I recently stayed at Gocta Natura Cabins, a beautiful property in the cloud forest near the village of Cocachimba. With views of the towering 771m high Gocta waterfall in the distance, staying at Gocta Natura is really a breathtaking experience, immersed in nature, and our top accommodation recommendation for the Chachapoyas region. Where to stay in Gocta: Gocta Natura Cabins Gocta Natura - A property with social purpose The owner Rocio Florez has set up various projects all aimed at sustainability in the Amazonas region. Her focus is working with the local community to restore the flora and fauna of the area in a sustainable way and to teach the value of preserving the environment. She has a great video about their projects on the Gocta Natura Reserve Facebook page. Rocio is warm and welcoming host and encourages guests to visit community projects that she's involved with. On a visit to Chachapoyas eight years ago Rocio fell in love with the area and returned two months later with her husband to purchase land in Cocachimba. Soon they were visiting every few months to work on budding projects and then built a house four years ago. Commuting between Chiclayo, Lima, and Cocachimba, they continued their environmental work with the community and slowly expanded the property by building the cabins and opened to guests in December 2014. There are five individual cabins located on the property, discretely spread around the property. Staying at Gocta Natura Cabins The cabins are charming, tastefully decorated, spacious, and include a deck with chairs to sit outside. Four of the five cabins can host up to three adults comfortably, and the fifth cabin is for two adults - for a maximum total of 14 guests in the property. The bathrooms are large, shower only, with a transparent divider between the shower and the rest
I recently stayed at Gocta Natura Cabins, a beautiful property in the cloud forest near the village of Cocachimba. With views of the towering 771m high Gocta waterfall in the distance, staying at Gocta Natura is really a breathtaking experience, immersed in nature, and our top accommodation recommendation for the Chachapoyas region. Where to…
We've got some great news to share... Aracari's founder and CEO, Marisol Mosquera, has been named by Condé Nast Traveler as a 2016 Top Travel Specialist Peru. According to Condé Nast Traveler, a Top Travel Specialist: "will intuit your desires before you even know what they are - then they'll make them happen". In the December issue of Condé Nast Traveler (make sure you grab a copy!), the luxury travel brand is celebrating their pick of the top travel specialists, including Marisol. Condé Nast Traveler: the trusted voice of luxury travel Condé Nast Traveler is the leading and most trusted voice on all things travel. Providing travel inspiration and vital intel, the global brand has built its reputation based on its extensive network of experts and influencers from all over the world. Each year they compile a list of the créme de la créme of travel experts from around the world, who they call 'experience makers', that can help make your trip spectacular and unforgettable. Top Travel Specialist Peru: Marisol Mosquera Marisol Mosquera is listed by Condé Nast Traveler as a top travel specialist Peru and Bolivia, drawing on her extensive knowledge of her home country Peru, and wide network of friends and experts who include chefs, archaeologists, artists and more as exclusive Aracari specialists. Marisol was at the forefront of experiential travel in Peru. She left behind an international career in the financial word to fulfil a personal dream of providing first class travel experiences for guests to her home of Peru. Since 1996, she has been designing unique tailormade itineraries to Peru, Bolivia and the Galapagos islands, offering discerning travelers privileged access to the regions she's been exploring for over two decades. If you're interested in a tailormade luxury trip to Peru, Bolivia or the Galapagos, you can trust Marisol and her team
We’ve got some great news to share… Aracari’s founder and CEO, Marisol Mosquera, has been named by Condé Nast Traveler as a 2016 Top Travel Specialist Peru. According to Condé Nast Traveler, a Top Travel Specialist: “will intuit your desires before you even know what they are – then they’ll make them…
Inca Trail in Peru - It's Not a Race to the Finish There are hundreds of Inca 'trails' scattered across Peru, relics of the impressive network of roads connecting the Inca Empire. Then there's the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - El Camino Inka in Spanish, the iconic four day trek to Machu Picchu. Of course the crowning glory of taking on the gruelling challenge of the Inca Trail in Peru is arriving at the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. There's a great sense of accomplishment, finally arriving at the iconic complex just as the Incas did - on foot along the stone paths and steps they carved into the mountainside to access the site. But this is a journey that's not just about getting to the finish line. It's four days of discovery and exploration, with many surprises along the way. I recently completed the classic four-day trek, and here are my unexpected highlights of the Inca Trail in Peru. 1. The food: Gastronomy Trail to Machu Picchu You’re hiking for four days, away from civilisation, refrigeration, and electricity. And yet, your Inca Trail chef with the support of a team of porters, whips up the most incredible gourmet Peruvian food three times a day. So in addition to a journey on foot, it really is like an incredible Culinary Tour Peru. Using locally sourced ingredients, freshly pressed organic Peruvian coffee, and experienced chefs, the diversity and quality of what is served up on the Inca Trail is truly impressive. Menus will vary, but the highlights from my recent trip included freshly baked quinoa bread, yuca (cassava) fritters, warming Andean vegetable soup, llomo saltado - a kind of Peruvian-Asian fusion beef stir-fry, and an incredible iced celebration cake on our last night! 2. The flowers: Delicate Orchids on the Mountainside Along the Inca Trail,
Inca Trail in Peru – It’s Not a Race to the Finish There are hundreds of Inca ‘trails’ scattered across Peru, relics of the impressive network of roads connecting the Inca Empire. Then there’s the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – El Camino Inka in Spanish, the iconic four day trek to…
The best guiding in Lima is with a local friend Despite all of the guidebooks and web resources out there, there is nothing that comes quite as close as having a friend in the city you're visiting, to see and experience a new place with someone who can show you 'their' city from a local's perspective. Whilst a tour guide might have all the textbook facts, Aracari also has a handpicked selection of 'friends in the city' who can give you this home-away-from-home insider experience. From their insight on Lima, to sharing their favorite hidden local hangouts, restaurants and boutiques, our 'friends in the city' can provide you with a genuine introduction to the places you visit for an alternative city tour. Our friends are also able to accompany you around town if you're looking to do something particular that doesn't need a formal tour guide (we've had guests on a mission to source textiles, lute instruments or just relax with their kids without a pre-planned schedule!), for the ultimate flexible approach to visiting Lima. So that's the concept behind Aracari's 'friend in the city' service, carefully matching guests with interesting people in Lima who are passionate about sharing their city with visitors, providing the best guiding in Lima, with an alternative twist. I met up with Carlos de la Torre, one of Aracari's 'friends' to chat about life in Lima, the way the city has changed, his favorite spots around town, and what it's like to accompany Aracari guests on a day out exploring Lima. Carlos de la Torre - your local friend in Lima I met Carlos at Arabica Espresso Bar - a popular local coffee shop in Miraflores. He's surprised to hear I've never been before, as he rates it as one of the best places in the city to grab a brew. I made a
The best guiding in Lima is with a local friend Despite all of the guidebooks and web resources out there, there is nothing that comes quite as close as having a friend in the city you’re visiting, to see and experience a new place with someone who can show you ‘their’ city…
Why choose a Peru Honeymoon? A vacation to Peru is described by many as a once in a lifetime trip, full of incredible experiences that create lasting memories – surely that’s the perfect recipe for a honeymoon trip? Whether you need relaxing post-wedding down time or are geared up for a big adventure together, Peru is a fantastic choice as a unique honeymoon destination. Aracari Travel specialises in tailormade luxury trips to Peru, so we can put together the perfect Peru honeymoon that ticks all your boxes, whatever they may be. Idyllic beach retreat? Hiking boots and adventure? Just lots of champagne and spa treats? The first step is to decide what style of honeymoon you both want. Here’s some inspiration for a special romantic honeymoon in Peru with Aracari. Stylish Explorers: A Shared Adventure Inca Trail & Luxury Trekking in the Andes of Peru If you’d like to take on an adventure that offers a shared sense of accomplishment and the ultimate honeymoon bragging rights, this is perfect! Trekking in Peru is one of the best ways to discover the country's magnificent natural beauty – taking in stunning glacier-clad mountain passes, traditional Andean villages, rare wildlife and of course the ancient archaeological sites. There are many options to choose from, including the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the iconic lost city of the Incas, high on many people’s bucket list. Trekking doesn’t mean roughing it! For the perfect honeymoon hiking experience, have a look at our luxury trekking options. Our Lodge to Lodge treks, Ausangate or Salkantay, mean you have a comfortable bed awaiting you each night. And for our camping options, we offer luxury private treks with dedicated personal chefs, top-of-the-line camping equipment and more. Horseback Riding in Colca Canyon & Eco-Spa Another fantastic destination for a memorable honeymoon trip is Colca Canyon, one of Peru's most dramatic and spectacular natural landscapes, said to be the
Why choose a Peru Honeymoon? A vacation to Peru is described by many as a once in a lifetime trip, full of incredible experiences that create lasting memories – surely that’s the perfect recipe for a honeymoon trip? Whether you need relaxing post-wedding down time or are geared up for a…
Peru’s capital city Lima is brimming with historic sites, top restaurants, and many of the country’s best museums, boutiques and galleries. Once considered the most beautiful city in all of Spanish America, today Lima is burgeoning, big and full of character. The largest city in the country, a weekend in Lima -or even lingering a few days longer in the city - is well worth considering and won't disappoint. A long weekend in Lima - full of surprises The city is full of activities and experiences to delight all visitors, from outdoor kid-friendly pursuits, perfect for a Peru family tour like surfing, fascinating museums and ancient ruins steeped in history, to haute couture fashion and of course the famous Peru gastronomy. It's no surprise that Lima is catching the attention of discerning travellers, and international media. Journalist James Henderson recently spent some time in Lima, travelling with Aracari and getting to know the delights of the city. He reports back in his feature for How to Spend It, 'A long weekend in... Lima' Whatever your tastes and interests, Lima-based peru travel agency Aracari would be delighted to show-off the delights of our incredible capital city. Here are some of the highlights of things to see in Lima: Architecture - "Lima is a confusion - earthquakes have seen to that" Originally named the City of the Kings, it was the capital of the Spanish colonial empire in South America during the XVI and XVII centuries. The city’s past supremacy is revealed in its well-preserved civil and religious buildings, such as the Monastery of San Francisco, the Palace of Torre Tagle and the Cathedral. However, the origins of Lima predate the Spanish foundation of the city by many centuries. Travellers can get a sense of this long past visiting the ancient centers of pilgrimage like
Peru’s capital city Lima is brimming with historic sites, top restaurants, and many of the country’s best museums, boutiques and galleries. Once considered the most beautiful city in all of Spanish America, today Lima is burgeoning, big and full of character. The largest city in the country, a weekend in…
