Tis’ The Season: Micro Loans in South America

Micro Loan - South America Travel Company

Season’s greetings from everyone here at Knowmad! With all of the good cheer floating around this holiday season –  like “Giving Tuesday” (a day following “Black Friday” dedicated to helping those less fortunate), “Small Business Saturday” (a day celebrating small, local businesses), or the “Patagonia Worn Wear Swap” (an initiative encouraging consumers to buy less and re-use already manufactured clothing) – has reminded us to take a step back and be grateful for what we have and most importantly be thankful for all of the important people in our lives.

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Two Weeks in Chile + Argentina

Two Weeks in Chile and Argentina

Knowmad travelers Stan and Kathy’s two-week trip to Chile and Argentina is a great example of a well-rounded custom adventure in South America. The two spent a couple of weeks hiking, sightseeing, ice walking, wildlife watching, and photo safariing in both Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. They topped it off with a visit to Iguazú Falls and some incredible food and wine in Buenos Aires. See their full itinerary and photos of the region below.

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Ultimate Peru Bikepacking Itinerary

Ultimate Peru Bikepacking Itinerary

Knowmad Adventures and Bikepackers Magazine is proud to announce an incredible group trip to Peru. We will bikepack through awe-inspiring scenery in Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas, passing through small Andean villages, snowcapped peaks and ancient ruins. On this incredible ten-day trip you will get well off the beaten path while biking nearly 100 miles and camping amongst some of Peru’s most breathtaking scenery. Don’t miss this opportunity to join Bikepackers Magazine Co-founders and exceptional local guides on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure as we bike through this stunning country, stand up paddle board on Andean lakes, explore Machu Picchu, walk the cobble-stoned streets of Cusco, zip line above the Sacred Valley and much more.

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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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South America’s Best Kept Secret: Machu Picchu & Patagonia Shoulder Season Travel

Shoulder Season South America

Well-heeled and adventurous travelers have long favored shoulder seasons when the amount of travelers in a destination dips (often times along with prices) and weather is still good (and in some locations it could be argued better than high season). Fall shoulder season for Peru / Machu Picchu and Chile / Argentina / Patagonia is in March and April and the best spots and some hikes, such as the Inca Trail, are booking up fast. The time to plan for these seasons is now!

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How to Choose Between the Argentine and Chilean Sides of Patagonia: El Chalten vs. Torres del Paine or Both

From remote, vast landscapes dotted with iconic peaks and bright glaciers to unique wildlife and historic haciendas; for nature and adventure lovers Patagonia is unparalleled. But all that makes it magnificent can also make planning Patagonia trips a bit overwhelming. This article breaks down Patagonia’s main locations, helping you navigate the choices in planning the perfect Patagonian journey for your travel style, time frame, and budget.

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Travel + Leisure A-List Award Winner!

We’re beyond excited to announce Jordan’s recognition on the 2019 Travel + Leisure A-List – a collection of the world’s top travel advisors – for the 7th year in a row! As with every big accomplishment, it takes a village: for Jordan (and Knowmad) it’s the combination of like-minded travelers and a rockstar team of Trip and Operations Specialists that made this award possible. Thank you all!

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