Ski
Easter Island: Worth the Trip?
Easter Island is arguably one of the most unique destinations in South America, with a culture and history utterly distinct from the mainland of Chile or the rest of the continent. While it is officially a part of Chile, modern Rapa Nui (the name for Easter Island in the indigenous language of its people and… Read Full Post
Time Flies but Memories Last
Days can come and go in rapid succession. But while time whizzes by, when I stop and reflect on past travels, the clock tends to tick just a little bit slower. For me, that is one of the most beautiful things about travel. The memories aren’t left in baggage claim or on a camera’s memory… Read Full Post
Cruising the Amazon Aboard the Tucano
On a recent trip to Manaus, I was fortunate to experience a 4 night / 5 day cruise on the Tucano. If you are looking to have a quality wildlife experience in the Brazilian Amazon, the Tucano is one of the very top options. This cruise offers just the right amount of comfort while allowing… Read Full Post
Canoeing with Caimans in Ecuador’s Yasuni National Park
“Back, back, back!” exclaimed our native naturalist guide, Sergio, as he and two members of the local Añangu indigenous community paddled our canoe back into the reeds along the wild shore of Laguna Añangucocha. A large Black Caiman, a carnivorous crocodilian species known as the largest predator in the Amazon Basin, was swimming menacingly toward… Read Full Post
Central Chile: More Than Just a Layover
Santiago and Central Chile have long been afterthoughts for travelers coming to Chile, who tend to focus on the southern parts of the country, particularly Torres del Paine and the Lake District. Logistically, it’s easy to spend just one night in Santiago, do a few hours of sightseeing to say you’ve been, and leave it… Read Full Post
Hiking the Cordillera Blanca
On my most recent trip to Peru I had the chance to return to the Cordillera Blanca, a stunning Andean subrange about a 1 hour flight (or 7 hour drive) north of Lima. I had been to this dramatic region of the Andes to go mountain climbing with a friend in 1998, back when I… Read Full Post
Carnival in Rio
Carnival in Rio is arguably one of the biggest and most famous parties in the world. This year I let a friend talk me into experiencing it, but to be honest, it took some convincing. Before experiencing it for myself, the images I had in my head were less than positive. I had the impression… Read Full Post
Exploring Chile’s Wine Region in a Day Trip from Santiago
Chile is known internationally for the quality of its wine, and a visit to wine country is a great addition to a visit. There are extensive wine regions throughout the central part of the country. Many visitors have heard of the famed Colchagua Valley, but while Colchagua is an excellent place to spend a couple… Read Full Post
Esteros del Iberá, Argentina’s Wildlife Secret
Many travelers, when considering the best place to view wildlife in South America, immediately think of the Amazon. It is true that the Amazon basin is one of the most bio-diverse places on earth, with a high concentration of diverse species. However, one aspect of visiting the Amazon is that the animals are well camouflaged… Read Full Post
Experience Buenos Aires Like a Porteño: 5 Tips for Enjoying the City
So that we can offer the best possible experience to our clients, the team here at Vaya spends large periods of time researching and exploring the destinations we put together. Buenos Aires is one of my favorite places in all of South America and the place I currently call home. Sure, the economy has more… Read Full Post