The results of the 2025 Knowmad Photo Contest are here. Over the past year, our travelers shared powerful moments from across South America, each image paired with a story that reminds us why we love what we do. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit photos and reflections.
Keep scrolling to see this year’s winning images and the stories behind them, from meaningful cultural connections to remarkable wildlife sightings, and get ideas for your next trip to South America.
Enter the Knowmad Photo Contest
If you’ve traveled with Knowmad, you’re eligible to participate in our annual photo contest. Below are the contest guidelines:
- Send your photo by emailing it to your Knowmad Operations Specialist. Don’t forget to share the story behind the image.
- You can also follow us on Instagram or Facebook and tag us in your photo. Be sure your profile is set to public so we can see your tag.
Enter your photos in one or more categories: Adventure, Cityscape, Culture, Fauna, Flora, Landscape, and Portrait.
All category winners will receive Knowmad gear, and the overall Knowmad Adventures Grand Prize Winner earns a 3-day stay at Hacienda Zuleta in Ecuador.
2025 winners:
Adventure
HONORABLE MENTION
“Thank you again so much for all your expert advice and assistance. We will be in touch again for the next trip.”
—Rick, Prescott, AZ | Custom Antarctica Trip
THIRD PLACE
“Thank you for planning such an amazing trip for us!” Machu Picchu, Peru.
—Stacy, Mount Kisco, New York | Custom Peru Trip
Second Place
“On the summit of Cerro Toco in Atacama at 18,385ft.”
—Arindam, Redmond, WA | Custom Chile & Bolivia Trip
First Place
“It was a fantastic trip! What a magical place.”
—Dave, Portola Valley, California | Custom Argentina Trip
CITYSCAPE
Third Place
“Child’s play with pigeons in Plaza de San Francisco in Quito.”
—Ruth, New York, NY | Custom Ecuador Trip
Second Place
Cusco’s stonework, stairways, and colorful accents reflect the city’s long history and daily life.
—Antoine, Irvine, CA | Custom Peru Trip
First Place
“We took a cable car in Quito (teleférico) and it was a HUGE hit with my teenagers! We spent about two or three hours there, and probably could have spent more. There is a hiking trail, opportunities to take pictures with llamas, tons of opportunities for beautiful Instagram pictures, such as the swing on the very top of the mountain.”
—Dan, Paradise Valley, AZ | Custom Ecuador Trip
CULTURE
Third Place
“Such an awesome trip and the flow and experiences have been just what we have dreamed about!”
—Dan, Marietta, GA | Custom Argentina & Chile Trip
Second Place
“These native Quechua ladies in Peru were showing us how they raised sheep, sheared the sheep, spun the wool and dyed the wool. They then made beautiful wall hangings and table runners and other things with them. I feel being able to visit their village was a one-of-a-kind experience that not a lot of people get. They were also so very welcoming and accommodating.”
— Judy, Gahanna, Ohio | Custom Peru & Ecuador Trip
First Place
“This is a portrait of Micha, a gaucho at Explora’s Torres del Paine stables. I spoke to him at a quincho there, despite him not speaking a word of English and me only knowing about five words of Spanish. I used my French and frantic hand gestures — and eventually one of the guides’ helpful translations — to find out more about his way of life. It was an encounter I will not soon forget!”
— Maria, Stellenbosch, Western Cape | Custom Argentina & Chile Trip
FAUNA
HONORABLE MENTION
“You did it again – planned Bill and I the perfect trip, this time including 13 others!! Quite a feat. We all loved our unique experiences in the Galapagos and the boat choice was perfect.” This intimate portrait captures the textures of a Galapagos land iguana, a species found nowhere else on Earth.
—Deb & Bill, Mahtomedi, MN | Custom Ecuador Trip
THIRD PLACE
“We had a great time! The scenery was beautiful, the guides were really knowledgeable and friendly and the food and wine were delicious.” A subtle figure in a grand setting, this guanaco brings life and scale to Patagonia’s rugged terrain.
—Ellen & Dale, Sausalito, CA | Custom Chile Trip
Second Place
“Our adventure began in the pristine cloud forest, where we stayed at the exclusive and luxurious Mashpi Lodge… a complete immersion in nature. We braved a river of waist-high rapids, navigating the rushing waters to uncover a hidden waterfall and a serene swimming hole. We explored the rainforest canopy on gondolas and on a bicycle built for two, which offered a fantastic bird’s-eye view of the lush surroundings below. We enjoyed watching the local birds and butterflies, where we were fortunate to see a variety of species, including dazzling, multicolored hummingbirds. At night, we ventured on a guided hike where we encountered tarantulas and snakes.”
—Alan Sloyer, Roslyn, NY | Custom Ecuador Trip
Photo by Alan Sloyer
First Place
“One will see things they have never seen before; they will be amazed by the unbelievable and beautiful landscapes, the vastness, the stillness, and the pristine nature of the region. One needs to see Antarctica to appreciate how splendid, majestic, and almost surreal it is. The wildlife was spectacular and plentiful. Whales and seals swam right up to the zodiac, where we could practically touch them.”
—Suzette, South Pasadena, CA | Custom Antarctica Trip
FLORA
THIRD PLACE
“Thank you, Krista and Knowmad for your efforts in making this a fabulous experience.” Foxglove in bloom.
—Mike, Milwaukee, WI | Custom Argentina & Uruguay Trip
SECOND Place
These rounded clusters of blossoms add a burst of color, set against La Casa Rosada in the historic Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires.
—Dan, Marietta, GA | Custom Argentina & Chile Trip
FIRST Place
“Banana blossom on the grounds of the Life Center at Mashpi.”
—Ruth, New York, NY | Custom Ecuador Trip
LANDSCAPE
HONORABLE MENTION
“Ibera wetlands from Hotel Esteros, Puerto Valle”
— Edward, New York, NY | Custom Argentina Trip
THIRD PLACE
“Our second hike in Torres del Paine National Park we were headed to Mirador Cuernos. This photo is along the way with a stunning reflection in Lake Nordenskjöld.”
— Kriste & Merrick, Indianapolis, IN | Custom Argentina & Chile Trip
SECOND Place
“On the way back to the lodge after a day at Torres del Paine we looked out the window and saw a rainbow unlike any other. We think it was a sign from our child who passed a year ago, letting us know he was with us in this beauty.”
—Susan, Asheville, NC | Custom Chile Trip
FIRST Place
A clear view of Mount Fitz Roy rising above the blue waters of Laguna de los Tres in El Chalten.
—Karl, San Francisco, CA | Custom Argentina & Chile Trip
PORTRAIT
HONORABLE MENTION
“From the sand dunes in Ica. The trip was fantastic! We are still in the post-trip afterglow.”
—Raphael, Washington D.C. | Custom Peru Trip
THIRD PLACE
“Perito Moreno Glacier. “It was a great trip.”
—Chris, North York, ON | Custom Argentina, Chile, & Brazil Trip
SECOND Place
“An incredible adventure for the family! Outstanding recommendations, trip planning, accommodations and itinerary. And especially guides!”
—Deb, Sharon, MA | Custom Peru Trip
FIRST Place
“I can’t say enough about how marvelous and memorable the cruise was, especially the days spent on the western and northern part of the archipelago. The boat and its crew were really terrific, and the scenery and wildlife were just spectacular.”
—Alison & John, Barrington, RI | Custom Ecuador Trip
Grand Prize Winner
“An early morning photo from our stay at the Explora Torres Del Paine Lodge. One will never wake up to a picture more beautiful!”
—Jim, Minneapolis, MN | Custom Chile & Argentina Trip
Jim and Kathy, along with two friends, spent two weeks exploring Argentina and Chile. They visited Buenos Aires, El Calafate, Torres del Paine, and Valparaíso. This sunrise image over Lake Pehoé, with Patagonia’s famous Paine Massif reflected just beyond their lodge, captures the quiet magic of the region and the kind of moment that stays with you long after the trip ends.
Congratulations to Jim on his Grand Prize win!
Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you to everyone who shared photos and stories from your South American trips in 2025!
Interested in a South American adventure of your own? Here at Knowmad Adventures we pride ourselves in building custom trips that are a perfect fit for our travelers. If you’re interested in crafting an adventure, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Trip Specialists at 612-315-2894 or [email protected] to begin planning your trip today!
Jenny is a Marketing Specialist with Knowmad Adventures, a South American travel company that designs active, authentic, and sustainable journeys for independent travelers. She has more than 20 years of experience behind the camera, photographing wildlife, landscapes, and meaningful moments in nature and travel. She has led numerous photography tours and enjoys helping travelers strengthen their creative eye, refine their technique, and tell stronger visual stories wherever they go. Read Jenny’s biography and learn more about the Knowmad team.
