Parting Shots: Chile + Argentina Over 50 Travel Experience of a Lifetime

Senior Chile Travel

“We are a group of ‘seniors’ who love to travel, and are considering a South America destination for our next trip,” wrote Kathy when she first approached Knowmad. So, how is it that her group of adventurous ‘seniors’ ended up choosing Patagonia as one of the focal points of what eventually became a unique, 3-week trip to Argentina and Chile? Their route spanned from Buenos Aires to the jungles of Iguazú falls in Argentina and Brazil, down to the lush Bariloche area of Northern Patagonia, onward to the glaciers of Southern Patagonia, crossed through the Andes Mountains over to the jagged peaks of Chile’s Torres del Paine before ending in the Central Chile to explore bohemian ‘Valpo’, Santiago, and wine country. Read on to find out what makes Patagonia an outstanding destination for over 50 travel as well as for younger, adventurers alike.

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Central Chile Travel Guide: From Santiago to Valparaíso + Wine Country

Santiago to Valparaiso

The central region of Chile offers travelers a balanced blend of culture and scenic vistas where the traditional and modern live side by side. Inside of the artsy and bustling neighborhoods of Santiago, find deep history, green park oases, and caring people. Just outside of Chile’s largest city, find ocean to the west, mountains to the east, and wine valleys to the south. The nearby bohemian port city of Valparaíso draws artists and adventurers to its cascading hills, while the nearby wineries draw aficionados and soon-to-be wine connoisseurs alike.

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Things to do in Santiago, Chile

Santiago City Guide

Chile has become a hub for many travelers planning to visit South America with its stunning natural landscapes, delicious wine, and local culture. The capital city of this diverse country, Santiago, has often been known as just a stop-over city on the way to explore all that Chile has to offer, but this thriving metropolitan city should not be overlooked.

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Two Weeks in Chile: Contrasting Regions, Atacama + Patagonia Combination Trip

Two Weeks in Chile

Chile is a country of contrasts, stretching from the desert in the north to the glaciers of the south, and with the natural borders of the ocean to the west and the Andes mountains in the east. There are lush, temperate rainforests and volcanoes, and wine valleys abound. When planning my own first trip to South America with Knowmad I faced the same question that the travelers I work with every day do: how could I make the most of two weeks in Chile?

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Condé Nast Traveler Experience Makers Award for the 4th Year in a Row!

Conde Nast Traveler Experience Makers Award

What makes someone worthy of the Condé Nast Traveler Experience Makers award? This person is not just an expert in their field, but a person that views crafting the perfect trip as an art form. A person who is considerate, taking the time to listen their travelers’ interests, style, and needs; a person who is knowledgable, always on the pulse of new activities, cultural opportunities, and remote lodges; and a person who is passionate, someone who understands that the each trip is a unique reflection of the traveler that ultimately gets to embark on the journey. We’re proud to say that Jordan Harvey, Knowmad’s Co-Founder, is this person.

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Parting Shots: How a Galapagos Charter Became the Trip of a Lifetime!

Galapagos Islands Charter

The Galapagos Islands is the perfect place to charter a small yacht or catamaran expedition for just you and your group of family or friends. This allows for a more private and even personalized experience, where the guide and crew are dedicated entirely to your group. As there are many boats in the Galapagos meant for just 16 – 20 passengers, a Galapagos charter boat is often the best choice for large groups of friends, clubs, and multi-generational family vacations, and it’s easier than some may think. There are also a variety of boat types available: you can charter a private luxury boat, a tourist superior, or a first class boat.  Additionally, some nice discounts come into play when you are able to charter a full boat instead of buying the individual cabin spaces. Keep reading to journey alongside this Knowmad group and learn more about Galapagos charter boats. 

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Best Peru Restaurants: Your Guide for Knowing Where to Eat from Lima to Machu Picchu

Best Peru Restaurants Sacred Valley

Peru has been a favorite in the world of cuisine for some time now, and its food only continues to impress and attract patrons from near and far. Part of its charm is that Peru’s culture is so well represented in its cuisine, making each dish a celebration; from fusion blends like Italian-Peruvian and Japanese-Peruvian, to unique incorporations of the fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains harvested locally. Peru’s restaurants and chefs are creating inventive new dishes all the time for fans of food everywhere to enjoy.

Because of the attention surrounding Peru’s food scene, its restaurants are growing in both quantity and popularity: many of them have been favorites for years, some of them are newer and spearheaded by beloved chefs, and there are also the gems that are known only by the locals. As some of the best restaurants in Peru are also the top restaurants in the world, we wanted to create a list of some of Knowmad’s favorites to help you navigate the delectable world of Peruvian dining!

As you read on below, if you are interested in making a reservation for your trip to Peru at any of the restaurant featured here, you can either use the links within each restaurants’ details to reach their website, or you can let your Trip or Operations Specialist know if you would like help, and we would be happy to assist in making those reservations for you.

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Travel + Leisure A-List Recognizes Jordan As a Top Trip Advisor for the 7th Year in a Row!

Knowmad Adventure Travel + Leisure A-List

It’s a series of moments that have lead Jordan to his 7th Travel + Leisure A-List win. It all started with a big dream in a small cabin nestled in the Patagonian countryside. Here, Tara and Jordan spent many hours, days, and weeks developing their travel company. And today we take a moment to reflect on some of the triumphs and challenges that ultimately make Knowmad, Knowmad.

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Condé Nast Traveler Highlights Knowmad’s Off-The-Beaten-Path Specialty with Choquequirao Trek Mention

Conde Nast Traveler - Knowmad Adventures Choque Peru Trekking

We’re so thrilled that Knowmad was mentioned as the company to call for your Choquequirao trekking plans by Condé Nasts’s Traveler magazine! Traveler explains how the multi-day trek to the the lesser-travelled but equally magnificent Choquequirao indeed stands up to comparisons to Machu Picchu. Our founders, Tara and Jordan Harvey, have journeyed to the archaeological site themselves – affectionately called “Choque” – and came out of it more impassioned than ever, affirming that it makes trekkers feel about as much like Indiana Jones as possible.

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Book your Inca Trail trip by July 31st and receive $200 off per person!

Inca Trail Deal Knowmad Adventures

Inca Trail permits for 2019 will be going on sale in just a few months. Some of the most popular travel dates sell out as soon as the permits go on sale, so don’t miss your chance to hike the famed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2019, and start planning today. Book before July 31st, 2018 and receive $200 off per person for trips 1 week or longer, and $300 off per person for trips 2 weeks or longer!* Contact a Trip Specialist today about booking this trip of a lifetime!

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Travel + Leisure A-List Winner for the 10th Year in a Row!

This is a big one folks!! Knowmad Co-Founder Jordan Harvey won a spot on the Travel + Leisure A-list for the 10th year in a row. 

It doesn’t seem that long ago that Jordan “almost fainted right there in the Dallas / Ft. Worth customs,” after finding out he had won the T+L A-List award for the very first time in 2013. A lot has happened in the last 10 years, we’ve grown, expanded into new territories, helped more and more travelers and at the same time, not much has changed. Our commitment to unparalleled levels of knowledge and operating capabilities in our regions has only strengthened and we continue to work hard to build innovative and unique travel experiences for our travelers. 

We asked our past travelers to help us in congratulating Jordan by sharing some of their favorite travel moments, keep reading to take a trip down memory lane with us.

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Travel + Leisure Spotlights Knowmad’s Peru Epic 9-Day Active Adventure & Inca Trail

Photo of Machu Picchu in Peru with the Travel + Leisure logo overlayed in the lower left corner

Open for travel, sharply declining covid numbers, and a dearth of crowds has us pumped for Peru travel. We were honored when Travel + Leisure recently featured one of Knowmad Co-Founder Jordan’s favored Peru trips, which packs in big adventure in a short period of time. Are you ready to craft your own Peru experience?