Trip Highlights

Hiking in Comfort and Style: The Lodge-Based Salkantay Trek


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Wayra Lodge in the sunlight

Posted by on August 24th, 2017

A few years ago I was fortunate to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This was a beautiful experience, and I loved almost every moment of this iconic hike. That being said: while I’m the kind of person who is thrilled to hike for hours every day, the need to crawl into a tent… Read Full Post

El Morado: Hummingbirds, Bacon-Eating Finches, and Glaciers on a Day Hike from Santiago


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Hike Up El Morado

Posted by on April 5th, 2017

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


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Dad looking over the Sierra Baguales Mountain Range

Posted by on March 16th, 2017

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


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Galapagos Marine Iguana

Posted by on March 9th, 2017

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!


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Posted by on February 2nd, 2017

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

A day and night in the Colchagua Wine Valley


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Colchagua Valley - Montgras Vineyards

Posted by on January 27th, 2017

Located just 3 hours south of Santiago can be found one of the top wine producing valleys in Chile, the Colchagua Valley.  A visit here is definitely worth the time, especially if you like red wine.  The “capital” of this wine region is Santa Cruz where you will find many small boutique hotels to stay… Read Full Post

Luxury in the Lake District: Vira Vira and The Araucanía Region of Chile


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Posted by on December 12th, 2016

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


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Posted by on August 8th, 2016

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

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