All the best,
Your SAT Team


*** The following SAT offices will be closed for the upcoming national holidays ***

October 03: Frankfurt
October 08: Peru
October 11: Ecuador
October 14: Argentina, Colombia
October 31: Chile

Peru's Sacred Valley is one of the most famous trekking destinations in South America. But did you know that there are equally exciting options in the opposite direction of Cusco? One of them is the hike to Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain. Its multi-colored slopes caused by different mineralogical compositions result in a breathtaking sight that is well worth the exhausting journey. The trekking programs to Vinicunca by Andean Lodges range from 2 to 7 days and include accommodation in eco-lodges along the way. Depending on the length of the tour, the total hiking distance is between 20km and 52km (12.43-36.04mi) and the highest point is approx. 5.100m (around 1.680ft). An expert mountain trekking guide accompanies each group and the luggage is transported between the lodges by lama caravan. The routes traverse an unbelievably beautiful landscape, including snow-capped mountain tops, picturesque valleys, gorges, lagoons, and even waterfalls. Along the way, a number of animals can be spotted, like alpacas, Andean geese or vizcachas (chinchilla family). If you want to know more about this magnificent adventure, please contact us!

Did you know that Rio de Janeiro is home to one of the largest urban forests in the world? Almost every visitor gets a least a glimpse of the Tijuca Forest on their way to the Christ the Redeemer statue. It is difficult to believe that the forest was only re-planted in the second half of the 19th century after having previously been cleared to cultivate sugar cane and coffee. Today, volunteers help preserve this beautiful ecosystem. Earlier this year, 200 seedlings of native trees have been planted as a first step towards the goal of at least 1,000 seedlings over 12 months. The project is supposed to raise people's awareness and attract more volunteers. If you have a bit more time in Rio, we definitely recommend paying a visit this lush UNESCO World Heritage Site that accommodates hundreds of different species of plants and animals! In the forest's 32 km² area, it is possible to spot Capuchin monkeys, coatis and toucans. If you want to get active, there are numerous hiking routes that lead you to waterfalls, streams and lakes, to different hills and lookouts or even on a cave circuit. Curious for more? Please contact us for tour suggestions!

Uruguay wows visitors with a captivating culture, exciting cities, picturesque landscapes and impressive architecture. It also has an amazing collection of charming boutique hotels and posadas that are perfect for any premium traveler looking for a memorable journey. Today, we want to highlight some of these options! We start in Montevideo, where guests will enjoy the comforts of the  Alma Historica Boutique Hotel, located in a colonial building in the capital's historic center.  The next stop is Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay's oldest town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hotel Charco, located in an original 1680 Portuguese house, captures the colonial spirit perfectly. The tour continues to Lavalleja, where the posada El Balcón del Abra welcomes guests with the rustic charm that is unique to the Uruguayan countryside. After a small detour to the very stylish boutique hotel Brisas de la Pedrera in the coastal town La Pedrera, the tour ends in Jose Ignacio with a stay at the architectural masterpiece Playa Vik. The program can be complemented with visits to local wineries and other culinary delights as well as sightseeing in the cities. Please contact us for more ideas and itinerary suggestions!
Photo credit: Playa Vik Jose Ignacio

San Pedro de Atacama now offers a brand-new adventure for travelers looking to conquer the heights of the Andes. "Atacama Hat" takes guests up the Sairecabur Volcano to an altitude of 5,700 meter above sea level! The excursion starts in San Pedro, at 2,450m, in a  truck that is specially prepared to climb steep slopes. Each seat is equipped with oxygen supply devices to counter the effects of altitude sickness. The first stop is made at 4,300m to initiate the oxygen flow. Then the drive continues until the main viewpoint at 5,700m is reached. Here, a 30-minute break is made to marvel at the unique view of the surrounding mountains of the Andes. What a magical experience! Then it is time for the descend which will include further stops to appreciate the desert landscape and mountain ranges. A hot snack to replenish your strength will be served. The journey crosses a territory that belongs to the Guatin community and a percentage of the tour's proceeds is dedicated to supporting the community to allow more families to return to their lives there after having left the community to work in other areas. If you are curious for details about the tour, please contact us!

Earlier this month, the Chilean government implemented an additional step for travelling to Easter Island. Since September 02nd, visitors have to register by digitally filling out a unique entry form that can be accessed online via https://ingresorapanui.interior.gob.cl/. The form is also available on LATAM.com through the Help Center and in the process of web check-in for flights to Easter Island. For more information, please contact us!

On October 1st, Bahia Bustamante Lodge will open its doors for visitors during the Argentinian summer season until April 30th. The opening and closure of the lodge coincides with the penguin season in Chubut, one of the most wonderful experiences for visitors of the area. The lodge offers a great selection of exploration activities in the surroundings, like boat rides to observe marine wildlife such as sea lions, Magellan penguins and sea birds. They also offer biking or trekking adventures as well as touring in 4x4 trucks. There is even the opportunity to participate in the ranch's work of sustainable wool production for a day. Sustainability plays an important role in the lodge's operation. The eco-lodge and private wildlife sanctuary has been included in the Patagonia Austral National Park and Blue Patagonia UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Furthermore, they use solar energy to generate electricity and heat water and use natural spring water for which reusable bottles are provided. Recently, the lodge also has planted more than 1000 trees and has a strict system of waste separation with a focus on "reduce-reuse-recycle". Please contact us for more information about packages at Bahia Bustamante Lodge.

San José de Guaviare is a small town approximately 400km south-east of Bogotá. The easiest and quickest way to reach the town is a direct flight from Bogotá. Its privileged location between the plains of the Los Llanos region and the lush Amazon rainforest created a real treasure trove of experiences for visitors. The area's incredible biodiversity makes San José de Guaviare an ideal gateway for wildlife observations, especially birds. You are also in luck if you like boat excursions since there are numerous lakes and streams to explore. There are even red-colored rivers, Tranquilandia and Caño Rosado, as well as natural wells to relax and swim in. For those interested in culture and local encounters, there is the possibility to visit the indigenous communities of the Nukak, the native tribe of the Guaviare region. A very special highlight of the area are the ancient cave paintings that can be found in three different locations. One of them is Cerro Azul, a one-hour drive from San José del Guaviare. The red pictograms that can be observed there are attributed to different indigenous tribes and are estimated to be more than 1,000 years old! Have we sparked your interest? Contact us now for tour suggestions including San José de Guaviare!

When you are in search of new experiences in Quito, look no further than the fascinating "Casa del Agave". This museum is dedicated to the ancient Andean Agave culture and gives its guests an insight into the plants cultivation, uses and different products made from it. Local communities have been using the agave for almost 500 years and even regarded it as a form of deity due to its many benefits although a lot of the knowledge was lost as the years went by. To the museum belongs a small garden with 10 wild agave species that were collected from the Casitagua Volcano. With the help of the plants, the guides highlight different traits and ancestral uses of the agave. For example, the saponin can be extracted from the plant's roots and processed to create shampoo or laundry detergent. They also show how the agave's fibers can be gathered and colored with natural ingredients. The museum itself exhibits pieces that show the history of the Andean agave and its use in people's daily lives. The visit finishes with a tasting of different agave products, like juice, honey, its fruit and liquor. For more information about visits to the Casa del Agave, please contact us!

ALIÑAMBI FOUNDATION: RAISING CHILDRENS' AWARENESS FOR ECUADOR'S NATURAL HERITAGE

The team from SAT Ecuador was excited to visit the Aliñambi Foundation, one of our currently 3 social responsibility projects, on September 12th. The foundation is not only a school for Ecuadorian children, it also accommodates children from 5 to 15 years that don´t have the possibility to live at home with their families. The kids house together in shared dormitories on the organization's property right next to the school and health care buildings. During their visit, the team of SAT Ecuador presented the four regions of Ecuador, their fauna and environmental importance. The goal was to call the children´s attention to the importance of environmental protection. Afterwards, the team enjoyed the day with the 127 children by organizing a gaming circle where everybody had fun: painting, running, skill- and knowledge games. After a short break and a slice of cake for everyone, we handed over our gifts to the foundation: new, high quality foot- and basketballs for the children and a new blackboard for the school, the last one sponsored by our transportation company.

Ana's career in tourism began in 1986 and she has enjoyed realizing her clients' travel dreams ever since. She first started working for SAT Brazil in 1998 but decided to take a break in 2004. She re-joined the team as an Account Executive in 2010.

As a native Brazilian, Ana is passionate about her country and has travelled every corner of it. Her wanderlust also took her to several other countries in South America. One of her favorite trips was to Foz do Iguassu and Buenos Aires. Her personal highlight was a boat trip that took her close enough to the famous waterfalls to literally take shower under them. In Buenos Aires she loved to walk through the colorful streets of Caminito while hearing the musician coming from the bars and seeing couples dancing tango.

During the weekends, you can find Ana relaxing in her favorite coastal town Buzios, enjoying its beautiful beaches, walking along its narrow cobblestone streets or simply watching a stunning sunset. If you would like Ana to share her extensive experiences and knowledge about Brazil with you, feel free to contact her here!

The Peruvian hotel chain Casa Andina announced their cooperation with WorldHotels. The collection's new member, Casa Andina Premium San Isidro, will open its doors in Lima in January 2020 as the 30th property of Casa Andina.

The vineyard resort Casa de Uco opened in the Uco Valley south of Mendoza, Argentina. It features 16 rooms and bungalows with views of the vineyard as well as a Wine Bar & Lounge, a living room with chimney, a playroom, a gourmet restaurant and a spa area with gym and indoor/outdoor pools.

Hotel Acacia opened a few weeks ago as a new boutique option in Puerto Ayora, Galapagos. It features an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a terrace and a garden. The hotel is located approx. 1km from Tortuga Bay and El Garrapatero Beach.

The Panama hotel company Selina Group plans to enter the Chilean market with 3 hotels in Santiago de Chile, San Pedro de Atacama and Puerto Natales. The hotels, which will open until the end of 2020, will offer 1,500 beds. 

LATAM Peru announced the first international connection to Concepción, Chile starting in May 2020 from Lima. There will be 3 weekly flights on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

GOL Linhas Aéreas will launch a seasonal direct flight between Foz do Iguaçu and Santiago de Chile from December 14th to March 15th (1 weekly departure).