| Welcome to Senderos' August newsletter.
We’re delighted to begin working with Experience
Patagonia (Los Notros, Los Cerros & Estancia
Cristina – Los Glaciares National Park) in the far south
of Argentina, and Quincho Country Home in
Chile’s Lake District. Please see below for more information
and by way of an introduction.
Travel Mart Latin America is in Panama City
this year, 13 – 15 September. The following will be
attending and hope to see you there.
Puyuhuapi Lodge and Spa - Claudia Aguirre
Casa Andina - Juan Stoessel and Vanessa Villagran
Ecoventura - Santiago Dunn // Galapagos Network - Doris Welsh
Experience Patagonia - Rita Agote (on the Best of Patagonia
stand)
Quincho Country Home - Silja Torborg
Antarctic Dream - Pilar Fernandes
Green Places to Stay, Edited by Richard Hammond
and published by Sawdays, is due for release 28th September.
With 166 entries across 53 countries, this is a “worldwide
guide to those special places that go an extra mile to provide
responsible holidays – authentic, real places with a
heart that are, just as importantly, a delight to stay in”.
We’re very proud that Posada Amazonas, Pousada Picinguaba,
Estancia Huechahue, Pousada Vida Sol e Mar, Ecoventura, and
Suasi Island are all featured.
Please let us know if you’d like an updated Senderos
CD with details of all existing and new partners,
current rates, photos and info in general.
Senderos Partners are:-
Experience Patagonia, Argentina
Quincho Country Home, Chile
Pousada Picinguaba, Brazil
Estancia Huechahue, Argentina
Rainforest Expeditions, Peru
Casa Andina Private Collection, Suasi
and Sacred Valley, Peru
Pousada Vida Sol e Mar, Brazil
Ecoventura, Galapagos
Puyuhuapi Lodge and Spa, Chile
The Antarctic Dream
Hotel Manary Praia, Natal, Brazil
 Experience
Patagonia, Argentina
(www.experiencepatagonia.com)
Experience Patagonia is a new style of travelling in Argentina
that combines luxury, comfort, unique locations, fine cuisine
and all inclusive programs. Professional staff, personalised
attention and the best outdoor activities ensure a superb
experience of the stunning Los Glaciares National Park - 700,000
hectares of mountains, lakes, glaciers and forests. The three
properties are:-
The famous Hosteria
Los Notros, the only hotel which faces imposing Perito
Moreno Glacier
Hotel
Los Cerros, El Chaltén's first quality lodge in
this exciting walking and climbing mecca
Historic, 12 roomed Estancia
Cristina, reached only by Lake Argentino and set in splendid
isolation.
The properties are joined by outdoor and adventure experts
Fitz Roy Expediciones and Mil Outdoor Adventure, and by Viedma
Discovery, a unique excursion to the Park’s largest
glacier.
 Quincho
Country Home, Chile
(www.quinchocountryhome.cl)
10 km from Puerto Varas – en route to volcanoes and
overlooking deep blue Lake Llanquihue - Quincho Country Home
is an oasis of hospitality, privacy, and beautifully crafted
accommodation.
Wood at Quincho is used in a combination of traditional and
modern lines, while natural textures and colours invite relaxation.
All this complemented by good company, fine wine and delicious
home cooked cuisine with fresh, local ingredients. A range
of private excursions are included; visit nearby volcanoes
and waterfalls, the island of Chiloe, the estuary at Ralún.
Or, choose from horse-riding, kayaking, trekking, golf.
With only 4 rooms each guest at Quincho is attended to with
great care and attention. The charming hosts strive to make
your stay unforgettable, to transmit a true experience of
the Chilean Lakes and their love for it.
 Pousada
Picinguaba, Brazil (www.picinguaba.com)
"Dear Priscila, It seems so
long ago that we were enjoying so much of your beautiful,
beautiful place....we can honestly say that it was one of
the best holidays we have ever had!
I hope you are still enjoying it now that you have had time
to settle in. Send our best wishes to Emmanuel. Our best memories:
1. Amazing fresh squid and 'real' healthy food
2. The forest walk and waterfall - plus the view at the bar
on the stop off home!
3. Amazing uninhabited beaches with the cleanest, clearest
water
4. Beautiful schooner cruising around the beautiful bays
5. A unique Pousada with no mobile access, internet...just
great company, helpful staff that were more like friends for
our 2 weeks of heaven!
Our lives here could not
be more different - urban life, pre-packaged food, cooler
temperatures and hectic with no time to breathe!! However
we can always look at our pictures of our holiday and we soon
smile and relax!!!” OF London May 06
“We are back in New York and
our lives are once again filled with the daily activities
that keep us busy. We had such a wonderful time in Brazil
and are so glad that we choose Pousada Picinguaba as our destination
there. It is a beautiful place and everyone there made our
vacation so wonderful. Thank you especially for making sure
that our vacation was so successful. We especially appreciated
that you were willing to provide the extras like the impromptu
cooking class that made our visit unique.”
AD Aug 06
 Estancia
Huechahue, Argentina (www.huechahue.com)
“Jane, this really was one
of the happiest and most intense experiences I've had in all
my time travelling in Argentina. I want to thank you all so
much - both of you for your generous welcome and open hospitality…It's
really rare to come across a place where everyone who stays
there quite evidently feels completely comfortable and at
home, and where the atmosphere is so lively and relaxed. I
had such a great time at Huechahue, and way beyond whatever
I can do to promote the place through my books and professional
contacts, you can be sure I'll be talking about it for months
and months. And I will return!” CD London
April 06
In April, we tried a second Across the Andes to Chile
trip with a different outfit in Chile - Pamela and
Loth Kruterler of Turismo Maichin. It was an exciting trip
and as a result we’re offering 2 more rides Across the
Andes. 11-21 Jan 07 and 3-13 Feb 07. These rides differ from
our original rides which are still running but have very few
places left (Rodolfo and Carola cannot manage any more trips)
hence looking for a second operator. One day less riding in
Chile so the trip is 10 nights rather than 11. A guide from
Huechahue accompanies the ride through Chile, and it finishes
at Termas de Panqui before returning to Huechahue.
We now have 2 Estancia to Estancia rides
running consecutively - one from 26 Oct to 3 Nov and one from
28 Oct to 5 Nov. We are very enthusiastic about this ride
- it's going to be a great trip. There are a few spaces left
on both rides.
We are culling the deer and it would appear simultaneously
training the condors! A shot goes off and a black cloud rises
from the cliff. 10 minutes to get there or all you will find
is bones, skin and alot of overfed, unable to move condors
watching you.
Despite rain and snow the quincho (incl the sauna) is progressing
and should be completely finished well before the start of
next season.
Jane will be attending WTM this year - first time!
Rainforest
Expeditions, Peru
(www.perunature.com)
Refugio Amazonas. The canopy tower is finished.
It is thirty meters tall, just above the rainforest canopy.
We’ve been surprised by very frequent observations of
mixed canopy tanager flocks, including almost daily sightings
of beautiful Paradise Tanager and others. Also, as with Posada,
toucan, parrot and macaws sightings on the horizon are common.
Refugio Amazonas now has the following activities
up and running: Visits to Condenado and Sachavacayoc oxbow
lakes (depending on your condition - one is thirty minutes,
the other 110 minutes), the canopy tower, the mammal clay
lick, field trips to the agroforestry farm, an ethnobotanical
trail and the Brazil Nut camp. Please note parrot clay lick
at Refugio Amazonas is unavailable until further notice, we’ll
have one ready for next year.
Along with this, the one remaining piece of infrastructure
work is the Children's Rainforest Trail, which should be next
month's news.
Tambopata Research Centre received the noteworthy
visit of Thomas Friedman, author The World is Flat and the
Lexus and the Olive Tree. He went on to write four editorials
on his Peru experience for the New York Times.
Konchukos Tambo is doing great. Our biggest
hit remains horseback riding on local conchucano paso horses.
Every visitor signs up and loves it. Also, noteworthy during
the last month was the presence of Dr. John Rick, who has
been excavating at Chavin for the past five years. This year,
he hosted a couple of visits to the site, bringing to life
not only the significance of the monument, but the extensive
archaeological work he is undertaking.
 Casa
Andina Private Collection Suasi Island and Sacred Valley,
Peru (www.casa-andina.com)
Suasi Island
“What a fantastic start to
our Peruvian holiday…we enjoyed exploring the island
and eating some truly fabulous meals. Many thanks again-especially
for the birthday cake-a lovely touch!” (P
& J, UK July 06)
“We loved our visit here.
The service was outstanding and there can not be many better
views in the world. Thank you!!” (JB, US
July 06)
CA have produced a new colour information sheet of Lake Titicaca
including a wide range of illustrations of birds and mammals,
as well as specific information on weather, geography and
biodiversity. You can download it at http://www.casa-andina.com/fauna-suasi.
This works alongside new activities developed on the island
such as environmental interpretation, sailing on the lake,
biodiversity and relationships with the community of Cambria.
50% of the benefits from activities goes to the local population.
The road has been paved between Juliaca and Cambria (near
Suasi) so halving the overland journey time to just 1 ½
hours.
A totally renewed menu was recently launched with delicious
dishes created by Teddy Bouroncle, Casa Andina’s executive
chef.
Private Collection Sacred Valley
 “We
have really enjoyed our stay in your fabulous hotel. The staff
are all so helpful and pleasant. I do hope we will be able
to return sometime in the not too distant future”
(SM, Glasgow UK)
New activities have been developed so that visitors can experience
more fully the destination - Horses, bikes, walks, helicopter
rides ceramic and textile workshops.
In Sept CA starts a sanitation campaign with CIRPLAST &
UNICEF aimed at children and adolescents. Including surgery,
attention to pregnant mothers & infant nutrition.
In June the new Spa opened with Andean therapies developed
for Casa Andina using local ingredients as quinua, passion
fruit, coca and muña.
We have a new Resident Manager, Eduardo Carrera.
The Planetarium is open. Visitors can closely observe the
stars and learn how ancient Peruvians used to interpret the
marvellous skies above Cusco.
General Casa Andina news…
Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco opened on August 7th.
Rosario Griffiths leaves at the end of August. We’ll
miss her and wish her well!
 Pousada
Vida Sol e Mar, Brazil
(www.vidasolemar.com.br)
“I
really just wanted to write and say thank you for looking
after me back in June. You were superb hosts, both of you,
which made my stay all the more memorable. You have a superb
property and I can only hope that I can pass on the enthusiasm
which you gave me for Vida Sol y Mar, to our clients. The
time you spent taking me everywhere Rodrigo was invaluable
and appreciated. I look forward to returning one day and spending
a little more time with you at your property when I can relax
and enjoy it to its full! Once again many thanks.”
(MR, Latin Odyssey Jul 06)
"The dolphin programme went
very well and we’re confident that particular episode
is going to look fantastic. Enrique was fantastic help and
his lodge is absolutely incredible.” (AB
Jul 06)
Last month Vida Sol e Mar hosted a UK wildlife television
crew who filmed the Right Whales, and dolphins at Laguna.
The series is due to be shown in the spring.
Vida Sol e Mar, along with the IBF, is supporting a new University
whale research project.
 Puyuhuapi
Lodge and Spa
(www.patagonia-connection.com)
“I wanted to say how much
we enjoyed our trip to Chile. All the arrangements went well.
The highlight of the trip was the San Rafael Lagoon and …
the stay at the hotel Termas de Puyuhuapi, despite the torrential
rain, was wonderful!”
(J & P, Bermuda)
We are very close to opening the season again and we are offering
upgrades to all guests that book the following programs and
dates:
PC1 - October 19 to 24, and October 26 to 31
PC2 – October 21 to 24 and October 28 to 31
Ecoventura, Galapagos Islands
(www.ecoventura.com)
 “Thank
you for the excellent work you did for us. All arrangements
were smooth and we all absolutely loved our boat, the Letty,
and all of the crew. Our guides, Harry and Conchito, were
terrific. Fun, interesting, organized, and the entire crew
was incredibly accommodating and friendly. They did a great
job with food, cleanliness and helpfulness. Could not have
been more pleased. Many thanks to you, loved every minute.”
(CK, July 06)
High res images are available on our generic web site: www.cruise-galapagos.com
From July 06 Ecoventura covers the entrance fee on Fridays
to the tortoise farm (and lava tunnels) on Santa Cruz Islands.
In the past, passengers paid the $3 fee which allowed them
to see tortoises in their natural habitat at Rancho Primicias.
Guayaquil’s new airport named after former President
Jose Joaquin de Olmedo was inaugurated last month. It opened
to domestic flights on August 7th, international flights on
August 13th.
 The
Antarctic Dream
(www.antarctic.cl)
“The places chosen to disembark
were fantastic and the pictures we got were excellent!”
(PJT March 06)
“The Zodiacs excursions were
excellent, especially to the islands ”
(RH)
“The ship has a good expedition
team and is very comfortable. The waiters did an excellent
job and the Antarctic is very beautiful and exciting.”
(JF Nov 05)
Special offer! Save 30% on the 16th and 23rd September sailings
of the South Patagonia departures.
 Hotel
Manary Praia,
(www.manary.com.br)
“Should your ears have been
ringing during the last 2 weeks it was because I spoke about
you and the Manary with quite a number of people! They all
shared my opinion. We had a wonderful trip! To start with,
the four days at the Manary where EVERY corner, every little
detail seems to be chosen on purpose. The place is well-being
at 100%! Your staff is professional, friendly and helpful
– I think they really enjoy working for you! The breakfast
is simply DIVINE – the best we had! Our room was THE
room! Dinner was DELICIOUS! Honestly, I don’t know what
could have been better! THANK YOU – thank YOU and to
all of your staff that were so kind with us!”
(BR, Nouveaux Mondes July 06)
Our room categories have been modified to Luxury Superior
(5), Luxury (5) and Standard (14).
Luxury superior rooms have the best ocean views (located higher),
wooden ceilings and are equipped with super king size canopy
beds. Find complete description and photos at www.manary.com.br/ingles/index.htm
A new brochure coming soon!
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