The Ausangate Trek is the highest trek in Peru. It takes you through some of the country’s wildest scenery, and is the perfect opportunity for travelers to get off the beaten track. Here is Mark’s account of his time on the trail. Complete guide to the Highest Trek in Peru Trail of the Apu A lodge-to-lodge trek around Mount Ausangate has been on my bucket list for some time, so I was thrilled to experience it recently. I had very high expectations, and I’m delighted to report that it exceeded them. The Ausangate Trek takes place in the Cordillera Vilcanota, a breathtakingly beautiful mountain range approximately four-hours south of the city of Cusco. This region receives comparatively few visitors than the more well-known treks closer to Machu Picchu, but hikers are rewarded with privileged - and often private - panoramas. We witnessed towering snow-capped peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and the other-worldly landscapes of Vinicunca and Red Valley. Getting Acclimatized Altitude and acclimatization is a very important factor in this region. The entire 26 mile (42 kilometer) trails sits at elevations of between 4,290 meters (14,000 feet) and 5,150 meters (16,900 feet). With these altitudes in mind, the recommendation is to allow for a minimum of 2 nights in the Cusco region before embarking on the trek. Many hikers opt to complete the hike after completing alternative treks near Cusco at lower altitudes. Our trek began at our hotel in Cusco. After meeting with our guide we were driven several hours south along the Vilcanota River towards the hamlet of Japura. Following a tranquil river-side picnic lunch, the first day of hiking consisted of a short and steady stroll to our first lodge at Chillca Tambo. This was a gentle and enjoyable warm-up ahead of the more challenging full-day hikes to
The Ausangate Trek is the highest trek in Peru. It takes you through some of the country’s wildest scenery, and is the perfect opportunity for travelers to get off the beaten track. Here is Mark’s account of his time on the trail. Complete guide to the Highest Trek in Peru…
Sometimes everything comes together on a trip – the people, the landscapes, the timing – to make you fall in love with travel again. This year, that feeling came to me in Northern Peru. It had been a long time in the planning. Northern Peru is remote, logistically difficult and very much off the beaten tourist trail. It is hard to get around, with no internal flights and long, arduous road journeys, and there are few good places to stay. In love with Northern Peru Make the effort for a trip to northern Peru though, and the rewards are extraordinary: stunning mountain landscapes, vast deserts, misty cloud forests and three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. First though, came the real challenge: persuading anyone to come with me. I had been before, so knew what was in store. I had marvelled at the empty pre-Columbian archaeological sites, gazed at the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range in the world, and delighted at the hummingbirds and vast waterfalls at Chachapoyas. But, until recently, I’d never recommended the area to upscale international travellers. Real luxury is yet to reach this part of Peru, but what it lacks in top-end hotels it more than makes up for in barely any tourists. While Southern Peru is suffering from overtourism, the north is blissfully empty. And recent improvements in accommodation, coupled with our local connections, meant it was time to give it a shot. After some gentle persuasion, a few loyal friends and Aracari clients agreed to join me. Our group was very small, just eight very different people, all close to Aracari and all second or third time visitors to Peru. But I was a little worried as they didn’t know each other and had to trust me, parting with their money
Sometimes everything comes together on a trip – the people, the landscapes, the timing – to make you fall in love with travel again. This year, that feeling came to me in Northern Peru. It had been a long time in the planning. Northern Peru is remote, logistically difficult and very…
Aracari travel planner, Bronwen Griffith has recently returned from a bespoke travel experience in Bolivia. Here she shares stories, tips and ‘best bits’ from her tour. “Our journey began in Sucre, a city in the southern highlands of Bolivia. Colonial architecture, prettily whitewashed houses and looming towers with a Moorish influence greet you on arrival in this beautiful city". Sucre Sucre shares capital city status with La Paz and boasts a wealth of history and culture. We couldn’t wait to dive into it. Our first stop was Hotel Parador Santa Maria Real. It’s well located and extremely comfortable. The owner, Mr. Luis Rodriguez is often on hand to give you a tour or impart some of his extensive knowledge of Sucre. He also loves to proudly show Aracari guests his small museum collection. One of the highlights of Sucre is La Recoleta, a colonial-era church and convent seated high on a hill. It offers spectacular panoramic views over the city. You can tour the church to learn more about its long history and discover what life is like for the people who still live and work there. Another must-visit for Sucre is the Casa de Libertad (Freedom House). This is where the Bolivian declaration of independence was signed in 1825. You can view the Independence Act document and a handful of other important relics inside.” Potosi From Sucre, Bronwen and her friends moved on to Potosi; one of the highest cities in the world. Potosi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic mining town, lying at the foot of the Cerro De Potosi Mountain. Potosi is home to the former Royal Mint, now an important museum, and the Cerro Rico mine. “Our time in Potosi was short but we managed to pack a lot in. We started with a visit
Aracari travel planner, Bronwen Griffith has recently returned from a bespoke travel experience in Bolivia. Here she shares stories, tips and ‘best bits’ from her tour. “Our journey began in Sucre, a city in the southern highlands of Bolivia. Colonial architecture, prettily whitewashed houses and looming towers with a Moorish influence…
The wildlife in Peru is unlike any other experience of the natural world. With hundreds of endemic species and thousands of beautiful creatures to get to know, there’s so much to explore. That said, the types of wildlife you’ll see on your trip to Peru will be influenced by which season you choose to visit. When planning a trip with Aracari, we’ll help you organize your itineraries carefully to be sure that you’ll arrive in the right season to see the best wildlife. Peru has a rainy and dry season, and those two distinctions are even more impactful than the traditional four seasons. Temperatures and precipitation (and, in turn, mud) are distinctly different between the dry and rainy seasons. The dry season hits during Peruvian fall and winter (April through October), while the rainy season is in spring and summer (November through March). Below, a seasonal Peru travel guide to when you’re most likely to see some of Peru’s most treasured animals. Fall Wildlife In Peru Andean Condor In Colca Canyon The fall is a magical time to spot the Andean condor in Colca Canyon. The largest flying bird, the Andean condor is endangered and seeing its population continually decrease. Seeing this unbelievable bird in flight is something you’ll never forget. The condor is most active in Colca Canyon starting in April, and on through November. The expansive canyon in Southern Peru, near Arequipa, is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The canyon’s Cruz del Condor viewing point is an excellent place to watch for the bird up close. Colca Canyon is also well known for its natural hot springs, so when you’re done birdwatching for the day, you can kick back in a luxurious setting like the nearby Colca Lodge to soak up the springs. Winter Wildlife
The wildlife in Peru is unlike any other experience of the natural world. With hundreds of endemic species and thousands of beautiful creatures to get to know, there’s so much to explore. That said, the types of wildlife you’ll see on your trip to Peru will be influenced by which…
Here at Aracari, our team has been on our fair share of travel adventures with our kids. Family travel in Peru - and anywhere in the world - is an incredibly magical experience. Introducing kids to the world at a young age can be inspiring and rewarding. That said, traveling with kids involves special considerations to plan for a smooth adventure. Here are our top tips for traveling with kids in Peru. Tips For Traveling With Kids in Peru Consider your present self versus your remembering self. Some experiences that are tiring or overwhelming in the moment are well worth the memories you’re building. When traveling with kids, this is really important to keep in mind. Getting from place to place with little ones might require extra effort, but your future self (and your kids’ future selves) will be so glad you put forth the extra energy to create a family experience you’ll look back on for years to come. Give yourself plenty of extra time. With kiddos, everything has the potential to take a bit longer. Budget extra time for that long walk to your airport gate, that taxi ride to your tour experience, and your journey to that restaurant down the street from your hotel you’ve been hoping to try. When you’re not cutting it close to tour start times or other deadlines, you’ll suddenly feel like you have all the time in the world - and the stress of getting kids from A to B won’t run so high. Go with the flow. In a logistical sense, budgeting extra time is certainly one aspect of going with the flow - but there’s also a mindset component. As any parent knows, there are some aspects of adventures with kids where you have little control of how the
Here at Aracari, our team has been on our fair share of travel adventures with our kids. Family travel in Peru – and anywhere in the world – is an incredibly magical experience. Introducing kids to the world at a young age can be inspiring and rewarding. That said, traveling…
No visit to Peru is complete without a few visits to Inca archaeological sites - and there are a whole lot more to choose from than Machu Picchu. While Machu Picchu is certainly a must-see, there are also plenty of other less-visited Inca sites that will blow your mind - and might even change how you see our world. Here are Aracari's favorite Inca sites in Peru, and what makes them so special. Our favorite Inca sites in Peru Sacsayhuaman Experts believe that Sacsayhuaman was built either as an Inca military site or a ceremonial site during the rule of Inca leader Pachacutec around AD 1400. Academics have estimated that the massive stone structure took about 70 years to build, with its stones weighing more than 300 tons. In its full glory, Sacsayhuaman had three towers, and enough space in its buildings to hold 5,000 people. While many of the inner parts of the structure are no longer intact, you’ll see secure and majestic outer walls still standing. As the site is up on a hill above Cusco, you’ll be able to gaze out on romantic views of the city from on high. Pisac Pisac is home to two popular attractions: a bustling market and the Pisac archaeological site. You’ll find incredible stonework, gates, and many intricate buildings within its strong walls. Complex agricultural terracing and carefully constructed tombs stand out. You’ll also spot one of Pisac’s claims to fame: a stunning rock projection called Intihuatana, which was used for astronomy and worshipping. Pisac has a vast offering of Inca architectural feats and cultural facets, which makes it a must-see when in the Sacred Valley. You can reach the site by paved road or walking path. After your visit, be sure to take some time to explore the Pisac market
No visit to Peru is complete without a few visits to Inca archaeological sites – and there are a whole lot more to choose from than Machu Picchu. While Machu Picchu is certainly a must-see, there are also plenty of other less-visited Inca sites that will blow your mind –…
