There’s something special about the hustle and bustle of summer— the sports games, camps, family celebrations, and cookouts with friends. But sometimes, it feels like we’re simply racing from one thing to the next. We’ve found that the time we truly feel like we’re on ‘break’ — together, completely — is when we leave it all behind and travel abroad. We connect, we relax, we explore, and we grow as a family.
A relaxing, enjoyable stay in Chilean vineyards can turn an excellent trip into something extraordinary. In my 20 years in Chile – many spent working in the travel industry – I’ve had the opportunity to explore vineyards from north to south, and one winery hotel truly stands apart: The Clos Apalta Residence.
What makes Apalta’s Residence stand out is how it combines the beauty of the Chilean countryside with excellence in winemaking and cuisine as well as its spacious, comfortable, and well-thought-out accommodations, which, altogether, make for an unforgettable experience. It’s not the first result that Google pulls up, but if you are coming to Chile and love great food and wine, you have to consider it.
At Knowmad, we’ve been including stays in the original casitas at this winery hotel for years. But with the addition of six spacious villas to build on its offer, on my recent visit, I set out with the mission to experience these new spaces and to update our understanding of how to work this into our custom trips to Chile.
An up-and-coming destination in South America, Colombia is still relatively unknown and unexplored by international travelers. That being said, it has so much to offer visitors:
Connect here with a Knowmad Adventures Trip Specialist to help you create a custom travel experience throughout Colombia that is as unique and authentic as you are.
The Knowmad 2024 Photo Contest Winners are in! This past year was full of incredible stories and images from our Knowmad travelers. The pictures and comments that were sent in inspire us to keep exploring. Thanks to all who shared their impressive pictures throughout the last year.
Scroll down to see inspiring Knowmad traveler stories, from connecting with locals to jaw-dropping wildlife encounters, and find inspiration for your next South American adventure below.
If you’ve traveled with Knowmad, you’re eligible to participate in our annual photo contest. Below are the contest guidelines:
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.
Huge congratulations to our Founder, Jordan Harvey, on earning a spot on Travel + Leisure’s A-List of Top Travel Advisors for the 13th year in a row!
Perfecting travel in South America takes passion, expertise, and an incredible team. This honor reflects the hard work of our knowledgeable Travel Specialists and the inspiring travelers we collaborate with every day to design exceptional journeys.
Check out Jordan’s Travel + Leisure feature here, and connect with one of our Trip Specialists to start planning your own South American adventure!
Machu Picchu has rightfully earned its spot as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. The archeological site is a journey to the past and a lesson in the rich history of the Inca; every Peru traveler should visit this jaw-dropping place. Adding a day hike to your visit to the archeological site is recommended, as it will allow you to reach the most stunning and lesser-achieved viewpoints for a more in-depth exploration of this ancient city. Below, we will explore the best way to organize your Machu Picchu trip as well as the details of these three Machu Picchu day hikes: Huchuy Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu. Learn why you should add a day hike to your adventure and decide which day hike is the right fit for you.
Known for its stunning landscapes and the famous Machu Picchu citadel; its warm and welcoming people; and its rich, vibrant culture, Peru has long been a sought-after destination for travelers from all over the world. But what often can get overlooked is that it is also an incredible destination for luxury travel. A luxury Peru trip is host to some of the most dazzling, awe-inspiring, high-end properties throughout the country that are well-positioned to give travelers an adventure they’ll never forget. Knowmad travelers Keira & Mickey had their own tailored experience exploring the country’s regions while staying at some of Peru’s most coveted boutique properties.
Bob and Linda, who had traveled with Knowmad to Ecuador and the Galapagos before, knew who to turn to when they decided they wanted to explore Antarctica and combine that visit with an adventure to Southern Patagonia. With such an extreme itinerary, they trusted Knowmad to plan for everything. Considering the weather-related delays they found themselves wrapped up in on their way home from their Antarctica expedition, they were ecstatic that they had booked their voyage through a travel provider and that Knowmad had their backs. “Even before our trip, Knowmad kept us on track pre-travel, so we were well prepared for a 3-week international trip. We were not just forgotten about once we had booked our travels. Twelve hours before one of our flights, Knowmad sent us an email letting us know the airlines had changed our flight and that [they] had rearranged our pick-up time and driver. All we had to do was show up in the lobby. No worries.”
Whether you are heading to hike the base of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, exploring the Martian-like landscape of the Atacama, or basking in the glow of wine country, Santiago is an inevitable entry or exit point for your adventure. So what should a traveler do in Santiago, Chile in 48 hours?
Colombia is filled with diverse regions, and packed with opportunities for adventure and experiencing incredible natural and cultural wonders. When work brought two friends to Medellin, they decided to extend their trip and have their husbands join them to uncover more of the country’s gems and create their very own adventure in Colombia.
While working with clients, it’s not uncommon for a traveler to tell me they’ve had a lifelong interest in visiting Easter Island, known as Rapa Nui in the local language. Whether it was spurred by Leonord Nimoy’s In Search of episode from 1977, a grade school project, or a recent friend’s trip, the fascination that this tiny, remote island can instill is deep and strong. Ever since visiting the island nearly 20 years ago, I’ve felt a consistent draw to return. On this recent trip, I went deeper into the archaeological sites, culture, and accommodations. This blog shares my insights to help you discover the magic of the island in a personalized and smooth way.
Chicha morada is one of Peru’s most recognizable drinks. You’ll find it served alongside meals in restaurants, sold by street vendors, or made from scratch in home kitchens. It’s non-alcoholic, caffeine-free, kid-friendly, refreshing, and made from purple corn rather than fruit.
“Spotting pink dolphins, being treated by a family of endangered giant river otters, caiman sleeping under our glass floor, seeing 18 macaws, and spotting birds and monkeys from the tower at dawn were highlights of Napo in the Amazon.
The Angel was perfect to explore the Galapagos. The yacht was beautiful, staff attentive, and food delicious. The adventures are what stood out most. We snorkeled with 4 giant manta rays, a large group of golden rays, hammerhead sharks, gorgeous fish, marine iguanas, and swam with penguins, sea turtles, and sea lions. The birds were not afraid of us and we got to see them up close. It is truly a magical place and I’d highly recommend it to anyone. Knowmad surprising us with a complimentary upgrade to a suite was amazing!
The planning and trip was so easy. After an initial call we were presented with several ideas and options with a range of prices. Krista, Carmen, and the Knowmad team handled every detail and it was perfect!
The Amazon, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands are incredible. If you are dreaming of a trip there, I’d say don’t wait! Two weeks was the minimum, as there was so much to see and do. It truly was an adventure vacation!”
– Heather, Custom Ecuador, Amazon, & Galapagos 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.
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.
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.
