Founder’s Family Journey to Peru

Knowmad Founders Tara and Jordan with their family in Peru.

 

I’ve long told travelers interested in off-the-beaten-path adventures that camping next to the remote and little-visited ruins of Huchuy Qosqo is the closest you’ll ever feel to being Indiana Jones. That was all it took for my 9-year-old Trey to be hooked. Peru offers stunning mountain landscapes filled with varied and fascinating indigenous cultures. Blend this with vast opportunities for adventures, luxurious and intimate properties, some of the world’s freshest and diverse cuisine, and great value, and you have one of the world’s best places for impactful and fun family travel.

Our time in Peru was filled with moments both adventurous and meaningful. We spent time with a local ceramist painting Pukara bulls to ward off evil spirits. We went horseback riding past ruins and villages. We stargazed and had morning coffee at a massive remote ruin complex we had all to ourselves. We planted potatoes with village elders and schoolchildren Knowmad has long worked with. We unearthed our pachamanca meal cooked on hot stones underground. We paddleboarded in the shadow of sacred peaks. And I’ll never forget seeing my kids’ faces during their first glimpses of Machu Picchu. Highlights abounded on this trip, creating lasting memories that blended adventurous days with luxurious properties by night.

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Planning the Perfect Trip to Easter Island

Easter Island Moai Statues

 

While working with clients, it’s not uncommon for a traveler to tell me they’ve had a lifelong interest in visiting Easter Island, known as Rapa Nui in the local language. Whether it was spurred by Leonord Nimoy’s In Search of episode from 1977, a grade school project, or a recent friend’s trip, the fascination that this tiny, remote island can instill is deep and strong. Ever since visiting the island nearly 20 years ago, I’ve felt a consistent draw to return. On this recent trip, I went deeper into the archaeological sites, culture, and accommodations. This blog shares my insights to help you discover the magic of the island in a personalized and smooth way.

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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

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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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Founder’s Family Journey to Peru

Knowmad Founders Tara and Jordan with their family in Peru.

 

I’ve long told travelers interested in off-the-beaten-path adventures that camping next to the remote and little-visited ruins of Huchuy Qosqo is the closest you’ll ever feel to being Indiana Jones. That was all it took for my 9-year-old Trey to be hooked. Peru offers stunning mountain landscapes filled with varied and fascinating indigenous cultures. Blend this with vast opportunities for adventures, luxurious and intimate properties, some of the world’s freshest and diverse cuisine, and great value, and you have one of the world’s best places for impactful and fun family travel.

Our time in Peru was filled with moments both adventurous and meaningful. We spent time with a local ceramist painting Pukara bulls to ward off evil spirits. We went horseback riding past ruins and villages. We stargazed and had morning coffee at a massive remote ruin complex we had all to ourselves. We planted potatoes with village elders and schoolchildren Knowmad has long worked with. We unearthed our pachamanca meal cooked on hot stones underground. We paddleboarded in the shadow of sacred peaks. And I’ll never forget seeing my kids’ faces during their first glimpses of Machu Picchu. Highlights abounded on this trip, creating lasting memories that blended adventurous days with luxurious properties by night.

Read Full Post

Planning the Perfect Trip to Easter Island

Easter Island Moai Statues

 

While working with clients, it’s not uncommon for a traveler to tell me they’ve had a lifelong interest in visiting Easter Island, known as Rapa Nui in the local language. Whether it was spurred by Leonord Nimoy’s In Search of episode from 1977, a grade school project, or a recent friend’s trip, the fascination that this tiny, remote island can instill is deep and strong. Ever since visiting the island nearly 20 years ago, I’ve felt a consistent draw to return. On this recent trip, I went deeper into the archaeological sites, culture, and accommodations. This blog shares my insights to help you discover the magic of the island in a personalized and smooth way.

Read Full Post