News from South America

SAT CLASSIC: FASCINATING COLOMBIA
Colombia features Pacific and Caribbean coast, green mountains and jungle, not to mention stunning archaeological sites and vibrant culture. This 15 day journey starts in bustling Bogotá, continues to laidback Villa de Leyva, then leads to Rivera and the spectacular Tatacoa desert, and onto the coffee triangle, San Agustin with its archaeological sites and Popayan. From there, guests continue to Cali, visit a sugarcane plantation, and explore the salsa capital. Flight to Cartagena, where guests explore the charming colonial city and the La Popa convent. The journey concludes in beautiful Santa Marta, with visits to El Totumo volcanoe and a full day hiking tour to Taironaka at Sierra Nevada. This private and fully customized tour can be further adjusted to your guests preferences. We are looking forward to your request!

Colombia tourism increases! A market research done by companiesandmarkets.com found that from 2008 to 2012, tourist volumes in Colombia increased by 8.5 %. Further increase is expected during the current observation period (2013-2017). Many new hotels are planned, particularly in the area of ecotourism and luxury travel. The strength of the industry is due to an improved air connectivity, significant reduction in air fares, security improvements, the upgrade of hotel services and infrastructure, and more focus on government initiatives to promote tourism.

SAT WILDLIFE: PANTANAL - THE LIQUID HEART OF SOUTH AMERICA
This vast habitat is the world's largest freshwater wetland - an immense, landlocked river delta covering large part of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Each year this enormous basin is engulfed with rainwater, bringing an amazing diversity of life to the dry grasslands. Here, jaguars, tapirs and macaws rub shoulders with thousands of other species of bird, reptile, mammal and fish, making it one of the most diverse places on the planet. Request our wildlife packages, that reveal the biodiversity of the Pantanal. Also available are fantastic Pantanal / Amazon combinations, all tailor-made and in compliance with the wildlife whatching bucket list of your clients.

“AllYouNeedIsEcuador” is the new International Campaign slogan introduced by the Ministry of Tourism with an intention to promote tourism within Ecuador. 19 cities across the world, 7 of them in Ecuador, have come forward to promote tourism in this adventurous nature enthralled country. The Ministry has also been granted the privilege to use the original song, “All You Need is Love”, sung by the Beatles which was released in 1967. This song is embedded in the promotional pieces that will be soon circulated across the world. Contact us for fantastic Ecuador round trips and travel ideas!

SAT ACTIVE: SAND SURFING IN HUACACHINA / PERU!
Peru’s southern coastal region is a sandboard hotspot. Huacachina is an oasis in the desert of southern Peru. Towering dunes of beach-quality sand encircle the palm, jacaranda, and bougainvillea-laden oasis, some reaching up to 2 km, which makes it a perfect location to practice dune buggy / sandboarding. Like snowboarding, sandboarding requires strapping your shoes into set grips atop a three-foot, wooden board. Huacachina also serves as a base for a number of other tours. Among the more popular are those to the Ballestas Islands, the Nasca Lines, and local wineries. Accommodation can be offered in Ica or directly in Huacachina. Please contact us for more information on sand boarding adventures in Peru!

Triathlon Adventures at Pucón, Chile! Well known throughout South America as a holiday retreat for foreigners and Chileans alike, the lakeside town of Pucón is equally famous among endurance athletes as home to a season-starter race set against the backdrop of the majestic Villarica Volcano. January–February is peak triathlon season, whereas visitors during Chile’s winter months (July–September) are more likely to take advantage of Villarica’s ski and snowboard slopes. Most famous, the Ironman 70.3 Pucón will take place on January 11th, 2015.

SAT SIC: SPECIAL OFFER PERU - LAND OF THE INCA!
SAT offers a 10% discount on our SAT SIC Tour „ Land of the Inca“ from 05.08.-16.08.2014. The offer is only valid for new bookings generated up to 35 days before arrival date. This 12 day journey traces the footsteps of the great Inca Empire. Starting in the bustling capital Lima your guests proceed to the “White City” of Arequipa, before continuing via the impressive Colca Canyon to the fascinating Lake Titicaca; onto the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, situated in the middle of the Andes mountains before exploring the lively Pisac Market in the Sacred Valley. The tour ends with an absolute Highlight, the visit of the awe-inspiring Lost City of the Inca, Machu Picchu. Individual extension packages are available. Please contact us for more information or with your booking request!

When visiting Peru, don't miss to try chicha and pisco! Peru was home to the Incan empire who worshipped the sun through the drinking of beer, known as chicha. Fruitillada is a Cusco specialty; chicha macerated with fresh strawberries. If Chicha comes from the Incas, then Pisco comes from the Spanish side of the family. It's a form of brandy dating back to the 17th century, but with roots that stretch back to the Conquistadores, who also brought grape vines to the continent. Combined with a little egg white, lime and sugar it is transformed into the famous Pisco Sour, Peru's national drink.

SAT SPECIAL: ECUADOR - THE GARDEN ROUTE
With its tropical climate and varied terrain, Ecuador is a country of abundant biodiversity. Over twenty-five thousand species of plants have been recorded here, and roses and bananas are two of Ecuador‘s biggest exports. This 13-day journey leads to old haciendas, flower plantations, cloud forests and wild natural gardens. It starts in Quito and surroundings, with escape to the Andean highlands and Otavalo, continues to the lush forests of Mindo and Banos, onto Riobamba and the colonial city of Cuenca. The National Parks of Cotopaxi and Chimborazo Volcanoe, several orchid and flower plantations, as well as rose farms and botanical gardens will be visited along the way. The journey concludes in Guayaquil, where guests may extend their stay with a trip to the unique Galapagos Islands. Please contact us for further information!

In Quito’s Old Town ( Ecuador), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can stitch souls and soles together. First they may reflect in the gilded splendors of a pride of Baroque churches. Second they can indulge in an exclusive tour of the 108-year-old La Mundial’s internationally renowned fully custom equestrian and fashion boot making atelier. La Mundial was founded in the Centro Histórico of Quito when a local shoemaker, Don Francisco Rivas, worked with an Italian boot maker sent here to share his techniques and to create better boots for the equestrian division of the Ecuadorian military. The company has retained these classic techniques while integrating modern technology into their products. Learn more about our Ecuador and Quito tours and contact us!

DESTINATION OF THE MONTH: ARGENTINE PUNA DE ATACAMA
The Puna of northwestern Argentina is a plateau of hard crystalline rock, located more than three thousand meters above sea level. The high-altitude plain features ancient inland oceans, pink flamingoes and colourful mountains. For all its beauty, the Puna is unknown to most travellers, except the occasional shepherd or Andean recluse. Within this arid, inhospitable land, life manages to sprout to the surface: oases of leafy green trees, yellow straw-like grasses, furry llamas and graceful vicuñas. The mountains are dotted with original Incan trails, the sunlight retreats across turquoise ponds on the plain. Thie northwest of Argentina is harsh and beautiful. Contact us for more information on this extraordinary journey, and for combined packages with Chile's Atacama desert or Bolivia's Uyuni salt lake.

Recommended: A visit to the Evita Museum in Buenos Aires. On July 26, 2002, fifty years to the day after Evita’s death, her grandniece, Cristina Alvarez Rodriguez, inaugurated the Evita Museum. The museum is housed in a mansion constructed for the Carabassa family during the first decade of the 20th century. The beautiful building was declared a National Historical Monument in 1999. Located at 2988 Lafinur Street in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, the Evita Museum forms part of the cultural trail of the City of Buenos Aires (together with the Decorative Art Museum, the National Fine Arts Museum, the Palais de Glace and the Latin American Art Museum).

SAT CULTURE TREAT: THE RHYTHM OF CANDOMBE, URUGUAY
The Candombe musically identifies Uruguay as the Samba does Brazil; as Salsa identifies Colombia and the Tango Argentina. Candombe is an African derived rhythm that has been an important part of the Uruguayan culture for over 200 years. On Sundays and holidays in Montevideo there occurs a rhythmic 'dialogue' between drums, beckoning to the populace to join in a great celebration known as 'Llamada' ('The Call'). Big drummer groups wind along Montevideo's narrow streets, their contagious rhythm calls on the neighbors to join the march. They use wooden drums that are shaped like barrels and called tamboriles. There are three kinds of tamboriles: chico (alto), repique (tenor), and piano (bass). The chico drum marks the tempo, piano drums the melody, and repique does the improvised parts. Join in and request our Uruguay Carnival and culture packages, all tailor-made and filled with Candombe music

HOTEL NEWS (& RECOMMENDATIONS)

La Casona at Matetic Vineyards (Chile) features a century-old guesthouse, surrounded by manicured gardens. The seven rooms are decorated with patrician oak furniture, velvety curtains and gilt-framed oil paintings.

Colombia´s first Courtyard by Marriott Hotel is expected to open in Bogotá (Colombia) this April. The 5* hotel features 146 rooms and will be located along Bogotá's Avenida El Dorado, linking the airport and the city center.

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group announced the opening of a Park Inn® by Radisson in Bogota (Colombia). The hotel offers 64 guest rooms and suites, a restaurant featuring contemporary and international cuisine, a spa and a fitness center.

The 18th-century Hacienda Pinsaqui (Otavalo, Ecuador) offers thirty airy rooms with antique furnishings and fireplaces, well-maintained horse stables, an equestrian-themed cellar bar and a restaurant serving Ecuadorian cuisine.

Marriott started with the construction of a new 5* Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Lima (Peru). The 150-room property will be located in the upscale neighborhood of Miraflores. The hotel will feature a restaurant, fitness center and pool.

Aranwa Hotels Resorts & Spas opened the doors of its newest hotel – Aranwa Paracas (Peru), located on Paracas Bay along the Southern coast. The 115 rooms offer private terraces and ocean views. The hotel features several restaurants, a poolside bar and a tennis court.

AIRLINE NEWS

As of April 2014, LATAM Airlines will offer daily Iguassu - Lima flights! Flights are leaving Lima at 12h10 noon, arriving at 18h25 pm, and return to Lima at 19h55 pm, arriving at 22h10.

KLM will launch services between Amsterdam and Santiago de Chile as of February 2014! Flights will be operated 3 times a week with a Boeing 777-300, with a stop in Buenos Aires.

The Ecuadorian airline TAME has launched a new route between Guayaquil (Ecuador) and New York City (JFK). The route is operated with an Airbus A330, offering service seven days a week.

TAP Portugal announced new flights from Lissabon to Manaus and Belem, as of June 2014. Operations are launched with three weekly frequencies – on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

U.S. low-cost airliner JetBlue has introduced a daily non-stop flight service to Lima from Florida’s Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport. The flights are operated by its Airbus A320 fleet.

Air Europa will connect Montevideo with Salvador de Bahia as of April 2014! Flights will be operated with Airbus 330-200, with 24 seats in business class and 275 in economy class.