December News

Due to a technical fault we believe you did not receive our December newsletter. So apologies for the delay, here's trying again and Happy New Year!

A warm welcome to our Winter newsletter with the very latest from our partners.

We are very proud and excited to have begun working with Steven Chew and his Brazilian Beach House Company. See below for more information.

With economic uncertainty we know we must work together to give great value and keep your clients visiting South America.  You'll see many of our partners have special offers for 2009 or have maintained 2008 prices. More details below.

Our high res image library continues to prove popular www.senderos.co.uk/media/index.php. Please contact us for log in details.

Senderos is UK-based, an entirely free information service for European tour operators and press.

You can see our full list of our partners at www.senderos.co.uk/partners.htm

Simon and Gareth, and all our partners in South America, wish you a very Happy Christmas - with success, health and happiness in 2009!

Senderos Partners are:
Brazilian Beach House Company
Casa Andina Private Collection - Suasi Island, Peru
Pousada Vida Sol e Mar, Praia do Rosa, Brazil
Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa, Chile
Ecoventura, Galapagos
Antarctic Dream
Experience Patagonia, Argentina
Quincho Country Home, Chile
Pousada Picinguaba, Brazil
Awasi, Chile
Huaorani Ecolodge and Galapagos Walking Tours
Hotel La Passion, Cartagena
Estancia Huechahue, Argentina
Casa Higueras, Valparaiso, Chile
Rainforest Expeditions, Tambopata, Peru

Brazilian Beach House Company

It's a battleground, between hotels and villas, that Steven Chew is betting on with his Brazilian Beach House company. The Englishman, now based in Brazil, offers four hours daily of English-speaking concierge services at any of the houses he rents. Service, he knows, will make all the difference in this Portuguese-speaking country where security has long been perceived an issue. And Chew's prices are seductive. For four adults and six children at a house like Casarao Amarelo in Paraty, the per head cost comes in at under $1,000 a head for the week. When I stayed, I thought it an out-and-out bargain. Sophie Roberts writing in the Financial Times 13 Dec 2008.

Our villas are an affordable luxury. Prices start from as little as US$500 per night, representing better value for groups than even mediocre local hotels.

Recession-busting prices - Many of the houses in our portfolio offer exceptional value for money, especially when compared to luxury hotel accommodation in the same area, or longer tailor-made itineraries that involve a great deal of travelling.

We specialise in helping pick the best portfolio that will give your company a very competitive luxury product, tailored to offer to your clients.

What's more, when clients are in situ in a BBH property, they can be assured of getting great value for money. Shopping for food and drink is done for them and they are charged local market prices plus a 15% service and delivery charge. No more paying US$5 for a tiny bottle of Evian from a hotel mini-bar.

• Our unbranded website is coming soon with high resolution photo library. Agents should register with Senderos for net rates and access to the image libary.
• Do let us know if you are visiting Brazil in 2009; we'd love to show you round some of the houses.
• We have availability still for the Easter school holidays, please enquire. We recommend you book New Year well in advance.

Contact us or Senderos for more information.

Casa Andina Private Collection - Suasi Island, Peru

All of the Casa Andina hotels including Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley and Suasi Island have been redecorated and appointed with new linen. This has been done by Peru’s famous interior designer Gabriel Pazos.

Since September Suasi Island has been offering an open bar system, which includes beers, water, national wines, pisco and snacks. The service hours of this bar are from 10 am to 6 pm, and after this time, all drinks and snacks (still included) can be ordered at the hotel bar or restaurant.

Suasi will be closed in February for annual refurbishment.

News for Casa Andina as a whole:-

• Published 2009 prices reduced on average 15%! Please contact your local partners and DMC's for more details.
• Casa Andina won the Business Creativity Award for 2008 in a huge event organised annually by UPC, El Comercio, ATV and el Grupo RPP, as well as achieving first place in the categories of "Exportation" and "Culture, Recreation and Tourism". We are very proud as no other company has ever won three first places in the history of these awards and that we did so in the first year we took part!
• New brochures available for Casa Andina Private Collection.
• New wine list in all Private Collection hotels with a wide selction of fine wines from around the world - by the bottle, half bottle and glass.
• Casa Andina was present at the 1st International Gastronomic Fair of Lima. Teddy Bouroncle, Corporate Chef of Casa Andina, was chosen as a member of the jury in charge of selecting the best Lomo Saltado
• Casa Andina is officially a great place to work. The chain was recognised as one of the top 30 companies to work for in Peru. 122 Periuvian companies were evaluated by the Institute and El Comercio newspaper published the ranking of the top 30 organisations that work hardest for the well-being of their staff.

Pousada Vida Sol e Mar, Praia do Rosa, Brazil

In mid November we said farewell to the last of the Southern Right Whales.

It was the most successful season so far, and we carried around 1300 passengers from all around the world as well as Brazil on our boats to see these amazing creatures.

• Delighted to say 100% of clients on our boat trips saw whales
• On average we saw 8 whales per departure
• The highest number was 32 whales!
• ...and the lowest 5.

The picture below right shows the select group of pousaderos who each have more than 40 years surfing each (Enrique is second from right).

We are now entering into the summer, high season at Praia do Rosa. Plenty to keep us busy while our friends journey south. We look forward to seeing them again next year!

Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa, Chile

Firstly some good news - given the current economic climate we decided to maintain this years US$ rates during the next year (2009/10 season). 

Family Programme
At Puyuhuapi we're delighted to offer special rates for children (under 12) and teenagers. The low rates (please enquire) apply irrespective of how many children accompany the adults.

We have developed activities for children such as the Camp on La Isla de los Locos Bajitos (5 – 12 yrs), where the children enjoy themselves and learn in a safe environment. Special attention has been given to the delicious food (children and adults).

To arrive at the Camp is an adventure in itself across the fjord, along beautiful trails through the temperate rainforest, and crossing hanging bridges. In Pudu Camp there are a host of activities on offer such as orientation, climbs, canoe trips, ecological trails, natural swimming pools, and workshops in recycling. In the evening storytelling, astronomy, competitions and games.
 

Ecoventura, Galapagos

Ecoventura Executive President Santiago Dunn is a bright spot in today's global tourism arena. He's been working quietly in Ecuador on earth matters since 1990 from the Guayaquil headquarters of his family-owned company that ferries ...A Letter from an Environmentalist Who Works in the Galapagos By Roderick on the Blog Expedition and Adventure Cruising - http://expeditioncruising.blogspot.com/search?q=ecoventura

Eric is already fitted with 40 solar panels and 2 wind generators, which produce 15 to 20% of the electrical demand of the boat. This is part of our continued efforts to reduce our footprint even more.

Ecoventura received the Responsible Tourism award for Best in a Marine Environment, contributing scholarships for education, developing micro-business for local women, converting a fishing boat into a restaurant providing alternative livelihoods for the wives of fishermen. Ecoventura was among the first Galapagos cruise operator to be independently environmentally audited.

www.ecoventura.com/aboutus/10reasonstobookwithecoventura.aspx

Sales Promotions for 2009 

• Ecoventura is offering a sales promotion on selected departures for new FIT bookings: Jan 11-18, Jan 18-25, Jan 25-01 Feb, Feb 1-8, Feb 8-15, Feb 22-01 Mar 2009. For new FIT bookings only, the park tax, fuel tax and TCT card fees will be waived. This represents an added value of $235.00 per person for your clients.
• Also, in appreciation of your efforts to help us sell excess inventory, we are offering an additional 5% commission on these selected departures for a limited time only.
• Note: the weeks of Jan 11-18, Jan 18-25, Jan 25-01 Feb are also being offered on a group or charter basis only. Please contact us for special rates and terms.
• Ecoventura is waiving the fuel tax ($125) on all cruises from Aug 30 to 04 Oct 2009.
• NEW - Family departure sales Promotions for 2009 - On our family departures Feb 15-22, Mar 15-22, Mar 22-29 and Mar 29-05 April we have extended the age to receive the 15% discount from 14 years to 17 years of age at the time of sailing.
• For the April 5-12 holiday family departure we are now offering child discounts; (25% for children 7-11 and 15% for children 12-14).

Antarctic Dream

Our Antarctic season 2008-09 is well underway with our fifth trip of the season with staff, crew and passengers from all over the world.

We are excited to mention that the Antarctic Dream will carry Cristian Donoso and his team of two other kayak experts to the Antarctic Peninsula to make a 550 mile self-supported kayak journey to the Palmer Archipelago and Danco Coast, both of which are among the places with the highest wildlife density on the White continent. The main goal of the expedition will be to alert the public about the effects of global warming on the Antarctic coast, and all material will go towards the creation of a documentary film, book, articles and a web site to inform the consequences of global warming.

For spectacular photos and information on this truly amazing expedition so far (including crossing the Southern Ice Field with kayaks!) go to http://www.incognitopatagonia.com

We are also preparing for the Penguin Lady on the January 8th departure! Dyan de Napoli has been studying penguins in aquariums and in the wild for more than nine years, with features on several television shows, and we are excited for her to join us in Antarctica as part of our lecture series!

We still have availability for this season as well as next, so please contact us (vpichereau@antarctic.cl) as soon as possible to find out how to book the trip of a lifetime! 

Finally, we are pleased to announce that for a second season the Antarctic Dream wll be in the Arctic in 2009 with Oceanwide Expeditions.

Experience Patagonia, Argentina

We have finalised the 2009/10 rates for both Hosteria Los Notros and Hotel Los Cerros (see pictures right), and Special Programs. Please contact us.

Promotions - Considering the world economic slowdown, we have decided to offer some special promotions to help to improve sales this season.

• 20% discount at Los Notros and 10% Los Cerros on Rack rates.
• Or when you book 2 nights at Los Notros and 2 nights at Los Cerros Programs, the 5th night Free at any of the two hotels.
• These offer applies for all booking until end of next season, April 2010.  They do not apply for Special dates: Christmas (23 to 26 Dec), New Year (30 Dec to 2 Jan) and Easter.
• Also, book an All inclusive program in either Superior or Premium rooms and choose the transport that suits you. Opt for either our regular transfers or a free hire car for the freedom you need.

After 4 very successful years as sales manager Rita Agote has left Experience Patagonia. She will be missed and we wish her all the very best.

Rita has been replaced Lelia Cataldi whom many of you will already know, former manager at Los Notros (photo right).

We'd also like to introduce you to Hernán and Soledad Rapetti. Soledad is now Resident Manager at Los Notros and Hernán Regional Manager with authority over both hotels.

Los Notros’ Sommelier Assistant has been named the Best Sommelier in Argentina 2008, and will now go to the Panamerican Sommelier Competition. Agustina Alba is only 22 years old & won the prize in a competition held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Buenos Aires.

New brochure for Experience Patagonia - please contact us or Senderos if you would like us to send you some.

For more information don’t hesitate to contact us on info@experiencepatagonia.com or lelia@experiencepatagonia.com
 

Quincho Country Home, Chile

What a place, what a chef! The view of the volcano with the full moon was stunning and will remain with us. Thank you for a very relaxing end to our Patagonia journey. HC Nov 08

We'd like to congratulate our brilliant chef Claudio Úbeda. For the second year running Claudio won the gold medal at the important national chef competition (Chef Sur) held in September in Concepcion.  In the photo right Claudio is being presented the award by Leo Chacón, member of Chilean chapter of Les Toques Blanches.

Claudio creates mouth watering dishes exclusively for our guests, of which there are a maximum of only 8 (4 rooms)!

One small change to our rooms which we hope will prove useful - Picaflor twin junior suite can now can be changed into a matrimonial room

This Country Home is unique. From the moment we arrived we were welcomed as individuals by both Cecilia and Silja. It is the personal touch that makes this place so special and we felt as though we were staying in someone's home. Each member of the team exuded warmth and friendliness. We have had a wonderful stay here and will remember it forever. RK and DM, Nov 08

Thank you for your warm and kind hospitalilty. The place is breathtaking and the most wonderful experience to feel at home. We will be your ambassadors out in the world! CG Nov 08

Pousada Picinguaba, Brazil

Dearest Picinguaba Family, Thank you for a truly wonderful start to our honeymoon. Peaceful, tranquil and beautiful surroundings. Our honeymoon suite had all the comforts imaginable and we felt very much at home with a stunning back-drop to wake up to each day. The highlight has to be the beautiful trees and a half kilometre of beach we practically had to ourselves. The food was delicious every day and service always came with a warm smile. All of your staff have been extremely hospitable and have added to the peaceful atmosphere of Picinguaba. Thank you once again for leaving us with such unforgettable memories.

New and still available for New Year week! We are happy to let you know that we have a first villa in Picinguaba available for renting, together with the full services of the hotel, for the Brazilian summer. Get even more privacy and exclusivity! More villas to come soon...

www.picinguaba.com/en/pousada_picinguaba/private_villas.mhtml

Also New & still available for New Year week is Fazenda Santa Helena ! For a perfect combination with your stay at Picinguaba, come and spend a few days at our new estate, 1 1/2 hours from the international airport of Sao Paulo, and on the way to Picinguaba, close to the charming colonial village of Sao Luis de Piraitinga. This authentic fazenda (or hacienda) dating from 1860, is available to rent as a private villa together with its horses, gardens, and 500 hectares - exclusively for you.

http://www.picinguaba.com/en/news/fazenda.mhtml

Pousada Picinguaba is proud to introduce to Galeria Brasiliana, one of the best selections of authentic Brazilian paintings and art crafts in Brazil. The masters of popular culture reflect in their art the unique characteristics of Brazil. Pousada Picinguaba is decorated with a selection of paintings from the Galeria Brasiliana which are all for sale, and a larger selection can also be seen in Sao Paulo or online.

What a fantastic place ! The surroundings are beautiful the hotel is gorgeous and perfect decoration. The food is delicious and the caipirinhas addictive !
All the staff have been so friendly and helpful. Thank you so much.

Awasi, Chile

Awasi and the people who look after you is like the Atacama Desert itself. Absolutely amazing. Absolutely fabulous. If you have the opportunity to visit this wonderful part of the world, stay at Awasi. The only problem you may have is never wanting to leave the hotel. This is a must area for all travellers.

Some news:

• In London in November Awasi received the LATA award for Best Boutique Hotel in Latin America
• Matias and Ivan will be in Europe in March (our first roadshow) with Senderos.
• Awasi was featured in the last edition of Architectural Digest in the US. www.architecturaldigest.com/homes/hotels/2009/01/hotels_awasi_012009
• We're delighted to have made it into Tablet Hotels' Top Ten New Hotels in the Americas 

My room was a perfect haven after a dusty day of exploring. The outdoor shower in my pretty patio a delight or a swim in the dramatic pool area where the guests join to share tales of their day. Everything is beyond wonderful. The food is fabulous. Great wine offerings. But it is the staff that is truly special. The casual friendly atmosphere allows a guest to feel comfortable, relaxed and spoiled, yet, also amongst local friends ready to enjoy life with you. I could continue forever about how much I enjoyed Awasi, but I suggest you visit instead, and then write why it was also your "slice of heaven."

The hotel is an oasis within the oasis of San Pedro. Awasi is the perfect place to stay in a magical place like San Pedro. The service is impeccable, personalized to the last detail. The food is outstanding, combining local fare and ingredients with world-class cuisine. The hotel's architecture and design are beautiful, blending naturally into San Pedro by using native materials.

Huaorani Ecolodge and Galapagos Walking Tours

HAPPY INTI -RAYMI !! Here on the equator it’s just about time for Inti- Raymi (21st December) the traditional Inca celebration on the day the sun is directly overhead. So from Ecuador, from Quito, from Tropic, we wish you all a happy holiday season and above all, that despite the economic gloom that is affecting all parts of the globe, that we all have a happy and successful New Year.

Huaorani Ecolodge - Best Sustainable Tourism Project

The first full year of operation of Huaorani Ecolodge (www.huaorani.com) has proved to be a real success despite minor setbacks. And the success and importance of the project has not gone unrecognized. In November Huaorani Eco-Lodge was awarded ‘Best Sustainable Tourism Project of the Year’ by the Latin American Tourism Association (www.lata.org) in London.

See the following link for an interesting article on Amazon tribes using GPS technology to battle land grabbers http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/01/070123-amazon-maps.html

Galapagos Walking Tours

The latest news from the Galapagos is that the company that flies our clients to Villamil has increased prices. The new 2009 prices are US$ 170 one way, $270 return. In general we book the Emetebe flight that leaves Baltra at 1230, arriving 1300 at Puerto Villamil. If there are any changes we will advise you immediately and please let us know if you have any questions.
 

Hotel La Passion, Cartagena

La Passion is a beautifully and carefully restored colonial/republican jewel. Once you have stepped behind the nondescript heavy door, the noise, the crowds and heat outside are quickly forgotten. We felt indulged and pampered from the moment we arrived. The rooms are beautifully appointed with pretty balconies facing the street, the baths are luxurious, the bed linens are so soft, the towels so fluffy. The owners of La Passion are fabulous people with great vision and sense of style; I must commend their ability to do elegance without fuzz and luxury without pretension while respecting and preserving the historical integrity of the building. La Passion is literally picture perfect.

We have spruced up our terrace with new colours and cushions. With an excellent restaurant and bar it's a truly lovely spot to admire those beautiful Caribbean sunsets, and we really believe one of the finest places to eat in all Cartagena.

La Passion now offers massages with scents and body oils, and a mini spa with Jacuzzi and swimming pool.

In the press we have been favourably featured in great articles in both Egypt and Dubai.

Bucking the trend of rising prices in Colombia we are happy to announce that we'll maintain our 2008 rates for 2009

We have also extended the low season (1 April - 30 June) and during this time also offer a discount of 25% off rack rates for a minimum 3 night stay. The best service and very reasonable prices!

Sat in the heart of the old city, this grand old building brings the concept of the Marrakech boutique hotel to Latin America. Its French owners have trawled the globe in search of exquisite furnishings, many from Morocco. A mixture of colonial and Republican-era architecture, La Passion has cathedral-like rooms which stay true to their origins while providing modern, elegant and discreet comfort in the shape of plasma TVs, WIFI and MP3 players. Breakfast is included in the price and served on the sumptuous roof terrace, next to the swimming pool. Footprint Guidebook to Colombia

Estancia Huechahue, Argentina

Things here are just really good! Rare I know in the tourism industry but we are actually enjoying less guests and correspondingly less employees - everything is just much smoother and back to how we started - much more of a working estancia and less the hotel ranch we were becoming by mistake. Better this way we think!

There is a new flight to Chapelco, San Martin de los Andes from Buenos Aires. Departures to and from are on Thursdays and Sundays starting on 04/12/08. Price is around US$500 return. Details and reservations can be made through www.surla.com.ar

This was the highlight of our three weeks in Argentina! The horses are in excellent condition. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. The scenery is fantastic. There is an excellent chance of seeing wildlife, such as condors, deer (which wander right up to the cabins), wild boars, hares and guanacos.

Thank you for so carefully selecting my riding partners from the four corners of the planet; they were the best ever. Horses and hands, food and drink, mountains, pampas and forest. Thanks Jane for giving us a “one ride in the world” experience!

Casa Higueras, Valparaiso, Chile

For our very special New Years Eve package we have 2 rooms still available. The stay is for 3 days / 2 nights from the 30th December to the 1st January and includes dinners, champagne and New Years Eve festivities with open bar, as well as unlimited use of the sauna, Jacuzzi, and outdoor pool.

Celebrating the New Year in Valpo' is a fantastic experience! During the half hour spectacular in the Bay of Valparaiso over 20 tons of fireworks are launched along the coastline from the Prat Pier to Viña del Mar. The celebrations, which have been going on since 1952, then turn to the street shows organized in the Plaza Sotomayor, to neighbours greeting each other in the hills with their own house parties, and to the rhythm of bars and dance halls all over the city until dawn.  For information on our city and its events see http://www.ciudaddevalparaiso.cl

We're looking forward to welcoming the Paris Dakar Rally in January 09. 

Rainforest Expeditions, Tambopata, Peru

Big mammals are among the most impacted animals due to hunting in the rainforest and protection of forest extensions for ecotourism is the key to great wildlife encounters. Observation numbers of Red Howler Monkeys at Posada Amazonas have gone up 24% in 2008 whereas encounters with groups of Brown Capuchin Monkeys have risen more than 50%.

New Year’s Eve in the rainforest - TRC is sold out with clients looking for a truly remarkable place to see in 2009. The nearest other human (a park guard) is 2 hours downstream so this is truly the antithesis to most New Years celebrations! Both Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas still have a few spaces left.

Guide Course - Rainforest Expeditions has started with the application process for the 2009 Guide Course taking place at all three properties in February to March 09. Resumes from Biologists, Professional Guides and member from the local communities are being received.

Macaws and Jaguars - A German film crew led by Christian Baumeister, visited the Tambopata Research Center in August and September. The focus was the world largest claylick which is visited by macaws on a daily basis. The crew also filmed the trapping of jaguars in the region around TRC, in an extensive research project of radio telemetry carried out by WWF.

Everything about our stay at Tambopata Research Center was excellent! Travelling several hours down the river was worth it for the untouched rainforest. Our guide (Augusto--numero uno!) was great, adjusting our itinerary to our preferences and overseeing our entire experience. All of the guides were helpful, not just the one assigned to our group of four. The staff at the lodge was extremely efficient and friendly, also very attentive to our needs. The open air rooms enhanced our experience in the jungle. Rainforest Expeditions also makes efforts to be environmentally friendly from the biodegradable soaps to using banana leaves and reusable woven baskets to carry food. Again, overall experience was amazing!

Email info@senderos.co.uk for more information.

Telephone: +44 (0)208 1448335

If you do not wish to receive future newsletters please click here.