Experience the Chilean Bicentennial with explora!

Discover the culture, history and natural beauty of Chile, found throughout this long and slender land. Chile stretches 2,690 mi (4.329 km) from its northern border to its southern tip, which makes Chile’s nature very diverse with enchanting landscapes, among them explora’ main destinations in Atacama, Easter Island and Patagonia. Discover two or more of our destinations and enjoy the beauty of Chile and its most remote places with a unique program, created just for the Bicentennial.

Combine 2 or 3 explora destinations from June to September -
Travelers who combine two or more explora destinations, with a minimum of 4 nights in Patagonia and 3 nights in Atacama or Rapa Nui, will receive a special rate of 600 USD per person per night when travelling between June 1stand September 30th, 2010.
Choose the explora destination that you prefer during the month of September

For September only, we are offering a unique rate of 600 USD per person per night, with a 4 night minimum in any explora destination, with no need to combine destinations.

Chile update - earthquake damage

Although thousands of Chileans were devastated by the earthquake of February 27th, most parts of Chile frequented by tourists were not affected. Here are updates on specific areas:

Santiago Airport
Santiago International Airport has established 100% of its regular operations with a daily flow of around 24.000 passengers. Shortly after the earthquake, Santiago International Airport’s main building was inspected by two different teams of structural engineers, both of which concluded that no relevant structural damage could be found. Supporting infrastructure for National and International arrivals and departures was made operational within 48 hours of the earthquake. By Tuesday, March 9th, the international arrivals section of the main building was operational, adding to the International Departures section which was working 96 hours from the time of the earthquake. Today the airport is completely operational for passengers, with shops, restaurants and other services all fully functional.

Santiago, Valparaiso & Vina del Mar
All Santiago hotels are functioning normally, as are hotels in Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. San Cristobal Hill is open. Santa Lucia Hill is closed until further notice. The Fronck Museum in Vina del Mar has been closed until further notice. Most funiculars in Valparaiso are operational.

Vineyards
Wineries in Casablanca and the San Antonio Valley, such as Casas del Bosque, Indomita, Matetic, Casa Marin, are operation normally.
Wineries in the Colchagua Valley – Casa Silva, Lapostolle, Santa Helena, Hacienda Araucano, Laura Hartwing, Montgras – are operating normally. Some hotels, such as Santa Cruz and Lapostolle Residence were damaged and are being repaired.

Patagonia, Lakes & Volcano districts, Easter Island, Atacama Desert
No areas were affected by the earthquake. All roads, hotels and services are fully-operational.

MACHU PICCHU REOPENS

As announced by Peru's National Institute of Culture (INC), the major tourist attraction Machu Picchu and its famous Inca Trail reopened on April 1st, after being closed for two months due to unprecedented severe flooding caused by torrential rains that damaged railway tracks between Cuzco, Ollantaytambo and the Inca citadel. Since then, crews have been working hard to restore the vital rail access and rebuild sections that were completely destroyed. Fortunately, the UNESCO World Heritage site remained intact despite this natural disaster. During the rebuilding, a limited train service operated between the Piscacucho, provisional station located 50 minutes from Ollantaytambo, and the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes). It was necessary to transfer passengers by road from Cuzco or Urubamba to Piscacucho. We will keep you posted on further developments about the other train services to Machu Picchu.

CHAA CREEK SUMMER CAMP

Eco Kids Rainforest Adventure
Chaa Creek Summer Camp
July 18 -24, 2010
Looking for a special event for you and your 7-15 year old this summer?
Chaa Creek is offering a week long summer camp program to educate children about biodiversity, natural resource conservation, the ancient Maya, traditional healing, and the three "R's" Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

The program aims to instill memorable values that will have an impact on the way children conduct their lives, their relationship with our fragile Earth, and the sustainable development of our future.
Some of our guided educational activities include:
Hiking to ancient Maya sites where we will perform archaeological excavations,Horseback Riding through Jungle Trails while studying the medicinal flora within our 365-acre private reserve, Song writing and talent show sessions, Hands-on sustainable organic farming techniques, and Supervised water activities at Chaa Creek's new swimming pool.
6 Nights/7 Days all inclusive
Chaa Creek Nature Reserve

US$815 per child at the Macal River Camp
US$1206 per parent at The Lodge at Chaa Creek
Children's Summer Camp includes lodging at the Macal River Camp, all meals plus snacks three times a day, daily scheduling of educational events, arts & craft materials and t-shirt, Camp Counselors 24/7, and guided tours with our licensed naturalist guides.
Parents' rate includes airport transfers, lodge accommodation (next door to camp), all meals, and onsite activities.

For further details, contact Lost World Adventures at 800-999-0558.

SERVICE TO MACHU PICCHU TO RESUME APRIL 1

It is now confirmed that trains to Machu Picchu will resume operations on April 1st, 2010. The access will require a 50 minute bus ride from the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo Station) up to Piscacucho (Km.82) followed by an 80 minute train ride to Machu Picchu train station (Aguas Calientes). This bus-train combined service will be provided by Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Of course, the bus ride from Cusco city to Piscacucho will take longer.

Angel Falls - one of the 7 Natural Wonders of South America

Angel Falls is found in Venezuela in the Canaima National Park. It is the highest waterfall in the world at 3,212 feet (979 m). The falls has a clear drop of 2,647 feet (807 m) which is so far that the water vaporizes with the wind and becomes mist well before reaching the ground. Angel Falls is also called Kerepakupai meru which means "waterfall of the deepest place."

There is a global campaign to establish the 7 Natural Wonders of South America and Angel Falls is a candidate. You are invited to promote the mountain as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of South America.

Angel Falls – Vote now as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of South America.
http://sevennaturalwonders.org/south-america/angel-falls

Lost World Adventures arranges trips to Canaima National Park that include overnight and full-day trips to the base of Angel Falls. Contact a consultant for details.

2010 Galapagos Diving Season Aboard M/S ALTA

WOLF & DARWIN DIVING TRIPS NOW OPEN ON THE ALTA FOR PEAK SEASON 2010
After an excellent Diving Season in 2009 aboard the ALTA, we are excited to inform you that the Galapagos National Park has again granted a diving permit for the yacht M/S Alta to perform diving expeditions to Wolf & Darwin Islands during peak season in 2010. Call Lost World Adventures for available dates for diving as well as day-by-day itinerary.

If you are interested in diving in 2010, here is your chance to take advantage of this great opportunity! All availability is on a first come, first serve basis. Cruise dates are available for either Full Diving cruises to Wolf & Darwin Islands or as Naturalist bookings or charters.

7 NIGHT / 8 DAY ITINERARY IN DETAIL: 20 DIVES
3 FULL DAYS IN WOLF & DARWIN ISLANDS

For all diving departures there will be 2 dive masters / naturalists onboard the ALTA to take the group out to the dive sites in 2 dinghies. Crew members onboard the vessel during these weeks are trained for diving cruises and there will also be first aid equipment and emergency equipment onboard, specific to diving situations. Please inquire with us for more information.