Inca Trail permits for 2018 are going on sale this year earlier than ever. Unlike past years when permit sales have opened in January, permits will go on sale this October, a full three months earlier than past years.
Kayli, an Operations Specialist at Knowmad Adventures, and her partner Evan followed the path of one of our favorite Chile and Argentina combination itineraries. They began in Argentina’s colorful capital city, Buenos Aires, traveled south to the glaciers and mountains on both the Argentine and Chilean side of expansive Patagonia, and topped it off with a quick stop in the Lakes District before departing via Santiago in Chile. Read on for their best-loved moments, dramatic photographs, what they learned, and more.
The results are in and Knowmad’s Co-Founder, Jordan Harvey, has won the 2017 Travel + Leisure’s A-List Best Trip Planner for Argentina + Chile! The A-List is Travel + Leisure’s annual selection of the world’s best travel agents and destination specialists, and we’re honored to be recognized on this list for the 5th year in a row.
Last March, Mary and six of her friends embarked on a twelve-day trip in Peru. They mountain biked, hiked, saw ancient sites, cooked local meals, and soaked in the wonders and adventures of Peru.
Impressive mountaintops, pristine glaciers, and adventurous trekking draws travelers to Patagonia: 400,000 square miles that span the southern regions of both Chile and Argentina. This wild wilderness knows no man-made borders, and it can be difficult to decide between visiting Argentine Patagonia or Chilean Patagonia. The great news is that we can combine the highlights of both countries into one fabulous Patagonia region adventure!
Peru was the first country to steal my heart in South America, and I’m still in awe today by everything it has to offer. Combine stunning landscapes of the high Andes mountains, rolling hills and lush green cloud forest with colonial cities, marvelous Incan ruins, a diverse culture, fascinating history, friendly people, mouthwatering food and some of the most spectacular yet authentic accommodations around, and you have Peru. There’s not much more that I could ask for in a perfect destination.
Knowmad Adventures is a company that specializes in crafting private, custom trips to South America. One of the perks of employment at Knowmad is getting to travel to and experience all of the wonders of the continent we love. Having meaningful adventures in the countries we sell travel to not only serves as personal enrichment, but also professional. Visiting the region allows us to test out the services we sell and use our up-to-date, first-hand knowledge to continue improving trips for our travelers.
In January, our wonderful Accountant Dan and his fiancé Kelsey decided to take advantage of this unique job benefit by working remotely, living and traveling in Chile. Since their arrival, they have lived in Santiago and the coastal town of La Serena. They have also traveled throughout the country, from the Lakes District and far south to Patagonia all the way to the Atacama Desert in the north. In addition to exploring much of the central region of Chile, they also visited Argentina’s wine country.
After more than 6 months of exploring, we asked Dan to sit down and tell us more about what he has discovered during his time in South America, and how his travels abroad have changed his perspective.
To celebrate her birthday, Joy and her travel companion Randi flew to South America for a custom Galapagos Islands and Ecuador trip with visits on the mainland to the Amazon and the Highlands.
When asking the question “Where’s the best place to stay in Buenos Aires?,” the answer is not always straightforward. Every area of the city has its benefits, whether it is closer to certain attractions, has the vibe or character you’re looking for, or offers the services you desire. We help you cut through the clutter and find the best barrio in the city for you.
On their 17-day Chile trip, sisters Sue and Barbara made the most of their time in Patagonia by trying out two different lodges near Torres del Paine before continuing on to the Lakes District in northern Patagonia. Read on to see how they spent two weeks in Patagonia.
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.
“We are a group of ‘seniors’ who love to travel, and are considering a South America destination for our next trip,” wrote Kathy when she first approached Knowmad. So, how is it that her group of adventurous ‘seniors’ ended up choosing Patagonia as one of the focal points of what eventually became a unique, 3-week trip to Argentina and Chile? Their route spanned from Buenos Aires to the jungles of Iguazú falls in Argentina and Brazil, down to the lush Bariloche area of Northern Patagonia, onward to the glaciers of Southern Patagonia, crossed through the Andes Mountains over to the jagged peaks of Chile’s Torres del Paine before ending in the Central Chile to explore bohemian ‘Valpo’, Santiago, and wine country. Read on to find out what makes Patagonia an outstanding destination for over 50 travel as well as for younger, adventurers alike.
The central region of Chile offers travelers a balanced blend of culture and scenic vistas where the traditional and modern live side by side. Inside of the artsy and bustling neighborhoods of Santiago, find deep history, green park oases, and caring people. Just outside of Chile’s largest city, find ocean to the west, mountains to the east, and wine valleys to the south. The nearby bohemian port city of Valparaíso draws artists and adventurers to its cascading hills, while the nearby wineries draw aficionados and soon-to-be wine connoisseurs alike.
Begin in Buenos Aires, then venture to Northern Patagonia’s idyllic Lakes District and Southern Patagonia’s stunning mountains, glaciers, and authentic estancias, and end at incredible boutique vineyards in this comprehensive Argentina adventure.
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 the Amazon. And of course our guide, Harry, who really is the best!
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.
Begin in Buenos Aires, then venture to Northern Patagonia’s idyllic Lakes District and Southern Patagonia’s stunning mountains, glaciers, and authentic estancias, and end at incredible boutique vineyards in this comprehensive Argentina adventure.
