Unforgettable Family Trip To Peru

Family Trip to Peru - South America

“You and your team did such a wonderful job and I can’t thank you enough. Our guide, Celinda, was incredible, extremely knowledgable and passionate about the Andean people and the Incan culture/ruins. We learned more than I could’ve imagined to. We loved the picnic, the climb up Waynapicchu, Machu Picchu and the ruins tours, the cooking class and the trip to the Amaru community!” – Gina Grammatica. Gina’s testimonial really says it all. Thank you for the kind words, Gina, and we are so happy you had a wonderful time!

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What’s In My Carry-On

Carry-on

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.

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5 Must Do Activities In Torres del Paine National Park

Activities in Torres del Paine

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.

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Join Knowmad at The Midwest Mountaineering Outdoor Adventure Expo

Outdoor Adventure Travel

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:

  • Machu Picchu and Beyond: Practical Advice for Making the Most of Your Peru Travels – Sunday, November 23rd at 1:00pm in Hanson Hall, Room 103
  • Patagonia Unbridled – Saturday, November 22nd at 3:30pm in Hanson Hall, Room 102
  • Exploring Ecuador – Saturday, November 22nd at 1:00pm in Hanson Hall, Room 102

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.

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Chilean Wine Country: The Next Best Vineyard Destination

Casablanca Wine Valley

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.

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Beyond Machu Picchu: Explora Sacred Valley, Luxury Hotel in Peru

Explora Peru Travel
Unless stated otherwise, the images or videos used in this blog post belong to Explora

The Sacred Valley is often overlooked; sometimes folded into itineraries as a region to traverse on your way to the infamous Machu Picchu or merely a place to acclimatize before a trek on the Inca Trail. Truly the cultural and natural heart of Andean Peru, the valley has so much more to offer. Discover why a stay at Explora’s newest luxury lodge may be just the reason you needed to jump start planning your trip.

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Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists We Trust Award

Starting a business takes courage and leadership, tireless dedication and a steady vision even when faced with challenges, and a team devoted to the same values and ideals. Receiving the Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist We Trust award gives us the opportunity and reminder to slow down and congratulate each other on all of the goals – big and small – that we accomplish each day. We are so grateful Jordan has been recognized on this list for the 5th year in a row, thank you!

Custom Argentina + Antarctica Trip: Unforgettable Antarctica Cruise from South America

Antarctica Cruise MV Plancius
Photo by Jan Veen

Getting to the southernmost continent in the world is not easy but that’s not to say it must be a combination of tiring and long travel days. Below we share a Knowmad traveler’s trip to Antarctica by way of Argentina, with adventurous, relaxing, and fun days spent in Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, and Tierra del Fuego National Park, all before they embarked on their once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition.

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