June through September marks festival season in Peru, an especially vibrant time in which you’ll find large-scale festivities and celebrations in cities across the country. Here are some of the most notable festivities of the season, and how to experience them to the fullest. Festival Season Kicks off in Peru Festivity of the Señor de Choquekillka, Ollantaytambo Each June, the city of Ollantaytambo celebrates the Festivity of the Señor de Choquekillka. The festivity is meant to honor the city’s patron saint and the Pentecost, a holiday marking the descent of the Holy Spirit and the end of the Easter season. This historic city in the Urubamba Valley is scenic all on its own, so when you add in the bright colors and enthusiasm of a festivity, it’s truly a sight to behold. During the four-day festivity, worshippers will carry a cross with the image of Señor de Choquekillka from Ollantaytambo’s main plaza to the Temple of Santiago the Apostle. The procession is accompanied by music, and you’ll find dancing, masses, fireworks, and even bull fights throughout the festivity’s four days. The festivity highlights the syncretism between Catholic and indigenous traditions that characterizes many Peruvian faith systems. You’ll find food, observational rituals, and music that combine traits of both faiths, including more than 16 special dances that honor important aspects of Peruvian and Ollantaytambo history. Dancers are treated to meals and drinks by local sponsors, and as day turns to night, locals let their hair down and celebrate into the evening. If you want to see the special dances up close, be sure to arrive to the plaza early to get a good viewing spot! Corpus Christi, Cusco (movable feast: June 20, 2019) Corpus Christi is Cusco’s most notable religious celebration, and a treasured highlight of festivity season in Peru. The
June through September marks festival season in Peru, an especially vibrant time in which you’ll find large-scale festivities and celebrations in cities across the country. Here are some of the most notable festivities of the season, and how to experience them to the fullest. Festival Season Kicks off in Peru…
A major priority of Aracari is ensuring that the community-based tourism in Peru that we support provides benefits to the locals we visit. We believe that tourism should nurture local communities and foster opportunities for positive cultural exchanges. One way we do this is by collaborating with La Tierra de Los Yachaqs, a fantastic community-based tourism NGO. Tierra de Los Yachaqs aims to preserve the history and traditions of local people in Peru while enabling them to access the economic benefits of tourism. They do this through offering sustainable and authentic experiences for travelers and locals to connect. A Community Experience The Janac Chuquibamba are one local community in the Sacred Valley that benefits from the work of Tierra de Los Yachaqs. One experience, the Legendary Leaves of Achupalla tour, enables the Janac Chuquibamba community to shine a light on their culture for guests. On this tour, you’ll learn all about the Achupalla plant, which grows in inhospitable spaces on rocky hills and is indispensable to the local community. On the experience, you’ll receive a fascinating insight into the Janac Chuquibamba lifestyle as told by the locals who live it. You’ll learn about the culture’s customs and beliefs, as well as the traditions that shape their community. When you set off on your adventure, you’ll journey through stretches of breathtaking countryside. You’ll spot colorful wildflowers and the magical mountains out into the distance. You’ll also see quinoa and kiwicha fields stretching out as far as the eye can see. On the tail end of your journey, you’ll travel through an unpaved road into the village of Lamay. When you reach Lamay, local leaders will greet you dressed in bright, beautiful local clothing and playing local instruments. You can even try on the local clothing if you’d like! After breaking
A major priority of Aracari is ensuring that the community-based tourism in Peru that we support provides benefits to the locals we visit. We believe that tourism should nurture local communities and foster opportunities for positive cultural exchanges. One way we do this is by collaborating with La Tierra de…
Discover Northern Peru Northern Peru has much to discover, and all kinds of untapped treasures right at your fingertips. It has so much to offer but is relatively unknown and untouched. Northern Peru’s natural wonders an untold story of South American history is well worth exploring. Here are some of the top highlights. 1. Caral Caral is a breathtaking archaeological site that was built between 3000 BC and 2100 BC, around the same time as the pyramids of Egypt. And yet, Caral is significantly less crowded than the pyramids and is still somewhat unexplored by most travelers. This pre-Inca UNESCO World Heritage Site was home to the oldest civilization in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s also wildly complex: research has found that the buildings in Caral were built with careful knowledge of astronomy, music, and natural surroundings. 2. Chavin Another fantastic UNESCO World Heritage site, Chavin de Huantar is a fascinating pre-Columbian pilgrimage destination you won’t want to miss. This ancient space was home to the first Pan-Andean religion. The extinct Chavin society once lived in the Andean highlands, and traces of the Chavin influence can still be found along the coast. The Chavin were one of the first Andean cultures to leave behind records in the forms of carvings, buildings, ceramics, and textiles. At the site, you’ll find round, sunken courtyards and intricate walkways beneath the structures. You’ll also note an intricate drainage system that nods to the Chavins’ engineering skills, as well stunning artistry on the ruins. 3. Huascarán National Park Huascarán is home to the world’s highest tropical mountain range, the Cordillera Blanca. The park is also the site of Huascarán mountain, the highest mountain in Peru at 6768 m (22,204 ft.) This UNESCO biosphere reserve is unlike any other place on the planet. Huascarán is a
Discover Northern Peru Northern Peru has much to discover, and all kinds of untapped treasures right at your fingertips. It has so much to offer but is relatively unknown and untouched. Northern Peru’s natural wonders an untold story of South American history is well worth exploring. Here are some of…
The Amazon rainforest is the beating heart of our planet. The Amazon’s health correlates to the health of the rest of the earth. More than 20% of the world’s oxygen is produced in the Amazon, and Amazon rainforest animals make up more than half of the plant, animal, and insect species in the world. This all makes for an ecosystem that is vital to protect, and now more than ever, ecotourism initiatives are playing a key role in helping Amazon sustainability continue to thrive. Threats to the Amazon The Amazon rainforest regularly faces brutal damage caused by illegal logging and illegal mining. Illegally logged wood from the Amazon is more commonplace than you might think - in fact, odds are pretty high that something you own was made with illegally sourced wood. It’s not uncommon for an illegal logger to mix logs from protected land with legally obtained logs to reduce their chances of being caught. Another major threat to Amazon sustainability is the epidemic of illegal mining in the rainforest. Illegal miners look for gold, aluminum, titanium, iron, and other materials. This creates major ecological damage for protected areas and communities, and the mercury used in gold mining is especially dangerous - it can leak into local rivers and contaminate the fish and water supply for local indigenous communities. Illegal Gold Mining Madre de Dios region Illegal gold Mining has long been an issue, and it has increased since the 2008 financial crisis. It is unfortunately one of the most lucrative illegal activities in the Amazon, and its processes can cause great harm to Peruvian communities and the environment. In Madre de Dios, an area of the Peruvian Amazon, this practice is especially harmful and widespread, and has led to the destruction of more than 60,000 hectares of land.
The Amazon rainforest is the beating heart of our planet. The Amazon’s health correlates to the health of the rest of the earth. More than 20% of the world’s oxygen is produced in the Amazon, and Amazon rainforest animals make up more than half of the plant, animal, and insect…
Looking for your home away from home in Peru? Below, the most charming and outstanding hotels in Peru that are redefining luxury. Gocta Natura, Chachapoyas The stunningly beautiful and eco-friendly Gocta Natura cabins provide your window to Gocta, one of the highest waterfalls in the world. The cabins are located on a charming and secluded stretch of forest. Fostered by the owner, Rocio Florez's initiative, the whole team is committed to preserving the biodiversity of the surrounding Peruvian cloud forest is moving, and the property regularly helps support local projects. When you stay at Gocta Natura, you’ll enjoy boutique cabins, farm-to-table gourmet meals, and views of Gocta and the mountains. You’ll experience a peaceful, exclusive haven that allows you to enjoy nature in a whole new way - and you’ll want to linger as long as possible. Gocta Natura can also help facilitate hikes, horseback rides, birdwatching, local community visits, and textile workshops. Kentitambo, Chachapoyas Kentitambo is a slice of heaven unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Just on the edge of the town of Leymebamba, Kentitambo is set in its own little corner of the Chachapoyas cloud forest. This delightful B&B is owned by Adriana von Hagen, an accomplished archaeologist, co-director of the fantastic Museo Leymebamba, and author of several books on Chachapoyas culture. Here, you’ll find five bungalows overlooking the museum, and you’ll get to soak in the surrounding natural area, which von Hagan lovingly converted from a former barren, deforested hillside into a lush forest paradise. Kentitambo means “home of the hummingbird” in Quechua, and the property is known for its unrivaled bird watching opportunities. At Kentitambo, you’ll get to watch as over 16 species of hummingbirds spend time at the property’s hummingbird feeders, as well as parrots, tanagers, warblers, and toucans. Don’t forget to explore the
Looking for your home away from home in Peru? Below, the most charming and outstanding hotels in Peru that are redefining luxury. Gocta Natura, Chachapoyas The stunningly beautiful and eco-friendly Gocta Natura cabins provide your window to Gocta, one of the highest waterfalls in the world. The cabins are located…
A Cusco Shopping Guide For Art Lovers One of the best things to do in Cusco is to get to know the city’s artistic and cultural scene. A refreshing way to take in all the creativity that Cusco has to offer is by taking a walk through the city’s streets and peeking into inspiring galleries and shops along the way. Exploration like this (with a side of Cusco shopping, of course) can shine a light on Peruvian history, traditions, and legends in a whole new way. You’ll discover a whole new world worth preserving through Cusco shopping. You’ll also be supporting local art in the process. One great way to tap into this type of adventure is through Aracari's curated shopping experiences . We offer unique urban experiences that provide an understanding of both contemporary and traditional art techniques that shape Cusco culture. Here is a sneak preview of the fantastic shops, galleries, and ateliers you can experience during a carefully curated experience by Aracari and our partners. If you’re wondering what to do in Cusco, this is the perfect place to start. Of course, with Aracari you will get much more: an insider's view through the company of your own "Friend in the City" as well as unique engagement with the owners of the stores with whom we have a close relationship. L’atelier Café Concept Created by Ingrid Thieblemont, Parisian designer and fan of Cusco, this lovely store is known for its distinctive handmade jewelry. The shop offers a charming atmosphere and well-made products that can last a lifetime. Here you’ll also find designer alpaca clothing and Peruvian textile blankets and totes made using traditional techniques. Isa Luna Galeria Located in artsy San Blas, La Galeria is an absolute treasure trove of some of the best Cusco shopping, including fine
A Cusco Shopping Guide For Art Lovers One of the best things to do in Cusco is to get to know the city’s artistic and cultural scene. A refreshing way to take in all the creativity that Cusco has to offer is by taking a walk through the city’s streets…
