We invite you to the spring Outdoor Adventure Expo hosted by Midwest Mountaineering and the U of M, April 22nd through 24th. Come join us at this terrific outdoor enthusiast and adventure travel gathering!
I’ll never forget my first time in Peru. My roommate from college and I had been traveling for over a month in Ecuador and decided to splurge on an overnight bus with plush, reclining semi-cama seats. I fell into a deep sleep as we made our way down the coastline from the more humid and tropical climate of Ecuador to the low-lying desert outside of Lima on the way to visiting Machu Picchu. I awoke to an outer world landscape; morning light seeping through ocean mist and casting a gentle glow over the sand dunes. I knew that I would love this country. We made our way to the southern Andean highlands and I felt as if I had stepped into the pages of National Geographic.
Our private tour guide in Peru, Wilfredo “had such a passionate connection to the trails, the Incan sites, and the history that he shared with us. And, it seemed like there was no joy greater for him than to share this with us.”
– Mary, Northfield MN | Custom Inca Trail Trip
Julia and Justin had a blast traveling to Argentina and Chile. They first spent time in Mendoza sipping wine in the Lujan de Cuyo valley, hiking outside of El Salto and even rappelling off of a waterfall! The two spent the next portion of their trip in Patagonia, visiting the Perito Moreno glacier and crossing the border to Chilean Patagonia to explore Torres del Paine National Park and stay at the rustic luxury lodge Tierra Patagonia.
This active Argentina adventure was phenomenal. Waking up in a rustic, luxury lodge in remote Patagonia with views of the Andes mountains peaking up over the forested lakeside of Lago del Desierto was just one part of this fantastic journey.
You need not give up on your adventurous taste buds as we spend time at home in the upcoming weeks. Bring Peru home with this simple, yet delightful quinoa recipe. Developed by our friends in Cusco, we share a bacon quinotto with you, a quinoa recipe that is sure to have your mouth watering for more.
A long, narrow sliver of land clinging to the edge of the South American continent, Chile’s diversity of travel experiences matches its jaw-dropping geography and landscapes. Encompassing the world’s driest desert, fertile vineyards, cosmopolitan Santiago and eclectic Valparaíso, lush temperate rainforests of the Lakes Region, the peaks of Patagonia and even Easter Island, this country pinched between Pacific shores and Andean peaks unveils incredible natural beauty and cultural intrigue at every turn.
Here we’ve compiled a list of essential information about Chile divided into 5 distinct regions. Read about Chile weather, points of interest, when to go, trip specialist tips and what to pack.
Starting their first morning early, Mitch and Shannon were met at their hotel well before the sun lit the sky. Yet rising was no challenging task for the two adventurers, as they were anxiously awaiting their first glimpse of the famous Galapagos Islands.
I was beyond impressed with the submissions this year. Each traveler was successful in telling a story with their photos, whether that story be one of wild adventure, family reunion or a coming together of friends. Each conveyed a curiosity, vigor and excitement for life. With over 500 traveler photos to sort through it was a tough job, but the results are incredible.
Pictured above: Our favorite Bogart’s Doughnuts | Paddle boarding and enjoying a beach day at Lake Harriet | Starting the year off right cooking Quinoa pancakes with Trey – thanks to Inkaterra for the lovely apron present! | A blue-footed booby in the Galapagos Islands | Sipping from a fresh coconut in Brazil
I don’t remember when Jordan and I started making “fun lists,” but somewhere in there it evolved from an amusing pastime into an Official Tradition. It takes the pressure off a list of New Year’s resolutions just with its name because they’re all fun, right? It’s better than a bucket list, which somehow always lends itself to the connotation that I have to accomplish all those things before I kick the bucket – and who likes to think about that? And it is way better than a to-do list…no explanation necessary.
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.
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.
