Behind the Scenes at Leymebamba Museum Located just a few minutes from the main square of the town of Leymebamba and directly across the street from Kentitambo, the best accommodation in the area, the Leymebamba Museum is home to an exquisite collection of artifacts from the Chachapoyas civilization, a mysterious pre-Inca society which we know little about. Visit Leymebamba Museum: Aracari offers exclusive access visits to Leymembama Museum as part of a private 5-day Peru's Best Kept Secret Chachapoyas tour, including Kuelap fortified city and the sarcophagi of Karajía, with an expert guide and private driver. Meet the mummies of the Leymebamba Museum In 1997, mainstream media was alerted to the discovery of burial tombs and mummies on a remote cliff above a lake - Laguna de los Cóndores - an arduous 10-hour journey by mule from Leymebamba. Built by the pre-Inca Chachapoya civilization, this was a sacred place to honor the dead. Slashed open by looters looking for sellable treasure, the NGO Centro Mallqui embarked on an emergency salvage mission, removing the contents of the tombs and taking them to a lab in Leymebamba for urgent conservation work. The findings were so special that they merited the creation of their own museum. The museum was purpose built to house and protect the mummies and other artifacts from the Laguna de los Cóndores site. It is well-designed aesthetically with an easy to navigate layout. Exhibits have insightful descriptions in several languages. Set in beautiful gardens with resident llamas, the Kenti Café next door offers a great spot to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and freshly baked cake. Guided Tour of Leymembamba Museum with the Director Enjoy a full and insightful tour with one of the directors of the museum. The four main rooms of the museum are home to the diverse finds
Behind the Scenes at Leymebamba Museum Located just a few minutes from the main square of the town of Leymebamba and directly across the street from Kentitambo, the best accommodation in the area, the Leymebamba Museum is home to an exquisite collection of artifacts from the Chachapoyas civilization, a mysterious…
Gocta waterfall - one of the world's tallest Although known to locals for centuries, it wasn’t until an expedition to Chachapoyas by a German explorer in 2005 prompted the measurement and documentation of the falls that Gocta was declared the third highest waterfall in the world. Its official height and rank has since been contentious, and depending on your source it varies from the world’s 3rd highest to 16th highest in the World Waterfall Database. Regardless of its status, it’s an incredibly impressive sight to take in from the different vantage points offered on this picturesque hike through the cloud forest - a highlight of any private Chachapoyas tour. Enjoy the Gocta Waterfall Hike and surrounding area on Aracari's 5-day Peru's Best Kept Secret itinerary, taking in all the area's highlights with a private vehicle, guide and driver. As part of Aracari's recent inspection trip to Chachapoyas, I set off to hike to Gocta waterfall directly from Gocta Natura Cabins, conveniently located near to their namesake, and offering incredible views of the falls from the decks of many of their cabins. Along with Aracari's owner and CEO Marisol, and a few other colleagues, we looked forward to getting up close to the stunning falls we had admired from afar. Met by our private Aracari guide Julio, we walked through farmland where sugarcane and other crops are grown, before the vegetation changed to lush cloud forest with jungle-like flora. Gocta Waterfall hike through Cloud Forest The path to the waterfall is well maintained and provides a stable and scenic journey. If you're in good physical condition and enjoy walking and hiking, it's an easy hike, and at a good pace it took me two hours, one-way. Some sections have steep inclines, and horses can be hired for part of the journey to the
Gocta waterfall – one of the world’s tallest Although known to locals for centuries, it wasn’t until an expedition to Chachapoyas by a German explorer in 2005 prompted the measurement and documentation of the falls that Gocta was declared the third highest waterfall in the world. Its official height and…
Standing at the top of ancient walls overlooking the cloud forest below, you really get a sense of the mysticism of Chachapoyas, and why the ancient pre-Inca people who built this incredible feat of engineering were known as the 'people of the clouds'. Kuelap Peru is simply a spectacular archaeological site in an equally inspiring setting and a highlight of any visit to Chachapoyas. Kuelap Peru The Machu Picchu of the North Known as the 'Machu Picchu of the north', parallels can be drawn between Kuelap's jaw-dropping setting with that of Machu Picchu. It is generally regarded as the second most impressive ruin complex in Peru, after Machu Picchu. But the parallels are otherwise relatively limited, historically-speaking, with Kuelap built well before the Incas ever made their mark. Kuelap is more than capable of impressing on its own merits: The largest ancient stone structure in the South America, it took about 40 million cubic feet of stone to build - three times more than the Great Pyramid of Egypt! Imposing walls and views Built by the people of Chachapoyas in the 6th century AD, the most noteworthy feature is the sheer size of its granite walls, rising in places up to 18 metres (60 feet) in height. With narrow entrances, ceremonial buildings, high walls and rock reliefs, these are more breath-taking given their setting, perched on a high mountain ridge at 3,000m above sea level. Overlooking the Utcubamba Valley, it's a formidable and imposing sight to behold.The impressive fortress enclosure is also covered in lush vegetation and boasts a variety of native orchids. For a great bird's eye perspective of the site, check out BBC Travel Show's drone video of Kuelap.Kuelap Peru - the mystery of the Cloud People There's a lot we don't know about Kuelap and quite a lot to speculate about. Built
Standing at the top of ancient walls overlooking the cloud forest below, you really get a sense of the mysticism of Chachapoyas, and why the ancient pre-Inca people who built this incredible feat of engineering were known as the ‘people of the clouds’. Kuelap Peru is simply a spectacular archaeological site in…
Last year we blogged about the best destinations in Peru for Valentine's Day. From relaxing on the beach in Mancora or Paracas, the stunning scenery of the Sacred Valley or the mysticism of Lake Titicaca, these remain some of the most idyllic and romantic locations in Peru to enjoy with your Valentine. Beyond picking a destination or hotel, Aracari's expert travel planning team can help with special touches that can make your Valentine's Day extra special. And of course you don't have to wait till 14 February. Whether you're getting swept up in the sentiments of Valentine's Day, are planning your honeymoon, a trip to celebrate a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary or perhaps you're about to pop the big question, bringing a bit of romance to your trip to Peru will make it unique and memorable for you and your partner to enjoy together. 5 unique special touches that Aracari can arrange for your romantic occasion Chilled champagne. Everyone loves a bit of bubbly for a special moment. Imagine surprising your loved one with a chilled bottle of your favourite vintage as you sit down to dinner, or in the most unusual and unexpected location – like on the desert dunes in Paracas at sunset. The definition of a luxury sundowner. Pop up gourmet picnic for two. We’ll arrange for a gourmet meal to be prepared by a private chef and set up for you at a secluded spot. Our team know some incredible secret locations such as a scenic location overlooking Sacsayhuaman ruins on the edge of Cusco. Professional Photography. Capture those memories forever. If you’d like a professional to help create lasting memories, we can arrange for a photographer to capture the moment, like arriving at Machu Picchu, or a fun newly-wed photoshoot in the Sacred Valley. This can also be
Last year we blogged about the best destinations in Peru for Valentine’s Day. From relaxing on the beach in Mancora or Paracas, the stunning scenery of the Sacred Valley or the mysticism of Lake Titicaca, these remain some of the most idyllic and romantic locations in Peru to enjoy with…
While a visit to the iconic Inca citadel Machu Picchu is a must-see highlight of most visitors' trip to Peru, how you experience it, and how you get there is completely up to you, with lots of options to choose from. Remember that sometimes the journey is half the adventure! Here we share information on the best Machu Picchu hiking tours, including the Classic Inca trail and hikes within the citadel itself. Machu Picchu Hiking Tours If you enjoy hiking and trekking and taking in the stunning mountain scenery, there are many options to consider, whether you'd like a small taste of adventure or a full blown multi-day trekking odyssey taking you to the 'lost city of the Incas'. The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu The most famous trek in South America, and deserving the hype with three major ruins that can only be reached on foot along the way. On the classic Inca Trail you traverse arid puna grassland to cloud forest with orchids and hummingbirds to high-altitude mountain passes with spectacular views down the valleys. The finale and highlight is waking up before dawn on day 4, walking through the Sun Gate and looking down at Machu Picchu in the early morning light. The big appeal of the Inca Trail is that it's the ONLY trek where you arrive directly to Machu Picchu, on foot from the trail. Read Danielle's blog - 6 Unexpected Highlights of the Inca Trail. The 4 day / 3 night trek can only be done with an authorised trekking provider, and the trail is tightly regulated with limited permits, so contact us to secure your spot early. One Day Inca Trail If you don't want to camp, or you're short of time and can't commit to a multi-day camping trek, you can still get a taste of the Inca Trail,
While a visit to the iconic Inca citadel Machu Picchu is a must-see highlight of most visitors’ trip to Peru, how you experience it, and how you get there is completely up to you, with lots of options to choose from. Remember that sometimes the journey is half the adventure! Here we…
Review of Chalalan Madidi Ecolodge Few places on Earth still harbour pristine wilderness, dense tropical vegetation and a cornucopia of biodiversity. In July I was lucky to have the opportunity to travel to just one such place, the northern Bolivian rainforest, where I joined Marisol on the Madidi National Park leg of her journey through Chile, Bolivia and Peru to stay at Chalalan Madidi Ecolodge in the Madidi National Park. This is an ideal exploration only for intrepid, patient, well-seasoned travelers who are looking for an adventure and accept basic infrastructure when the reward is getting off-the-beaten-path in a remote jungle location. Getting to Chalalan Madidi Ecolodge from La Paz Departing from the concrete jungle of Lima, I firstly flew to Juliaca near Lake Titicaca, before crossing the Peru / Bolivia frontier and travelling on to La Paz, an overland journey taking around 8 hours in total. Here I stayed El Consulado hotel, a charming hotel with a traditional feel not far from the city centre. The next morning, after meeting with Marisol and Nico, we set off for La Paz airport, to board a micro plane to take us to the town of Rurrenebaque. The flight was spectacular; we were hoisted over the Andes and into the jungle, with a birds-eye view of this dramatic transformation of landscape. Spectacular plane views The twin engine plane was tiny, just two columns of seats, each one seat wide. It was also a bumpy ride! The dramatic change in altitude from over 4,000 metres in La Paz to a mere 250m in Rurrenabaque was partly responsible … we chuckled from the back seat watching couples holding hands across the aisle, just in case … A night in Rurrenebaque at Hotel Safari On arrival at the one-terminal airport at Rurre – which was
Review of Chalalan Madidi Ecolodge Few places on Earth still harbour pristine wilderness, dense tropical vegetation and a cornucopia of biodiversity. In July I was lucky to have the opportunity to travel to just one such place, the northern Bolivian rainforest, where I joined Marisol on the Madidi National Park…
