(EMAILWIRE.COM, May 06, 2011 ) SEATTLE, Wash. -- Southern Explorations, a tour company specializing in South America travel was recently recognized twice in National Geographic Traveler’s annual “Tours of a Lifetime” issue for their innovative Galapagos tour and superior guiding. The May 2011 issue featured “50 Tours of a Lifetime” and “10 Great Tour Guides”. Southern Explorations’ Galapagos Supreme Tour was named one of South America’s best tours as part of the Tours of a Lifetime feature and tour guides Alfredo and Joaquin Meneses, who are often guides for Southern Explorations, were named two of the world’s best tour guides. Below is the text of the accolades from National Geographic Traveler’s May 2011 issue:
Tours of a Lifetime: May 2011
Ecuador: Galápagos Land and Sea
Family-friendly
The best way to explore the famed archipelago that sparked Darwin’s theory of evolution is the way the eminent naturalist himself did it: by land and sea. Spend the first half of the tour hiking and kayaking the volcanic islands for up-close looks at giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, and other endemic species. Next, board a 20-passenger yacht to cruise the rugged shoreline in search of sea lion harems and primeval lava landscapes. Southern Explorations: “Galápagos Supreme,” 12 days; $4,895.
10 Great Tour Guides: May 2011
Alfredo and Joaquin Meneses
Alfredo, an independent guide in Ecuador for Southern Explorations and other outfitters, is an expert kayaker, completing more than 50 river descents. Joaquin often joins his father on family itineraries.
"One of our guides dislocated a shoulder on the Jatunyacu River. It looked bad. Suddenly an Indian woman appeared as if from nowhere. She picked up a stone, smashed some plants, and rubbed them on him, then took his arm, and with the most gentle movement, put it back in place. This is the kind of thing we see in the jungle. Joaquin: I make friends with the kids on the trip and show them things my dad taught me."
