2024 Vaya Adventures Annual Photo Contest Winners

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Throughout 2024, we were blown away by the extraordinary photos captured by our travelers around the world. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who shared glimpses of their journeys through South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Polar regions. Your photos allow us to see the world through your eyes, and the entire Vaya Adventures team looks forward to this tradition every year!

From breathtaking wildlife encounters and awe-inspiring ancient sites to vibrant cityscapes, mouthwatering local cuisine, and unforgettable moments with family and friends (including the occasional llama kiss!), we treasure every submission. Choosing the winners is never easy!

After much deliberation, we’re thrilled to announce this year’s winners, each of whom will receive a Patagonia Better Sweater. Congratulations!

And to those embarking on new adventures in the year ahead, we can’t wait to see the moments you capture along the way.

 

2024 Travel Photo Contest Winners – (in no particular order)

Traveler Bill Swersey
Photo Location: Da Nang, Vietnam
March 22, 2024

Traveler Bill Swersey
Photo Location: Da Nang, Vietnam
March 22, 2024

“My wife Galia and I stayed at the wonderful TIA Wellness Resort in Da Nang on a Vaya-organized trip in March 2024. The resort is on the East Vietnam Sea, and it is common to see fishermen with distinctive hand-woven basket boats working along the shore. One morning, I decided to see how they worked. The fishermen didn’t seem to mind, so I got closer and made a series of photos as they lined up on the beach and heaved together to pull in a long net, sorted the catch and then retrieved their boat. This composition came together naturally and is one of my favorites from a very memorable trip.”

 

Explore Vietnam Adventures


Traveler Janice Sugiyama 
Photo Location: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Oct 18, 2024

Traveler Janice Sugiyama 
Photo Location: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Oct 18, 2024

“On Fernandina Island, a sea of gray marine iguanas lay basking in the sun, while a tiny bright red lava lizard peered over the hulking back of one of the iguanas. The comical pairing of the two lizards belies the true reason for their closeness: lava lizards eat flies off of the herbivore marine iguanas, keeping everyone healthy and happy.” 

 

Explore Galapagos Cruises


Traveler Paul Michelich  
Photo Location: Kruger Park, South Africa
Sept 15, 2024

Traveler Paul Michelich  
Photo Location: Kruger Park, South Africa
Sept 15, 2024

“The photo was taken on an early morning game drive at Makanyi Lodge in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. We had seen the leopard walking the night before until he disappeared into the bush. This was the last of the Big Five sightings for us and was a major highlight of our African experience.”

 

Explore South Africa

 

Honorable Mentions

Rex Niles: Antarctica

Rex Niles: Antarctica

Anthony Stark: Belize & Costa Rica

Anthony Stark: Belize & Costa Rica

Iliana Tati & Family: Thailand

Iliana Tati & Family: Thailand

Sonja Chandler: Argentina & Chile 

Sonja Chandler: Argentina & Chile 

Malcolm Griffes: Rome, Italy

Malcolm Griffes: Rome, Italy

Laura Ziff: Bolivia

Laura Ziff: Bolivia

Nathalie Kostka: Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe 

Nathalie Kostka: Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe 

 

And So Many More. . . 

A variety of other wonderful images were submitted (and received votes). Our job is a tough one! We’ve included a few more below for your enjoyment.

 

 

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