees swaying overhead, chill-out rhythm swinging in the air from a nearby beach bar?

Each season has its special atmosphere. And whether you like winter or not - it offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself - either playing in the snow - or as far from it as possible. Pick your spot for a winter escape:

For Beach Bums

Like song birds, beach bums are well known to follow the sun and flock down south when the winter draws nigh and covers the land under its icy cloak. Some only get as far as Florida and that is all they want, a bit of beach and a bit of fun in the sun, nothing else matters much .
But those who are looking for a bit more of an adventure are drawn further south, to Mexico and Central America - where not just sun and beach await, but where there are a plethora of cultures to discover, a cultural mélange that is different in every region of every country!

Short beach escapes to Central America are, generally speaking, still quite affordable - although it depends on where you go and what standard of comfort you expect. High-end resorts are never cheap, no matter where they are and what the price of bread at the local shop maybe. But there is usually also a good range of nice, laid back, midrange hotels that offer a good standard at a reasonable rate. And if you get tired of beautiful white-sand beaches and turquoise sea, you can always go for a jungle hike, climb a volcano, try a canopy zip-line adventure or visit local villages and shop for arts and crafts. If you are planning to travel around Easter, plan ahead! Easter is THE BIG religious festival of the year in Central America, and indeed, in Catholic countries around the world - a much grander affair than Christmas! Read more...

Crucero Australis Specials!

Book an 'End of the World' Cruise around Tierra del Fuego on select departures in early December and get 2 nights free stay at Costaustralis Hotel in Puerto Natales or Cabo de Hornos in Punta Arenas. The Hotel nights must be booked within 7 days of your cruise departure (either before or after) and you can spend either 1 night at each or both nights at the same hotel. The departures to which the offer applies (subject to availability) are: December 5th, 9th or 12th from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas; and December 1st, 8th and 12th from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia.
For more information see Crucero Australis 5d/4n Punta Arenas - Ushuaia
and Crucero Australis 4d/3n Ushuaia - Punta Arenas

The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009

We are proud to report that two of our partners have been shortlisted for the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. Launched in 2004, the Awards aim to celebrate those individuals, companies and organizations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and are providing a positive contribution to biodiversity conservation.

The shortlist was selected by a panel of 13 prolific judges at a recent judging day held at The Royal Geographical Society, London. Dr. Harold Goodwin, Chair of the Judges and Professor of Responsible Tourism Management at Leeds Metropolitan University said:

'Working our way through this year's long lists, we were impressed by the willingness of so many organizations to take responsibility and to do what they can to help make better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit. This year over 140 submitted detailed responses to our questionnaire and we received hundreds of references.' The winner will be announced on November 11, 2009 at the World Tourism Mart in London

Our partners on this year's shortlist are:

Chile: Ecocamp Patagonia - The best way to see Torres del Paine National Park
Ecuador: Napo Wildlife Center - An outstanding eco-lodge and conservation project in Ecuador

Chile

Awasi Inn - First Carbon-Neutral Hotel in Chile

This exquisite little boutique hotel in San Pedro de Atacama has taken one step further to make its operations more sustainable. It is now the first Carbon Neutral Hotel in Chile since it signed a carbon offsetting deal with EcoSecurities. Awasi Inn also works closely with local communities and artisans, supporting their work. The Atacama desert and the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama offer a mind boggeling experience on the edge of civilization. The intensity of light, the colors, the stars at night, the unfathomable spaces and otherworldly landscapes will put you in touch with every one of your senses in a way that you have never known before. Awasi, with its private atmosphere and utmost attention to detail is without a doubt the best place to stay in San Pedro if you are looking for something truly special. Read for more about Awasi Inn

Puyuhuapi Lodge and Spa - Somewhere South of Silence - Early Bird Special

Great opportunity for early birds!! Book your stay 6 months in advance and receive 20% off the usual rate! Bookings must be confirmed with a 30% non-refundable deposit and the remaining amount must be fully paid 60 days prior to arrival and will also be non-refundable. Make sure you have a good travel and trip cancellation insurance to protect your deposit. This offer applies to all of Puyuhuapi's programs.
See details about Puyuhuapi Lodge - A fantastic wilderness retreat somewhere south of silence...

Peru

New fixed departure tours for Archeology buffs in Peru

We have 2 new and exciting fixed departure itineraries. These departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 participants. Fixed departure tours are great for solo travelers or those who want to meet other travelers. Groups size is usually small, but because you are getting groups service, the rates are relatively low.

Itinerary #1: Trek to Choquequirao

Choquequirao is the secret sister city of Machu Picchu - a city almost as big and magnificent, but hardly visited. The trek up there is demanding but extremely rewarding. Departs every Sunday and Wednesday, March - December with a minimum of 2.
This short trek enables you to get a first hand view of a unique Inca settlement perched above the Apurimac canyon – a mighty river 'The talking god'. Here a series of impressive Inca sites have been found. The trek starts in the village of Cachora and returns to the same area. View itinerary

Itinerary #2: Moche Culture - past and present

This is an interesting cultural and archeological tour that gives a great introduction to both, the past civilizations who reigned here, even before the Inca, and the modern day descendants of that culture. A very interesting tour for culture and archeology buffs. In Chiclayo, visit the most famous Sipan tomb, deemed one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the last 30 years and trace the steps of the ancient Peruvians at the pyramids of Tucume. In Trujillo, visit the beautiful Sun and Moon temples built by Moches, the colonial city and Chan Chan citadel, the capital of the Chimu empire. View itinerary

Tambopata Research Center - now an even greener destination

Tambopata Research Center, one of the longest established eco-travel and research stations in the Tambopata region of Peru is preparing to get certified by Rainforest Alliance. This popular lodge just modernized its fleet of boats used for transfers of travelers and for excursions. The new four stroke engines will save up to 50% of fuel consumption and emissions. 75% of the boats that travel between the lodges now have the new fuel efficient engines.
Also, alkaline batteries are no longer for sale at the lodges. Instead, you can purchase rechargeable flashlights.

Work has also been done on the property and a new Palm Swamp Trail has been created which is used for the 7-day program.

TRC, although the most rustic of the Rainforest Expedition lodges has increased the comfort zone by creating a new wellness room where guests can enjoy aromatherapy, massages, energy cleansing and other treatments. At Refugio Amazonas the Indigenous Spa and Massage Center has been a hit with travelers for over a year. Read more about Tambopata Research Center...

Refugio Amazonas - Exciting rare wildlife spottings increase in the vicinity of the lodge

When the owners of Refugio Amazonas first drew up their concept of the lodge one of their aims was to create a buffer zone for wildlife between Tambopata Reserve and civilizations. This idea seems to be working as wildlife sightings of rare species have increased in recent times.

Herpailurus yaguarondi (Jaguarundi) has been seen several times on different trails at Refugio in July. This is a small cat and is one of the most difficult animals to spot.

Also usually secretive is the Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), spotted several times on Refugio Trails in July.

Read more about Refugio Amazonas

Ecuador

Sani Lodge - Socially responsible and environmentally sustainable indigenous tourism project

One of the best Eco-tourism /Conservation projects in Ecuador is the community run Sani Lodge, situated about 2 hours by boat on the river Napo. This small lodge is very is one of the best places to experience wildlife, and especially bird life, in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Sani is located between two of the most diverse ecological reserves in the world, The Yasuni National Park and the Cuyabeno reserve. Our territory represents a natural corridor for an amazing variety of bird species. On the north, the Cuyabeno Reserve with 603,380 hectares of protected land (mostly flooded forest). On the south, The Yasuni National Park with 980,000 hectares of lowland forest and Terra Firme. Sani Lodge is a Bird watchers paradise. They are constantly finding new species that haven't been found in the area. The amazing Rufous Potoo and the paradise Jacamar are just some of the examples that make this lodge such an impressive place to bird watch. Sani lodge has recently installed a new observation tower above Canopy level which makes bird watching a really exciting experience.
Rates will stay the same in 2010.
Find out more about Sani Lodge - view details

Galapagos Specials:

Galapagos is experiencing a pretty low season this year. Unlike most years there are plenty of spaces to be had and what's more, at a pretty decent rate as most cruise operators are cutting their prices in an effort to attract business. So, if you ever wanted to visit the Galapagos, now is the time to go, before rates are going to rise again, and while you have the chance to see the islands with far fewer crowds. Our preferred Galapagos partner is offering 10% discount on select departures (see above).

NEW for next year: Graduation Departure Specials! Would you like to treat your teen to an inspiring trip to celebrate their successful graduation? Our cruise partner offers a special 15% discount rate for teenagers on selected 'teen' departures: May 30, June 6 and 13 2010.Drop us a line to get the latest last minute rates.

Belize

Special Birding Week at Cotton Tree Lodge
with 'Birds of Belize' Author Lee Jones

January 2nd - 9th, 2010

Join Lee Jones, author of Birds of Belize, and the Belize Audubon Society for this special birding itinerary. Participate in the 10th Annual Punta Gorda Christmas Bird Count and explore some of southern Belize’s most remote and rewarding birding sites with the experts. Non-birders are welcome, with plenty of alternative activities like caving, waterfalls, village tours, and Mayan ruins available for partners and children through Cotton Tree Lodge.
View details or inquire

A socially and environmentally responsible tourism initiative in the Andes

Imagine living somewhere in a small village high up in the Andes, tending animals and growing a few meager subsistence crops. Survival is a daily battle. Your dwelling is a small adobe hut that you share with 5 other people. Electricity and water are luxuries. There is no transportation, walking, sometimes for days is the only way to get around, to get to the market towns, to get to school or wherever you need to go. Imagine watching well clad tourists with guides and pack animals walking by your hut or field at regular intervals, looking at your 'charming' abode, not knowing the hardships of the daily life within.

Tourists have been coming to Peru in ever increasing numbers, yet most people benefit little from it - especially when the operators or hotel chain management is an international corporation. At best they might work as porters on the various treks. Their pay is often not very good, especially when working with one of the cut throat discount 'cheapest of cheap' tour operators. It is disheartening and frustrating that all these tourists dollars have so little effect on improving the living conditions of local people.

To alleviate this situation a small tour operator in Cusco has started to work with one local community that has expressed a wish to get involved with sustainable tourism to provide services to tourists, and in turn to allow tourists to really interact with them through a range of volunteer projects. If you really want to get to know the heart and soul of the people, this project is a great opportunity to give back and to partake in a tiny glimpse of Andean reality - and to be part of the positive change that is taking place there.

Projects range from supporting efforts to fix up the most needy and dilapidated dwellings, to buying and donating school supplies, to cooking breakfast for about 30 school kids, to buying and supplying hygiene kits to local people and to teach them how to use them, to planting trees as part of the UN project.

This volunteer program is very direct in the sense that you personally will have a huge impact on these peoples lives. You can see directly where your money is going and you can be sure that it will benefit those who it was intended for. The community has built a campground and kitchen where volunteers can stay and meals are provided. Most volunteer initiatives take 1 day, but you can stay longer if you wish, or integrate a volunteering day into your itinerary. For more information send us an e-mail.

Like everybody else, I often wander over to trip advisor to check out people's comments on various hotels. Whether one believes that these reports are real, or skewed by those who want to put their own places into a particularly positive light, is a matter of debate. Thus, of course such reports have to be taken with a grain of salt - one man's heaven is another man's hell. However, I occasionally stumble across some comments that truly amaze me. Some travelers obviously do not have a grasp of what it means to travel in a developing country. Just because they encounter a Hyatt or Ramada Hotel somewhere near the international airport that looks and feels almost exactly as the ones at home, does not mean the rest of the country is on equal par. Yet, that is what some travelers seem to expect - coffee-makers, tv and phones at a jungle lodge, and of course, flawlessly running hot water and plumbing in the middle of the jungle, not to forget 24h electricity - ecologically produced, of course. These travelers seem to think that Costa Rica or Peru is just a bigger version of the Epcot center. It does not occur to them that things like electricity and clean running water are a luxury in most countries of the world and that tourists, even in the most basic hotels generally enjoy a higher standard than most of the population around them.

I am not making an excuse for flea bag hotels here - I think that any place that offers a service to the public should have a minimum standard of cleanliness and comfort and a friendly, helpful service staff. But TV, phones and 24h electricity are not part of the minimum standard in my books, especially when the hotel is many hundreds of miles away from civilization. Vacation times are also about experiencing something entirely new and different, and about disconnecting from the normal run of the mill. Providing TVs and such in wilderness places undermines some of those benefits. Plus, connecting remote wilderness lodges to the mains would destroy the very habitat that makes their location special. And thus, it can sometimes happen that things don't work as smoothly as they should or that getting replacements can take longer than it would in downtown Manhattan. But, I would hope that people go to these remote places not only for the hotel, but first and foremostly to enjoy the often stunning and remote locations where they are situated and take a minute to consider where they are at, before they start complaining - or, just visit the Epcot center instead.

Just my 2 cents.

Have you ever been to Manu National Park, that amazing biodiversity hot spot and UNESCO World Heritage Site on the eastern slopes of the Andes? If you haven't, maybe you have heard about it. It is well known as one of the best places to see wildlife in the Amazon. This is due to its difficult access and sparse population. There are no towns, just a few indigenous communities living their more or less traditional lifestyles, and some eco-lodges, including one that is owned and run by one of the tribes. It has long been a dream destination among wildlife and wilderness enthusiasts, and every kind of naturalist. The National Park is the largest of three connecting protected areas which reach all the way to Bolivia and Brazil and thus form a biodiversity corridor which is crucial to ensure species survival.

But all this is due to change. The Peruvian government, which likes to portray its public face as ecologically sensitive, (especially as regards the tourism sector, where eco-travelers contribute the vast majority to the annual income) has quietly been selling off the Amazon in the form of concessions to oil companies. 75% of the Peruvian Rain forest has been parceled into such concessions and sold to international corporations, which are already well known for their disastrous operations in other ecologically sensitive areas, like the Yasuni National Park in Ecuador.

The area that is currently subject to seismic test drilling lies just outside the protected zone of Manu, in the so called 'cultural zone' and almost the entire area of the Communal Reserve Amarakaeri, an area that was designated by the government to protect the flora, fauna and indigenous people of the area. Apparently such protection does not include the right to live in a healthy environment.

In 2007 INRENA started to draw up a 'master plan' in conjunction with the indigenous guardians of the reserve that was supposed to outline clearly what type of development was and wasn't feasible in this zone. At this time the concession for Bloc 76 as it called, was already signed and sold - though nobody in the affected region knew anything about it. The master plan clearly stated that oil drilling in the southern part of the reserve , which is the origin of headwaters for important river systems would not be tolerable since this would adversely affect all life in the region. There were other stipulations which were meant to protect the interests of the indigenous people and wildlife of the area.

However, INRENA deceptively altered the document, which they called 'minor changes', but which effectively voided the intended meaning of the document. It was again presented to the indigenous leaders to be signed, but at a time between Christmas and New Year when hardly anybody was present and everybody had their minds on other things. At this point still there was no mention of immanent drilling to begin in March.

When trucks started to roll in native communities, tour operators and naturalist felt completely overrun and betrayed by the covert actions of the government, INRENA and the oil companies. There has been no valid impact study or consultation with interest groups or indigenous people. Test drilling started in April, with the base camp being set up on the shore of Cocha Machuhuasi, a lake that hitherto teemed with bird and wildlife and was a popular eco-tourist destination. There have been no sightings of wildlife since the summer when helicopters started to constantly fly over the area. The constant noise pollution has driven wildlife to seek refuge deeper in the forest. The work force consists mainly of underpaid mercenaries and violent crime and abuse that is targeting the indigenous communities has increased.

It is crucial that this madness should be stopped. No drilling in sector 76!
FENAMAD BLOG (in Spanish)

The green vales and dales of Britain, with its bald hill sides and fields, some framed by hedges, others by little stone walls, and a scattering of sheep here and there, or fields of wheat gently wafting in the breeze... Emerald green, when the sun shines down after a refreshing summer shower, or soft, pastel green when the land is dunked in mizzle. Britain, the small country with a big history: No matter where you go, you can hear the echoes of the past ringing from the old stone walls of ancient ruins and prehistoric monuments. Megalithic stone circles and neolithic tombs, haunted castles and cathedrals, each tell their story of bickering dukes or knights in shining armour. Britain's history is fascinating because it is as rich and intricate as a fairytale - the stuff that myths and legends are made of, which regularly intertwine with historical facts to create a rich yarn for story-tellers. It is easy to conjure up these yesteryears in the mind's eye.

Yet, for all its green appearance, Britain is not the easiest country when it comes to eco-friendly vacations. Why? Because the logistics of transportation are really quite terrible. As long as you stick to the cities and don't want to go off the beaten path, it is just about ok. But discovering the countryside can be quite difficult unless one has a car. Public transport, frankly, is a shambles, by European standards. Buses run infrequently (and often not on time) and trains only service certain main lines. There are Greyhound like bus services among the major cities and these are often the best option for reliable service, at least between cities.

One might think that cycling could be a good alternative, but given the general absence of well-marked and protected cycling routes and the hilly terrain, this is more for hardy pros than 'leisure cyclists'. One interesting way to access the country's interior is by narrow boat. Narrow boats are just what the name indicates - narrow canal boats, kitted out with life's essentials, though not exactly offering a lot of space to party. However, it is a unique way of discovering a side of Britain that is usually hidden from view. There are some companies that rent out boats for holiday makers. Mooring places are placed along the canals - and are often quite cheap, making this an attractive option, even for city visits, if you are the boating type.

Alternatively, the tow-paths next to the little canals and rivers used by the narrow boats also make half decent bike trails. The only problem with them is that they are often frequented by walkers as well. The paths are usually quite narrow, so not allowing much space for both cyclists, hikers, dog-walkers and pram-pushers.

Read more...

Traveling to an exotic destination is always exciting. Fun and adventure are calling. But to make your travels as happy and enjoyable as they can be, don't forget to check the basics - this will minimize the chances of running into unexpected or unfortunate surprises.

• Passport
• Visa
• Airport Tax
• Money
• Insurance
• Safety
• Health
• Electricity
• Communications
• Customs
• Drugs

Be a responsible traveler:

• Don't waste resources such as water, which may be scarce in the locality you are visiting
• Respect local customs and culture,
• Take certain types of non-degradable litter back home with you (e.g. dead batteries)
• Do not disturb local wildlife or pick wild plants
• Do not deface historical buildings by scratching your name into some ancient stone or breaking off pieces to bring back home as a souvenir.
• Remember that you are the guest, so don't behave as though you own the place.
• If you want the travel experience to be as rewarding as possible stay flexible and tolerant and keep an open mind. Celebrate diversity and be prepared to learn and to listen.

Sky Airline connects South America

The small regional sky airline is cleverly filling a gap by providing services across the borders between southern Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina, with stops in some of the towns that are normally not well serviced. This is good news for travelers who want to combine several countries in one itinerary and e.g. to fly from Peru right to destinations in northern Chile or to combine Bolivia and Chile without the long drives through the desert.