Parting Shots: Chile

Overjoyed to be visiting their son in Chile after not seeing him for months while he studies abroad, Larry and Betty Oestenstad returned with great travel tales and photos. Helping plan the Oestenstad’s trip to discover the country their son Trevor had fallen for was especially gratifying to me, as a study abroad experience in Chile nearly 15 years ago kindled what has proven to be a life-long love affair with Latin America.

Book Review: Death in the Andes

The high Andean Cordillera of Peru is where Mario Vargas Llosa weaves this tale. Tomasito, a young Lieutenant, finds himself stationed in Naccos – a desolate and dying town commenced with a now closed mine and surviving by building and rebuilding a road that’s continuously buried by landslides but leads nowhere anyways. Lituma, the Corporal, listens night after night to Tomasito’s lamenting and memories of his lost love Mercedes, a dark beauty from the coast. That is, until the disappearance of three men distracts his attention. Were they murdered by the terrucos? Maybe their bodies were made to shrivel up so that a pishtaco could boil their fat. Or was the coca-leaf-reading Dona Adriana and her lush of a husband Dioniosi involved? Only the “bowels of the earth” where the “bulls, serpents, condors, and spirits lived” may ever know the truth…

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Peruvian Textiles

 
The tradition of producing textiles is still very much alive in the Andes. Their vibrant colors and geometric designs are displayed in every artisan market you’ll find. Not to mention, the traditional garb of which belts, satchels, and skirts are made from these textiles are still worn by native women daily.

Knowmad News: Published in Frommer’s Again!

It was rewarding last year when Frommer’s Budget Travel made our Northern Patagonia Odyssey itinerary their Featured Real Deal Trip as it’s an innovative and authentic itinerary that makes the Patagonia more accessible. Far more rewarding however, the magazine recently interviewed the Seviers who found us by way of the Frommer’s accolade, took the trip, and were blown away by how well it facilitated them being a part of the diverse cultures of the region.

GOING OFF THE GRID
(as published in Frommer’s Budget Travel, May/June 2012)

“My wife, Sarah, and I live in Manhattan. As lifelong big-city dwellers, a trip to Chilean Patagonia was a 180-degree change for us. We wanted to be immersed, not pampered. Only twice did we eat in restaurants – instead, we ate with our hosts in local homes. We stayed with a couple in Cochamo Valley – at one point we were eating fresh salmon the husband had caught the day before from the river that runs through their property. What I remember most: the wood stoves. There’s one in everybody’s kitchen, going 24 hours a day. The coffee’s always on, and you can smell the wood smoke all throughout the house. I’m desperate to find a way to import those stoves to New York—I just don’t know too many landlords who would allow it.”

–Ben Sevier, New York, NY

The related nine-night itinerary starts at $1,550. Call to talk to your trip specialist 1-877-616-8747. Or visit us online at www.KnowmadAdventures.com

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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Things to do in Santiago, Chile

Santiago City Guide

Chile has become a hub for many travelers planning to visit South America with its stunning natural landscapes, delicious wine, and local culture. The capital city of this diverse country, Santiago, has often been known as just a stop-over city on the way to explore all that Chile has to offer, but this thriving metropolitan city should not be overlooked.

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Two Weeks in Chile: Contrasting Regions, Atacama + Patagonia Combination Trip

Two Weeks in Chile

Chile is a country of contrasts, stretching from the desert in the north to the glaciers of the south, and with the natural borders of the ocean to the west and the Andes mountains in the east. There are lush, temperate rainforests and volcanoes, and wine valleys abound. When planning my own first trip to South America with Knowmad I faced the same question that the travelers I work with every day do: how could I make the most of two weeks in Chile?

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Condé Nast Traveler Experience Makers Award for the 4th Year in a Row!

Conde Nast Traveler Experience Makers Award

What makes someone worthy of the Condé Nast Traveler Experience Makers award? This person is not just an expert in their field, but a person that views crafting the perfect trip as an art form. A person who is considerate, taking the time to listen their travelers’ interests, style, and needs; a person who is knowledgable, always on the pulse of new activities, cultural opportunities, and remote lodges; and a person who is passionate, someone who understands that the each trip is a unique reflection of the traveler that ultimately gets to embark on the journey. We’re proud to say that Jordan Harvey, Knowmad’s Co-Founder, is this person.

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