Sarah Nelson Latas

Gilbert, AZ
Aussie Specialist

Considering a holiday Down Under? I can get you to Australia! Of all of the places I have travelled, Australia is truly my favorite destination.

Whether you are an avid scuba diver who wants to spend days at sea or a snorkeling novice who c...
Learn more about me.

Adventure Travel Specialist

At the top of Machu Picchu
At the top of Machu Picchu

"I'm going on an adventure." This is one of my favorite quotes from The Hobbit. Bilbo Baggins was so excited when he ran out his front door to catch up with the dwarves and wizard. I feel his joy every time I help a client (and myself) on an adventure.


There's so much to Adventure Travel, and nearly everyone can participate. Adventure Travel isn't just for people who want to rough it in the wilderness or hike up Mount Everest and every other mountain. Adventure Travel includes cultural immersions and softer activities that all ages can enjoy.


Some of my adventures have allowed me to trek through Peru and see Machu Picchu and visit the Uros People who live on reed islands on Lake Titicaca. I've been able to take a helicopter to a glacier in Alaska, where I hiked and drank pure freshly melted glacial water. I did a Safari in Kenya and was able to see the amazing landscape, meet the friendly people and see 4 of the Big 5 on a Safari. I've taken a hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. And I've zip lined in Mexico. I was able to experience river rafting, archaeological sites, and horseback riding in Chiapas and Tabasco, Mexico and Guatemala. I went to Chile for the Adventure Travel World Summit in 2015 where I will experienced culinary delights, horseback riding and kayaking. And I spoke on a panel at this conference. I also went to Iceland where I saw the Northern Lights for the first time. In 2016 I went to Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, and Colombia. In 2017 I went to Antarctica, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In 2018 I've already traveled to Norway (in the winter), and will be going to Nepal later in the year.


I am a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association and I have completed my Travel Leaders Certified Active & Adventure Travel specialization. In-depth cultural immersion is a fantastic way to really connect with a new group of people. So often travelers trek across the globe, stay in an Americanized hotel, eat not local food, and the only interactions that many have with locals are at the hotel or a local tour guide. Cultural immersion is when you aren't just told the customs and history and stories of the locals, but you experience it with them.


This could be through a home stay where Grandma shows you how to prepare a traditional meal or you get to help work the farm. Perhaps it's staying with the Masai Mara in Kenya, and seeing the wilderness at night with them . Cultural immersion is where you make a connection that goes deep to your soul, where you won't be the same, because you experienced a new way of life and you created friends that you will never forget.


Then there's Soft Adventure Travel. This can be for people who are just starting to look for a new way of travel, or for people who still want the comfort of an upscale hotel, but want to go out and do interesting things during the day. These activities include white-water rafting, kayaking, zip-lining, horseback riding, hiking, cycling, and animal encounters. Just because you like to be active doesn't mean you don't want to be able to rest on your much needed vacation. You want a mix of activities in your itinerary.


And then there's Hard Adventure Travel. This is for the trekkers who are going to climb every mountain, ski the hardest slopes, and go into the wilderness and camp. These travelers are often very into being Eco-friendly and love being in nature.


Which traveler are you? I'd love to help you figure it out, and help you plan an adventure trip that you will never forget, and will give you stories to share for the rest of your life.

My Travel Albums

Tasmania
Port of Hobart
New South Wales-Sydney
Meeting a kangaroo for the first time.
Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
Queensland
Sunset Harbor Cruise in Cairns.
Peru
On a floating island made of reeds
Kenya
Elephants playing in the shallow water behind me
United Arab Emirates-Dubai
Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Critters everywhere in Costa Rica!
Antarctica
Fur seals everywhere!
Norway
Oslo

My Reviews

14 of 20 people found this review helpful
This agent knows the BIZ!
Sarah has handled our travel arrangements for quite a few years. :)

She can handle small and large travels. Sarah has done extensive travel in all shapes and forms. She is an EXCELLENT resource and provides top notch customer service. She is adventurous but practical. Explain to her what you are looking for, and she will make it happen.

On one occasion, I had what could have been a difficult travel experience but upon calling her it was handled with ease.

Sarah is our go to girl when we travel. Make her yours!

By  BW  from  Mesa, AZ
Traveled to  New York City ~ New York ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Sarah Nelson Latas responded:
I am always happy to help your family when it comes to your travel needs!

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10 of 13 people found this review helpful
Best Family Vacation
I was trying to plan a trip to Australia on my own thinking I would save money. It was frustrating. I called Sarah and explained what I wanted and my budget. She helped me get everything booked and stayed within budget. Her recommendations were fantastic. She guided us through all steps of international travel.
By  Lisa  from  Gilbert, AZ
Traveled to  Australia & New Zealand
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Sarah Nelson Latas responded:
It was a pleasure helping you and your family on your trip to Australia!

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12 of 20 people found this review helpful
The best agent I have worked with!
I have had the pleasure of working with Sarah on many trips. She is an extremely professional agent who is great to work with. She has helped me with overseas vacations multiple times, including New Zealand, a multi country European trip, and even Antartica. She is constantly impressing me with her knowledge of the topics/locations we are discussing. She is available to answer any questions I may have about excursion or seasons to travel, and is willing to offer suggestions based on what we have discussed. I value her opinion and have been very thankful for all that she does. She thinks of everything needed for the perfect vacation, down to transfers (which I always forget about), insurance, currency exchange tips, and places of interest. She is the only person I will book my travel through!
By  Megan  from  Mesa, AZ
Traveled to  Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Sarah Nelson Latas responded:
Thank you for such wonderful words! I am always happy to make sure that you are well taken care of and that you have an amazing vacation!

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5 of 7 people found this review helpful
Booked 3 week South American land package with fli
She was spot on with her suggestions and was patient with our questions. She helped us with issues that happened while traveling and was always positive and kind.
By  Cathy  from  Minneapolis, MN
Traveled to  South America
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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6 of 14 people found this review helpful
Family Vacation - Cruise to Mexico
I have referred Sarah to others and have actually received a call thanking me for referring them to her.

She saved us money over the internet sites and advised us on the important things we wouldn't have known otherwise. We are grateful we found Sarah,and will use her services again on our next trip.

Having Sarah professionally advise us saved time and gave us the confidence to explore areas where we wouldn't have otherwise.

(I wish we traveled more!!!)

Feel free to share this note with anyone.
Thanks again!
Dave K.

By  Dave K.  from  Saint Charles, MO
Traveled to  Cozumel ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Sarah Nelson Latas responded:
It was a pleasure to work with you and help you experience a new destination. I'd be more than happy to help you plan your future travels as well.

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Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • Antarctica
  • Kenya
  • Australia
  • Peru
  • Alaska

Travel Specialist:

  • Adventure
  • Safari
  • Nature
  • Small Ship Cruises
  • Outdoor Activities & Sports

Top Travel Partners:

  • G Adventures
  • Intrepid Travel
  • Tauck
  • Travel Answers
  • Abercrombie & Kent

Certifications/Awards:

  • CTIE
  • Aussie Specialist from Tourism Australia
  • Upward Rockstar Agent Under 40 Trendsetter 2015
  • Travel Agent Magazine's 30 Under 30 2013 Recipient
  • G Adventures 2018 Ambassador of Change

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