One of the saddest parts of my job is when someone contacts me excited to go with a loved one, family or group to hike the Inca Trail and I have to inform them that Inca Trail permits for their available dates are sold out.
It’s the night before your big trip. You’ve cleared your inbox and put on your vacation responder. You’ve organized someone to feed and walk your dog, water your plants and shovel your walk. You’ve gotten your immunizations, renewed your passport and notified your credit card company you’ll be making charges from abroad. You’ve cleared out everything in your fridge that will most likely go rank (but probably missed some things too!). And now you’re staring down a pile of clothes and a pile of who-knows-what that needs to miraculously fit into a suitcase and carry-on in under six hours (if you’re anything like the procrastinator I am).
Oh, the dilemma! This scenario was all too common for me and finally, after years of being on the move, I’ve got my packing down to a science. Tackled in this post are the ideal contents of your carry-on. Check out our FAQs sections for complete pack lists when traveling to South America.
Torres del Paine are spectacular granite pillars that soar above the landscape of what may be South America’s most incredible National Park. Get to Torres del Paine and you will see why Patagonia is known as “The End of the Earth.” The park itself is massive encompassing 598,338 acres. For outdoor enthusiasts, you’ll feel like a “kid in a candy store” trying to figure out how to best spend your time. The park caters to all types of travelers from extreme backpackers looking to camp out for days to those looking to soak in incredible views from some of the world’s most spectacular lodges. Here is a list of 5 must-do activities to make for a great Patagonian adventure trip.
Photo via @calebjordanlee
There’s obviously nothing we love more than travel here at Knowmad and we’ve recently put our heads together to come up with ten of our favorite travel tips. Read on to take the glitches out of your next adventure.
We invite you to this fall’s Outdoor Adventure Expo hosted by Midwest Mountaineering and the U of M, November 21 through 23.
The Outdoor Expo is Midwest Mountaineering’s biggest sale of the season with major discounts on gear and apparel! It’s also your chance to get involved with the Minnesota outdoors and adventure community. Come spend the day enjoying over 100 exhibitors and over 120 Presentations about everything outdoors related. The expo runs on Friday from 2:00 to 9:30pm, Saturday from 9:00 to 6:30pm, and Sunday from 10:00 to 5:00pm, and admission is absolutely FREE! You can find out more general information about the expo on the Outdoor Adventure Expo website.
Be sure to stop by the Knowmad booth during the day and don’t miss our presentations:
We will be handing out a $200 travel credit coupon to everyone who attends our presentations! For updates join the Outdoor Adventure Expo Facebook Event.
The word is getting out about Chilean wine country, from established valleys like Aconcagua and Colchagua to up-and-comers like San Antonio. Chile is now challenging the best-liked wineries in California and France. With vineyards tucked into valleys between the jagged Pacific Coast and the foothills of the Andes, many within a short drive from Santiago, it is obvious to see why this wine region has been growing in popularity. For lovers of wine, food and culture, new wine routes are creating the perfect wine touring experience.
Knowmad Adventures Co-Founder, Tara Harvey, talks about what travel has taught her about the business of babies on the Women’s Adventure Magazine blog!
Michelle Bruch writes about Knowmad’s beginnings, how they are expanding and their views on travel. Take a look at the Southwest Journal article: South America Travel Experts for the full story!
The Laker/Pioneer shares how Tara and Jordan turned their passion for travel into a successful business. Be sure to read the full article by Amanda Schwarze, The Knowmad Life, on their website.
There is no better gift you can give to your children than traveling together as a family. When you travel with your children, whether they are still playing in the sandbox, braving the high school hallways, moving out for their first year of college, or walking across the stage to get their college diploma, travel not only creates lifelong memories and family bonds, but it helps your children grow into well-rounded, confident, open-minded and brave individuals.
Having been to Chile and Argentina previously, Rick and Carol came to Knowmad looking to dive deeper into these countries. Working together with their Knowmad Trip Specialist, Rick and Carol landed on an off-the-beaten path itinerary that combined active travel and incredible landscapes, all while staying at some of the regions’ top luxury hotels.
This past August my colleague Kayli and I traveled to Peru for two and a half weeks, and, for me, it was both a magical and intimidating adventure to embark on.
In the weeks leading up to our first South American trip as a family, amidst the ear infections, the packing, and the year-end busyness at the Knowmad Adventures office, I envisioned how amazing the experience in Ecuador would be for them, our kids.
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.
