Winner, Winner, Heck-of-a-lot more than Chicken Dinner

Michelle Gedney is the lucky winner of a free 3-day stay at the lush Amazon jungle lodge Reserva Amazonica in Peru.
She was picked randomly among over 300 hundred entries who stopped by to talk travel with us at the 54thMidwest MountaineeringExpo this past weekend. The event brought thousands of people from the outdoor community together and we can’t thank Midwest enough for putting on such a special event.
Hope to see you all at this fall’s expo November 16th– 18th; it could be your turn to win adventure.

Curried Quinoa

Quinoa seems to be all the rage lately, as this world is discovering how hard gluten can be on your body. This grain, native to the high Andean regions of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Columbia, is a great source of protein, calcium and iron. The Incans revered the crop and considered it sacred, referring it to it as “the mother of all grains.”

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What to Pack for a Trip to South America + How to Layer

Learning How To Layer - Travel South America
Right photo via @eggcanvas on Instagram.

Let us break down what to pack for your next trip to South America, and demonstrate how to layer properly to make sure you’re comfortable, even when the weather isn’t. We’ve got you covered with helpful links to packing lists and resources for the Galapagos Islands, Patagonia, the Inca Trail, and more.

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Top 6 Ecuador Destinations To Visit Before Or After Your Trip To The Galapagos

Ecuador Mainland Destinations

The Galapagos Islands is one of the most incredible places to visit: to behold wildlife unafraid of human interaction and the rare and wonderful flora that abound the islands is truly spectacular. But en route to the Galapagos Islands are some equally special places that often get overlooked: the wonderful and varied mainland Ecuador destinations. One of Knowmad’s favorite things to do when planning trips to the Galapagos Islands is to supplement the trip with a few days or more in Ecuador’s mainland, which is sure to capture every traveler’s heart.

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Parting Shots: Anniversary Adventure to The Inca Trail & Sacred Valley, Peru

Sacred Valley Peru To Inca Trail

Explorers through and through, Deb and William decided to spend their anniversary trekking the Inca Trail. Spending their first few days in the Sacred Valley, Peru, they got to behold some of the incredible local culture, explore Inca sites, visit with community members, and learn about the history and traditions that make Peru such a uniquely beautiful country.

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