Knowmad travelers Stan and Kathy’s two-week trip to Chile and Argentina is a great example of a well-rounded custom adventure in South America. The two spent a couple of weeks hiking, sightseeing, ice walking, wildlife watching, and photo safariing in both Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. They topped it off with a visit to Iguazú Falls and some incredible food and wine in Buenos Aires. See their full itinerary and photos of the region below.
The Riveter Magazine interviews Knowmad Co-Founder, Tara Harvey, in their ‘Story of a Startup’ column. Be sure to check out this one-of-a-kind, informative and fun, all women’s magazine here…
Knowmad Adventures and Bikepackers Magazine is proud to announce an incredible group trip to Peru. We will bikepack through awe-inspiring scenery in Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas, passing through small Andean villages, snowcapped peaks and ancient ruins. On this incredible ten-day trip you will get well off the beaten path while biking nearly 100 miles and camping amongst some of Peru’s most breathtaking scenery. Don’t miss this opportunity to join Bikepackers Magazine Co-founders and exceptional local guides on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure as we bike through this stunning country, stand up paddle board on Andean lakes, explore Machu Picchu, walk the cobble-stoned streets of Cusco, zip line above the Sacred Valley and much more.
Last call for 2014 traveler photos! If you traveled with us in 2014 and haven’t sent us your photos or want to share more photos with us, send them our way to win a Knowmad Adventures Best of 2014 Photo Calendar and a 2 nights/3 days stay at the Reserva Amazonica Jungle Lodge in Peru!
“You and your team did such a wonderful job and I can’t thank you enough. Our guide, Celinda, was incredible, extremely knowledgable and passionate about the Andean people and the Incan culture/ruins. We learned more than I could’ve imagined to. We loved the picnic, the climb up Waynapicchu, Machu Picchu and the ruins tours, the cooking class and the trip to the Amaru community!” – Gina Grammatica. Gina’s testimonial really says it all. Thank you for the kind words, Gina, and we are so happy you had a wonderful time!
One of the saddest parts of my job is when someone contacts me excited to go with a loved one, family or group to hike the Inca Trail and I have to inform them that Inca Trail permits for their available dates are sold out.
It’s the night before your big trip. You’ve cleared your inbox and put on your vacation responder. You’ve organized someone to feed and walk your dog, water your plants and shovel your walk. You’ve gotten your immunizations, renewed your passport and notified your credit card company you’ll be making charges from abroad. You’ve cleared out everything in your fridge that will most likely go rank (but probably missed some things too!). And now you’re staring down a pile of clothes and a pile of who-knows-what that needs to miraculously fit into a suitcase and carry-on in under six hours (if you’re anything like the procrastinator I am).
Oh, the dilemma! This scenario was all too common for me and finally, after years of being on the move, I’ve got my packing down to a science. Tackled in this post are the ideal contents of your carry-on. Check out our FAQs sections for complete pack lists when traveling to South America.
Torres del Paine are spectacular granite pillars that soar above the landscape of what may be South America’s most incredible National Park. Get to Torres del Paine and you will see why Patagonia is known as “The End of the Earth.” The park itself is massive encompassing 598,338 acres. For outdoor enthusiasts, you’ll feel like a “kid in a candy store” trying to figure out how to best spend your time. The park caters to all types of travelers from extreme backpackers looking to camp out for days to those looking to soak in incredible views from some of the world’s most spectacular lodges. Here is a list of 5 must-do activities to make for a great Patagonian adventure trip.
Photo via @calebjordanlee
There’s obviously nothing we love more than travel here at Knowmad and we’ve recently put our heads together to come up with ten of our favorite travel tips. Read on to take the glitches out of your next adventure.
We invite you to this fall’s Outdoor Adventure Expo hosted by Midwest Mountaineering and the U of M, November 21 through 23.
The Outdoor Expo is Midwest Mountaineering’s biggest sale of the season with major discounts on gear and apparel! It’s also your chance to get involved with the Minnesota outdoors and adventure community. Come spend the day enjoying over 100 exhibitors and over 120 Presentations about everything outdoors related. The expo runs on Friday from 2:00 to 9:30pm, Saturday from 9:00 to 6:30pm, and Sunday from 10:00 to 5:00pm, and admission is absolutely FREE! You can find out more general information about the expo on the Outdoor Adventure Expo website.
Be sure to stop by the Knowmad booth during the day and don’t miss our presentations:
We will be handing out a $200 travel credit coupon to everyone who attends our presentations! For updates join the Outdoor Adventure Expo Facebook Event.
In the weeks leading up to our first South American trip as a family, amidst the ear infections, the packing, and the year-end busyness at the Knowmad Adventures office, I envisioned how amazing the experience in Ecuador would be for them, our kids.
Get to know Amanda Bjorge, one of Knowmad’s Operations Specialists! She loves to experience new cultures and has a passion for South America. Find out which travel memories are Amanda’s favorite, her must-have travel item, and more.
Mark your calendars for the 67th Bi-Annual Outdoor Adventure Expo! Hosted by Midwest Mountaineering, “The Expo” has over 60 exhibitors and more than 100 presentations by experts in a multitude of fields: parks and trails, high-adrenaline adventure, nature conservation, and of course, travel. Chat with fellow adventure travel and outdoor enthusiasts, learn about new gear, and find great deals.
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.
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.
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.
