The Southern Explorations Difference

  • A group of penguins stands on rocky terrain near the shore, while behind them, a boat floats in the blue ocean. Further back, two small boats with people in colorful vests, likely from a Galapagos cruise, approach the area. The sky is clear with a few clouds.

    “I researched both local and website travel agents and Southern Explorations was the only one I found that was both knowledgeable and easy to use. Their rates were also at or below the other websites for quotes on the very same vessels. The ability to use the website and also call to speak to actual people who had been on this trip gave us so much more confidence. We would use Southern Explorations again! Galapagos Islands is the trip of a lifetime!”

    – susan mehall, Galápagos islands cruise

  • A group of people stands on a wooden platform overlooking a breathtaking view of Iguazu Falls surrounded by lush greenery. The sky is bright blue with scattered white clouds, enhancing the vibrant, natural beauty of the scene.

    “I chose Southern Explorations for the combination of interesting itineraries and your high rating on customer satisfaction. I made the right choice. I will gladly recommend you to others”

    – Pat Harding, Custom Iguazu, Lakes District, Mendoza and Santiago Trip

  • A serene beach scene at sunset. The sun is setting over the ocean, casting a warm glow over the water and distant cliffs. Lush green trees line the right side, and a person is standing on the shore, partially obscured by the foliage. Waves gently lap at the sandy beach.

    “Excellent trip, very well organized an choreographed by Southern Explorations! Will most definitely recommend you to friends that may wish to plan similar trips. Thank you all, and best wishes to you.”

    – Lee Schultz, Custom Costa rica

Customization & Specialization

Explore Your Way

We offer a number of thoughtfully designed itineraries throughout South America that can be booked as private departures just for you and your family or friends over the dates of your choosing. 

If you can’t find the perfect trip, then simply speak to one of our travel specialists who will help build a tailor-made experience based on your interests and schedule. 

Two large stone Moai statues stand on grassy terrain with a hill and partly cloudy sky in the background. The statues, part of Easter Island's famous collection, appear weathered and ancient, embodying the island's rich cultural heritage.

The Southern Explorations Difference

Here is what sets us apart and what we tap into when you travel with us.

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Superior Quality

Our team is singularly focused on the Latin American travel pulse and visits regularly to ensure we consistently meet our elevated standards.

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Unbeatable Expertise

Our Latin America roots run deep. We’ve spent years cultivating relationships with the best local guides, drivers, accommodation providers, boat captains and catamaran crews.

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Accomplished Guides

We hire only the best local guides who are licensed and certified in accordance with local regulations.

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Exceptional Accommodations

If we offer a hotel, lodge, hacienda, refugio or cruise, our team has inspected it to ensure it meets our rigorous standards for location, service, safety, sustainability, cleanliness and comfort.

Image of Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city situated in the Andes Mountains of Peru. The ruins include stone structures and terraces. Two llamas are grazing on the grassy foreground with Huayna Picchu mountain in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Our Story

Experience Matters

No one knows Latin America like Southern Explorations. We’ve spent much of our lives exploring, guiding, studying and experiencing the destinations we offer. 

Our decades of experience allows us to help give you the flexibility to build and customize your ideal Latin America travel itinerary.

In the media

Southern Explorations has been proudly featured in the press, including:

Safety & Support

Safety is always our top priority. We take great pride in our impeccable safety record and our emergency action plan. While traveling, you’ll be given an emergency line that can reach us 24/7. Additionally, our guides are connected to outside services 24 hours a day, in some locations by satellite phone, to provide assistance if necessary.

Vibrant, colorful buildings line a cobblestone street, each painted in shades of red, yellow, blue, and green. A staircase on the right leads to an upper level. Benches and greenery add charm to the scene, under a cloudy sky.
Two people are standing on a forest path, surrounded by lush green foliage. They are near a small waterfall cascading over moss-covered rocks. The forest is dense with various plants and ferns, creating a serene natural environment.

Commitment to Sustainability

We believe sustainability applies to economic and social well-being, in addition to natural environments. We ensure our tours directly benefit the people who live in the places we travel. We employ local guides, porters and logistical members of our staff, patronize locally owned and operated hotels, lodges and restaurants, and support local nonprofits and community organizations.

We recognize that tourism is a large generator of carbon emissions so we offer each traveler the opportunity to offset the carbon produced on their trip. 

A person stands outdoors in a snowy forest, wearing a blue jacket, gray knitted hat, and white sunglasses. The individual is smiling, and the surroundings are filled with snow-covered trees.
A person wearing sunglasses, a striped sweater, and jeans is lounging on a net-like structure in a green field with trees and grazing horses in the background. The person appears relaxed and is leaning back, enjoying the outdoor setting.
A man wearing a blue jacket, yellow sunglasses, and a baseball cap smiles at the camera. Behind him is a scenic view of a glacier with mountains and a body of water in the background, bathed in sunlight.
A woman with long, dark hair is smiling at the camera while standing in a lush forest with green and yellow foliage. She is wearing a black top over a white long-sleeved shirt, and behind her are trees and bushes with autumn leaves.
A man with short hair and a beard, wearing a light green button-up shirt, sits in a dimly lit room with an exposed brick wall in the background. He is smiling slightly and looking at the camera.
A woman with long brown hair, wearing aviator sunglasses and a red shirt, smiles for a selfie with a lush, green mountainous landscape in the background. The scene includes dense vegetation, steep slopes, and distant ruins.
A woman with long brown hair wearing a green shirt and black shorts stands smiling in front of a vibrant blue wall with lush green foliage and blooming purple flowers overhead. She rests her hand on the doorway, with a crossbody bag slung over her shoulder.
A woman with long dark hair is sitting on a grassy hillside overlooking a scenic vista of mountains and clouds. She is wearing a black jacket and smiling at the camera, enjoying the natural landscape in the background.

Meet the experts

The Southern Explorations difference comes from our people. We are a team of devoted and enthusiastic explorers who have dedicated much of our lives to the destinations we visit.

Our Team

Let us customize a travel plan specifically for you!

Whether you’re just starting your search or looking for something specific, we want to help! Give us a call or send us your details and we’ll email you shortly.

PHONE

USA/Canada

+1 877-784-5400

International

001-206-784-8111

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