Amid the striking coastal desert of Peru lies the Paracas National Reserve. A protected natural area known for an abundance of marine wildlife, arid, orange-colored desert, and dramatic shoreline of wind and wave-sculpted rock formations. Found just a four-hour drive from Lima, the Paracas National Reserve is well worth a visit, especially suited to those seeking adventure travel to Peru. At Aracari, we have spent almost three decades curating bespoke experiences in the Paracas National Reserve, with many of our tailor-made itineraries featuring a few days here during a private Peru tour. Those such as An Amazing Andean Adventure – a journey that culminates with three days spent exploring Paracas and the surrounding region. Explore our Itineraries 5 Highlights of Paracas National Reserve Our knowledge of this area of Peru is extensive – with longstanding connections to the most authentic experiences on offer in the Paracas National Reserve. As Peru’s only protected marine area, a myriad of wildlife can be found here – benefitting from the cool water of the Humboldt Current. There are also over 215 species of birds, that use the Paracas National Reserve as a key stopover during their annual migration path. But that’s not all, there are also opportunities to connect with local communities and understand their way of life, along with learning about the rich history that dates back long before the Inca Empire. Plus adventure experiences, with the option to zip through the towering dunes that form much of the desert here. But how to experience all the above with authenticity? This exclusive Aracari guide will show you how. With our expert tips, discover a true insider glimpse into our five highlights of Paracas National Reserve. 1. Take a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands One of the main attractions of the Paracas
Amid the striking coastal desert of Peru lies the Paracas National Reserve. A protected natural area known for an abundance of marine wildlife, arid, orange-colored desert, and dramatic shoreline of wind and wave-sculpted rock formations. Found just a four-hour drive from Lima, the Paracas National Reserve is well worth a…
Ronald Elward is a Dutch expat and one of Aracari's specialist guides in Lima, leading visitors to the capital on a historical city tour, which showcases the unique past of Lima. Lima Specialist Guide Ronald Elward For many years Ronald has been busy digging deeper into the connection between the past and present in Peru: he has taken it upon himself to sift through archives to establish the living descendants of the Inca rulers. His research has resulted in over a dozen articles in the main Lima newspaper, El Comercio, and a book that presents his research, linking the lineages & ancestry of families to the royal Incas who seemed to disappear after the conquest of Peru in the 16th century. This research has earned him the honorary title of “Caballero Orejón de la Ordén Real de los Incas”, which basically endows him with the status of an Inca noble or orejón as they were called. We were able to catch an hour of Ronald’s time to sit down with him and talk about his insights into Lima, his experience finding the Inca descendants and more. Aracari Interviews Ronald Elward Before coming to Lima, you worked in the Netherlands doing…? I was publisher for almost ten years for two of the major publishing houses for information for professionals. And there I was the publisher for the main magazine for architects called De Architect. I had studied marketing, so I entered publishing through the marketing department. What made you decide to move to Peru? Well I always liked to travel, and I’ve travelled to most continents. I had the desire as of young to experience another culture, more than just on holiday only it never came about. I immediately started working as soon as I was finished school so it was always work.
Ronald Elward is a Dutch expat and one of Aracari’s specialist guides in Lima, leading visitors to the capital on a historical city tour, which showcases the unique past of Lima. Lima Specialist Guide Ronald Elward For many years Ronald has been busy digging deeper into the connection between the past…
Aracari is excited to announce... Our founder & CEO, Marisol Mosquera, has been named on Wendy Perrin’s 2018 WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts for her expertise and connections in Peru and Bolivia! Aracari Founder Named to Wendy Perrin WOW List The list is an exclusive and selective roundup of the world’s top destination specialists with Wendy quoting Marisol and fellow WOW Listers as “the most well-connected travel fixers and custom itinerary designers in the world.” No matter where your next holiday might take you, we invite you to check out the list of rigorously vetted experts as a useful trip planning resource. What landed Marisol on the Wendy Perrin WOW List? At the forefront of experiential travel, Marisol Mosquera founded Aracari in 1996 with the vision of offering authentic and luxury journeys to discerning travelers while supporting the communities and environments in the regions they explored. Through connections cultivated by her, Aracari has fostered an unparalleled network of specialists in art, history, archaeology, gastronomy and culture, who provide our guests with their invaluable insight into the places they visit—information and access otherwise inaccessible to travelers. Marisol and the locally-based expert travel planning team in Lima offer trusted advice based on first-hand experience and arrange bespoke, multi-day trips to Peru on a private basis. Whether being guided by an art historian, explorer or anthropologist in Cusco, or enjoying behind-the-scenes museum visits in northern Peru, travelers can take advantage of privileged insider access to the destinations Aracari has been exploring for nearly two decades. Other Accolades of Marisol & Aracari Marisol has not only been featured on the Wendy Perrin WOW List, but has also been recognized as a Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist to Peru and Bolivia and selected as the Travel + Leisure A-List as a specialist for Peru and Bolivia. Aracari has also been awarded Positive’ Luxury’s
Aracari is excited to announce… Our founder & CEO, Marisol Mosquera, has been named on Wendy Perrin’s 2018 WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts for her expertise and connections in Peru and Bolivia! Aracari Founder Named to Wendy Perrin WOW List The list is an exclusive and selective roundup of the world’s…
Best Restaurant in Latin America: Maido Not only one of the best restaurants in Lima, Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant Maido triumphed on the culinary world stage this year, being named as The Best Restaurant in Latin America for the first time. The prestigious list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017 was announced in a lavish ceremony in Bogotá Colombia. Maido is not alone, with ten other Peruvian restaurants claiming a spot in the coveted list. These are all found in the Peruvian capital, meaning this curated list serves as a great starting point to discover the best restaurants in Lima. Maido beat out famous Lima gourmet restaurant Central, a top restaurant that has held the #1 spot for three years. Best Restaurants in Lima Interested in Peru culinary travel? Here are the ten best restaurants in Lima, as chosen by the Academy. Thanks to their popularity, do note that some of these - like Maido and Central - require booking well in advance. As a local Peru travel agency, Aracari can arrange table reservations, private dining experiences and opportunities to meet the chefs at these top restaurants in Lima as part of a private, tailormade tour to Peru. No 1 – Maido No 2 – Central No 7 – Astrid y Gastón No 12 – Osso Carnicería y Salumería No 15 - La Mar No 21– Isolina No 24 – Rafael No 30 – Malabar No 46 – Fiesta No 47 – ámaZ Culinary Guide to Lima and Peru To discover more about the best restaurants in Lima and Peru’s exciting culinary offerings, download our free culinary guide, full of restaurant recommendations, information on classic Peruvian dishes, unusual ingredients to look out for and more. Peru with Flavor In celebration of Peru’s culinary achievements on the 50 Best List, Aracari Travel has designed a private 10-day Peru culinary tour itinerary - ‘Peru with Flavor’, taking visitors on a delectable journey of discovery
Best Restaurant in Latin America: Maido Not only one of the best restaurants in Lima, Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant Maido triumphed on the culinary world stage this year, being named as The Best Restaurant in Latin America for the first time. The prestigious list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017 was announced in a lavish ceremony in Bogotá…
Peru is recognized as one of the world's top culinary destinations thanks to an almost unbeatable variety of ingredients as a result of such diverse climates, as well as the country's capital being home to four of the World's Best 50 Restaurants. From gourmet dining to local eateries, a visit to Peru wouldn't be complete without a first-hand understanding of the culture through its food and culinary traditions. Here we give a roundup of some of the best Peru Culinary tour experiences you can enjoy with culinary travel specialists Aracari as part of any tailormade trip to Peru. The Top Peru Culinary Tour Experiences Dine at One of the Best Restaurants in the World Peru's capital, Lima, hosts some of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. Central is Lima's #1 gourmet restaurant and you must book well in advance to get a seat at this creative contemporary restaurant. Maido and Astrid y Gaston are other top gourmet favorites where you can try Peru's fusion cuisine. Watch a Top Lima Chef at Work A top Lima culinary experience is at Malabar, where leading chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino takes you above the white-table cloth restaurant to his more rustic kitchen workshop, where he rustles up a five-course meal before you, explaining the process and the unusual ingredients as he goes. This is the ultimate foodie experience in Lima! Eat like the Locals It's not all about fine dining. Learn about Peru's thousands (yes, really!) of varieties of potatoes, superfoods and exotic fruits where the locals go to shop: the markets. In Lima and Cusco, stroll local eateries on Aracari's Food Tour Urban Eats - offered by day and by night. Explore Cusco's Markets with a Professional Chef Alternatively, explore Cusco through the eyes of a professional local chef on Aracari's Chef's
Peru is recognized as one of the world’s top culinary destinations thanks to an almost unbeatable variety of ingredients as a result of such diverse climates, as well as the country’s capital being home to four of the World’s Best 50 Restaurants. From gourmet dining to local eateries, a visit…
Divided by powerful rivers, home to some of the earth's last isolated indigenous tribes, and filled with 10% of the world's species, the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest is a natural wonder unlike any other. Aracari has personally explored the planet's oldest jungle to handpick the best luxury Amazon lodges Peru, taking into account their guiding expertise, sustainability efforts, comfort and service. Read on for a round-up of our top picks, or contact us to start planning a tailormade trip Peru. The Best Luxury Amazon Lodges Peru BEST FOR WILDLIFE: TAMBOPATA RESEARCH CENTER Tambopata Research Center: Located around eight hours upriver from the city of Puerto Maldonado, Tambopata Research Center (TRC) is the most remote Amazon lodge in Peru and the only lodge within Tambopata National Reserve. Its secluded location deep in the heart of the jungle provides guests unrivaled opportunity for wildlife watching evidenced by the 25% of guests that see jaguars and the colorful spectacle of Macaw clay licks located mere meters from the lodge. Highlights of a trip to Tambopata Research Center also include the chance to participate in authentic wildlife investigations through the citizen's science project Wired Amazon and rooms that offer private decks or outdoor living rooms. Read about Marisol’s (Aracari’s Founder and CEO) experience at Tambopata Research Center. BEST FOR FAMILIES: REFUGIO AMAZONAS Refugio Amazonas: Our top pick for those traveling with children is Refugio Amazonas. Four hours from Puerto Maldonado, this lodge offers the only attraction especially made for kids in the Peruvian Amazon: the Children’s Rainforest Trail. Along with the trail, a special program for teens and a variety of other kid-friendly adventures make Refugio Amazonas one of the best luxury Amazon lodges Peru for families. BEST FOR PRIVACY: AMAZON VILLA Amazon Villa: For the utmost privacy look no further than this cozy Amazon villa located 15 minutes from Refugio Amazonas. With pristine jungle as the backdrop,
Divided by powerful rivers, home to some of the earth’s last isolated indigenous tribes, and filled with 10% of the world’s species, the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest is a natural wonder unlike any other. Aracari has personally explored the planet’s oldest jungle to handpick the best luxury Amazon lodges Peru, taking into account their guiding…
