Although we always knew Carley Rosen would be leaving us to move Chicago this June, she is still going to be sorely missed. We celebrated her new beginnings with brunch at one of our favorite South Minneapolis eateries, Blackbird Café. The food was great and the company better.
Jerry and Maureen Pearo, Russ and Mary Horsch, and Damon and Becky Farber packed their bags this past February and headed south, to Santiago, Chile for an incredible Chile and Easter Island travel experience. Their custom trip included stops at the La Vega and Mercado Central (two of Chile’s most famous markets), Chiloe island, the Cochamo Valley, vineyards in Valparaiso and Easter Island.
As of this year, Chile has lifted their reciprocity fee for the United States. This means that any U.S. Citizen traveling to Chile will no longer have to pay an entrance fee (historically this fee has been upwards of $140 USD).
Being the fourth largest continent and unknown to many travelers, South America is big and mysterious. So here at Knowmad we have compiled a list of some of the best places to visit in South America to get you “lost in the right direction.”
I’ve found motherhood to be beautiful. The whole mess of it. The sheer joy I feel when Trey has a laugh attack. The waves of grief that pass from time to time from a loss of freedom I once had. Yet, really, it’s just a certain type of freedom that’s gone – from silly things, like being able to take a shower when I please, to bigger things like my old identity as a traveling, designing career-driven woman. I’ve discovered that the freedom gained is far more pure and visceral…the kind of freedom that’s found in love.
For professional travel planners a special interest group trip is exactly that – special. Whether it’s a student trip to Peru so young people can study Spanish or archeology and anthropology, a university alumni group with varied interests, or a yoga studio seeking wellness and renewal, trips seaming a unique focus with well-rounded travel experiences are a chance for the travel specialist to flex their planning muscles, expand their knowledge, and create entirely unique itineraries they never would have imagined otherwise.
Not far from the tip of South America sits an incredibly vast wilderness. A continent uninhabited by humans and only visited by a handful of the most adventurous individuals. Indescribably intricate and colossal ice formations rest among the dramatic Southern Ocean where scores of untamed wildlife find their home. Antarctica. One of the grandest and most stunning locations on Earth.
Save $200 per person for any 2014 Peru trip booked in April!* Have you or your family been considering an incredible journey offering exciting adventure and life-long memories? Nothing brings us closer to our loved ones or ourselves than travel, and U.S. summer and fall are great times to get away enjoying mild temperatures and no rains while visiting Machu Picchu, remote Andean villages, and colonial Cusco. Mention discount code KTJ010 when contacting Knowmad to receive $200 off any Peru trip booked before April 30th. The time for adventure is now!
Mark your calendars for the 67th Bi-Annual Outdoor Adventure Expo! Hosted by Midwest Mountaineering, “The Expo” has over 60 exhibitors and more than 100 presentations by experts in a multitude of fields: parks and trails, high-adrenaline adventure, nature conservation, and of course, travel. Chat with fellow adventure travel and outdoor enthusiasts, learn about new gear, and find great deals.
One of my favorite types of trips to plan is what we at Knowmad affectionately call a “combo trip”, where we pair two countries together so that our travelers can get the most out of their adventure to South America. I specialize in travel in both Peru and Ecuador, and pairing these countries together makes for such a wonderful combo trip, not just because they are neighbors, but because of how they compliment each other. In one trip you can walk along paths taken by Incans, dine with local community members as they teach you about their traditions, see the famed Machu Picchu, snorkel with sea lions, stand amongst the giant Galapagos tortoises, and so much more. Joining both the beautiful culture and majesty of the Incas of Peru with the stunning architecture of Quito and surreal closeness to the wildlife in the Galapagos Islands is most certainly a recipe for an awe-inspiring adventure to South America.
“We are a group of ‘seniors’ who love to travel, and are considering a South America destination for our next trip,” wrote Kathy when she first approached Knowmad. So, how is it that her group of adventurous ‘seniors’ ended up choosing Patagonia as one of the focal points of what eventually became a unique, 3-week trip to Argentina and Chile? Their route spanned from Buenos Aires to the jungles of Iguazú falls in Argentina and Brazil, down to the lush Bariloche area of Northern Patagonia, onward to the glaciers of Southern Patagonia, crossed through the Andes Mountains over to the jagged peaks of Chile’s Torres del Paine before ending in the Central Chile to explore bohemian ‘Valpo’, Santiago, and wine country. Read on to find out what makes Patagonia an outstanding destination for over 50 travel as well as for younger, adventurers alike.
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 could not have been better. You attended to every detail, no matter how small. Being met at every airport, hot tea and water in the van, all the charming hotels. How special you made Tripp’s birthday 3 times during the day! All our guides and drivers, the experience in Amaru and the Amazon. And of course our guide, Harry, who really is the best!
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.
