Mmmmmm….a view of the ocean from my balcony, the harbor is waking, the birds singing their songs. I rub the sleep from my eyes, breathe in the salty, foreign air and reach for…what’s this?! A cup of bitter, grainy Nescafe.
... Read more »Topic: Gastronomy
Chilean Wine Country: The Next Best Vineyard Destination
The word is getting out about Chilean wine country, from established valleys like Aconcagua and Colchagua to up-and-comers like San Antonio. Chile is now challenging the best-liked wineries in California and France. With vineyards tucked into valleys between the jagged Pacific Coast and the foothills of the Andes, many within a short drive from Santiago,
... Read more »Hola Arepa: Latin American Cuisine At It’s Finest
Christina Nguyen and Birk Stefan Grudem are the proud creators and owners of Hola Arepa, the Minneapolis born food truck and brand new Latin American cuisine restaurant on 35th and Nicolette in South Minneapolis. Tara and I were lucky enough to enjoy a quick bite and drinks there a few weeks ago and, after having such a
... Read more »Peruvian Cuisine: Rocoto Relleno Recipe
Below is a rendition of Peru’s Rocoto Relleno “Stuffed Hot Pepper” Recipe.
... Read more »Good Eats in Santiago
The travel magazine Afar boasts in its October issue about a yummy find in Chile’s capital city: “The chef behind Santiago’s restaurant Boragó is on a mission to promote his country’s overlooked ingredients, such as the superacidic copoa fruit, which grows in the Atacama desert.“ Pictured above (courtesy of Afar) is grouper baked in a
... Read more »Gastronomy: Merken in Food & Wine Magazine
While perusing through the August issue of Food & Wine the other week I was delighted to find that not only was Minneapolis (Jordan and I’s hometown) featured as a foodie’s paradise, but Knowmad’s favorite spice, Merken, from Chile got a mention as well. I’ve of course been throwing it on everything since…roasted tomatoes (yum),
... Read more »Curried Quinoa
Quinoa seems to be all the rage lately, as this world is discovering how hard gluten can be on your body. This grain, native to the high Andean regions of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Columbia, is a great source of protein, calcium and iron. The Incans revered the crop and considered it sacred, referring it
... Read more »Gastronomy: Mate
Mate is a tea infusion made from the leaves of the coca plant as well as other plants. Slightly bitter in taste, it’s drunk throughout many South American countries including Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. The culture of mate, which differs from region to region, is steeped in tradition. In the high Andean cultures,
... Read more »Gastronomy: Merken
Merken is a spice found in Chile, South America. It’s made primarily of a long, pointed chili pepper called “aji”, or “cacho de cabra” in local dialect, and coriander. However, it’s surprisingly not that spicy.
... Read more »Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Knowmad Travel Journal is dedicated to bringing you perspectives from the Southern Hemisphere. We thank you for your readership.
Contents
By Topic
By Destination
Archives
- +2024
- +2023
- +2022
- +2021
- +2020
- +2019
- +2018
- + December
- + November
- + October
- + September
- + August
- Two Weeks in Chile: Contrasting Regions, Atacama + Patagonia Combination Trip
- Condé Nast Traveler Experience Makers Award for the 4th Year in a Row!
- Parting Shots: How a Galapagos Charter Became the Trip of a Lifetime!
- Best Peru Restaurants: Your Guide for Knowing Where to Eat from Lima to Machu Picchu
- Travel + Leisure A-List Recognizes Jordan As a Top Trip Advisor for the 7th Year in a Row!
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- + January
- +2017
- + December
- + November
- Parting Shots: Anniversary Adventure to The Inca Trail & Sacred Valley, Peru
- Jordan wins Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist for the 3rd Year in a Row!
- Trek Check: Peru Treks Comparison - Inca Trail, Salkantay + Choquequirao
- 3 Phenomenal Things to do in Ecuador: Hidden Gems + New Experiences I Discovered on My Recent Trip
- + October
- + September
- + August
- Shoulder Season or High Season: When is the Best Time of Year for Your Trip to Patagonia?
- A Personal Take on Galapagos Animals, Unique Experiences + More
- Inca Trail Permits: Book Your 2018 Inca Trail Trip Before It’s Too Late
- How To Travel Like A Knowmad: Stories From Kayli's Trip + Things To Do in Argentina + Chile
- 2017 Travel + Leisure A-List Winner: Jordan Harvey is the Best Trip Planner for Argentina + Chile!
- Parting Shots: Amazon, Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu, Peru Trip
- + July
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- Jordan's Staff Itinerary Pick: Finding Fate on Easter Island
- Parting Shots: Two Weeks in Peru - Inca Trail, Machu Picchu + Lake Titicaca
- Forbes Travel + Knowmad Adventures: Adrenaline + Zen - Five Trips of a Lifetime
- Renee's Staff Itinerary Pick: One Week in The Galapagos Islands, An Active Land-Based Adventure Trip
- Best Place to Visit in South America for Adventure, Gastronomy, Relaxation, History + More
- + February
- + January
- Passport Expiration Information: Why Do I Need Six Months On My Passport?
- Parting Shots: A Patagonian Odyssey - Chiloé Island, Rafting, Ice-Hiking + More
- 2016 Knowmad Adventures Annual Travel Photography Contest
- Reflecting On A Year of South America Travel: Travelers' Reviews + Stories From Their South American Adventures
- +2016
- + December
- + November
- Parting Shots: Custom Atacama Desert + Patagonia Chile Trip
- We did it! Knowmad Adventures wins Condé Nast Traveler Experience Makers + Top Travel Specialist Award for the Second Year in a Row
- The Relais & Châteaux Difference
- Knowmad's South America Small Business Micro Lending Tradition
- Argentina Weather, When To Go, What To Pack + More by Region
- + October
- Parting Shots: Comprehensive South America Vacation to Argentina, Chile + Peru
- Ask The Experts: Pregnancy + Newborn Asks Tara Harvey About Travel With Kids
- Visit Us At One of the Best Events in Minneapolis: Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Adventure Expo
- Meet Krista! Knowmad's Newest Team Member, Ready to Help You Plan A Trip To South America
- + September
- + August
- Parting Shots: Things To Do in Peru - Biking, Hiking, Paragliding, Whitewater Rafting + More
- The Best Way to See the Galapagos Islands: Cruise or Land-Based?
- Design Mom: Living With Kids + Home Tour Column Features Tara Harvey / Knowmad Adventures
- Parting Shots: A Trip to Ecuador + The Galapagos Islands
- + July
- Starting a Company: The Challenges + Triumphs of Starting a Travel Company
- How To Make The Most Out of Your Trip To Torres Del Paine, Patagonia: Including The Best Excursions For You
- 4 Unique Experiences + What to Pack For A Trip to Ecuador
- Relais + Châteaux Deal: 3 Chilean Luxury Lodges Combined Into 1 Incredible Deal!
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- + February
- + January
- Chile Weather, When To Go, What to Pack + More By Region
- Parting Shots: Galapagos Islands Land-Based Adventure
- 2015 Annual South America Travel Photography Contest
- A Fun List for the New Year: Paddle Board, Make Pancakes, Travel to South America + More!
- Now is the Time to Book Your Travel to Peru: 2016 Inca Trail Permits Are Selling Out Fast!
- 2015 in Review(s): What Traveler’s Are Saying About Their South American Adventures
- +2015
- + December
- Top 5 Best Family Vacations in South America
- Parting Shots: Peru + Chile Combination Trip - Hiking, Mountain Biking + More
- Knowmad Featured In Condé Nast Traveler: The Experience Makers 2015
- May Your World Be Filled With Happiness - Knowmad Adventures South America Travel
- Gift Guide for the Explorer
- Continuing a Tradition: Microlending in South America
- + November
- + October
- Crossing the Andes: Explore Chile, Argentina & Patagonia with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum & Knowmad Adventures
- Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Adventure Expo + Knowmad Adventures
- Parting Shots: Custom Inca Trail Trip
- Top 10 Places To Get Your Feet Wet in South America: Kayak in Peru, Fly Fish & Surf in Chile
- A Knowmad Adventures' Women's Trip to Peru: Journey to Machu Picchu: Women's Active & Cultural Adventure
- + September
- Celebrating 6 Years of South America Travel
- Parting Shots: Ecuador Honeymoon - Galapagos Islands, Amazon & Avenue of the Volcanoes
- Chile: Farm-to-Table Food + Wine Deal
- The Romance of Patagonia: Awasi Patagonia Lodge in Chile, South America
- Parting Shots: Traveling to Peru - Mountain Biking in the Andes, Exploring the Sacred Valley, Visiting Machu Picchu & More
- + August
- Facts About Peru: Inca Trail Elevations, Andean Activities & More
- Jordan Harvey Named The Travel + Leisure Argentina + Chile Top Travel Advisor For The Third Year in a Row!
- South America Travel Discounts: Awasi Patagonia Lodge Deals & More
- Argentine Empanada Recipe: Bringing Buenos Aires to Your Kitchen
- + July
- + June
- + May
- How To Prepare For An International Trip
- Ecuador Travel: Macalester College Alumni Association Dynamic Group Trip
- From Phone to Frame: Preserving Travel Memories with Instantly Framed
- Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine: The Sisterhood of Motherhood + Knowmad Adventures
- 6 Highlights From My Trip to Peru By Peru + Ecuador Travel Expert Renee Davies
- + April
- + March
- + February
- + January
- The Top 10 Galapagos Cruises for all Different Groups & Budgets
- The Peterson Family "Trip of a Lifetime" to Peru
- January South America Travel Deals
- 2014 Annual South America Travel Photography Contest Results
- How to Order a Coffee in Spanish
- Our 2014 South America Travel Year in Review(s)
- Money Magazine's Where to go in 2015 List
- + December
- +2014
- + December
- When is the Best Time to Visit the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador?
- Cu-Boulder Study Abroad Alumni Spotlight: Translating my passion to real world opportunities
- Happy Holidays from the Knowmad Family!
- Give the Gift of Travel: South America Travel Deals
- Gift Guide for the Traveler
- Tis' The Season: Micro Loans in South America
- StarTribune Business: Building adventure travel agency has been an adventure
- Two Weeks in Chile + Argentina
- + November
- + October
- What's In My Carry-On
- 5 Must Do Activities In Torres del Paine National Park
- Top 10 Travel Tips from the Knowmad Travel Experts
- Join Knowmad at The Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Adventure Expo
- Chilean Wine Country: The Next Best Vineyard Destination
- Women's Adventure Magazine Features Knowmad's Tara Harvey
- Southwest Journal Features South America Travel Experts, Knowmad Adventures
- The Minnesota Laker/Pioneer Features Knowmad Adventures: The Knowmad Life
- Best Family Vacations in South America: Peru, Ecuador and Chile - $400 Off!
- Travel Inspiration
- Peru Trip: Amazon Jungle, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca & Lima
- + September
- Travel + Leisure's 'World's Greatest Dream Trips' Features Knowmad Adventures' Patagonia Dream Trip
- South America Travel with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Happy Birthday: Knowmad Celebrates 5 Years of South America Travel!
- Knowmad Adventures' Lisa Kellenberger Featured in International Studies Abroad Newsletter
- Southern Amazon Basin versus Northern Amazon Jungle Visit
- Meet Our Peru Travel Coordinators, Katty and Haelin!
- + August
- Travel to Brazil With Knowmad Adventures and The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Lost Lands of the Incas: Amazon Jungle & Machu Picchu Travel
- Chile Luxury Travel Deal: Unheard of Savings at Explora Patagonia and Easter Island
- Knowmad’s Jordan Harvey Named Best Trip Specialist for Argentina and Chile with praise for Peru by Travel + Leisure
- Top 3 Things to Do in The Sacred Valley
- Book Your 2015 Inca Trail Hike Now and Save Big: The Perfect Way To Experience Peru Active Travel!
- + July
- Hola Arepa: Latin American Cuisine At It's Finest
- Design Mom Interviews Knowmad Co-Founder Tara Harvey
- Adventures of the Louis Family: A Patagonia Vacation
- Meet Renee and Jack: Our New South America Trip Planners
- Awasi: Torres Del Paine's Newest Patagonia Luxury Lodge
- Galapagos Cruise Vacation Deals: Huge Savings on Galapagos' Best Small Ship Cruises
- Henson Chile Family Vacation
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- + February
- + January
- + December
- +2013
- +2012
- + December
- + November
- + October
- + September
- + August
- + July
- + June
- + May
- + April
- + March
- Curried Quinoa
- Last Call for Our Photography Contest!
- What to Pack for a Trip to South America + How to Layer
- Reports Are In: New Peru Adventure
- Making Headlines: Frommer's Chile & Easter Island
- AdventureHER and Knowmad Head to Peru July 2012
- Culture, Art & Design: Valparaiso & Vintage Labels
- MN Landscape Arboretum Trip Returns from Chile and Argentina
- +2011
- +2010
- +2009
Information On South America
Contact Us
Give us a call 612-315-2894
Toll Free U.S. & Canada 1-877-616-8747
U.S. office located in Minneapolis, MN
Hours Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm, CST
Request a Catalog
Featured Journey
Ultimate Bolivian Adventure
Journey through the rugged and otherworldly terrain of Southern Bolivia, exploring lagoons, volcanoes and Uyuni salt flats before ending in the capital of La Paz, perched atop the Andes Mountains, stopping at the historical rich communities of Potosi and Sucre along the way. Ideal connection with Chile’s Atacama Desert or start and finish in La Paz.
REVIEWS
Our trip could not have been better. You attended to every detail, no matter how small. Being met at every airport, hot tea and water in the van, all the charming hotels. How special you made Tripp’s birthday 3 times during the day! All our guides and drivers, the experience in Amaru and the Amazon. And of course our guide, Harry, who really is the best!
Good Works
By traveling alongside Knowmad you will be taking part in culturally and environmentally sustainable travel. You will be spreading the love, and the wealth. You will be doing Good Works. Learn more about Knowmad’s eco-travel efforts.
Contact Us
Give us a call 612-315-2894
Toll Free U.S. & Canada 1-877-616-8747
U.S. office located in Minneapolis, MN
Hours Mon - Fri 9am to 5pm, CST
Request a Catalog
-
REVIEWS
The Knowmad team put together the trip of a life time for us. Everything was perfect, from the guides to the accommodations to the activities, and your extensive knowledge of the area and personal relationships with the people we met in Chile were invaluable. We can’t recommend Knowmad highly enough.
- Ben and Sarah, New York, NY | Custom Chile Trip
-
REVIEWS
After traveling to Chile two years ago with Knowmad Adventures there was no question as to who was going to help plan my trip to Peru! Thank you so much to Knowmad Adventures. The places they recommended, connections, and knowledge of these regions were impeccable. I highly recommend using Knowmad Adventures to plan your next trip to Peru or Chile!
- Deanna, Santa Barbara, CA | Inca Trail & Beyond
-
REVIEWS
Our trip was everything we dreamed it would be and more. Your group did a great job everywhere we went. We especially loved our guide Paula, and Explora was top notch too. All perfect.
- Rosella, Denver, CO | Custom Chile Trip
-
REVIEWS
Please don’t ever change the way you operate. You fulfill lifelong dreams and provide people with the chance to live what they thought could only be read about.
- Kevin, Minnetonka, MN | Amazon to Andes Odyssey
-
REVIEWS
You put together a one-of-a-kind vacation for my group that I’ll long remember and enthusiastically recommend. I thank you and look forward, with much anticipation, to my next adventure with you.
- Lisa, Seattle, WA | Custom Ecuador Trip
-
REVIEWS
We got back last night and I must say that the organization of the entire trip was AMAZING. We all loved Peru and thanks to Knowmad we even enjoyed it a lot more. Thanks a lot Jordan for everything as we had sooooo much fun. I’ll definitely recommend you to anybody that wants to experience Peru.
- Barbara, Barcelona, Spain | Peru Active Explorer
Featured Journey
Ultimate Bolivian Adventure
Journey through the rugged and otherworldly terrain of Southern Bolivia, exploring lagoons, volcanoes and Uyuni salt flats before ending in the capital of La Paz, perched atop the Andes Mountains, stopping at the historical rich communities of Potosi and Sucre along the way. Ideal connection with Chile’s Atacama Desert or start and finish in La Paz.