Parting Shots: Atacama Desert, Chile

 
 
A big thank you to Ed & Suzette for these breathtaking shots from the Atacama Desert , Chile. Their itinerary included excursions to salt flats, geysers, petroglyphs, volcanoes and traditional altiplano villages. Returning to the lodge in the evening, poolside relaxation, gourmet cuisine with Chilean wine, and the world’s most vivid night sky were just what the doctor ordered.

Peru Unveiled

Enshrouded in cloud forest and perched amongst Andean peaks sits a vast ancient city lost to civilization until only the last century. After Spanish conquest drove the Incans from their capital Cusco and the surrounding areas, it didn’t take the jungle long to reclaim Machu Picchu, concealing it from mankind for hundreds of years.

Gastronomy: Mate

Mate is a tea infusion made from the leaves of the coca plant as well as other plants. Slightly bitter in taste, it’s drunk throughout many South American countries including Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. The culture of mate, which differs from region to region, is steeped in tradition. In the high Andean cultures, what used to be the Incan empire, it’s tied closely to religion and often used in ceremonies thanking the earth for its fruitfulness.

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Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Crosses the Andes and Patagonia

 
 
Knowmad Adventures in conjunction with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is proud to announce an incredible group trip “Crossing the Andes: An Exploration of Chile and Argentina”. The trip is open to Arboretum members as well as non-members – this includes you! This 13-day trip from January 16th to the 28th, 2012 will highlight the incredible landscapes of Chile and Argentina as well as the varied cultures throughout these regions while going from Santiago, Chile south to the Patagonia and across the Andes by way of fjords and glaciers into Argentina.

Shoulder Season or High Season: When is the Best Time of Year for Your Trip to Patagonia?

Patagonia Shoulder Season Travel

Covering the southern-most areas of both Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is an incredible, out-of-this-world experience whenever you’re able to visit, and a region where you’ll be privy to some truly special features unique to each season. Patagonian springtime brings about the beautiful wildflower blooms and milder winds; their summers are full of warmer weather and longer days to spend out on the trails; and the fall brings with it striking color transformations and a quiet from fewer travelers. With each season having its own distinct benefits, your trip to Patagonia can be personalized to either shoulder season or high season to make it your own custom-crafted South American adventure.

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A Personal Take on Galapagos Animals, Unique Experiences + More

Galapagos Animals and Galapagos Trip Planning

Before experiencing the Galapagos Islands for myself, I was a bit of a skeptic. Wildlife and nature shows rave about the place and play spectacular footage of the archipelago all the time, but photographers have so many tricks, and I’ve been to plenty of places that didn’t live up to the hype. However, my week-long cruise in the Galapagos turned me into a true believer – not only did it live up to the hype, it became one of my favorite places I’ve ever been to and goes down as an unforgettable adventure.

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