Nestled into the Andean Highlands, Cusco is perfectly positioned to tap into a wide array of the country’s natural produce. As specialists in culinary travel, Aracari gives travelers the opportunity to explore the gastronomy of the historic city through various Cusco culinary experiences including Urban Eats by day, Urban Eats by night, and The Chef's Cusco Food Tour. Cusco Urban Eats by day Aracari's Head of Marketing Caroline Major delves into Peruvian culinary traditions on Aracari's Cusco Urban Eats Food Tour. Today I had great fun exploring the streets of Cusco on Aracari's Urban Eats by day tour with 'friend in the city' Laura, a local foodie. Sampling local flavors at each stop, Laura took me to a lively market and a variety of eateries provided interesting insight into local life and Peruvian cooking - sampling a variety of food along the way, of course! San Pedro Market My first stop was the buzzing San Pedro Market. It is popular with tourists and locals alike, and a definitive Cusco culinary highlight. One block long and three blocks wide, Cusco’s principal market is bursting with variety. My senses were awakened by its array of colored fruit, aromas and vendors broadcasting their prices and products. As we walked through the maze of produce, Laura and I paused to taste fresh-squeezed juices using seasonal exotic fruits - guanábana and chirimoya. We continued on and passed some of the almost 4,000 varieties of potato that grow in Peru. Ranging from purple, to red, to yellow, the potato is a staple of the Peruvian diet and has been an essential throughout history. Alongside the potatoes were stalls offering the likes of purple corn, herbal remedies and nutritious Andean super foods such as kiwicha and quinoa. Aracari specializes in tailormade culinary travel to Peru – check out our Peru With Flavor itinerary Exploring the Cusco Culinary Scene
Nestled into the Andean Highlands, Cusco is perfectly positioned to tap into a wide array of the country’s natural produce. As specialists in culinary travel, Aracari gives travelers the opportunity to explore the gastronomy of the historic city through various Cusco culinary experiences including Urban Eats by day, Urban Eats…
We are thrilled to announce that Aracari has been awarded the prestigious Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury for our positive actions towards responsible tourism in Peru, Bolivia and The Galapagos. About The Butterfly Mark The iconic Butterfly Mark was created by Positive Luxury to help discerning consumers identify which companies actively contribute towards sustainability. After rigorously evaluating Aracari’s sustainability criteria across ethical business practice, social and environmental frameworks and philanthropy, Aracari is delighted to have been awarded the Butterfly Mark in recognition of our positive actions in tourism, having been at the forefront of responsible travel in Peru for over 20 years. To be awarded the Butterfly Mark and be part of the Positive Luxury community, a brand must make a positive impact on people and the planet. The assessment ensures they go beyond achieving a minimum sustainable business standard that is compliant with international law and best practice principles. - Positive Luxury Looking to visit Peru? Check out our Connecting With Peru itinerary Aracari's Responsible Tourism in Peru Initiatives At Aracari, our efforts to foster responsible travel in Peru are based on four key pillars of sustainability: environmental, social good, philanthropy and ethical business practice. Every travel experience comes with the promise that we have fostered relationships with local communities and suppliers whilst maintaining the utmost respect for nature and its surroundings. We promote community based tourism initiatives in our tailormade trips to Peru, like Tierra de los Yachaqs, and Luquina Chico homestay on Lake Titicaca, provide pre-trip advice to help our travellers minimize their own impact and promote ethical shops and restaurants to spread the economic benefits of tourism, pay our staff fairly and engage in philanthropic giving to support local organizations. Read more examples of our responsible travel actions. Recuding plastic waste An example of our environmental efforts is our Water Bottle Initiative. Every Aracari traveler is provided
We are thrilled to announce that Aracari has been awarded the prestigious Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury for our positive actions towards responsible tourism in Peru, Bolivia and The Galapagos. About The Butterfly Mark The iconic Butterfly Mark was created by Positive Luxury to help discerning consumers identify which companies actively contribute towards sustainability. After rigorously…
The Nazca Lines have drawn thousands of visitors since they were first discovered in the 1920´s. Their mystery is part of their allure; it seems no one can confirm why the lines were drawn. Some scientists believe they are related to astrology, while others thought that perhaps they were drawn for the gods. One group of scientists even purported the myth that the lines, some eight kilometers (five miles) long, were markers for extraterrestrial landings. Today a new theory has emerged that the lines indicated water sources in the desert. Aracari caught up with specialist guide Ana Maria Cogorno, Director of the Maria Reiche Association to talk about the preservation of the Nazca Lines. Maria Reiche and the Preservation of the Nazca Lines Specialist guide Ana Maria Cogorno Ana Maria is the director of the Asociación Maria Reiche Internacional para el Arte & Ciencia, dedicated to the protection of the lines and located right here in Lima. Ana Maria Cogorno explained that the lines and geoglyphs, thousands of years old, are in danger of being destroyed because of human activities in the region. Ana Maria’s personal interest in the lines is very close: she was previously the assistant to Maria Reiche, a German mathematician and scientist who devoted her life to studying the Nazca lines. Nazcla Lines World Heritage Site Status Reiche believed that the lines pointed to the setting sun during the summer and winter solstices and that they proved the advanced mathematics of the Nazca designers. Studying the lines for over four decades, Reiche received Peruvian citizenship in 1993 and was buried here in 1999 when she passed away from cancer. Ana Maria Cogorno works tirelessly to keep her legacy alive through the association. Thanks to Reiche´s lifelong work, in 1994 UNESCO declared the lines and geoglpyhs of Nazca and Pampas de Jumana a World
The Nazca Lines have drawn thousands of visitors since they were first discovered in the 1920´s. Their mystery is part of their allure; it seems no one can confirm why the lines were drawn. Some scientists believe they are related to astrology, while others thought that perhaps they were drawn for…
Bolivia. A land of extremes, contrasts and intrigue, the country is a true traveler's dream. From the colonial cities of Sucre and Potosi to the other-worldly landscapes of the salt flats of Uyuni and Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Bolivia boasts unrivalled scenery and rich history. Discover it for yourself on Aracari's 2018 Bolivia group tour. Start in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and end in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, from Saturday 21 - Monday 30 April 2018. Bolivia Group Tour 2018 with 'The most important living Bolivia artist' Aracari invites you to join our founder and CEO, Marisol Mosquera on this exclusive Bolivia group tour, with special guest and Marisol's personal friend, the renowned Bolivian artist Gastón Ugalde. Only 12 spaces available! Reserve your place today or find out more by emailing travel@aracari.com Bolivia Group Tour Itinerary to San Pedro de Atacama A true off-the-beaten track destination, it's not easy to traverse this rugged landscape on your own. You will stay in the best accommodation available, including a historic hacienda and a hotel made entirely from salt. Traverse the salt flats in 4x4s with only three guests per car, giving you extra space and enjoy privileged access to authentic places and introductions to special individuals that will bring Bolivia to life for you. Day 1: Fly from Santa Cruz to Sucre Day 2: Day trip to Hacienda Candelaria & Tarabuco market town Day 3: Tour of local handicrafts in Sucre, including chocolate, hats and local textiles Day 4: History & Traditions of Sucre - day tour of the beautiful colonial city Day 5: Tour of Potosí, UNESCO World Heritage Site Day 6: Transfer to Uyuni, and star-gazing over the salt flats Day 7: Day exploring the salt flats Day 8: Discover the Chiguana salt flats and small lakes Day 9: Eduardo de Avaroa National Park to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Bolivia. A land of extremes, contrasts and intrigue, the country is a true traveler’s dream. From the colonial cities of Sucre and Potosi to the other-worldly landscapes of the salt flats of Uyuni and Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, Bolivia boasts unrivalled scenery and rich history. Discover it for yourself on Aracari’s 2018…
Planning your honeymoon: the ultimate vacation and most memorable trip of a lifetime. It's time to dream big as you embark on your first trip as a married couple. Finally you deserve to live it up, treat yourselves, and relax after all the stress and excitement of planning a wedding. So choosing a destination - especially if you're planning to splurge more than usual - takes longer than the average 'where should we go this year?' conversation. For many people, the Galapagos is already one of their top bucket list destinations. It's a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and choosing a luxury Galapagos honeymoon is the perfect excuse to see one of the world's must-see destinations in style. I've just returned from my own honeymoon in the Galapagos, and couldn't recommend it more. With stunning landscapes brimming with wildlife, it's the perfect couple's destination - just ask these guys below! Indulge in Luxury on your Galapagos Honeymoon Your honeymoon is the perfect time to treat yourselves to a bit of luxury. The good news is that the Galapagos offers many options for a luxury honeymoon, whether you opt to kick-back and cruise in style, or settle in to a top-notch luxury lodge. Here are a few of Aracari's handpicked favorites for a luxury Galapagos honeymoon. Top Luxury Galapagos Cruises One of the best ways to see the Galapagos islands is aboard a naturalist cruise, as I did, meaning you can cover a lot of ground (and ocean) by moving at night, seeing many of the islands and landing spots far away from civilisation. My new husband and I chose a 6 day / 5 night cruise on the Galapagos Sea Star Journey, a great first class choice - read my review here. A standout Aracari recommendation is the luxury mega-catamaran Ocean Spray, boasting impeccable service, an inviting sun deck with a jacuzzi and spacious cabins with private balconies for that romantic bottle
Planning your honeymoon: the ultimate vacation and most memorable trip of a lifetime. It’s time to dream big as you embark on your first trip as a married couple. Finally you deserve to live it up, treat yourselves, and relax after all the stress and excitement of planning a wedding. So…
A recent visit to the relatively unknown Chachapoyas region in northern Peru has opened up a whole new realm of travel for me. Offering a unique balance and interconnectedness of a largely unearthed history, enriching cultural experiences, and magical and diverse wildlife, this excursion was perhaps one of the most impressionable trips of my life. Chachapoyas archaeology and natural attractions in this region made this true Indiana Jones territory! Chachapoyas Archaeology & Nature At Aracari we've fondly dubbed the region Peru’s Best Kept Secret, as many people, both foreign and national, are either unaware of its existence or are steered away by its relative inaccessibility, making it free of the hustle and bustle associated with the more frequented locales such as Cusco and Machu Picchu. In many cases, visitors can find themselves exploring natural ancient wonders in blissful solitude. Getting to Chachapoyas The region is best suited to more seasoned travellers with roads, internet access and infrastructure more limited than areas with more tourism, like Cusco. There are no luxury hotels, but rather attractive and stylish locally-run lodges - our favourite is Gocta Natura Cabins. Read more on our top picks for the best hotels near the must-see site of Kuelap in Chachapoyas. A new flight route was launched in 2017 on LATAM connecting Lima with Jaen, for the first time offering easy air access. Previously long car journeys were required from Tarapoto or Cajamarca. The hidden secrets of the cloud forest Nestled discreetly in the dense covering of the trees, partially buried beneath your feet along the pathway, tucked away outside of a small village, and constructed high above in the face of death-defying cliffs, a trip to Chachapoyas yields an abundance of treasures. Success of our trip can without a doubt can be accredited to the careful planning,
A recent visit to the relatively unknown Chachapoyas region in northern Peru has opened up a whole new realm of travel for me. Offering a unique balance and interconnectedness of a largely unearthed history, enriching cultural experiences, and magical and diverse wildlife, this excursion was perhaps one of the most…
