Renee’s Staff Itinerary Pick: One Week in The Galapagos Islands, An Active Land-Based Adventure Trip

Land Based Galapagos Islands Tour

Everyone knows the Galapagos are a phenomenal destination for wildlife. You can walk alongside giant Galapagos tortoises lumbering around in the highlands, blue-footed boobies doing their mating dance, marine & land iguanas soaking in the sun, and more. Then, jump into the water to snorkel or swim with an array of colorful fish, sea turtles, sea lions, penguins, rays and even (friendly) sharks. It truly is a destination unlike anywhere else in the world. The wildlife is abundant and has little to no fear of humans. However, what often gets overlooked is that the Galapagos can also be a wonderful trip for culture, history and hiking.

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Best Place to Visit in South America for Adventure, Gastronomy, Relaxation, History + More

Best Place to Visit in South America

South America is an immense and diverse continent with a myriad of options for every interest. Because of this, diving in to the initial planning stages of a trip to South America and deciding where to go can be incredibly daunting – with so many places to see and things to do, it’s easy to find yourself asking the question, “What is the best place to visit in South America?” 

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Parting Shots: Custom Sacred Valley + Peruvian Amazon Travel Experience

Custom Peru Travel - Knowmad

The Amazon rainforest and the Sacred Valley in Peru are two of the must-sees in South America. With the desire to visit these sites, John and Cara crafted their own personal itinerary focusing on these two contrasting destinations. Highlighting the best of both regions, this itinerary is rich in culture and natural wonders.

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5 Frequently Asked Questions About the Inca Trail / Machu Picchu Hike Info

Machu Picchu Hike Inca Trail

Should I hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? This is one of the most important and common questions when planning a trip to Peru. There are three ways to get to Machu Picchu: hike the full Inca Trail, hike just one day of the Inca Trail, or take a train and bus. To help you decide which is the best fit for you, take a look at five of the most frequently asked questions we get from our Inca Trail travelers below. Whether you’ve already planned your Inca Trail trip and are looking to prepare, or you’re just deciding if the Inca Trail is the right fit for you, these questions are a good place to start. Then, give us a call at 612-315-2894 to speak with a Peru Travel Specialist about the many Machu Picchu hike options and to plan your custom South America trip.

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Passport Expiration Information: Why Do I Need Six Months On My Passport?

Passport Expiration Information

One of the first things that we look at when you book a trip with Knowmad Adventures, a travel company that creates active, authentic and sustainable travel in South America, is when your passport will expire. If your passport expiration is less than six months before the date of your trip, we request that you renew your passport before your departure. We lay out the reasons why you need six months on your passport below.

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Parting Shots: A Patagonian Odyssey – Chiloé Island, Rafting, Ice-Hiking + More

Travel to Chile

The stunning landscapes of both northern and southern Patagonia were the perfect backdrop for this group of 7 family members and friends. On this trip, they were able to see all of the highlights of the region, including trekking in Torres del Paine, glacier ice hiking, bike riding on Chiloé Island, whitewater rafting, and more!

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2016 Knowmad Adventures Annual Travel Photography Contest

Travel Photography - South America

For the past couple of weeks I have had the pleasure of living vicariously through our travelers while sifting through hundreds of photos taken in every nook and cranny of South America. What I love most about this process is seeing the world through another’s perspective, learning travelers’ stories through each image and in a little way, sharing in their joy. Throughout the selection process Krista and I commented several times just how difficult it was to pick only three top photos for each category, but, albeit challenging, we managed to pick this year’s Knowmad Adventures Annual Travel Photography Contest winners!

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Reflecting On A Year of South America Travel: Travelers’ Reviews + Stories From Their South American Adventures

Travelers' Reviews

From the white sand beaches and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, to the ancient Incan ruins of Peru, stunning mountain peaks of Patagonia, and the vibrant culture of Buenos Aires, Knowmad Travelers experienced a lot in 2016.

They snorkeled with sea lions and kayaked next glaciers. They hiked the Inca Trail, and camped under the stars at nearly unknown ruins. They shared stories with gauchos and savored a meal with indigenous leaders. They connected with different cultures, communities and people throughout South America.

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Knowmad is Featured in the Wall Street Journal!

Wall Street Journal - Knowmad Adventures

We’re excited to share Amy Tara Koch’s Wall Street Journal article, “Holiday Getaways for Picky Procrastinators,” with you! Koch cites Knowmad’s expertise about Patagonia and suggests that travelers looking, “for better deals and last-minute finagling, book through a travel [company], such as Knowmad Adventures.”

Click the link above for the full article and give one of our Trip Specialists a call at 612-315-2894 to start planning your trip to South America today!

Travel + Leisure A-List Award: Bright Future Award

We’re extremely proud to announce that Knowmad and Co-Founder Jordan Harvey have earned the Travel + Leisure A-list honor for being the top Patagonia, Chile, and Argentina specialist. Our 7th year running taking home the hardware, you may think as time goes on our excitement would begin to fade but rather it builds, striking a different chord each year. This year it feels especially significant. It’s a simple, yet profound symbol of Knowmad’s bright future.

We are proud to be one of the only companies in the world to receive both the Condé Nast Top Specialists and Travel + Leisure A-List awards, and also have two award-winning Specialists (Renee Davies is Condé Nast’s top Ecuador & Galapagos Specialist).

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6 Blow-Your-Mind Colombian Stays

Casa Zahmar - Best Hotels in Colombia
Casa Zahmar

It feels extra special to have a luxurious, private space to relax and unwind at the end of the day, especially if you’ve spent that day exploring and having new experiences in Colombia! Keep reading to find out why these boutique properties and private villas are the perfect Colombian basecamps to explore all that the country has to offer.

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