Trip Highlights
El Morado: Hummingbirds, Bacon-Eating Finches, and Glaciers on a Day Hike from Santiago
Adventure-seekers and nature-lovers headed to Chile to hike and enjoy the outdoors usually focus on the spectacular national parks in the south of Chile, and for good reason: Chile’s largest and wildest national parks are in the south. Torres del Paine National Park, for example, which covers 927 square miles of southern Patagonia (about three… Read Full Post
Experience Awasi Patagonia
Yvon Chouinard, founder of the Patagonia clothing company, once said “You know where I wanna be right now? Right here. Nowhere else. Not in the future, not in the past.” This is the feeling one experiences at Awasi Patagonia, an incredible 14-villa property located at the southern tip of South America. At Awasi, it isn’t… Read Full Post
Wildlife Experiences Found Only in the Galapagos Islands
The first time I visited the Galapagos Islands, I assumed my experience there would be the same as in so many other places famed for their wildlife – actively searching out animals, sometimes seeing nothing but a glimpse of a fleeing creature, or waiting patiently for an appearance, where even the click of a camera… Read Full Post
2016 Vaya Photo Contest Winners!
From the stiff breeze of Patagonia at the bottom of the Southern Cone, to the lush green landscapes surrounding Machu Picchu, all the way up to colorful markets of Colombia and everywhere in between, this year’s photo contest made it difficult for us to choose the winners. In no specific order, here are the winners… Read Full Post
Luxury in the Lake District: Vira Vira and The Araucanía Region of Chile
In the northern part of Chile’s Lake District is a region called Araucanía. Its name derives from the Araucaria Tree (often referred to as the Monkey Puzzle Tree in English). In the last few years the main airport of Araucanía, Temuco, has gotten a major facelift, with multiple flights per day to and from Santiago…. Read Full Post
Recommended Listening in South American Music
OK, big disclaimer: We’re not even going to be scratching the surface of the surface here. Latin America has an extraordinary history of musical output. Sometimes we just feel like we have to share some of it for those who might not be familiar. Here, in no particular order, is some great stuff from a… Read Full Post
Tierra del Fuego, the End of the World, and the Yamana People
The southernmost city in the world tends to inspire awe at first glance. While this city anywhere else might be just another habitable area filled with houses, industry, and businesses alike, Ushuaia sits along the Beagle Channel and is at the entryway to several amazing National Parks sitting at the end of the world. One… Read Full Post
Lutz Go: Taking My Family to South America for the Next 10 Months
It’s hard for me to believe, but on August 31 my wife Carly, my three kids (Cecelia, Sean and Colin) and I will all be boarding a flight to Rio de Janeiro to start a 10 month journey in South America. Carly and I have talked for years about how we should take the time… Read Full Post
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) – A complete disconnect!
Thinking back to a past trip that has left countless memories in my mind inspired this blog post. A few years back I had the opportunity to spend a week in the very remote Falkland Islands. In this far off destination, one must arrive and depart on a Saturday on the one commercial flight in… Read Full Post
Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu the Vaya Way
Those of you who have traveled with Vaya before know that we like to put our own signature on classic South American destinations, elevating our travelers’ experiences wherever possible. In Chilean Patagonia, for example, most Vaya travelers trade what would be a five-hour van ride from Punta Arenas into Torres del Paine National Park for… Read Full Post