Once overlooked by tourists as just a stepping stone between Cusco and Machu Picchu, nowadays the Sacred Valley Peru is truly a destination in its own right. Chock-full of activities for all types of travelers, you can hike to little-visited Incan ruins, make friends with the locals in traditional weaving villages, and photograph sweeping, imposing landscapes - all before kicking back in style at the best luxury hotels. The Sacred Valley is only a one and a half hour drive from Cusco and at a lower altitude than Cusco, making it the ideal base to explore the best of the region. The Highlights of the Sacred Valley The Sacred Valley Peru is scattered with Inca ruins and historic sites. Their impressive natural backdrops means they'll easily appeal to avid explorers and history buffs alike. Not-to-miss highlights include Ollantaytambo, one of the most well-preserved Incan towns in Peru built into the hillside affording privileged views, and the Incan agricultural terraces of Moray, which are extraordinary rings of stone terraces built into natural depressions of the earth. The other most-visited Incan sites of the Sacred Valley are Pisac and Chinchero. The Salt Pans of Maras Another highlight of the Sacred Valley are the salt pans of Maras, often visited in combination with Moray. Maras is a stunning array of watered terraces that collect salt and have been in use since pre-Columbian times. These days it's a local cooperative, with a number of families all producing top-quality salt you'll see featured in Lima's top gourmet restaurants. Avoiding the Crowds One of the perks of traveling with Aracari to the area is that having planned tailormade tours for two decades we can ensure you follow the best crowd avoidance routes. Visit the likes of Pumamarca ruins where, despite being only a short drive from bustling Ollantaytambo by road, you can often have these
Once overlooked by tourists as just a stepping stone between Cusco and Machu Picchu, nowadays the Sacred Valley Peru is truly a destination in its own right. Chock-full of activities for all types of travelers, you can hike to little-visited Incan ruins, make friends with the locals in traditional weaving villages, and photograph…
Peru named the World's Leading Culinary Destination 2017 There has been much talk about Peru being the “gastronomic capital of South America” and an emerging destination for foodies and chefs alike. People from all over the world visit Peru to taste for themselves and see how the country’s culinary offerings stand up against those of other cities. World Travel Awards, a company that serves to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry, recently did just that. Up against countries like Thailand, Spain, and Japan, Peru was victorious and named the 2017 World's Leading Culinary Destination. Wealth of ingredients and climates This distinction is just further proof of one thing: the food in Peru is pretty darn good! The country is blessed with a myriad of natural resources perfect for cooking, ranging from the excellent seafood on the coast to the vegetables and potatoes of the highlands to the exquisite and unique ingredients found throughout the Amazon. In addition to the variety of ingredients, the fusion of cultures and styles of cooking throughout the country makes for a very interesting culinary landscape. Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and many other cultures have infused different flavors, ingredients, and styles into Peruvian cuisine resulting in wonderful mesh of flavors and dishes. Fusion cuisine The result of Peru’s combination of excellent ingredients and fusion of styles and flavors is a modern culinary scene that is gaining more and more recognition across the globe. This award and distinction just further exemplifies that. However, the only way to really experience this is with a visit to Peru. Read Aracari's Peru with Flavor Culinary trip Culinary Tour Peru Interested in a culinary travel to Peru? Aracari specializes in designing private, tailormade culinary tour Peru experiences. From visiting colorful markets with a top chef, to
Peru named the World’s Leading Culinary Destination 2017 There has been much talk about Peru being the “gastronomic capital of South America” and an emerging destination for foodies and chefs alike. People from all over the world visit Peru to taste for themselves and see how the country’s culinary offerings…
Cusco is one of Peru's must-visit destinations, a stunning city with cobbled-streets, crisp air and striking architecture. As the gateway to reach Machu Picchu, Cusco is home to some of the best luxury hotels in Peru. Here we give our cherry-picked selection of some of the best hotels in Cusco. We've inspected every hotel on a room-by-room level, so share Aracari's insider info for when planning Machu Picchu luxury trips using our first-hand destination knowledge. The Best Hotels in Cusco Recommended by Aracari Belmond Palacio Nazarenas An all-suite hotel, entry-level rooms at Belmond Palacio Nazarenas include butler service as standard. Though located literally next door to its sister property Belmond Monasterio, this five star luxury hotel is newer and more modern in style. Yet, it still harks back to a more regal past: it was formerly a Palace and convent and houses a cloistered courtyard with a fountain and its heart. One of the best hotels in Cusco, it is one of few with an outdoor swimming pool. It is also home to a relaxing spa with a wide menu of treatments. Why stay here? Sumptuous five-star service - the ultimate classic luxury hotel in Cusco. Contact us now for best rates and a tailormade itinerary staying at Belmond Palacio Nazarenas. Inkaterra La Casona If you like small properties teeming with history, then Inkaterra La Casona certainly doesn't fall short. This colonial manor house was perhaps the first Spanish construction in Cusco built over an Inca complex and later occupied by the conquistadores of Peru and their descendants. There are just eleven suites around the central courtyard. The fact it gets booked up easily is testament to the fact it is one of the best hotels in Cusco. The style is very much luxury-meets-authenticity. Inkaterra La Casona is located across from the Belmond Hotel Monasterio in the Plaza de las Nazarenas next door to the Museum
Cusco is one of Peru’s must-visit destinations, a stunning city with cobbled-streets, crisp air and striking architecture. As the gateway to reach Machu Picchu, Cusco is home to some of the best luxury hotels in Peru. Here we give our cherry-picked selection of some of the best hotels in Cusco. We’ve inspected…
Practiced originally on the shores of Hawaii, stand up paddle boarding (SUP) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Having heard a lot about it, I decided to try out the soft adventure sport on a stunning high altitude lake near Cusco. This adventure activity takes half a day and is best in the morning when the winds are calmer. Combine SUP with an afternoon visit to Incan ruins or other top adventure activities in the Sacred Valley. Stand Up Paddle Cusco at Laguna Huacarpay My experience stand up paddle boarding took place on scenic Laguna Huacarpay, just 40 minutes outside the city of Cusco. While not quite as tropical as Waikiki, the lakes around Cusco offer a beautiful and tranquil setting, ideal for first-timers like me to learn the ropes. After an initial safety briefing and time to put on a wetsuit, I was pushing off from shore and took to my feet, carefully gaining my balance and gently paddling forward. ‘This is easy,’ I thought, tempting fate to shove me into the glistening waters below me. Luckily I didn’t fall in, although, dangling my foot into the lake, I was pleasantly surprised to find the water at a manageable temperature. A Great Activity for Families The popularity of stand up paddle boarding is undoubtedly in part due to how super easy it is to learn. Anyone, of any age, can give it a go, making it an ideal activity for families looking for a little soft adventure. Joining me on the lake was a friend and his two daughters, ages 5 and 7, both of whom were very excited to be getting involved and, as it turned out, both expert paddlers themselves. Acclimatizing to the Altitude Unlike many activities in the Cusco area, Stand Up Paddle Boarding is not
Practiced originally on the shores of Hawaii, stand up paddle boarding (SUP) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Having heard a lot about it, I decided to try out the soft adventure sport on a stunning high altitude lake near Cusco. This adventure activity takes half a day and…
Thanks to the seismic activity of the region, the Colca Canyon and Valley are sprinkled with natural hot springs, or thermal baths, where locals and tourists alike can relax in the warm embrace of Mother Nature. The hot springs vary in temperature, and are rich in sulfur, lithium, or iron, and thought to have medicinal healing properties. Colca is home to public baths (for which a small entrance fee is required) and private thermal hot springs at some of the best properties in Colca. The Best Natural Hot Springs Colca Colca Lodge Hot Springs The best natural, private hot springs Colca are located on the property of one of our favorite hotels in the region, Colca Lodge. The grounds boast four natural, hot thermal baths and in this bucolic setting, visitors contrast the chilly mountain air with a dip into one of the private hot springs. Exclusively reserved for guests at the hotel, these hot springs Colca are well maintained, clean, and situated in an incredibly intimate natural setting. They are perched a few meters above the river built into the stone shore, and overlook the terraced valley and the property's camelid farm. The hot springs at Colca Lodge are also conveniently equipped with a nearby bar so you can sip on a cocktail while sat in the thermal baths, as well as changing rooms and nice bathrooms. Round off a long soak at Colca Lodge's indulgent spa. Visit Colca and stay at Colca Lodge on our Highlights of Southern Peru itinerary. More Natural Hot Springs Colca Though they may lack the privacy and luxurious amenities of the hot springs Colca Lodge offers, there are plenty of other natural thermal baths in the region. El Refugio has a covered, on-site private hot spring for guests, and there are public springs near the Aranwa hotel. Here visitors can pay
Thanks to the seismic activity of the region, the Colca Canyon and Valley are sprinkled with natural hot springs, or thermal baths, where locals and tourists alike can relax in the warm embrace of Mother Nature. The hot springs vary in temperature, and are rich in sulfur, lithium, or iron, and…
Native to the mountains of South America that give the bird its name, the Andean condor can be spotted across the continent but arguably the best place to see these strikingly large animals is in the Colca Canyon of Peru. Located in the south of the country about a 4-hour drive from Arequipa, the Colca region is known for its dramatic landscapes, history, vibrant rural culture, and native condors. Aracari arranges private, tailormade trips to Arequipa and Colca where you can spot the majestic Colca Canyon condors! The best place to see Colca Canyon Condors The Andean Colca Canyon Condor The Andean condor, which has been the focus of international conservation efforts, is one of the largest land flying birds in the world with an average wingspan of 3m (10ft). The animals are very heavy, weighing up to 15kg (33lbs) so to help keep them in the air they like to live in windy areas. The rising winds in the Colca Canyon and valley are strong, which makes it one of the best homes for the animal and in turn one of the best places to bird-watch for them! The spectacular condor takes advantage of the windy Colca region to glide up and down this imposing and magic corner of the Andean Cordillera - it is truly a sight to be seen. Where to See Colca Canyon Condors Cruz del Condor - 'Condor Cross' Between the small villages of Maca and Cabanaconde, where winds are strongest, is the Cruz del Condor or ‘Condor Cross,’ an observation point where visitors scan the skies for a glimpse of the majestic birds soaring in pairs in the early morning or late afternoon. Condor Cross is the place with the highest chance of condor spottings, with birds often seen at close range. As the birds soar past the canyon walls, the lookout point also offers breath-taking views
Native to the mountains of South America that give the bird its name, the Andean condor can be spotted across the continent but arguably the best place to see these strikingly large animals is in the Colca Canyon of Peru. Located in the south of the country about a 4-hour drive from Arequipa, the…
