MEDIA KIT 2014

After a long career of arranging and guiding adventure trips to South and Central America for other companies, Justin Laycob decided to establish a company of his own for travelers wishing to take roads less traveled. His goal was to design trips that would provide the most authentic experience possible to explore these cultures and landscapes. This enables independent-minded travelers, unaccustomed to group tours, to experience places where guided travel is the only allowed or prudent way to see some of these countries' most astonishing sights. Out of this vision of custom, authentic travel, Southern Explorations was born.

Company Background

Southern Explorations began by providing active guided tours to some of South America's most popular attractions including Machu Picchu, the Galapagos Islands and Patagonia. With an established track record of satisfied customers the operator now offers tours in seven countries and Antarctica. Southern Explorations continues to develop new itineraries, traveling extensively through each destination, exploring new options and locations, establishing relationships with tour specialists, and selecting services that will meet the company's high standards for quality and sustainability.

History

Southern Explorations has earned an international reputation for first-rate customer service, unique travel itineraries that are meticulously coordinated, dedication to sustainable tourism and a flawless safety record. This level of performance is maintained by employing liaison personnel in each destination country and by a thorough and regular review of all itinerary services and equipment. Additionally, Southern Explorations’ staff regularly travels to each destination to ensure high standards of quality. Southern Explorations is a company based on a community of professional friends, founded by the company’s president. Everyone that is involved with the company both here and abroad are close friends and share the same vision. When on an adventure with Southern Explorations, travel with a unique family dedicated to quality, exploration and preservation.

The Southern Explorations difference

Southern Explorations takes great pride in the depth of knowledge found on the website www.southernexplorations.com. The website contains a wide range of information about each destination including the culture, history, flora and fauna. This enables travelers access to many travel insights and destination research before departure and making travel plans. In addition to the website information and personal support, a thorough pre-departure information packet is provided that is specific to each destination and trip. Many helpful things are included- clients receive a detailed packing list and multi-page booklet covering what to expect on the trip, background information about the destination, and answers to common questions regarding such topics as customs, immunization, luggage storage, flight vouchers and dietary issues.

Southern Explorations website

Southern Explorations has strong roots in South America. Southern Explorations offers tours in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Brazil. The Galapagos tours have been endorsed by the likes of National Geographic Traveler, Forbes magazine, the Chicago Tribune and the Washington Post. Travelers can experience almost any adventure from surfing and yoga in Brazil to hiking through Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile.

South America tours

Offering tours in Panama and Costa Rica, Southern Explorations urges travelers to head to Central America to partake in its world-renowned ecotourism. The itineraries in these countries highlight the pristine beaches, unspoiled nature reserves and endless adventure travel activities like zip lining, hiking volcanoes and whitewater rafting.

Central America tours

Visitors who travel to Antarctica with Southern Explorations have a choice of four categories of vessels: Adventure, Expedition, Icebreaker and Luxury Expedition. These ship types vary in amenities, comfort, activities, passenger capacity and cost. In all, there are twelve ships from which to choose. All of the cruise ships on Southern Explorations’ Antarctica tours embark from Ushuaia. Travelers are also now offered a new luxury of being flown to the continent to board the ship while avoiding the rough seas of the Drake passage.

Antarctica Tours

All Southern Explorations tours are designed to directly benefit the communities that are visited by hiring and offering fair wages to native guides, porters, and logistics personnel. In creating the itineraries the company supports indigenous or locally-owned and operated hotels, lodges, restaurants and other tour services so as to help the communities that are visited. Local organizations, non-profit entities and schools are all utilized to improve the quality of life in these communities. The goal is to provide an authentic experience to help travelers understand the inhabitants and traditions of every destination that is visited.

Cultural immersion

Southern Explorations practices environmental stewardship based on the "Leave No Trace" philosophy. This is done by limiting groups to eight passengers [twelve in some special cases], designing itineraries that minimize travel time, including local hikes and walking routes, traveling to established National Parks and conservation areas and camping in locations with benign sanitary systems.  All supplies are packed-in so as to produce as little waste as possible and packed-out to properly dispose of all rubbish. Preserving and protecting local ecosystems is core to Southern Explorations’ view on tourism.

Leave no trace

MEDIA CONTACTS

Stephanie ParnellAdventure MediaAccount Manager832-755-7661stephanie@adventuremedianews.com

Justin LaycobSouthern ExplorationsOwner877-784-5400justin@southernexplorations.com