the Aracari Blog

April 29, 2008 

A second area enjoying the attentions of travel writers in the know, Patagonia is an immense, beautiful land brimming with variety. A mere two and a half hour flight south from Buenos Aires, Patagonia offers a totally different take on Argentina. The North boasts awe-inspiring natural beauty, the Lake District of thousands of kilometres of pine-covered landscapes bursting with impressive waterfalls, forests and, of course, lakes – without a boat in sight. It is a haven for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits – horse riding with the gauchos (cowboys), fishing with the experts or simply contemplating life. Or you can cross into the Chilean Lake District perhaps via the pretty Tyrolean-like town of Bariloche.

Just 100 miles or a four hour car journey north of Arequipa, Peru, lies a stunning natural phenomenon, the Colca Canyon, the deepest canyons in the world. This is home of the Andean condor and a rich, fertile land where centuries of agriculture on pre-Inca terraces sustain the traditional villages that dot this magical landscape. It is also home to one the people closest to our hearts, Mother Antonia, who has run a soup kitchen for over 30 years in the Valley. Now this and the many charms of the Colca Valley have been embraced by the Orient Express Hotel Group, which opens the first luxury hotel in the area this April.

One of the smallest countries in South America is having something of a renaissance in 2008, with the New York Times declaring it one of the top 53 places to go to this year, and Condé Nast Traveller magazine dedicating a sizeable chunk of editorial to Ecuador in its December issue. So what is the appeal and why now?

Amidst the doom and gloom of environmental predictions there are always elements of light shining through. Environmental scientist Oliver Whaley is one such enlightened individual. Based at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew near London, Oliver and his team are dedicated to a three-year project supported by the UK Darwin Initiative to save the last few remnants of the Huarango forest on the south coast of Peru, on the edge of the Atacama Desert. Felled for charcoal or to make way for agriculture, this destruction is opening the door to spreading desertification.

“Cynthia,
You have no idea how happy I am that you are handling this for us.

The Fenton group said they had a wonderful time and terrific guides and were very happy with everything.  Mrs. Fenton said she usually does not use tour operators (she is one of those “do-it-yourself internet” people), but in the future, she may not be one of those.  So, many thanks on a lot of levels.

Cynthia:

Dear Marisol,

 February 15, 2008

“The trip was phenomenal.  I can’t thank you enough for making this all happen.  Enrique, our guide for the most part, was outstanding.  I highly, highly recommend him! Now I know why it’s (ie. Machu Picchu) considered one of the seven wonders of the world.  Wow, what a place!

Susu Kellam”

I just returned from a visit to the Reserva Amazonica in Tambopata (Peruvian Rainforest) and would like to offer my candid take on the experience.

FACILITIES: A wonderful hotel in the jungle. Fantastic rooms and amenities; delicious food and very attentive and efficient service.