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Jim Lutz
EmailJim is the founder and President of Vaya Adventures. Jim developed a passion for Latin America while living and working in Ecuador after graduating from Harvard University. He has lived, worked, and traveled extensively in South and Central America. A native of New Jersey, Jim now lives in Berkeley, California with his wife and 3 young children. He serves on the Board of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, an organization dedicated to sustainable tourism practices in the Galapagos Islands.
Most Recent Posts:
Two Werner Herzog Movies Set in South America
Reading Nick’s article on his favorite Latin American movies, I just can’t help giving a shout out to a couple of my own particular favorites. Both are by the same director, Werner Herzog, and both are set in the Amazon: “Aguirre, the Wrath of God” and “Fitzcarraldo.” Aguirre Wrath of God starts off with an [...]
Two New Peruvian Restaurants Near Our Office in Berkeley
James Kinard and I from our North Berkeley office have been checking out the two new Peruvian restaurants that opened up in our food-centric city, to see how they compare to the real thing. Peruvian cuisine is pretty trendy these days, and we were curious to know what dishes might show up in original, authentic form [...]
Uttermost Part of the Earth: The Classic Book on Tierra del Fuego
This extraordinary book is on our “Suggested Reading” list for Argentina, and is particularly recommended for anyone traveling to Patagonia or Tierra del Fuego. The first person account of E. Lucas Bridges (only the third child born in Tierra del Fuego to non-native parents), the book is a lesser-known classic that combines history, anthropology and adventure. [...]
Why There Should Be A Cap on Tourist Arrivals to the Galapagos
As a Board Member of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA), I recently attended a conference in Guayaquil entitled “Defining and Achieving Sustainable Tourism in the Galapagos.” Attendees included the Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation and representatives of various organizations working to preserve the Galapagos, including the World Wildlife Foundation and WildAid. [...]
Cuenca, Ecuador: A Lot More Than Pretty Churches
A comment I’ve now heard more than once about Cuenca, a city in southern Ecuador, is that it is “Ecuador’s Cusco.” The comparison is apt, because both cities have thriving colonial centers and histories that long pre-date the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. The diversity of people that you see in both places reflects the [...]
Antisana Reserve: Great 1 Day Galapagos Extension
If you are doing a Galapagos cruise and would like to add an extra day to see a bit more of Ecuador, the magnificent Antisana Ecological Reserve is a strong contender for “best day trip” outside of Quito. The two most popular day trips from Quito are to Mount Cotopaxi National Park (famous for its [...]
Galapagos Islands Video: A Tour of the Enchanted Isles
For many of our travelers, a trip to the Galapagos Islands is one of the journeys of a lifetime. Located 600 miles from the Ecuadorian mainland, the archipelago consists of 13 major islands. The opportunity to experience this isolated laboratory of evolution from aboard an environmentally sustainable first class cruising vessel is something unique and [...]
Peru Highlights
Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Tour
Buenos Aires, Iguazu, Patagonia and Lake DistrictVaya Adventures brochure
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