Meet The Aracari Team

ABOUT ARACARI’S FOUNDER

Marisol Mosquera transformed the tourism landscape in Peru 25 years ago when she launched Aracari Travel, pioneering extraordinary, sustainable travel experiences. Seen as a true travel trailblazer, her model of high-end, low-impact journeys has become the benchmark for luxury travel in the region.

Born to Peruvian parents, Marisol was raised and educated in Europe and the USA.
She worked as an investment banker in London, before channeling her passion for art, discovery and travel with purpose into launching Aracari in 1996.

As a pioneer in experiential travel, Marisol has been recognized as Condé Nast
Traveler’s Top Travel Specialist for Peru and Bolivia, and selected by Travel + Leisure as its A-List specialist for Peru and Bolivia. She is regarded as the best-connected travel operator in the region, with an enviable team of local insiders, top guides and a roster of world-class specialists, all working together to create unforgettable experiences.

Name: Bronwen Griffith

Location: Lima

Job Title: Travel Designer

Your favourite place/sight in Peru/Bolivia/Ecuador: In Peru the diversity (i) the amazing wildlife and flora you see cruising down the Amazon, the magical noises and beautiful green setting and lighting at sunrise and sunset, (ii) Historical sites dotted in green countryside and fabulous communities in the Sacred Valley and astonishing Machu Picchu and in Arequipa the Colca Valley is spectacular if you like walking or riding and visiting beautiful colonial churches and other interesting sites and relaxing in natural thermal baths. In Bolivia the breathtaking salt flats of Uyuni and surrounding Eduardo Avaroa Natural Reserve specially the coloured lakes and the flamboyance of flamingos. I also loved Sucre city, its colonial architecture and tranquil white washed houses.

Favourite view: View of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate after walking the 1 Day Inca Trail or full Inca Trail (to see the iconic site with far fewer tourists plus ruins one sees on route which you would otherwise miss) coupled with a sense of achievement from reaching the site walking/trekking. In Bolivia I loved the largest salt flat in the World: Uyuni, the lighting in the amazing expanse of whiteness and stars at night.

Favourite restaurant in the region: Maido in Lima, Peru and Ali Pacha in La Paz, Bolivia

Your one top secret insider’s tip while in the region (place to see, activity, shop, thing to eat/drink): Peru: Apart from the iconic sites in Cusco I would highly recommend a visit to the jungle (combine historic sites with adventure), in Lima shop at Ayni for beautiful Alpaca garments, Las Pallas for a variety of quality Peruvian handmade treasures from different regions and for food I love a well-made ceviche and all Peruvian-Japanese fusion (nikkei) recipes and find the combination of maracuya and pisco in a maracuya sour an extremely easy and relaxing drink (and one is enough for most!)

Where are you travelling to next (in the region): Would love to go on a 6 or 8 day cruise to explore the lesser visited islands in the Galapagos.

Name: Cécile

Location: Lima

Originally from: France and Spain

Passionate about: diving, wildlife and sceneries, outdoor activities, archaeology and history 

Job Title: Travel Designer

Your favourite place/sight in Peru/Bolivia/Ecuador: Soooo many places!! Should I have to pick the top ones, I would say the Galapagos Islands, the Colca Valley, Ollantaytambo town and ruins as well as the Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa.  

Favourite view: From the highest part of the Ollantaytambo ruins facing the Sacred Valley and the surrounding mountains!

Favourite restaurant in the region: A lovely picnic in a fabulous spot with a spectacular view!! 

Your one top secret insider’s tip while in the region (place to see, activity, shop, thing to eat/drink): never stop drinking mate de coca or the local coca leaves tea while in altitude! It’s tasty and super healthy!

Where are you travelling to next (in the region): I can’t wait to visit other little known and few visited Inca ruins but also to cruise in the northern rainforest of Peru!

Name: Joanna

Location: Lima

Originally from: Poland & my kids are Peruvian

Passionate about: Nature & Spirituality & Basketball

Job Title: Travel Designer

Your favourite place/sight in Peru/Bolivia/Ecuador: Gocta Waterfall in Chachapoyas region

Favourite view: Sunrise at Intipunku  with stunning view of Machu Picchu

Favourite restaurant in the region: Nanka (organic fusion cuisine) – Tabbouleh de  Quinoa or Artichoke Ravioli are my vegetarian favourites.

Your one top secret insider’s tip while in the region (place to see, activity, shop, thing to eat/drink): While in Gocta , make sure to schedule your night monkey observation spot and look for precious spatuletail hummingbird

Where are you travelling to next (in the region): Cusco and Sacred Valley ( there is always something new to discover) and then to Chachapoyas again , this time to take a Cable Car ride to Kuelap ruins.

Name: Mark Green

Originally From: UK, and married to a Peruvian

Job Title: Travel Designer

Your favourite place/sight in Peru/Bolivia/Ecuador: Iquitos, in the Peruvian Amazon. My wife’s hometown, and departure point for wonderful river cruises into the rainforest.

Favourite view: The colourful mountains and glaciers on the Ausangate Lodge to Lodge trek.

Favourite restaurant in the region: So many to choose from, but I really loved the innovative plant-based dishes at Ali Pacha in La Paz.

Your one top secret insider’s tip while in the region (place to see, activity, shop, thing to eat/drink): For unique Peruvian handicrafts, be sure to visit Las Pallas and Dedalo in Lima’s Barranco neighbourhood.

Where are you travelling to next (in the region): Looking forward to returning to Cusco for more outdoors adventures around the Sacred Valley.

Name: Monica Szepesy

Location: San Diego/Cusco

Title: Travel Designer

Your favourite place/sight in Peru/Bolivia/Ecuador: My favourite place is the ancient Inca town of Ollantaytambo.  The charming cobblestone streets, stunning views, and clear skies transport me back to a different time.

Favourite View: My favourite view is from San Cristobal, looking down on Cusco’s main square.

Favourite Restaurant: Osaka in Lima never disappoints, serving an array of dishes highlighting Peruvian Nikkei cuisine.

Insiders Tip: walking the neighborhood of San Blas in Cusco, where artisan boutiques specializing in sustainable clothing and unique crafts abound. Begin or end your excursion with a cappuccino from Jacks Cafe.

Next Trip: I look forward to traveling to Bolivia, the Uyuni salt flats and Sucre are top on my list.

Name: Yasmin

Location: Lima, Peru

Job Title: Travel Designer

Your favourite place/sight in Peru/Bolivia/Ecuador: The Amazon & Galapagos islands where I can see nature at its best and enjoy the peaceful environment, colours and sounds. 

Favourite view: Witness the sunrise from the Sun Island in the Lake Titicaca

Favourite restaurant in the region: Amaz in Lima – there you can taste for the first time different local products directly from the Amazon.

Another favourite is Cicciolina in Cusco. Always nice to enjoy its delicious food. Flavours combined beautifully.

Your one top secret insider’s tip while in the region (place to see, activity, shop, thing to eat/drink): While in Lima, in just half-day you can visit the Palomino islands and have the opportunity to see wildlife and swim with sea lions – best time from December to April

Your favourite place/sight in Peru/Bolivia/Ecuador:Hopefully to Uyuni salt flats and the colourful lagoons.