We’re excited to announce Premier Tours’ own Julian Harrison (Africa) and Allie Almario (South America) have both been included in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021  list of Top Travel Specialists for their expertise in Southern Africa and the Galapagos respectively.

Premier Tours has been on the list for 20 years, recognized for our knowledge and expertise to design the most astounding adventures and experiences possible.

You can view the entire list at: cntraveler.com, and check out Julian and Allie’s profiles:

When you are ready to travel again, we can help make your travel dreams come true. We’d be happy to put together your bucket list itinerary in Africa or South America. We’ve got some spectacular incentives and specials when you’re ready to travel for this summer and beyond!

By Allie E. Almario

There are so many wonderful highlights to Chile. This long, narrow country (2,700 miles from tip to tip, just over 100 miles wide) offers an incredible variety of landscapes, but we have a handful of favorite destinations that we think offer tremendous activities.

TORRES DEL PAINE (Patagonia)

How to get there: Well, it’s not easy. From Santiago, you’ll need to fly to Punta Arenas on one of several daily flights. From here, the nearest gateway to the park is Puerto Natales, about a three-hour drive from the airport. We recommend overnighting here for a night or two before heading to the Torres del Paine (pronounced pie-nay) Park, which is an additional two hour drive. We promise the trip is well worth it, as this park is known as the crown jewel of Patagonia.

Things to do: Hike hike hike!  There are number of well-known multi-day hiking circuits for those who are up to challenging treks. Most Premier Tours travelers like to base themselves at one of the many luxury lodges within the park, and then take daily guided hikes from the hotels each day. You can choose from easy hikes at just over two hours length, or opt for a full-day hike with a boxed lunch to go.

When to go: The seasons are opposite to ours in North America, so summer in Patagonia is from December to about March. You’ll have the best chance to enjoy blue skies and pleasant temperatures. You can try June to August, but be prepared for strong, gusty winds. The plus? Far fewer crowds.

EASTER ISLAND (Rapa Nui)

How to get there: Plan on a full day of travel each way to and from Easter Island. From Santiago, it’s a five-hour flight with most planes arriving in the afternoon. On your return to the mainland, you’ll depart just after breakfast and return to Santiago by just after lunch. We recommend a dayroom at the airport hotel if you plan on taking a red-eye back to the United States that same night.

Things to do: The name Easter Island was given by Jacob Roggeveen, the first recorded European visitor to the island in 1722. He apparently arrived on Easter Sunday. There are nearly 900 Moai scattered throughout Easter Island, in various stages of construction. The average size of a Moai statue is a staggering 13 feet tall and 14 tons. You’ll need about five days to explore the most iconic of these statues, but build in a day to spend a day wandering on an isolated beach or the small town.

When to go: Surprisingly, Easter Island’s climate is actually considered tropical rainforest. Seasons are opposite to North America, so you’ll find the warmest air temperatures from December to March. June, July and August can be cool, in the 60s. Generally, the rainiest time of year is May.

THE ATACAMA DESERT

How to get there: The Atacama is the driest desert in the world and many compare its haunting landscape to those of Mars. For some, the lack of light pollution also means it is a sought-after destination for star-gazers. You must fly from Santiago to Calama, which takes just over two hours. From here, it’s about another hour’s drive to the gateway village of San Pedro de Atacama.

Things to do: Some people describe the dusty, remote village of San Pedro as funky. The hotels here range from basic hostals to incredibly luxurious five-star boutique inns, complete with villas that offer personal butlers. From town, you’ll take daily trips to the desert to enjoy hot springs, lagoons, and incredible sand dunes.

When to go: The weather doesn’t change much throughout the year, but it can be surprisingly cold here. Wear lots of layers to combat the high altitude, but also don’t forget a bathing suit for a dip into nearby hot springs.

By Allie E. Almario

If you’ve got a flexible schedule, consider choosing to travel when it’s NOT the most popular time of the year to go to your favorite destination.  First of all, let us define when exactly is shoulder season. Shoulder season traditionally refers to the period between the high and low seasons of a given destination, according to Tripsavvy. For most of South America, those months are generally April, May, October and November. Dates can extend in either direction by a couple of weeks.

1. Temperate Weather

During shoulder seasons, you’ll avoid temperature extremes – the heat and humidity of the summer, and cold and winds of winter.  To be fair, traveling in shoulder season may mean packing extra layers of clothing.

Summer season can also be somewhat rainy, so traveling just after a rainy summer might mean photos with lush, green landscapes. But don’t forget to pack that waterproof jacket, just in case! And if you are traveling in spring, for some mammal species, that means lots of new babies if you are on a wildlife trip, and inspiring gorgeous flower blooms in gardens and nature parks.

2. Less Crowds

As a bonus, shoulder season usually means a lot less people are headed to that spot. And that might mean parks with less people on the trails, more flexibility in hotel choices, and less traffic to get from place to place. Hiking permits may be easier to get, and if you’re lucky and a hotel is feeling generous, you might get an upgrade or two while at a hotel which has lower occupancy.  You won’t need to get up quite as early to beat the crowds to get to a famous iconic site.

3.  Budget

Traveling during shoulder season can sometimes help your budget tremendously. International flights might be cheaper, and many hotels lower their rates to attract travelers. That might mean you can stretch out your trip by an extra day or two to take advantage of better pricing.  Being flexible might net you some great deals, especially if you decide on traveling spontaneously – you might just score a last-minute deal.

By Allie E. Almario

A popular destination for adventure travelers is the Amazon rainforest, which occupies a huge swath of South America (nine countries) and offers some of the most exciting wildlife viewing opportunities in the world.  On a daily basis, you may find yourself birdwatching at dawn, hiking through pristine reserves, or canoeing along mangroves looking for giant river otters or capybaras, the world’s largest rodents. Feeling lucky? Try your hand at fishing for the biggest catfish you’ll ever land. Take a canopy walk among the treetops as a confetti of colorful butterflies flit around you. Track for jaguars or take on a night safari hike.

Grab your binoculars, and follow our top recommendations to help you make the best choices for your dream trip to the Amazon in Peru or Ecuador.

Choose between traveling to Peru or Ecuador

Deciding between Peru or Ecuador’s Amazon region may be dictated by other components of your itinerary. Going to Machu Picchu? Then choose the Peruvian Amazon by heading to either Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos, the most popular gateway cities. Already booked your Galapagos cruise? Then you’ll likely fly from Quito, Ecuador to get to your lodge.

Choose between a lodge or a cruise

One of the most difficult choices is deciding between staying at an eco-lodge or to board a small ship.  While your wildlife viewing experience may not vary that much, there are other factors that may matter to you, depending on your personal preference. For those who choose a lodge, you’ll be able to concentrate on a specific region within a day’s travel time. Local guides will know the local wildlife really well as they can easily track patterns on a daily basis. 

Those who chose to travel by boat will typically see a greater variety of landscapes since you tend to disembark at different small ports each day.  Accommodations vary, but tend to be at least first-class with wonderful amenities not usually found at a lodge such as on-board small pools and air-conditioning.

Note that if you prefer to cruise, Peru has more upscale ship options than Ecuador.

Choose how many days to spend in the Amazon

Because of flight and transfer logistics, we recommend a minimum of five days on board any cruise or lodge stay.  Day 1 of your trip means a flight to the nearest gateway.

From the airport, it’s usually a short transfer to a nearby dock where you’ll either board your small cruise ship or a motorized canoe to take you on a longer (two or more hours) scenic transfer to a lodge. By lunchtime, you should be at your destination.

You’ll repeat this transfer on your last day in the Amazon departing after breakfast, so a typical five-day package really gives you three and a half days in situ.

Choose when to go to the Amazon

There’s no bad time to travel to the Amazon. There’s always a plethora of wildlife. Generally, peak season tends to be from about June to December. High demand can obviously mean more expensive rates. For most visitors, deciding between two seasons – low water or high water season – may be an important factor.  High water season (January to June) will allow you greater access to different regions within the river tributaries by boats, canoes or kayaks. At the same time, be prepared for biting insects and mosquitos, so pack wisely. 

Shoulder seasons, just before and after the high season, means more hiking trails are exposed and perhaps less bugs.

By Allie E. Almario

1. When to go

High or peak season for Peru is May to October, known as the dry season.  May and September are usually the best months for overall weather.  Most popular times to travel are July and August, due to North American and European trends.  At the end of June and at the end of July are two major festivals and holidays that create lots of hotel demand and higher than normal pricing.  January to March can be quite rainy, but it also means less crowds.

2. Timing

Make sure you spend enough time acclimating to the high altitude in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, the two most popular must-go spots on itineraries before arriving into Machu Picchu. We recommend spending at least three days exploring both areas to enjoy the best Incan sites and local culture and to give yourself time to get used to the high altitude. Never underestimate the benefits of a well-paced trip when you’re spending time above 10,000 feet!

If you prefer to travel on the first-class train, you will depart from either Cusco or the Sacred Valley in the morning, arriving in time at Aguas Calientes for a wonderful lunch. From there, it’s about 30-45 minutes on a shuttle bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Timed entries into the ruins themselves are designed to avoid overcrowding, so you’ll have the entire afternoon for your private guided tour of Machu Picchu. 

We’ll also provide a round-trip ticket for your shuttle the next day, as well as entry fees and a bucket list hiking permit to one of the famed peaks of either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu.

3.  Overnight at Aguas Calientes

We highly recommend overnighting at one of the many fabulous hotels in Aguas Calientes, the small village located just below the ruins of Machu Picchu. You can choose to stay at one of several small, boutique-style inns right on the main street with easy access to shops and restaurants.

There are several luxury options for travelers as well. Choose from balcony suites overlooking the rushing Urubama River or upscale private casitas or villas, complete with private butlers.

And the most splurge-worthy hotel?  The iconic Sanctuary Lodge, perched just below the mountains of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu and the ONLY hotel at the ruins.  You’re paying for location, location, location.  Choose to upgrade to a room with a private terrace or a suite.

If you follow these recommendations, you’ll be heading in the right direction for choosing the perfect Machu Picchu dream itinerary.

By Allie E. Almario

What’s our favorite Galapagos visitor sites? Oh, there are so many scattered throughout the archipelago’s 13 major islands! But don’t worry, no matter what sailing itinerary you’re on, the Galapagos National Park has already done a terrific job of choosing the best visitor sites for the optimum wildlife viewing and landscape diversity. Even better, they limit the number of passengers who can disembark at each visitor site, ensuring that there are never ever any crowds – except perhaps for a mountain of marine iguanas here and there.

Our Galapagos expert Allie Almario, who’s traveled to these islands close to 20 times, admits to having a few personal favorite visitor sites. Here is Round Three of some of her favorite spots.

1. Punta Pitt and Cerro Brujo on San Cristobal Island

These two sites are located on San Cristobal Island, the provincial capital of the archipelago. It is also the departure point for just a handful of boats touring the Galapagos. Up in the highlands is the only fresh water lake in the Galapagos and the remains of the community of El Progreso. This settlement, founded by tyrant and coffee grower, Manuel Cobos, is also famous for his murder, possibly the convicts he brought in as slave labor. Cerro Brujo’s beautiful beach is inhabited by oyster catchers. Only 400 of these species are found in the entire archipelago.

2. Tower Island

Tower Island is also known as Genovesa. Because of its location in the far north archipelago, Tower Island is one of the least visited of the Galapagos Islands. Darwin Bay’s white coral beach is wonderful for exploring tidepools. Nearby are soft-bristled cacti. No need for hard bristles for protection when few animals try to eat it. Look for lava and swallow-tailed gulls nesting on the cliffs above you.  On the east side of the  bay,  a  steep  climb  up  Prince  Philip’s  Steps  leads  you  to  a red-footed  nesting site.  No need for telephoto lenses here – often, they are found just a few feet away from you, placidly resting on branches.

On Allie’s last visit here, her group of 10 travelers had to wait to disembark on the steps because a young sea lion fell asleep on the landing, blocking the entrance to the staircase. One of the ship crew volunteered to jump off and tried to shoo away a very disgruntled sea lion. It wasn’t easy!

3.  Gardner Bay on Hood Island

Possibly one of the most beautiful beaches on the entire archipelago, this spectacular white sand beach at the east end of Hood Island is wonderful for snorkeling with sea lions. Most visits here allow plenty of down time for hanging out on the beach. Don’t be surprised if you fall asleep on the beach – and then wake up to a sea lion taking a nap right next to you!  If you are adventurous, an offshore rock is known for white-tipped sharks which prefer to rest underneath it. The beach can be reached via a wet landing.

There’s so many wonderful Galapagos sailing itineraries – you won’t be disappointed no matter which islands you visit.

By Allie E. Almario

Our Galapagos expert Allie Almario, who’s traveled to these islands close to 20 times, admits to having a few personal favorite visitor sites. Of course, every visitor site is already hand-picked by the Galapagos National Park for its wildlife or landscape diversity, so there are no “bad” visitor sites. You’ll always be guaranteed a great experience no matter what islands your ship sails to on its itinerary.

Here is the second round of some of her favorite choices.

1. Española or Hood Island

At Punta Suarez, you will find one of the world’s densest and most interesting concentrations of wildlife including sea lions, marine  iguanas  with  unique  copper  red patches,  swallow-tailed gulls,  lava  lizards,  finches,  the  endemic  long-billed  mockingbird,  blue-footed  and  masked  boobies,  and oystercatchers. Española is also the only place where, between the months of April and December, the majestic waved albatross breeds. A highpoint of Allie’s experience here is watching the mating dance of these intriguing birds.

Along the southern shore of Española rise high cliffs, home to many of the sea birds. Look for the iconic “blowhole,” where, depending on the surf, water spouts up to 75 feet into the air.

On Allie’s earlier visits to the islands, she remembers when a naturalist guide pointed out that the mockingbirds learned they could beg for fresh water from hikers. To demonstrate this, he pulled out a water bottle and filled the cap. He was suddenly surrounded by several mockingbirds, which hopped onto his arms and shoulders to wait for their turn to drink out of the bottle cap. Needless to say, this isn’t allowed any longer.

2. Fernandina Island

Fernandina’s only visitor site, Espinosa Point, lies on the island’s northeast corner across from Isabela’s Tagus Cove. The largest colony of marine iguanas in the Galápagos nests nearby. Allie reports that sometimes the trails are so littered with marine iguanas that it will take more than 15 minutes just to tiptoe carefully through the path to get back to the embarkation point.

Look for the flightless cormorant nesting site. Each nest—a creative mix of seaweed and twigs—is where you’ll find a female sitting patiently while her partner is hunting for their next meal. Have your camera ready – vermillion flycatchers perch in the mangrove branches.

3.  Floreana (Charles Island)

Patrick Watkins, a whaler from Ireland and the first official inhabitant of the islands, chose to settle on Floreana. The island also played host to a group of idealistic Norwegians, who lost their life savings in efforts to do everything from farming to fish canning. The 20th century brought Dr. Ritter, and Dore Strauch, his ex-patient turned lover; Margaret and  Heinz  Wittmer,  and  their  12-year old  son;  the  “Baroness”  and her adoring collection of  three lovers; and a rather unusual variety of visitors and prospective settlers. After assorted deaths and vanishing people, the island was left with only Margaret Wittmer, her daughter, and grandchildren.

We recommend you watch the documentary, The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came To Eden (2014). Allie worked with filmmakers Dayna Goldfine and Dan Geller on the documentary, and traveled with them to Floreana to scout out film locations that were only opened to them with special permission. One of the most popular visits is to Post Office Bay. Bring a postcard for a loved one and leave it behind, then search through the collection of cards for anyone who might live near you to mail as a favor when you return home!

We wish everyone comfort, peace and good health. We do have faith that we will all get through this together and look forward to exploring this glorious planet again soon with you.

We’re excited to announce Premier Tours’ own Julian Harrison (Africa) and Allie Almario (South America) have both been included in Travel + Leisure’s 2020 A List of Top Travel Advisors for their expertise in Eastern and Southern Africa and the Peru and Ecuador respectively.

Premier Tours has been on the list since 2001, recognized for our knowledge and expertise to design the most astounding adventures and experiences possible.

You can view the entire list at: Travel + Leisure.

When the time is right, we can help make your travel dreams come true. We’d be happy to put together your bucket list itinerary in Africa or South America.

By Allie E. Almario

After six months in a tight lockdown due to COVID, the Galapagos Islands are back open and ready to welcome visitors. Flights to the Galapagos resumed in August 2020, and ships began to host a handful of intrepid travelers.  What did they find? An already pristine and protected archipelago which thrived during the quarantine!

The travel and health protocols provided below are current as of September 2020. Updates will be provided as needed, and we do expect changes to these requirements as quarantine rules relax throughout the world.

ARRIVING INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS TO ECUADOR & THE GALAPAGOS

Effective September 10, 2020:

All arrivals to Ecuador are required to provide a negative RT-PCR test result taken up to 10 days prior to the arrival date in Ecuador. Arrivals must fill out a Traveler Health Declaration Form (one per family) that identifies the location of your stay (hotel) while in the mainland.

All visitors traveling to Galapagos must show a negative RT-PCT test result for COVID19 taken within 96 hours (4 days) before the flight to Galapagos.  The same PCR test used to enter Ecuador can be presented if taken within 96 hours.  Otherwise, you will be required to take a second RT-PCR test in Ecuador before boarding the flight to Galapagos. Some ships can arrange for a lab approved by ACESS to perform a test taken at your hotel prior to departure. The test results are usually available within a few hours.  The cost of the test is approximately $120 per person.

During the shut down, the Galapagos cruise industry took the time to carefully evaluate health and sanitary procedures to implement for arriving guests. While protocol will vary from ship to ship, here is what you can expect if you were to travel in the next month or so:

ON BOARD THE SHIP

• Prior to COVID, the standard ratio of guide to guest was usually 1 per 10-16 depending on the ship. Now that ratio may be reduced even further to 1 guide per 8-12 guests.  This ratio will vary from ship to ship.
• Bringing your own personal wetsuit or snorkeling gear is encouraged.
• Shoe disinfection trays are to be used upon embarkation each time you board the ship.
• Deep cleanings will occur frequently within cabins and in public spaces.
• Air conditioning filters will be changed more frequently.
• Ship crew will be tested for Corona virus prior to entering the islands, and also monitored daily, including temperature checks.
• Ship crew will be issued PPE (personal protection equipment).
• Ship crew will be asked to maintain social distancing of three feet in closed spaces whenever possible with guests, six feet when in open areas.
• Ship crew will carry antibacterial gel in first-aid kits.
• Ship crew will not be allowed to disembark onto populated islands unless mandated by the captain.
• Paper travel documents may be replaced with digital versions.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the ship.
• Digital screens will replace paper itineraries to update guests on timed activities.
• Talks and presentations may be split into separate shifts for guests to reduce interaction.
• Kayaks will only be shared by guests who inhabit the same cabin.

DINING ON BOARD

• Buffet meals will be eliminated.
• Some ships will offer more meals as outdoor dining to increase social distancing.
• Physical menus will be replaced with digital versions.

As noted, we expect lots of changes to the above as we head into the fall. We’ll continue to keep you posted with any major updates.

By Allie E. Almario

What’s our favorite Galapagos visitor sites? Oh, there are so many scattered throughout the archipelago’s 13 major islands! But don’t worry, no matter what sailing itinerary you’re on, the Galapagos National Park has already done a terrific job of choosing the best visitor sites for the optimum wildlife viewing and landscape diversity. Even better, they limit the number of passengers who can disembark at each visitor site, ensuring that there are never ever any crowds – except perhaps for a mountain of marine iguanas here and there.

Still, our Galapagos expert Allie Almario, who’s traveled to these islands close to 20 times, admits to having a few personal favorites.

1. Bartolome Island

Located in the heart of the islands, Bartolome portrays, better than anywhere else, the geological history of the archipelago. With its 350 foot cinder cone, fabulous strange shaped and colored lava formations, and views of volcanic peaks and moonlike landscapes, Bartolome is one of the most popular of the islands visited in the Galapagos. It’s also a popular day trip from Santa Cruz Islands, though visitors who come on day trips can only arrive on specific days designated by the national park.

An interesting hike will take you up to the summit of the once active volcano, a walk of about 30-40 minutes – and yes, someone counted and there are 372 steps to the top. From the summit, you have a panoramic view of the island, as well as the immense black lava flows on nearby James or Santiago. You can also swim or snorkel on the nearby beach. Allie loves it for the opportunity to swim alongside penguins, marine iguanas and sea lions.

2. Concha De Perla on Isabela Island. 

Translated into English, Concha de Perla means pearl oyster shell.  This visitor site is popular with people who are lucky enough to overnight at one of the many lovely small hotels on Isabela Island. When you first arrive, don’t be surprised if you’ll have to tiptoe your way through a path that may have a small crowd of sleepy sea lions. It’s truly one of the most magical snorkeling experiences Allie has ever had. During low tide, the waters trapped among the lava rock and mangroves create a sort of living aquarium. The waters are nearly always calm and clear, so those who are nervous about snorkeling will enjoy it even more. The variety of colorful fish is startling. Don’t forget to bring a change of clothing and a towel, and of course, reef-safe sunscreen.

3.  Cerro Dragon (Dragon Hill) on Santa Cruz Island

Located on the western side of Santa Cruz, this site is comparatively among the newest visitor sites approved by the Galapagos National Park. It is not highly frequented by other boats. Why a favorite? It arguably has the largest and most impressive population of Conolophus subcristatus, or Galapagos land iguana, in the archipelago. Since this iguana is so hard to see on other islands, Allie and other travelers were thrilled to find nearly 20 of them scattered throughout their three-hour hike on her last visit. Described as miniature dragons, these rotund and comical land iguanas can be tough to spot. They blend in so well in the desert-like landscape of Santa Cruz Island. Look for the opuntia cacti – the iguanas love to munch at the foot of the cactus.