January 28 – February 13, 2010

Since 1975 the natives of Easter Island have dedicated a fortnight of their summer to partying in the name of cultural appreciation for Tapati. The mesmerizing melodies of Polynesian music, grass skirted dancers, feasts and fairs unite the island’s residents and welcome foreigners from all over the world.

Culminating in the election of a ‘queen’, the festivities of Tapati are an adventure for the senses and where better to enjoy these cultural traditions than Easter Island’s very first luxury hotel and architectural marvel, explora Rapa Nui? .

Rising out of the Ranu Raraku volcano, explora Rapa Nui takes travellers to the heart of Rapa Nui history and the iconic site where the historic Moais of Easter Island were carved. explora’s bilingual guides and native staff are on hand to give their travellers insider knowledge to Easter Island and the events of Tapati, with an emphasis on excursions and cultural discovery. At this celebratory time of year, explora travellers can immerse themselves into the festivities to the extent of sporting traditional full-body paints and qualifying as fully fledged experts in Haka Pei, the traditional sport of sliding on banana tree trunks in the Pu’i hills!

After the revelry, travellers may wish to continue their journeys to another of explora’s properties – experiencing breathtaking star-gazing and desert excursions at the recently renovated explora Atacama, or exploring the neighboring Torres del Paine National Park at explora Patagonia. More intrepid travellers may opt to enjoy a Travesía – one of explora’s unique nomadic journeys. These 8-11 day expeditions take explora travellers into remote areas of Chile, Bolivia and Argentina to discover unspoilt natural beauty.

For more information on Explora Rapa Nui, visit our web site or call us at 1-800-661-2512

From November 7 - 14, 2009 enjoy a 7 night / 8 day expedition cruise in the company of one of the most recognized nature series presenters in the UK. Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin to join BBC presenter Paul Rose in an unforgettable trip around the Galapagos Islands.

Paul Rose is also an expedition leader, polar guide, mountaineer, professional diver and yacht skipper and will accompany passengers on shore visits and give variety of talks on Conservation, Marine life in the Galapagos and his own experiences whilst filming with BBC. He has presented several television series including Voyages of Discovery, Climate Change, Take One Museum and more recently the eight-part BBC TWO series Oceans including an exciting exploration of world’s underwater depths with stunning film and photography accompanied by an award winning book of the same name.

Paul was also base commander of the British Antarctic Survey and was awarded both Queen’s Polar Medal and the US Polar Medal and has previously led mountain expeditions to Ecuador’s highest volcanoes including Chimborazo and Cotopaxi - experiences which he will happily share with your guests!

M/Y GRACE - CRUISE RATES

Master Suites A1 & A4: US$ $5,650
Twin Suites A2 & A3: US$ $5,200
Premium Staterooms C1-C5: US$4,750

Rate includes:

• all meals
• all transfers in the islands
• all shore excursions with an English speaking naturalist guide
• airfare to Galapagos
• fuel tax
• US$ 10 INGALA transit card
• US$ 100 Galapagos Park fee

Not included in rates:
International airfare, hotels and tours on mainland Ecuador, gratuities, alcoholic beverages.

read more about the Galapagos Islands yacht, M/Y Grace.

Visit Paul Rose’s website

The Chaski Antawa Train (messenger train) is an exclusive train that uses modern technology to recreate the classic train of the old days.  It has been designed two traditional coaches using materials such as wood, bronze and natural leather for total comfort. The first coach (23 ft.), which has been totally remodeled, is a 9-passenger car. The second one (59 ft.), which was especially built for the Chaski Antawa route, has a capacity for 20 passengers. With panoramic windows, balcony and a sun roof, it guarantees many opportunities for taking photos on the Chaski Antawa train journey.

The route will take you from Ibarra in the northern highlands to the warm, dry valley of Ambuqui.  Watch the changing landscape as you travel through sugar cane plantations, magical landscapes of the Ecuadorian countryside, through tunnels and crossing bridges that span large canyons and gullies.  The 26-km ride to Salinas plunges from 2,200 down to 1,500 meters above sea level (7,216 to 4,920 feet) in only about 2 hours.

This wonderful adventure is available as a day trip, but we strongly recommend the two day program as it is not as rushed and you will also be able to see the Otavalo region.  Explore this beautiful area of northern Ecuador and meet its people.  The Chaski Antawa train is a new program we are offering our clients visiting Ecuador.  Call us today and plan to include the Chaski Antawa in your tour to Ecuador.

Click here for photos and detailed itineraries

While most people only think of Machu Picchu  when planning a holiday to Peru, there are several other fascinating and diverse areas of the country to visit.  The Amazon region, for example,  makes up 60% of Peru’s territory and is starting to grow in popularity as a result of improved infrastructure.   One such program is the M/V Aqua which began cruising in 2008.

The M/V Aqua is the finest luxury amazon cruise in Peru, if not the Amazon.  This 24-passenger ship was custom built specifically to cruise this region.  She offers 3, 4, and 7 night itineraries year round originating from Iquitos in Peru’s northern amazon region.  In this remote area you will find visit the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, which offers outstanding wildlife viewing and shore excursions into the Amazon rainforest and jungle.  Accommodations are truly stunning.  There are 12 spacious suites with large windows.

We’ve recently updated our page with more recent photos, itineraries, rates and an e-brochure for the M/V Aqua.  Call us today at 1-800-661-2512 to find out more about including the M/V Aqua to your upcoming Peru tour.

Read more about the M/V Aqua Amazon Cruise

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