On this one-of-a-kind, personalized trip to South America, the Schaffers experienced four dynamic regions of Ecuador including Quito, the Cloud Forest, Otavalo and the Galapagos Islands. Read on to discover the magic of Ecuador through their lens. View photos and read a day-by-day breakdown of their trip itinerary below.
Big news on the Knowmad Adventures front: we’re closing on a new office this week! Remembering our baby beginnings, with Jordan and I sitting across from each other at the same table in a 400-square-foot former chicken coop, it seemed unimaginable that Knowmad would ever need a whole building to house its team. Yet the time has come and we’ll be moving to our new South Minneapolis location on 36th & Bryant (directly across from a Bogart’s Donuts – dangerous!) come September. More to come on that later…
What’s actually been pestering me all month, as I gather bank statements, tax statements, read over the inspection addendum, the closing disclosure, sign this, scan that, etc., is that something that should be so exciting gets so bogged down by plain old paperwork. Although it’s hard to escape one’s nemesis, I have to laugh at myself and my insignificant groveling when I think of the trámite we went through in purchasing a car in Chile.
A common question I hear from people planning a trip to Torres del Paine and a stay at one of the handful of excellent adventure lodges in this massive national park is, “what are the best excursions and hikes to do in Torres del Paine?” Of course the response to what would seem a straightforward question varies greatly on who you are and your preferences (Do you really like to hike? How long of a hike is too long? Do you also like to horseback ride? etc). But with that being said, there are some general suggestions that can help you make the most of your five or so days in Torres del Paine.
On a recent Knowmad Adventures research trip in Ecuador Tara and Renee wandered the ancient cobblestone streets of Quito, chased butterflies in the cloud forest, cantered through the pastoral grounds of a former president’s hacienda in the Andes, and danced with blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos Islands. Their adventures included stays at the regal Casa Gangotena in Quito, the modern and experiential Mashpi Lodge in the cloud forest, the historic Hacienda Zuleta in the Andes, and the tented, yet appropriately luxurious, Galapagos Safari Camp. It was definitely a challenge to know what to pack for a trip that incorporated such varied climates! Read on for stories they share from their adventures and, because we know you’re curious, what they wore…
This is a once-in-a-lifetime offer at three phenomenal luxury lodges! Enjoy an incredible culinary experience at three (of only four) of Chile’s Relais & Châteaux properties at a greatly discounted rate. Details below.
A photo can take an ordinary moment and make it an extraordinary piece of your personal story. It’s not that undocumented memories are any less important, but life has a way of moving from one event to another without pausing to stop, therefore just the action of standing still and taking a photo reminds us to appreciate our experiences no matter how simple they may be.
Known for their rustic asado (traditional barbeque) and world-renowned wine, Chile and Argentina are favorites for travelers looking to explore the world through their taste buds.
Travel to Antarctica can be challenging. Known as the white continent, this incredibly vast wilderness is uninhabited by humans and only visited by a handful of the most adventurous individuals. Knowmad travelers Katy and Brady Shannon were up for both the challenge and the adventure!
Knowmad is excited to be featured in the Active Over 50’s 2016 Travel Issue. Our Peru Active Explorer itinerary is showcased in the Adventure Travel Resource Guide authored by Don Mankin, a recognized writer and world traveler.
Follow along on our first international family vacation with our toddler – it involves sunburns, scorpions and lots and lots of ice cream!
Dreaming of deserted beaches, delicious exotic foods, unique cultures, and unimaginable wildlife encounters? Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands are open for travel, just a short flight away, and offer all that and more. Plus, take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this incredible destination with next to no one — except of course the animals.
The Galapagos Islands have so much to offer: wildlife like nowhere else in the world; ideal weather year-round; and the best small-ship, expedition style cruises. However, there are dozens of different cruises in the Galapagos, and navigating which option is the best fit for you, from vessel types and sizes to the countless itinerary options, can be a daunting task. What is the best Galapagos cruise size? What are the best islands to visit on a Galapagos cruise? How long should my Galapagos cruise be? These are all questions I get frequently, and the answers aren’t the same for every traveler. Fortunately, at Knowmad Adventures we are well acquainted with the pros and cons of every Galapagos cruise ship and itinerary that we can help you answer the most important question: what is the best cruise and itinerary for me?
These incredible private villas and boutique hotels situated in remote wilderness, nestled in the middle of expansive vineyards, or on faraway islands have always been some of our favorite places in South America. Now, with privacy and space on the forefront of everyone’s minds, the amenities that these hotels already offered are striking us in a new and exciting way. Clear your head and relax in one of these breathtaking settings.
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.
Everything went perfectly and all 8 of us enjoyed every element of the trip. The guides were all excellent, everyone was always on-time and the hotels were exactly what we wanted. The Estancia turned out to be exceptional and I would say a highlight – the real thing, and right in the park. We ate the trout we caught one day for dinner and everyone loved the horse riding. I would say the unanimous judgement was one of the best trips we have ever taken.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
