Lake Titicaca, or in Spanish Lago Titicaca, is a dazzling body of azure water located at 12,507 feet above sea level, making it the highest navigable lake in the world. It’s located on the border of Peru and Bolivia and steeped in history and culture. A visit to Lake Titicaca can either leave you in awe of the authenticity that still exists in this remote land or frustrated by the “dog and pony show” created by the harsh clash of tourism.
It isn’t that uncommon to do Machu Picchu and Galapagos combination trips, in fact it works awesomely to pair Peru and Ecuador in one trip visiting both Machu Picchu and Galapagos, which are two of South America’s true highlights; but it is quite rare to see travelers combining Peru and Chile, or more specifically a Patagonia and Machu Picchu combo trip.
A detailed look at Peru’s three climate zones; the tropical Amazon, the variable Andean highlands and the arid western desert. Read on for useful Peru weather information and to find out why the “shoulder” season is a great time to visit Peru.
Take a journey through some Patagonia luxury lodges with Knowmad Co-Founder, Jordan, to learn about their subtle differences in location, excursions, spa amenities, dining, and more, to discover which lodge is best for you.
The phrase study abroad has become such a commonplace in our vocabulary that people tend to skim it in conversation. I can see why, whenever I am asked about Buenos Aires, I respond with “it was amazing!” A short, to the point sentence. I can hardly think of a way to elaborate because in a five month period, living in a different country, I experienced so many different emotions that there isn’t even a word in this world to describe how I felt.
Having been intrepid travelers all over the world, we were honored when John and Diane came to Knowmad Adventures looking for a vacation focused on Patagonia travel, one that was an incredible adventure involving plenty of hiking, kayaking, and outdoor activities with great photo opportunities, but one that would also leave them feeling rested and rejuvenated. We welcomed the challenge and were happy to receive John’s email following the trip; “I would say the unanimous judgment was this was one of the best trips we have ever taken.” And now, we’re so happy to have just planned another adventure for this amazing group, an Ecuador and Galapagos trip next year.
Truth: Great photos have very little to do with the camera and almost everything to do with the photographer. Even with the fancy Instagram filters and the handy “enhance” button on iPhoto, it’s the person behind the lens that’s making the difference between a mediocre image and a masterpiece. I’m nowhere near the masterpiece side of the spectrum, but can offer a couple of tips on photography for the amateur photographer looking to experiment with their SLR camera on their next trip abroad.
Ladies & gents, damas y caballeros, he’s done it again! Jordan Harvey’s travel planning skills have been praised before, but this week they’ve gotten international recognition as he was named the best travel specialist for Argentina & Chile vacations in Travel + Leisure Magazine. Check newsstands for the October issue and flip to page 94 or read about the Travel + Leisure A-List online.
“I almost fainted right there in the Dallas/Ft. Worth customs after landing from Chile,” Jordan says of finding out. “We work really hard and have unparalleled levels of knowledge and operating capabilities in our regions, but we focus much more on the experience and staying on the cutting edge in our destinations than we do on getting press and winning contests, so this came as a huge shock. Not to mention we’re probably the newest and smallest company on the list,” he added.
We invite you to the this fall’s Outdoor Adventure Expo hosted by Midwest Mountaineering and the U of M, November 22 through 24. Join all of your outdoor-loving, gear-fanatic friends for great deals and loads of inspiration!
Knowmad Adventures in conjunction with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is proud to announce an incredible group tour to the Galapagos Islands and Ecuador. “Darwin’s Galapagos Islands and the Flora and Fauna of Ecuador” is a two week journey that will highlight the incredible landscapes and diverse ecosystems of mainland Ecuador, and includes a luxurious 6-day small ship cruise around Darwin’s Galapagos Islands which are full of fascinating endemic species and beautiful volcanic landscapes. Join Director Emeritus Peter Olin and Knowmad Co-Founder Jordan Harvey along with excellent local guides. In addition to cruising the Galapagos, on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure, you will have unique cultural interactions, explore the cloud forest’s plants, orchids, and over 132 hummingbird species, visit a rose plantation, and much more!
Get to know Amanda Bjorge, one of Knowmad’s Operations Specialists! She loves to experience new cultures and has a passion for South America. Find out which travel memories are Amanda’s favorite, her must-have travel item, and more.
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.
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.
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!
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.
