Wildlife Conservation in Senda Romahue
For those interested in wildlife viewing in Chile, Senda Nativa Romahue project outside Puerto Varas provides a rare glimpse of some of Chile’s most unique and sought-after wild animals, with a focus on conservation. The project started out with the mission of preserving the Maullín River’s diminishing ecosystem and native forest, a major stopping point… Read Full Post
Nerves and Scopolamine on the Drake Passage
When I confirmed my trip to Antarctica and the initial excitement had subsided, I was gripped with anxiety about crossing the Drake Passage. Many travelers know that this stretch of open ocean can be one of the roughest bodies of water in the world. The Drake Passage is approximately 600 miles wide and connects the… Read Full Post
From Iron Man to Big Ice: An interview with Vasso Kelly
Below is an interview with an exceptional Vaya traveler and athlete, Vasso Kelly, who visited Argentina in December 2017. She completed an Iron Man event in the coastal town of Mar del Plata before heading to Patagonia to complete the “Big Ice” trek across the iconic Perito Moreno Glacier and the strenuous day hike to… Read Full Post
Taking the Plunge: My Journey to Antarctica
Thanks to my job as a Destination Specialist with Vaya, I’ve had the pleasure of traveling extensively throughout South America and visiting some very special places. It never fails, however, that tales of Antarctica elicit the most interest. More travelers than ever are trekking to the White Continent, but it still remains an intimidating and… Read Full Post
OBTAINING A VISA TO BOLIVIA
If you are a United States citizen traveling to Bolivia, you will need to secure a tourist visa prior to your departure. The Bolivian tourist visa is valid for 10 years, allowing you to enter the country for stays of up to 30 days. The application for this visa requires several documents, which must be… Read Full Post
Lake or Shake: Crossing the Drake
Many of our travelers ask us about the Drake Passage, a body of water that is crossed on the way to Antarctica. It’s well-known as an unpredictable place, where the waters can be so tempestuous that captains refuse to cross, or so calm that they refer to it as “Drake Lake.” Thinking back on my… Read Full Post
INTI: The Chilean Street Muralist
I moved to Santiago, Chile a few years ago, and one of the first murals I saw that took my breath away was located outside the Bellas Artes metro station on two kitty-corner walls. These portraits were huge, with monochrome backgrounds, bold colors, and clean lines. The subjects looked like button-eyed dolls with patchwork hands,… Read Full Post
How I Was Introduced to Antarctica
Antarctica is a continent like no other, an ice-laden land that’s often misunderstood – or at least that was how it seemed to me 15 years ago, when a friend mentioned his desire to work at the McMurdo Research Station on the southern tip of Ross Island. Little more came to my mind than Sir… Read Full Post
Is Land Tourism Threatening the Galapagos?
On Sunday June 3, the NY Times ran an article entitled “Is Land Tourism Threatening the Galapagos?” This article centered around a letter that the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) wrote to the Ecuadorian Minister of Tourism, calling for more stringent regulation of land-based tourism in this magnificent and fragile island ecosystem. Here is… Read Full Post
The Real Paddington: Andean Spectacled Bears and Where to See Them
You may remember from the popular children’s books that Paddington Bear, although found in a London train station, was actually a stowaway from “darkest Peru.” Although you won’t find any bears in Peru that wear raincoats and eat marmalade, you can see the real-life version of Paddington, the Andean spectacled bear, during your trip to… Read Full Post