In the mood to celebrate this January? You’re in luck: one of the most exciting Bolivia festivals, Las Alasitas in La Paz, Bolivia, is well underway. The festival, held each January as a way to make wishes for the upcoming year, is a colorful and joyful experience that fills the stress of La Paz. A month-long street fair sells miniatures that represent dreams and goals for the new year, and locals flock to La Paz to stock up on the minis that mean the most to them. On the most important day of the festival, January 24th at 12pm, celebrations hit their peak. In Honor Of Ekeko The festival is meant to honor Ekeko, an Aymara god who represents success and abundance. Before stocking up on their miniatures, locals buy a small Ekeko statue that will sit in their homes throughout the year. Then, they purchase their miniatures, which are then blessed and offered to Ekeko. Ekeko is also provided with cigarettes, alcohol, and other gifts. In exchange, Ekeko looks out for locals’ families throughout the year. Historically, the festival was celebrated in September, as farmers prayed to Ekeko for a bountiful harvest. However, the festival was later moved to January to honor the 1781 La Paz revolution. While the ritual has changed slightly over the years, the basics remain the same. But now, locals pray for a wider variety of gifts than solely a big farm harvest. Today, the Catholic church takes part in the festivities (as it currently does with many Bolivia celebrations) by blessing the miniature gifts on January 24th. In addition to miniatures, you can also buy local artisan crafts and enjoy fantastic street food as you stroll past the festival stalls. Join In On The Adventure International visitors love to join in on the fun
In the mood to celebrate this January? You’re in luck: one of the most exciting Bolivia festivals, Las Alasitas in La Paz, Bolivia, is well underway. The festival, held each January as a way to make wishes for the upcoming year, is a colorful and joyful experience that fills the…
Peru with kids is its own special kind of experience. There’s nothing quite like seeing a new place through the eyes of your kids, and if you’re an adventurous bunch, there are all kinds of Peru activities tailor made for teens and young people. Below are Peru’s top 10 adventures to put smiles on your whole family’s faces. 1. Via Ferrata + Sky Lodge In The Sacred Valley Ever wanted to sleep hanging off the side of a cliff? (Yes, really!) The Sky Lodge in the Sacred Valley is a hotel that offers overnight stays in virtual hanging modules at 1,312 feet. To reach the Sky Lodge, you’ll get your adrenaline pumping by partaking in a one-hour climb up a via ferrata or mountain ladder. (There’s also an alternative trekking option if climbing isn’t your forte.) Once you reach the top, you can catch the sunset and stay overnight, or simply enjoy the views over lunch before heading back down. If you or your kids are afraid of heights, this might be a tough one - but the views make it all worth it in the end. 2. Paragliding in Miraflores, Lima https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3u5PWUmL7I This is another activity that reaches great altitudes, but it’s so much fun that it just might be worth it for even height-phobic travelers. This paragliding adventure begins in the heart of Miraflores, and it’s one of the most thrilling experiences in Peru for kids. An expert guide will board with you and lead you on a 15-20 minute flight over Lima. You’ll be treated to an expansive birds-eye view of the coast, the cliffs, and the cityscape of Lima. It’s exhilarating for guests of all ages, and the rush will last far beyond the length of your flight. 3. Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Peru with kids is its own special kind of experience. There’s nothing quite like seeing a new place through the eyes of your kids, and if you’re an adventurous bunch, there are all kinds of Peru activities tailor made for teens and young people. Below are Peru’s top 10 adventures…
The magic of seeing a dream destination feels a little less like a technicolor memory when it’s packed with slow-moving crowds. Overcrowding is a very real problem when visiting cherished historical sites, and it can be tough to gain the solitude and cultural understanding you crave while wading through thousands of tour bus crowds. Overtourism in Machu Picchu is a serious problem, which authorities are trying to mitigate by implementing new entrance regulations, with timed entrance slots. So far, the crowds persist, and it will be unlikely that things change, as more and more people want to visit bucket list destinations. And Machu Picchu is one of the top ones in every list. So, why not try something a little different? If you want a taste of South American culture and history without all the crowds, there are plenty of alternative adventures to try. On a tailor made experience with Aracari, you’ll visit pristine little known sites, and your expert guides can help you avoid the throngs of crowds. Below, some of Aracari’s top experiences to inspire. 1. Choquequirao Known as a sister city to Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is a rarely visited Incan site that is sometimes thought of as an alternative Machu Picchu. Tucked into the mountains, this ancient city can only be reached by foot. The ruins are as far-reaching and extensive as Machu Picchu, but have remained under the radar for centuries. It’s one of the top trips to Peru to inspire. Like Machu Picchu, the city sits on a mountain outcrop and looks out over a river. In fact, Choquequirao was even known by Machu Picchu’s current nickname, “the lost city of the Incas,” for over one hundred years. It’s believed to be where Inca leaders fled when Cusco was taken by the Spanish.
The magic of seeing a dream destination feels a little less like a technicolor memory when it’s packed with slow-moving crowds. Overcrowding is a very real problem when visiting cherished historical sites, and it can be tough to gain the solitude and cultural understanding you crave while wading through thousands…
As Aracari has evolved, so has our brand. Last year in August, we launched our new brand with three pillars that define us: Aracari Travel: Inspiring, Connecting, Celebrating Aracari inspires memorable journeys. Aracari creates experiences that are sophisticated, simple and conscious. Aracari is the bridge that connects travelers with the spirit of magical places in Perú, Bolivia and Galapagos. Aracari celebrates the roots and histories of these places making all dreams possible in an environment of respect for local cultures and the environment. Inspiration, Celebration and Connection are the three words and pillars that encapsulate the essence of what we are about. We invite you to visit our website www.aracari.com which is now much more user friendly and visual. Aracari's New Look The flat logo design draws on the feathers used in the original Aracari bird logo from when the company was founded by Marisol Mosquera in 1996. A highly intelligent and sociable toucan found in Central and South America, the Aracari bird is friendly and affectionate, full of personality and loving toward everyone. Aracari proudly draws on these traits in taking care of discerning clients in the region throughout their hand-crafted journeys. The new brand is also inspired by the religion and mythology of apus, the spirits of the mountains that protect local people living in the highlands. Aracari‘s unique travel experiences are the bridge that connect travelers with the spirit of these magical places. Aracari celebrates each destination’s roots and history, crafting extraordinary experiences with the utmost respect for local cultures and the environment. Aracari holds the Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark in recognition of our responsible travel initiatives. The colors selected for the new brand draw on Peru’s magnificent diversity: Pacific blue air, Peruvian yellow and red peppers, corn juice, the ruins of Caral and garúa, the overcast drizzle typical in Peru’s capital, Lima. “It is not what you know
As Aracari has evolved, so has our brand. Last year in August, we launched our new brand with three pillars that define us: Aracari Travel: Inspiring, Connecting, Celebrating Aracari inspires memorable journeys. Aracari creates experiences that are sophisticated, simple and conscious. Aracari is the bridge that connects travelers with the spirit of magical places…
Peruvians love an excuse to celebrate. This rings particularly true in Cusco, Peru’s cultural capital. In the days leading up to Christmas, Cusco’s main square bursts into life with Santuranticuy, a magical Christmas festival that merges Spanish and Quechua traditions. Here’s what to do in Peru over Christmas. Here’s what to do in Peru over Christmas Translated as “the sale of saints,” Santuranticuy is an authentic Christmas market that takes over Cusco’s main square. The market is centered around the tradition of building a pesebre, a carefully-crafted nativity scene that is kept in the home. As the tradition goes, the nativity scene is lit on Christmas Eve. This is the day the Plaza de Armas is at its liveliest. For those seeking Christmas cheer, this magical market is among the best things to do in Peru over the holidays. Admire the artisan-made figurines and keep warm with a cup of traditional rum punch. At night, the fair takes on a new glow: biblical animals covered in lights decorate the square. Artisans and sculptors come from throughout the country to sell their pesebre adornments. The ornaments range from traditional to contemporary, affordable to high-end and everything in between. For many locals, the goal is to acquire the most realistic, glorious looking pesebre. The nativity scenes are placed in churches, homes and public plazas. Families comb through the market, pouring their heart into finding ever-better pieces for their pesebre. The star, of course, is baby Jesus, or Niño Manuelito in Andean terms. There is even clothing on offer for the figures, should you want to give them a new look. The night of Christmas Eve – or “la noche buena” (the good night) – is the big celebration. Families gather together for dinner and merriment before opening presents. It’s a very
Peruvians love an excuse to celebrate. This rings particularly true in Cusco, Peru’s cultural capital. In the days leading up to Christmas, Cusco’s main square bursts into life with Santuranticuy, a magical Christmas festival that merges Spanish and Quechua traditions. Here’s what to do in Peru over Christmas. Here’s…
As you travel through the Andes, a few things might catch your eye: the flash of a snow-capped mountain, a shaggy-haired alpaca or the vibrant clothes of the Andean women. The beautiful skirts you’ll see are called polleras. Their patterns, colors and designs change from village to village, and their story is a fascinating one. We’ve assembled a guide to polleras and where you can purchase one on your next Peru trip. A pollera is a full skirt made from cotton or wool that is decorated in vibrant embroidery. Decorations often include flowers and local animals. The rounded shape is similar to that of a bird cage, which is where we get the term pollera. Pollo, of course, means chicken. The Andean pollera The Andean pollera dates back to colonial times. During Spanish colonization, the settlers brought their European fashion sense along with them. One of the most popular pieces was the long and voluminous skirt that was particularly popular among peasants in Andalusia. Andean women decided to make their own out of alpaca wool. However, they decided to put their own twist on the garment. As such, the result was often more vibrant than its Spanish counterpart. While polleras are used for traditional festivals and folklore, you’re sure to see the dazzling dresses as you explore with a Bolivia or Peru travel guide. In these countries, the word pollera denotes a skirt worn by the urban mestizo and the rural indigenous classes. In the Bolivian altiplano, the urban pollera is made of eight meters of cloth and it is worn with four to five embroidered underskirts, which gives the Cholitas (mestizo women who wear the pollera) a "round" shape. Many women wear polleras daily, though they save their more elegant garments for special occasions. The most expensive polleras have very full
As you travel through the Andes, a few things might catch your eye: the flash of a snow-capped mountain, a shaggy-haired alpaca or the vibrant clothes of the Andean women. The beautiful skirts you’ll see are called polleras. Their patterns, colors and designs change from village to village, and their…
