Two Weeks in Ecuador, the Amazon, & the Galapagos

Knowmad Travelers and their adventures in the Galapagos Custom Knowmad Adventure on Galapagos Island

 

“Spotting pink dolphins, being treated by a family of endangered giant river otters, caiman sleeping under our glass floor, seeing 18 macaws, and spotting birds and monkeys from the tower at dawn were highlights of Napo in the Amazon.

The Angel was perfect to explore the Galapagos. The yacht was beautiful, staff attentive, and food delicious. The adventures are what stood out most. We snorkeled with 4 giant manta rays, a large group of golden rays, hammerhead sharks, gorgeous fish, marine iguanas, and swam with penguins, sea turtles, and sea lions. The birds were not afraid of us and we got to see them up close. It is truly a magical place and I’d highly recommend it to anyone. Knowmad surprising us with a complimentary upgrade to a suite was amazing!

The planning and trip was so easy. After an initial call we were presented with several ideas and options with a range of prices. Krista, Carmen, and the Knowmad team handled every detail and it was perfect!

The Amazon, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands are incredible. If you are dreaming of a trip there, I’d say don’t wait! Two weeks was the minimum, as there was so much to see and do. It truly was an adventure vacation!”

– Heather, Custom Ecuador, Amazon, & Galapagos Adventure

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Parting Shots: Just Back From Argentina and Uruguay

Narbona Wine Lodge, Uruguay

 

Horseback Riding in South America. A custom Argentina and Uruguay trip.

 

“The toughest part is trying to find something we didn’t love! The entire trip was amazing. The people who picked us up, drove us around, took us on tours of the cities and those who guided us on our hikes; every single person was awesome and shared so much fascinating culture and history. We had the best seats in the house at the tango house with the dancers three feet away from us. All our accommodations were excellent. The owners at Aguas Arriba were always checking to make sure we had everything we needed and Diego our hiking guide was wonderful.

Rick and I have been traveling the world for 35 years, and traveling on a trip planned by Knowmad was the most incredible experience of our lives.” – Newby and Rick, Custom Argentina and Uruguay Adventure

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Vessel In Focus: Elite Galapagos Catamaran

The Elite Galapagos Catamaran

 

Enjoying the Galapagos with Knowmad Adventures

Much like its wildlife, the experience of exploring the remote islands of the Galapagos by boat is entirely unique. Small ships with a maximum of 16 passengers allow for flexible and tailored experiences, and the catamaran layout increases stability and offers generous common spaces. The Elite Galapagos catamaran is one of our top picks, known for its top-shelf naturalists, spacious design, and exceptional itinerary routes.

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How to get to Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine

 

With its emblematic granite towers, pristine turquoise lakes, and immense glaciers, Torres del Paine National Park is internationally recognized as one of the most beautiful national parks in the world and a hiker’s paradise. Despite its remote geographical location in southern Patagonia, it is much easier to reach than a map may suggest and connects seamlessly with other popular destinations in both Argentina and Chile.

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Best South America Trips for Summer Break

Best South America Trips for Summer Break

 

There’s something special about the hustle and bustle of summer— the sports games, camps, family celebrations, and cookouts with friends. But sometimes, it feels like we’re simply racing from one thing to the next. We’ve found that the time we truly feel like we’re on ‘break’ — together, completely — is when we leave it all behind and travel abroad. We connect, we relax, we explore, and we grow as a family.

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Clos Apalta Residence: Hidden Gem of Chilean Vineyards

Clos Apalta Residence in Chilean Wine Country

A relaxing, enjoyable stay in Chilean vineyards can turn an excellent trip into something extraordinary. In my 20 years in Chile – many spent working in the travel industry – I’ve had the opportunity to explore vineyards from north to south, and one winery hotel truly stands apart: The Clos Apalta Residence.

What makes Apalta’s Residence stand out is how it combines the beauty of the Chilean countryside with excellence in winemaking and cuisine as well as its spacious, comfortable, and well-thought-out accommodations, which, altogether, make for an unforgettable experience. It’s not the first result that Google pulls up, but if you are coming to Chile and love great food and wine, you have to consider it.

At Knowmad, we’ve been including stays in the original casitas at this winery hotel for years. But with the addition of six spacious villas to build on its offer, on my recent visit, I set out with the mission to experience these new spaces and to update our understanding of how to work this into our custom trips to Chile.

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Where To Go In Colombia

Colorful buildings on a street in Bogotá, Colombia.

WHY VISIT COLOMBIA?

An up-and-coming destination in South America, Colombia is still relatively unknown and unexplored by international travelers. That being said, it has so much to offer visitors:

  • A huge variety of landscapes and wildlife that make Colombia one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.
  • An incredibly rich history and melting pot of cultures, with different indigenous groups in the mountains & jungles contrasting the African diaspora on the coast, and the remnants of the Spanish colonial period in towns across the country.
  • Opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and more which make it a destination for adventurers.
  • Destinations that are little-visited by international travelers and off the beaten path.
  • One of the fastest-growing tourism regions in South America, which has helped to shed its image of instability and complex social issues.

Connect here with a Knowmad Adventures Trip Specialist to help you create a custom travel experience throughout Colombia that is as unique and authentic as you are.

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KNOWMAD 2024 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

Knowmad Adventures 2024 Contest Winners

 

The Knowmad 2024 Photo Contest Winners are in! This past year was full of incredible stories and images from our Knowmad travelers. The pictures and comments that were sent in inspire us to keep exploring. Thanks to all who shared their impressive pictures throughout the last year.

To give you a little taste of it all, the winners have been broken down into 7 different categories; adventure, culture, landscape, cityscape, portrait, flora, and fauna. All category winners will receive Knowmad gear, and the overall Knowmad Adventures Grand Prize Winner gets a 2-night/ 3-day stay at Hacienda Zuleta in Ecuador. Scroll down to see inspiring Knowmad traveler stories, from connecting with locals to jaw-dropping wildlife encounters, and find inspiration for your next South American adventure below.

 

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Jordan Harvey Joins Travel + Leisure’s A-List of Top Advisors

Jordan Harvey listed as Travel+Leisure's A-List Travel Advisor for 2025 Patagonia and Galapagos

 

Huge congratulations to our Founder, Jordan Harvey, on earning a spot on Travel + Leisure’s A-List of Top Travel Advisors for the 13th year in a row!

Perfecting travel in South America takes passion, expertise, and an incredible team. This honor reflects the hard work of our knowledgeable Travel Specialists and the inspiring travelers we collaborate with every day to design exceptional journeys.

Check out Jordan’s Travel + Leisure feature here, and connect with one of our Trip Specialists to start planning your own South American adventure!

 

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Two Weeks in Ecuador, the Amazon, & the Galapagos

Knowmad Travelers and their adventures in the Galapagos Custom Knowmad Adventure on Galapagos Island

 

“Spotting pink dolphins, being treated by a family of endangered giant river otters, caiman sleeping under our glass floor, seeing 18 macaws, and spotting birds and monkeys from the tower at dawn were highlights of Napo in the Amazon.

The Angel was perfect to explore the Galapagos. The yacht was beautiful, staff attentive, and food delicious. The adventures are what stood out most. We snorkeled with 4 giant manta rays, a large group of golden rays, hammerhead sharks, gorgeous fish, marine iguanas, and swam with penguins, sea turtles, and sea lions. The birds were not afraid of us and we got to see them up close. It is truly a magical place and I’d highly recommend it to anyone. Knowmad surprising us with a complimentary upgrade to a suite was amazing!

The planning and trip was so easy. After an initial call we were presented with several ideas and options with a range of prices. Krista, Carmen, and the Knowmad team handled every detail and it was perfect!

The Amazon, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands are incredible. If you are dreaming of a trip there, I’d say don’t wait! Two weeks was the minimum, as there was so much to see and do. It truly was an adventure vacation!”

– Heather, Custom Ecuador, Amazon, & Galapagos Adventure

Read Full Post

Parting Shots: Just Back From Argentina and Uruguay

Narbona Wine Lodge, Uruguay

 

Horseback Riding in South America. A custom Argentina and Uruguay trip.

 

“The toughest part is trying to find something we didn’t love! The entire trip was amazing. The people who picked us up, drove us around, took us on tours of the cities and those who guided us on our hikes; every single person was awesome and shared so much fascinating culture and history. We had the best seats in the house at the tango house with the dancers three feet away from us. All our accommodations were excellent. The owners at Aguas Arriba were always checking to make sure we had everything we needed and Diego our hiking guide was wonderful.

Rick and I have been traveling the world for 35 years, and traveling on a trip planned by Knowmad was the most incredible experience of our lives.” – Newby and Rick, Custom Argentina and Uruguay Adventure

Read Full Post

Vessel In Focus: Elite Galapagos Catamaran

The Elite Galapagos Catamaran

 

Enjoying the Galapagos with Knowmad Adventures

Much like its wildlife, the experience of exploring the remote islands of the Galapagos by boat is entirely unique. Small ships with a maximum of 16 passengers allow for flexible and tailored experiences, and the catamaran layout increases stability and offers generous common spaces. The Elite Galapagos catamaran is one of our top picks, known for its top-shelf naturalists, spacious design, and exceptional itinerary routes.

Read Full Post