About Us

Our Story

Vaya’s Beginning

Back in 1974, a little kid in Edison, New Jersey, was flipping through a world encyclopedia and was mesmerized by the remarkable places depicted there. Flash forward 18 years later – with a degree from Harvard and three years of exploring Europe, North Africa and South America – the kid decided it was time to grow up. He did what lots of other kids were doing: he went to law school. In what seemed like no time at all, the kid was working at a prominent law firm. But he would still think about those remarkable places. To be sure, there were plenty of perks like a good salary at a respected firm with prominent clients, but something was missing. Something important. In the end, it took 30 years for the light bulb inspired by that encyclopedia in Edison, New Jersey, to finally hit home. “I could probably make an okay living doing what I love doing.”

It would be difficult to find a group of travel enthusiasts more committed to excellent, thoughtful service than this one.

Vaya Today

Twenty years later, Vaya is a vibrant place filled with enthusiastic Destination Specialists who, like that kid from New Jersey, have spent years living and working in remarkable places, and exploring them along the way. Today, all the big kids at Vaya like nothing better than sharing their knowledge – and that comes through in the thoughtful planning of your personal journey. Tailor-Made Adventures is our company’s tagline, because we think of travel as one of life’s great adventures. We also know that every traveler has their own unique take on what adventure means. That’s where tailor-made comes into play. Our specialists prepare one-of-a-kind adventures entirely centered around your interests, your timing, and your idea of what makes a journey great. Don’t expect to find group focused tours or big buses at Vaya. Everyone here says no bueno when it comes to that sort of “adventure.”

What’s Next for Vaya?

After spending the past 20 years building the travel company he’d always dreamed of, the kid has come to a surprising conclusion: moving forward everyone at Vaya must relentlessly focus their energies on doing… exactly what we’ve always done. “Today we offer superb tailor-made adventures in South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. We maintain the same remarkable level of service as ever, without losing the strong personal connection we have with every one of our travelers. Travel should increase cultural understanding and foster connections and insight. It can open minds and enrich every aspect of our lives. What could be better than that?” Signed, the kid.

Vaya’s Icon

From the beginning, we have always celebrated the wonders of the natural world and the amazing variety of global cultures. Our icon is inspired by and reminiscent of the shapes and patterns fashioned from textile, stone and tile found on garments and monuments left to us by ancient civilizations. These shapes and patterns have been adapted and reinterpreted endlessly through the ages. Depending on the viewer, Vaya’s icon may represent aspects of the natural world – celestial or terrestrial, botanical or mineral – and may also bring to mind qualities such as craft, artisanal, organic and authentic.

Tailoring your perfect adventure.

Here’s how it works, in a nutshell.

  • 1

    Speak with one of our Destination Specialists.

    The best way to begin planning your trip is to speak with one of our Destination Specialists and discuss your interests, timing, travel style, and much more.

  • 2

    Refine your trip plan to fit your preferences.

    After we learn about your travel preferences, we’ll prepare an initial itinerary and send it to you. From there, we’ll work with you and refine your trip plan until it fits you perfectly!

  • 3

    Dream about your adventure.

    After booking, you can start to dream about your adventure. Call us any time for help with questions about entry requirements, travel insurance or anything else.

  • 4

    Lose yourself or find yourself on your journey.

    And relax, you’ll have 24/7 contact information throughout your trip – and our private local guides, friends, partners, and colleagues will be there for you every step of the way.

Where We Go

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Sustainability

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10 Reasons to Travel with Vaya

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Thousands of Delighted Travelers

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South America

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Contact us to start planning your adventure today:

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

“At Uthando (Love), we’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful travel can change lives. Vaya Adventures and its travelers are helping to make that change real in our communities, turning tourism into a shared journey of love, hope, and opportunities.”

James Ferni – Founding Director Uthando

“Our guides did an incredible job. They truly wanted to give us the best possible experience and tailored our game drives around the animals we were most interested in seeing each day.”

Austin Allee, New York NY

“We love traveling with Vaya Adventures (this was our 5th trip!) and the trips are always perfectly planned and seamlessly executed.”

Nina Bahlova, Long Grove IL

Sustainable Travel

We take our environmental and social responsibilities seriously.

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