Dear Travel Partner,

with a final spectacle of fireworks from the roof of the Maracanã, the curtain came down on the Rio 2016 Paralympics. Brazil's run of hosting mega-sports events began with soccer's Confederations Cup in 2013, extended to the 2014 World Cup, ran through the Olympics, and finished with the closing ceremony of the Paralympics joined by 45,000 spectators at Rio's Maracanã stadium. Obrigado Rio! Well, things go back to normal now and hotels in all destinations are available for bookings in 2017 without major block-out periods! Enjoy the silence and request your individual journey here! 

The historic peace agreement between the Colombian government and FARC was signed and sealed last week - a great and needed sign for the world. With SAT you can explore one of the most beautiful corners in South America: Colombia itineraries allow for a great combination of cultural and colonial treasures, lush nature, relaxing hammock moments and colibri watching, premium accommodation and beach extensions. Request the best journeys here!

Get inspired by our September news, latest travel recommendations and updates on our journeys. Also, check out our website or Facebook page for further news and regular updates.

Enjoy reading and have a great weekend!

All the best,
Your SAT Team

Balloons Over Atacama was launched in August 2016 now offering visitors a unique journey high above the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile. This is the first trip of its kind, an unforgettable way to soak up the drama of the desert. The daily flights take place at sunrise and last 45 minutes to an hour. With a vista of stark desert, stunning rock formations, all framed by a range of distant snow-capped volcanoes, passengers are in awe. Eastern safaris, the company behind Balloons Over Atacama, aims to bring an environmentally friendly form of travel to a unique, and fragile area. Classic and premium packages are available, and we'll be happy to cater to greater groups as well. Can't wait to get high up in the air? Contact us for further information and packages!

The Chilean Atacama desert is known to be the driest place on Earth! Yet sometimes, in the early Chilean spring, something remarkable happens to its arid landscapes: The desert starts to bloom and turns into a beautiful wildflower garden! The flowering desert is linked to the El Niño phenomenon and a result of unusually high rainfall during the months of July and August. The results can be enjoyed from September to November. Last year we enjoyed one of the most spectacular blooming seasons ever. Please  contact us for further information on our Atacama spring packages!

There is a new sensation in Puerto Iguazu besides the legendary Iguazu Falls! It is called “The Argentine Experience” and represents a lively restaurant in which one obtains interactive cooking classes such as learning how to make an empanada, prepare local desserts or trying local ingredients as well as the notorious Argentinian drink Mate. The first branch of this popular company is operated successfully in Buenos Aires where it teaches visitors all the must-knows of Argentinian culture and food. This great and fun dining alternative which reminds of a vibrant dinner party makes your Iguazu experience even better and richer! For more details on our Argentinian tours, just contact us!

The stunning Cotopaxi National Park, located 60km from Quito, finally reopened for visitors. The total closure was announced in August 2015 due to increased volcanic activity. The Geophysical Institute confirmed last month that the National Park can be visited again, and 90 % of the protected areas have been reopened accordingly. Climbing the summit of Cotopaxi volcano is the only activity that will remain restricted until further notice. Activities like camping, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed in authorized areas only. The park can be visited daily between 8am and 5pm. Please  contact us for further details and outdoor packages!

Archaeologists have discovered a 4,500 year-old mummy in the ancient fishing village of Aspero, Peru. The discovery provides new insights into the ancient Caral civilization. Along with the mummy of the middle-aged woman, they also  found artifacts, such as carved objects of birds and monkeys. The items suggest possible trade between Aspero and the city of Caral, the most ancient civilization of its kind of the Americas. Caral is situated on a dry desert terrace overlooking the lush valley of the Supe River. Exceptionally well-preserved, the site is impressive in terms of its design and the complexity of its architecture. Would you like to visit the oldest known city in the Americas? SAT will be happy to bring you there! Please  contact us for further information!

The Salkantay Trek was named among the 25 best Treks in the World by National Geographic. It is a remote footpath located in the same region as the Inca Trail where massive snowcapped mountains collide with lush tropical rain forests. The Salkantay Lodge-to-Lodge trek by Mountain Lodges of Peru combines the exhilaration of a 63 km trek in the towering Peruvian Andes with the comfort and delights of lovely mountain lodge accommodation. In small groups and covering 4 to 6 hours a day, walkers are rewarded with rarely seen views of Machu Picchu. In contrast to the traditional Inca trail, guests are pampered at their overnight stops by attentive local staff, with excellent cuisine, comfortable rooms and hot showers. Off the beaten path, this is a cutting edge experience for adventure travelers looking for a little more privacy and authenticity. Book here!

The Department of Culture in Cusco inaugurated a new exit out of Peru´s World Heritage site Machu Picchu. The established path leading tourists out of the archaeological zone allows better access as well as safer conditions for visitors. The new road has been built above the retaining wall on the hill, in order to avoid landslides, that often occur in the rainy region where Machu Picchu is located. With the help of the additional road out of Machu Picchu, the numerous visitors of the famous landmark will be able to move more fluently and safer entering and exiting the park area.

Approximately 215km away from Curitiba, the Guartelá State Park including the world’s sixth largest canyon can be found. Guartelá Canyon shares a length of 32km and is situated amidst a very special nature taking into account woods, rivers, natural pools called panelões and ancient Indian paintings. The tour from Curitiba takes 12 hours and consists of a 5-hour hike at moderate level, bathing as well as snacking opportunities. Furthermore, the tour is offered from Wednesday to Sunday and can be booked along with a local guide. For further questions or information regarding this tour or other destinations and itineraries in Brazil, please  contact our SAT team in Rio de Janeiro!

This journey combines the must-sees of Uruguay with remote beaches, small villages, charming hotels and culinary treats. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of the Unesco-listed Colonia de Sacramento, explore wineries around quaint Carmelo and then head on to buzzy Montevideo. The journey further leads to the seaside resort of Piriapolis and Punta del Este, with a day trip to the cozy culinary village of Garzon, and concludes at the off-radar natural highlight Sierras de Rocha. The itinerary is spiced with premium hotels and authentic countryside accommodation, with wine, mate and cheese tastings. Did we miss something to make this your perfect trip? Well, our tours are 100% tailor-made and can be fully adjusted to your preferences! Get more information here!

Cristina was born in Santiago de Chile, traveled extensively around South America and spent a couple of years in Canada. One of her favorite countries is Bolivia, according to her one of the most authentic places in the subcontinent! Besides being passionate about South America, she also is a passionate mother of a 3 year old boy. In her seldom moments of free time, she loves trekking and cycling around the Andes. Cristina lives in Santiago but spends her weekends in the countryside close to La Campana National Park. She recently joined SAT in March 2016, taking over the General Management of our Chile office. With lots of new ideas in mind and plenty of expertise, we are very happy to welcome her to the SAT family! Don't hesitate to contact Cristina for further Chile travel recommendations!

The 5* explora Atacama (Chile) will reopen in January 2017 introducing a new design and new exploration routes. New reservations made before March 30, 2017, will receive the first night free (pay 2 get 3, valid for stays until April 30, 2017, limited availability). All former explora travelers will receive an additional 5% discount at the final value of the reservation.

The 5* Bastión Luxury Hotel (Colombia) was nominated at the World Luxury Awards (best luxury hotel & most romantic hotel). The hotel provides the charm of an authentic Cartagena house and all comforts of a luxury hotel. The 51 rooms and suites offer charming colonial touches and views to the main patio. Further facilities include a terrace with a view and an outdoor pool surrounded by tropical plants.

Charming Empedrada Lodge is the first decent hotel which is located in the surroundings of Caral (Peru). SAT guests no longer have to book an exhausting full-day trip from Lima to see the most ancient civilization of the Americas, but can book a lovely 2-day package with overnight at Empedrada Lodge instead. The lodge is surrounded by gardens where avocados and mandarins are grown. Video

Mashpi Lodge Announces the Opening of the Dragonfly! Starting on 1st October 2016, guests will be able to enjoy the thrilling experience of gliding over and through the canopy of the Mashpi Reserve on the Dragonfly, a cable-driven system of “gondolas” that extends approximately 2 km through the forest.

The remote Estancia Bahia Bustamante (Argentina) introduces a guided kayaking experience, which allows guests to explore the unique Patagonian coast and kayak around islands which house an amazing wildlife and stunning landscapes. Packages are based on a 4 day / 3 night stay at the Estancia. A minimum of 4 pax is required to confirm the program.

Our top pick: The lovely Rincón del Molinillo, located right in the heart of Colombia's Coffee Triangle! The small guest house, suitable for up to 4 pax only, is surrounded by a flowering garden, regularly visited by colorful birds and small water pigs. The owner is a passionate chef and spices the stay of her guests with culinary treats. This small paradise is located about 40 min from the Armenia airport.

The 5* Pikaia Lodge (Galapagos, Ecuador) is one of the most advanced green lodges built in the world. It operates with alternative energy resources and has a comprehensive social responsibility program. Pikaia Lodge guests enjoy active, quality guided land and marine day programs in small groups with up to 16 guests. At night you will rest in spacious and quiet accommodations. 

The Singular Patagonia in Puerto Natales, Chile, started into the new season on September 25th. The 5* property features 54 guestrooms, an onsite Chilean restaurant, and views of the Fjord of Last Hope Sound and the Andes Mountains.  An ideal starting point for your Patagonia explorations!

Avianca Launches Boeing 787 Dreamliner on London-Bogota Route! The Dreamliner has a 250-person capacity, 28 in Business and 222 in Economy Class, broader seats, larger windows, wider aisles and more spacious restrooms. Avianca operates its Bogota-London flight daily.