2013 Photo Contest Results: Argentina, Chile & Patagonia, Peru & Machu Picchu, Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands

Argentina

The Knowmad Adventures Annual Photo Contest has come to a close, and our 2013 winners have been chosen! There were so many incredible traveler photos from all over South America, including Patagonia, Machu Picchu, and the Galapagos Islands, it was truly hard to choose. See our top picks for Adventure, Culture, Landscape/Scenery, Portrait, and Wildlife below. And, although video was not a category this year (but will be for 2014!), we posted some of our favorite traveler videos at the end. Thank you to our Knowmad travel photographers and all 2013 Knowmad travelers for an amazing year!

Adventure

Places to Visit in Chile
First PlacE Ride of a Lifetime by Jeff Henson
This photo was taken on the Henson’s family vacation to the Cochamo Valley in Chilean Patagonia. The only way to get to this specific area is on foot or by horse. The journey is truly a test for horse and rider as you must traverse over boulders, cross rivers, and travel through deep ravines to reach the tranquil setting shown in this photo. 

Patagonia
Runner Up Kayaking the Grey by Chuck Dayton
Diane Herman kayaking in Chile amongst towering glaciers and crystal blue waters in the Grey River in Torres del Paine National Park.

 Patagonia Tours
Third Place Magnificence by Nick Louis 
Nick captured this photo, which shows how nature can bring about the humbling realization that our world is expansive and magnificent, on a family trip the Louis’ and Hulburds took around Christmas time last year. Their trip featured legs in both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, as well as time in Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls.

 

Culture

Patagonia Travel
First Place The Gaucho by Chuck Dayton
The hustle of life as a gaucho herds at Estancia Nibepo Aike in Patagonia. This estancia is in a beautifully secluded part of Argentina and is rich with culture and tradition. 

Patagonia
Runner Up Tatiana and Cochello by Joanie Henson
A candid shot of two of Knowmad’s close friends, Tatiana and Cochello, outside of their home high in the Cochamo Valley

Peru Tours
Third Place Amaru Tradition by Michael Rotberg
Pictured here, Heidi Rotberg and Amaru villagers shearing a sheep together. The Amaru community in Peru uses wool to make a variety of clothing and traditional accessories. 

Patagonia Travel
Honorable Mention The Walk Home by Chuck Dayton
A scene from one of the best places to visit in Chile. This photo was taken in the rugged yet serene Patagonian backcountry. 

 

LANDSCAPE/Scenery 

Patagonia Tours
First PlaceThe Great Adventure by Susan Louis
“Explora Lodge was absolutely stunning. Great food, great adventure, great scenery!” – Susan Louis
A statement that she portrays perfectly through this vibrant image of one of the most spectacular places to visit in Chile, Torres del Paine National Park.

Places to Visit in Chile
Runner Up Glittered Coast by Chuck Dayton
The Chilean coast glittering in the night. A photo from a journey of eight friends traveling through both the Chilean and Argentinian sides of Patagonia, as well as Buenos Aires and the mighty Iguazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil.

machu picchu
Third Place Majestic Machu Picchu by an Arboretum Traveler
One of Peru’s top attractions, Machu Picchu, is nestled high in the Andes mountains between jagged rock formations and lush vegetation making this one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. When the Arboretum special interest group made Peru travel plans last year Machu Picchu was high on their list! 

 

Portrait

Patagonia
First Place Dancer by Anne Ryan
A fantastic shot from the Ryan family mother-daughters adventure in Chile’s Atacama Desert!

South America Travel

Runner Up All Smiles by Michael Rotberg
A beaming Heidi Rotberg during their Peru vacation, which took them through Urubamba and Pisac, Moray and Maras, Machu Picchu and many other breathtaking Peru destinations. 

Peru Tours

Third Place The Heart of Peru by an Arboretum Traveler 
A photo of local Peruvians taken on the Arboretum’s annual South American adventure trip. Discovering Machu Picchu, piranha fishing in the Amazon, and sharing the day with the Amaru indigenous community were just a few of the memorable moments on this amazing trip. 

 

Wildlife

South America Travel

First Place The Eye of The Butterfly by Cary Galler
Impeccable timing was required to capture this shot of a beautiful South American butterfly! The shot was taken on a Peruvian exploration with stops including the Peruvian Amazon, the Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu

Patagonia Travel
Runner Up Wide Eyed by Nick Louis
Another spot on photo! A tree frog in its natural environment, taken during a family vacation in South America. 

patagonia
Third Place Birds in Flight by Chuck Dayton
A pristine photo of birds in flight over the rugged Andes mountains in Patagonia. 

patagonia
Honorable Mention Hola by Jacque Hulburd
A comical photo of a criollo horse during a horseback ride through Patagonia’s rugged countryside. 

Peru Tours

Honorable Mention Caiman by an Arboretum Traveler 
A challenging picture to take, as caimans are not easily spotted during daylight hours in the murky river depths of the Amazon Jungle in Peru. This photo was snapped during a day-time excursion from Peru’s best Amazon jungle lodge Reserva Amazonica. 

Ecuador
Honorable Mention The Galapagos by Kim Pelak 
A photo capturing the peaceful feel of the Galapagos Islands, showcasing the pristine beaches and not-so-timid wildlife. 

 

Honorable Mention Category: Video

The Henson Family Vacation by Jeffrey Henson
A Chile adventure vacation packed into 11:00 minutes, this film has it all!

The Patagonian Undulation Awards 2013 by Eric Janus
A set of candid interviews from the Janus, Herman, and Chalmers group trip through Chile and Argentina! 

Again, thank you to all Knowmad travelers for an adventurous 2013! 

Nos Vemos, Lisa 

South America Travel - Lisa KellenbergerLisa is the Media Manager at Knowmad Adventures, a company dedicated to creating unique, private and custom trips in South America. She studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2012 and is continually planning her next adventure. Read Lisa’s biography and more about the Knowmad team