Find Comfort in a Good Book: Books by Isabel Allende

Atacama Desert Chile South America

Knowmad Co-Founder, Tara, picked up her first Isabel Allende book as she was navigating an uncertain future 11 years ago – moving across the world with her husband and Knowmad Co-Founder, Jordan, and starting a business together – and she found solace in the pages as she dove deeper into the story. She hopes that as you navigate today’s changing landscape, you can also find comfort in a good book.

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The New KnowmadAdventures.com

knowmad adventures website

We are proud to announce that the all new Knowmad Adventures website is live! The new site, which was completely redesigned by Knowmad co-Founder Tara, has greatly expanded content including more in-depth bios of the growing Knowmad team, more suggested trip ideas including exclusive Galapagos yacht cruises, and a traveler review section. We’re also jumping out of our seats excited about improved functionality letting travelers design their very own trip as well as searching by travel style such as family, luxury, active and more (kudos to super programmer Josh and nose-to-the-grindstone Media Manager Lisa!).

It is with as much relief as joy that we make this announcement. As a small company building a site this expansive had us all wearing the proverbial many hats, and for that or otherwise it’s safe to say we’re all left with a lower thread count atop the cabeza, if you know what I mean! But hopefully what didn’t kill us made us stronger and we proudly invite you to explore the new face of Knowmad Adventures today.

My Conversation with Carolina in the Atacama Desert

atacama desert hike
We met late in a trip that had already taken my husband Jordan and I deep into the Chilean Patagonia. Journeying to the ends of the earth we rode sturdy criollos alongside spindly guanaco herds, hunted fossils of giant sloths, felt the grumbles and groans of crumbling glaciers before flying north. Waking in Patagonia and ending your day in Atacama Desert is truly like traveling to Mars – although separated by only a few hours in a plane, the landscapes are completely opposite. Arriving content but weary, I found myself wrestling with the dry altitude (the Spanish-colonial pueblo of San Pedro de Atacama rests at 7,900 feet above sea level). Jordan, however, had his mind set on one thing: summiting one of the majestic volcanoes lumbering in our horizon. We chose Cerro Toco, elevation 18,386 feet.

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What’s the best time to travel to Chile & the Patagonia?

patagonia

One of the first questions we’re asked regarding travel to any particular place is, “When is the best time to travel there?” The short answer is that the best summer weather in Patagonia and Chile is during the U.S. winter, making December, January, February and March ideal times for travel. This means the best time to plan a trip to Patagonia is now, during August and September.

Whether you’re looking to stay in one of the world’s finest adventure lodges such as Explora Salto Chico or if you’re more into the idea of a multi-sport trip with camping, Patagonia’s crown jewel known as Torres del Paine National Park is in high demand during these months. Availability is already problematic during the holidays and is starting to fill up for January and February.

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What’s the best Galapagos cruise for me?

Best Galapagos Cruises

You may not be able to pioneer the theory of evolution, but you can visit the Galapagos Islands as Darwin did centuries ago. Cruising the Galapagos Islands far out in the Pacific off the coast of Ecuador is a wildlife experience and luxurious adventure rolled into one. Having inspected over fifty Galapagos small-ship cruises over the last couple years, the new Ecuador and Galapagos section on our website will help you answer the question we often get; “What’s the best Galapagos cruise for me?”

Family Couple Honeymoon Galapagos Trips

 

Chile and Argentina Father-Daughter Trip

father daugher trip chile

Thanks so much for the great images Mike! Mike visited his daughter Katie who was studying in Chile and they biked through wine country, stayed at the incredible Explora Lodge in Patagonia, crossed the border and saw a massive active glacier in Argentina, and ended with great times in Buenos Aires.

And thanks for the kind words about your Chile and Argentina vacation! 

Jordan,

I wanted to thank you for organizing this trip.  It was fantastic. Every part came off without a problem. The guides were great, the drivers were always on time and the itinerary was incredible. I would be happy to recommend your organization to anyone.  Hope you enjoy a few more pictures and some time maybe next year we have to talk about the Fu river trip – it looks amazing as well.

Take care,

Michel Gelinas

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Parting Shots: Standa Family Trip to Machu Picchu

Thanks so much to our dear friends and fellow adventurers, the Standa Family, for sending us a few of the pics from their incredible adventure in Peru. In not more than a week, they explored deep into the Sacred Valley of the Inca, Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Amazon Jungle! And thanks for the kind words as well.

“Jordan,

What can I say; many, many kudos to you. 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 Inkaterra. And of course our guide, Harry, who really is the best!”

Irene, Wayzata, MN – Custom Amazon to Andes Odyssey Trip 

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Destination in Focus: Ski the Andes

 
South America Ski Vacation

Did winter end a little too soon for you this year and you’re finding yourself a couple ski runs short of satisfaction? Don’t stress! The Southern Hemisphere luckily has opposite seasons than us and July, August, and September are perfect months to shred the pow in the Chilean Andes.

SKI THE ANDES From $1,935 for 7 days you can ski some of the best South American resorts, as well as access SnowCat only terrain (not including airfare).

Call 1-877-616-8747 today to talk to your Knowmad travel specialist or shoot us an email at [email protected].

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Lake Titicaca Travel: 4 Ways to Get Off The Beaten Path

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and, after Machu Picchu, one of the most popular destinations in Peru. Straddling the Peru-Bolivia border at over 12,000 feet high, the lake is a sacred place for many Peruvians. According to ancient Andean mythology, the first Inca king and descendant of the sun surfaced from this lake to create the Incan Empire. It is also said that the sun, moon, and stars rose from Lake Titicaca and into the sky. These days, it’s a wonderful spot to get off the beaten path, connect with Peruvian culture and mythology, and have a truly unique experience in the high plains of Peru.

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