it's that time of the year again... South America is celebrating its most colorful and cheerful season! We are in the midst of Carnival when Samba parades are rocking Rio de Janeiro, water and flour treats are shared in Quito, drums are beaten in the streets of Montevideo. The costumes are unique and elaborate with carnival groups working on them and their performance throughout the year.

It may be cold and snowy in the Northern hemisphere, but in South America, the days are warm, sunny and filled with summertime outdoor activities. What better time to sing and dance in the streets?

Now, lean back, enjoy reading - and let us know in case you need further information on the mentioned itineraries and suggestions!

Also check out our Website, Facebook & Instagram for latest updates! We are looking forward to hearing back from you!

All the best,
Your SAT Team

Having started as a small celebration inside each single winery around Mendoza, the Vendimia now is the biggest wine celebration in Latin America! The National Grape Harvest Festival is starting at the last Sunday of February with the “ blessing of fruits”, a peregrination through several towns led by the Archbishop, thanking God for the harvest. A highlight is the parade of the districts queens along the streets of Mendoza. The main show is held at the already famous Frank Romero Day Greek Theater, an emblematic stage where the election of the queen has been carried out for years and the audience enjoys one of the most important events in the country, with over a thousand performers, unique lighting and effects for such a number of guests. Fancy a sip of authentic Argentinian wine? Contact us!

Visiting Chiloé is like entering an old, magical world. With SAT you will explore this mythical island with its colorful wooden churches, try the traditional curanto, a dish of mixed seafood and other ingredients cooked over hot stones in the ground, and discover the wit and warmth of the Chilote people. Nature lovers will delight in the island’s striking landscapes and the intense evergreen vegetation of the Chiloé and Tantauco National Parks. Take one of the many trekking routes or hop in a kayak to explore awe-inspiring sea channels, visited frequently by dolphins. Contact us!

The Jericoacoara beach is without doubt one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. Now Jericoacoara was named the number 1 destination in Latin America by the "Choice Awards Travelers". Located 300 km from Fortaleza, and holding a National Park that gathers a set of natural beauties, the village still maintains its rustic character. The small fisherman village lives at its pace; no hurry, no crowds. It is considered being one of the best destinations in Brazil for kite- and windsurfing. An ideal hideaway and a destination for adventurous explorers, travelling along dirt roads to discover breathtaking landscapes and secluded beaches.  Contact us for further travel suggestions on the beautiful Brazilian North!

SAT now offers exotic wedding ceremonies and honeymoon packages in Corumbau (Bahia, Brazil)! In cooperation with the luxury hotel Vila Naiá, located in the South of Bahia, a Pataxó wedding ceremony is set-up at the Corumbau beach (which in Pataxó means "Far from Everything"). A very special way to say YES, as the ceremony is based on indigineous rituals and accompanied by typical Pataxó dancing. A romantic wedding, magic moments and an exotic ritual inmidst nature... The package includes the ceremony and its special set-up, typical clothing and food. Please  consult us for more details.

The whole of South America is busy with Carnival celebrations these days, and so is Ecuador! The streets of Quito are buzzing with festivities: Streets, plazas and boulevards become open-air stages; parades, costumes, music and delicious cuisine meld to form a fantastic cultural event. In former times people used masks of public figures and performed dances inspired by local wildlife. Nowadays, locals and visitors alike participate with masks and costumes that mimic political figures or popular trades, e.g. cobblers or bakers. The native people are commemorated by tossing talcum powder and water balloons. Fancy to participate next year? Contact us!

WELCOME HOME, LONESOME GEORGE! After almost five years with taxidermists in New York, the iconic tortoise has returned home to Galapagos. The giant tortoise was the last known member of the subspecies Geochelone nigra abingdoni. He was thought to be around a century old when he died in June 2012. He failed to reproduce despite a decades-long conservation effort that earned him the moniker "Lonesome George". His body is now on display at the park, after having starred in an exhibition at the New York museum from September 2014-January 2015. Galapagos is famous for its unique flora and fauna studied by Charles Darwin as he developed his theory of evolution. Of the 15 species of giant tortoise known to have originated in the Galapagos, three, including George's, have gone extinct.  Contact us for our island hopping and cruise programs along the islands!

SAT offers a special edition of the Aria Amazon Cruise in Peru this year: Two Chef-hosted departures with Pedro Miguel Schiaffino are now available for booking! Pedro Schiaffino is the chef/owner of the Amaz and the Malabar, one of Lima’s most cutting edge and innovative restaurants that has been lauded across the international press. During this unique 4-night luxury Amazon journey, guests will visit local markets and get to know authentic Peruvian cuisine, attend a master cooking class with Pedro, taste and learn his secret recipes. Available dates: October 9th to 13th and November 20th to 24th, 2017. Cruises start and end in Iquitos, Peru. SAT also features founder-hosted departures and departures hosted by Jean-Michel Cousteau, French oceanographic explorer and environmentalist. For more details on these, please contact us!  

A team of 30 experts from the Sinchi Institute and several investigators from the National University of Colombia made some surprising discoveries during the 7th edition of their “Colombia Bio de Colciencias” program. More than 900 species of fauna and flora were documented in the regions of Huila and Caquetá. A ‘Morpho’ butterfly was sighted, so far known to exist only in Ecuador. The experts also found a Helycop polilipus, a butterfly that had not been seen in the area for over 30 years. Another highlight was the finding of 8 new species of snake living at 2000 mts above sea level, very uncommon for those reptiles that prefer a warm environment. Colombia’s nature is breathtaking! SAT would love to show you around - contact us!

The social, religious and economic development of South America was shaped by the arrival of the Jesuits. Today visitors can trace their heritage in Uruguay along a touristic route. When the Jesuit priest orden settled in Uruguay back in 1585, it showed that the country - although lacking gold or silver resources, was of great strategic value due to its geographic location. The Jesuits built up several missions in Montevideo, Florida, Rocha and Colonia - the most important being "Calera de las Huérfanas", located about 16 km from Carmelo. SAT invites you to visit the remains of this historic site and step back in history. The full Jesuit route includes several Jesuit sites in Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia - contact us for more information.

Karin is part of our SAT Peru team! Being in charge of product development she adores to discover new upcoming destinations! Karin has been working with us since 2008. She is 29 years old, lives in Lima, and in her free time loves to do sports! As a native Peruvian she knows her country by heart, explored Peru from North to South, trekked the Andes and cruised the Amazon. Her love for travelling is not limited to Peru though: In recent years Karin also visited Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. Some of her favorite travel experiences include an Amazon cruise in Peru, discovering an incredible array of wildlife, and a 5-day trek to the Ausangate taking in breathtaking views of the Andes. Fancy more travel suggestions? Feel free to contact Karin!