South America is an immense and diverse continent with a myriad of options for every interest. Because of this, diving in to the initial planning stages of a trip to South America and deciding where to go can be incredibly daunting – with so many places to see and things to do, it’s easy to find yourself asking the question, “What is the best place to visit in South America?”
The Amazon rainforest and the Sacred Valley in Peru are two of the must-sees in South America. With the desire to visit these sites, John and Cara crafted their own personal itinerary focusing on these two contrasting destinations. Highlighting the best of both regions, this itinerary is rich in culture and natural wonders.
Should I hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? This is one of the most important and common questions when planning a trip to Peru. There are three ways to get to Machu Picchu: hike the full Inca Trail, hike just one day of the Inca Trail, or take a train and bus. To help you decide which is the best fit for you, take a look at five of the most frequently asked questions we get from our Inca Trail travelers below. Whether you’ve already planned your Inca Trail trip and are looking to prepare, or you’re just deciding if the Inca Trail is the right fit for you, these questions are a good place to start. Then, give us a call at 612-315-2894 to speak with a Peru Travel Specialist about the many Machu Picchu hike options and to plan your custom South America trip.
One of the first things that we look at when you book a trip with Knowmad Adventures, a travel company that creates active, authentic and sustainable travel in South America, is when your passport will expire. If your passport expiration is less than six months before the date of your trip, we request that you renew your passport before your departure. We lay out the reasons why you need six months on your passport below.
The stunning landscapes of both northern and southern Patagonia were the perfect backdrop for this group of 7 family members and friends. On this trip, they were able to see all of the highlights of the region, including trekking in Torres del Paine, glacier ice hiking, bike riding on Chiloé Island, whitewater rafting, and more!
For the past couple of weeks I have had the pleasure of living vicariously through our travelers while sifting through hundreds of photos taken in every nook and cranny of South America. What I love most about this process is seeing the world through another’s perspective, learning travelers’ stories through each image and in a little way, sharing in their joy. Throughout the selection process Krista and I commented several times just how difficult it was to pick only three top photos for each category, but, albeit challenging, we managed to pick this year’s Knowmad Adventures Annual Travel Photography Contest winners!
From the white sand beaches and wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, to the ancient Incan ruins of Peru, stunning mountain peaks of Patagonia, and the vibrant culture of Buenos Aires, Knowmad Travelers experienced a lot in 2016.
They snorkeled with sea lions and kayaked next glaciers. They hiked the Inca Trail, and camped under the stars at nearly unknown ruins. They shared stories with gauchos and savored a meal with indigenous leaders. They connected with different cultures, communities and people throughout South America.
Dear Fellow Traveler: Admittedly, we’ve been very focused on the day-to-day here at Knowmad Adventures. Yet, this time of year always reminds us to take a step back and remember the bigger picture.
We’re excited to share Amy Tara Koch’s Wall Street Journal article, “Holiday Getaways for Picky Procrastinators,” with you! Koch cites Knowmad’s expertise about Patagonia and suggests that travelers looking, “for better deals and last-minute finagling, book through a travel [company], such as Knowmad Adventures.”
Click the link above for the full article and give one of our Trip Specialists a call at 612-315-2894 to start planning your trip to South America today!
Left photo via WikiHow.
This New Year’s Eve, citizens across the United States will be watching the ball drop in Times Square, singing a round of Auld Lang Syne, and ooh-ing and ahh-ing as fireworks light up the sky. Meanwhile, New Year traditions around South America will also take place, some very similar to our own and some unique to each region or country.
A trip to Antarctica is a bucket-list-worthy adventure, and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get to some of the farthest reaches of the world. Learn why combining Antarctica and Patagonia, two incredible and dramatic regions, is an excellent choice making the most of your investments and also making your trip that much more spectacular.
Dreaming of where your next trip will be? Join Knowmad’s Trip Specialists for 3 special online Zoom presentations where they will share their expert advice on how to plan a trip to Machu Picchu & Peru, The Galapagos Islands & Ecuador, and Patagonia. Keep reading for registration information. Those who register & attend will receive a $200 Knowmad Adventures Travel Credit!
Planning the perfect Easter Island adventure can seem overwhelming at first look. There is so much mystery and unknown surrounding elusive Easter Island itself that it’s no wonder these same feelings can seep in when planning Easter Island travel. Visiting one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world naturally has its complexities but also has many rewards for those willing to make the journey. Knowmad Adventures, a boutique South America travel company, is dedicated to helping our travelers uncover unique destinations such as Easter Island. Our award-winning trip specialists have the insider knowledge and tips to help you plan your perfect Easter Island adventure.
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.
Thanks for the organization, the trip was excellent! Everything went well and I had a great time. The areas you suggested are beautiful. My guides were very knowledgeable. I’m traveling to Bolivia and Peru next year and I will surely plan it with you.
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.
