The government of Ecuador has decided to no longer contribute to jet fuel subsidies, leaving airlines to cover the costs. This means that visitors planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands will notice a rise in domestic air travel by approximately 15% in the beginning of January 2012. For anyone that books their airfare before Dec 31, 2011 they will lock in the lower price, no matter when in 2012 they travel! This location is one of the most unique, untouched and “must-see” destination’s for wildlife and nature in the entire world.

One of Goway’s trip options by land is the Galapagos Finch Bay Lodge for 8 days from $3588 CAD. This trip includes beach front hotel accommodations, all transfers, Highlands tour, a full-day excursion, guided visit to Charles Darwin Research Station, use of snorkeling equipment & facilities. Finch Bay has 6 ocean-view suites, 21 premium air-conditioned rooms; healthy international and Galapagos inspired menus prepared daily using the freshest ingredients.

For travellers who enjoy cruising, Goway offers a variety of different vessels from luxury to economic choices for discovering the Galapagos by sea. Goway’s luxurious M/Y Odyssey Grand is a 10 day trip from $6315 CAD. This ship combines luxury, privacy and comfort onboard with a large solarium, two Jacuzzis, sun loungers, Mini Spa, spacious suites and panoramic views. The package includes round-trip domestic flights from Quito to Galapagos, Galapagos Park entrance fee, Visitors ticket, all transport, most tours, local guides, all entrances and most meals.

For the budget traveller, Goway offers the Angelito for 8 days from $4105 CAD Considered almost a floating mini-hotel with four sundecks, elegant dining deck with bar and handsome interior, this trip includes everything that the Odyssey Grand trip entails.

Rio de Janerois considered to be an exciting destination to celebrate the coming of the New Year! Millions of locals flock to the world famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. To ring in the New Year the traditional Brazilian way (Reveillon), people arrive to the beaches dressed in white and bring lilies to sacrifice to Yemanja “Goddess of the Sea” and gain three wishes for this offering. Locals dance to the sounds of Samba playing everywhere and when midnight strikes, there are spectacular fireworks displays. Cantagalo, the favela in Copacabana, also sets off fireworks, as if demonstrating to fellow Brazilian’s: “We live here as well!”

Goway offers a great Rio package that travelers can arrange around the time of New Year’s Eve. The 4 day Rio-Jewel in the Crown from $692 CAD. This package includes 3 nights accommodation, Corcovado tour, Sugar Loaf Mountain, night tour with dinner, entrance fees, all transport and most meals.

The exclusive Latin America division of 41 year old Goway Travel, announces The World of the Maya.

As many people are aware, the Long Count Calendar of the Ancient Mayans ends on Dec 21 2012.

“Though the Mayans have calculated that the date of December 21st, 2012 A.D. (13.0.0.0.0 in the Long Count) marks the end of a cycle and a beginning of a new one – they did not stipulate or predict what this ending and new beginning may denote” states Don Forster, Product & Marketing Manager for Latin America.

There are generally two schools of thought. One is a more holistic spiritual view where we see simply see the ending of one phase and the beginning of a new. The other is the more “Hollywood view” where a catastrophic event may take place with some even predicting the end of the world as we know it.

Despite what view you may ascribe to, in 2012 Goway is offering the chance for people to gain a real insight in to the old and the predicted new on our 10 day World of the Maya trip.” continues Forster.

The World of the Maya has many faces and this amazing trip offered by Goway takes in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala with opportunities to extend your trip into Belize. The record of this mighty civilization of the Maya can be found carved on towering temples such as Copan and Tikal as well as in the handiworks and daily life rituals of the modern descendants of the Mayan culture all seen on Goway’s World of the Maya.

Goway Travel is celebrating the upcoming holiday season by offering great value adds to travellers bound for South America.

“We have selected some of our most popular itineraries and have added some amazing promotions. From dinners in beautiful 1st class restaurants – our unique dining experiences – in some of Latin’s most cosmopolitan cities, to free stop overs in some of those same cities, to great discounts we hope these added value options will see people head south to Central and South America in 2012. ” continues Forster.

Some amazing itineraries and holiday gifts Goway is giving away include:

Applicable to new bookings only, made between November 1st 2011 and December 31st 2011, for travel in 2012. Other terms and conditions apply. More information on all of these great offers is available on Goway’s website

Goway Travel has announced an in-depth insight into the country’s world famous wines.

“Chile and wine are synonymous and a visit to a winery is often one of the key requests we get for people in and around Santiago and Valparaiso.” states Don Forster, Product & Marketing Manager for Goway’s Latin America division.

“More often than not, wine tours are quick and impersonal affairs. Our view on any trip into Latin America is to immerse oneself in the culture and to take that extra step in understanding and appreciating what are often different ways of life. As such we have developed a 6 day Chilean Wines – Explore like a Local trip.” continues Forster.

The Central Valley – between Santiago and Valparaiso – is nestled between two mountain ranges (the Andes and the Coastal Mountain Range) and crossed by the rivers that make the soil extremely fertile. These expanses of land have been used to grow wine grapes, which were originally brought over from Europe, since the Colonial period. In the late 1970′s, Chilean wine producers began to use modern technology to take full advantage of the hilly topography, sea and mountain winds, and notable temperature variations that have made the country one of the New World’s leading wine exporters.

Starting in either Santiago or Valparaiso Goway’s 6 day Chilean Wines – Explore like a Local from $2505CA trip offers visits to select wineries for tasting as well as 2 nights staying at a local winery.

Goway’s Latin America travel planner features many Chile options as well as a complete choice of travel ideas in Central and South America.

Goway Travel has announced Antarctica for $1 on select 2011 / 2012 departures.

“Antarctica has proven to be one of our most popular destinations from the inception of our Latin division.” stated Don Forster, Product Manager for Goway’s Latin America and Antarctica division.

Offering some of the most pristine natural sites in the world, travellers to Antarctica can also opt to camp overnight on the ice or kayak past rookeries of Penguins. This offer is for a limited time only and not to be missed.

Bookings must be made before Thursday Nov 10 at 8 PM Eastern Time and other terms and conditions apply.

Available departures are Sea Spirit Nov 13, 2011 Vavilov Nov 13, 2011 Clipper Adventurer Nov 19, 2011 Clipper Adventurer Nov 29, 2011

Click here for full details of the promotion.

Goway’s Latin America travel planner prominently features all our amazing journeys to Antarctica as well as a complete choice of travel ideas in Central and South America.

Goway Travel has announced two new exclusive day tours in Santiago and Valparaiso Chile.

“Our new “Like a Native” day tours for Santiago and Valparaiso offer travellers the opportunity to see the city from the locals’ perspective. You may ride the subway, visit local markets, art galleries, and sample local drinks.” stated Don Forster, Product & Marketing Manager for Goway’s Latin America division.

“There is nothing like seeing the true nature and culture of a city in the embrace of a local who knows his or her town and is as proud to present it to travellers. Goway now offers this experience.” continued Forster.

Santiago Like a Native from $155CA offers a journey on one of the most efficient and clean subways in the world, a visit to the stock exchange, sampling local coffees, and finishing the day with a local cocktail called the Terremoto. The Terremoto literally translated as “Earthquake” since you are left with the ground (and legs) feeling a little shaky.

Valparaiso Like a Native from $265CA offers “grass roots” experiences such as local markets, a ride in one of the many elevators that dot the shoreline, a ride on the local trolley buses, a casino visit and a Chilean Micro brew to finish off the day.

Goway’s Latin America travel planner features many Chile options as well as a complete choice of travel ideas in Central and South America.

Goway’s small group first class Holidays of a Lifetimeescorted tours have two very different tours which include South America. The 20 day Magical Ecuador and Peru not only focuses on the usual highlights of the two countries such as the Galapagos Islands with its wealth of natural history, the amazing archaeological discovery, Machu Picchu and Cusco, the cradle of the Inca Civilization but also offers some other interesting insights and events.

In Ecuador, an overnight at the Papallacta Hot Springs gives passengers a unique spa experience. A cooking demonstration preparing Peruvian cuisine is scheduled in the Sacred Valley. The deluxe Orient Express is used as transportation from Cusco to Lake Titicaca where passengers meet local villagers who live on floating islands made of reeds to name a few.

The July departure allows for the inclusion of the special and unique traditional Inti Raymi Inca Festival in Cusco, a reenactment of the Festival of the Sun which dates back to the time of the Incas and takes place once a year.

On the 17 Day Splendours of South America, the focus is on the cities of Santiago, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro but in between, passengers explore the Chilean wine region, cross the Andes Mountains by land, have a day tour to Uruguay from Buenos Aires and visit the mighty Iguassu Falls visiting both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides.

The February departure coincides with the colourful Rio Carnival, an extension for which can be added to the tour.

All Goway’s Holidays of a Lifetime include a professional North American Tour Director, deluxe and superior hotels, special events and meals, tipping, a comprehensive quality companion book, fun themes different on each departure and Goway’s twin share guarantee for single travellers. The maximum number of participants is limited to 20 on each departure.

For more information on the Magical Ecuador and Peru priced from CA$8529 per person sharing land only see our site. For more information on Splendours of South America priced from CA$8599 per person sharing land only see our site.

Goway Travel has introduced a new luxury option for the classic Inca Trail trek.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous and popular trek in South America. It is a spectacular trek through the high Andes on original Inca highways with a chance to visit extraordinary ruins, enjoy beautiful mountain views, walk through strikingly different climatic zones and experience the unique feeling of arriving at Machu Picchu by foot.

“In all my time as an expedition leader in South America I can honestly say that I never became bored with seeing or walking the Inca time and again!” states Don Forster, Product & Marketing Manager for Goway’s Latin America division.

“Options to walk the trail and view Machu Picchu run from a 2 day “Baby Inca Trail”, for those short on time or the famous 4 day Trail or our preferred option, a 5 day trail. But now Goway goes one step further and takes walking the trail up a notch as we are the first to offer a luxury Inca Trail option.” continues Forster.
With large Bedouin style tents with beds, gourmet meals, crystal glasses to hold the champagne and a massage service, there is no better way to push your body hard during the day and reward it at night.

The luxury Inca trail option, starts from CA $5430.