One of our favorite places in Peru has got to be the dramatic natural beauty of Colca Canyon in the south of Peru, near to the city of Arequipa. As one of the deepest canyons in the world, Colca carves an impressive line through the mountainous landscape for over 50 kilometres (31 miles). The latest National Geographic Survey sited this as the source of the Amazon river. By all accounts the landscape is vast and majestic and whichever direction you look in, it will take your breath away. Exploring Colca Canyon is easy with the help of luxury tailormade travel Peru specialists, Aracari. Getting There: The Journey From Arequipa to Colca From the 'white city' of Arequipa, the journey to the canyon is about 4 hours by private transfer with Aracari, travelling across the Andean plateau. The landscape and vegetation changes as you gradually gain altitude, transforming the land from an arid scrubland with abundant cacti to the puna highlands, frigid grassland dotted with snow-capped peaks, rare relict woodlands of short trees, and condors flying overhead. One of the highest points along the journey is the Mirador de los Volcanes at 4,800m (15,748ft). From here you can see the incredible iconic volcanoes that dominate the landscape in the region, towering above everything else at more than 6,000 meters (20,600 feet). Cultural Travel in Colca Canyon There's a very interesting human element to the region, and great opportunity for community based tourism Colca to interact with the locals. Home to the Quechua speaking Cabanas and the Collagua - each wear a distinctive type of traditional hat and the women still wear their traditional voluminous Andean skirts. The area has been inhabited for over 1,000 years and there is evidence of pre-Inca terracing that covers most of the valley forming a giant sculptured landscape. There are fifteen small Spanish villages in the Colca Canyon
One of our favorite places in Peru has got to be the dramatic natural beauty of Colca Canyon in the south of Peru, near to the city of Arequipa. As one of the deepest canyons in the world, Colca carves an impressive line through the mountainous landscape for over 50 kilometres (31 miles). The latest…
Sarapampa is a Quechua word which means 'cornfield', a fitting name for this beautiful and sprawling property of Hacienda Sarapampa in the Sacred Valley. In these parts, daily life revolves around corn cultivation as it has done for the people of the Andes for centuries. A visit to Hacienda Sarapampa is a chance to witness the journey of this sacred crop from field to plate as you learn about the history and importance of corn in the Sacred Valley, followed by a delicious seven course meal with the hacienda owners. This experience is one of the culinary highlights of the Sacred Valley. See Giant Corn grow at Hacienda Sarapampa The Sacred Andean Crop Corn is one of the oldest domesticated crops and has always been part of life for the Andean people. Peru has more varieties of corn than anywhere else in the world, with a huge range of colours, shapes and culinary applications. Sheltered by the mountains and boasting a favourable climate, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is the home to many varieties of corn including the Giant Cusco Corn, adapted to grow only within the boundaries of the valley. The Inca associated corn with the sun and planting and harvest times were highly ritualised with state ceremonies. As well as an important source of food, the Inca used corn to make chicha de jora, a popular fermented alcoholic beverage which was consumed in large quantities during religious festivals and is still enjoyed across Peru today. Sold in small unlicensed shops in people’s homes, their location is discretely revealed by bamboo poles bearing flags, red plastic bags and flowers. Touring the Hacienda This is an opportunity to learn about the importance of this crop in the Sacred Valley - the history of corn in the valley, including its crucial role in the lives of early Andeans, the following colonial period, right
Sarapampa is a Quechua word which means ‘cornfield’, a fitting name for this beautiful and sprawling property of Hacienda Sarapampa in the Sacred Valley. In these parts, daily life revolves around corn cultivation as it has done for the people of the Andes for centuries. A visit to Hacienda Sarapampa is…
Fiestas Patrias in Peru On 28 and 29 July each year Peru celebrates Fiestas Patrias, the national holidays to commemorate the country's independence. It's the biggest holiday in Peru after Christmas and the whole country takes part in the lively festivities. 28 July marks the official day when Jose de San Martin declared Peru's independence from Spain in 1821. Then 29 July is a day in tribute to the country's national police and armed forces. If you're in Peru during Fiestas Patrias, here are our 5 top picks to soak up the atmosphere and join in the fun. 1. Parades through the streets of Lima As the official national celebration of independence, there's a lot of pomp and ceremony that goes along with this important day. Head into the city centre of Lima to watch the raising of the flag at the Cathedral and the 21 gun salute on 28 July, followed by the huge parade through the streets on 29 July. These are great ways to see Peru's national pride in action. There are also parades, festivals and fireworks in other towns and cities throughout Peru. 2. Understand the story of Peru Peru's story of independence spans many centuries, through different periods of transition and change for the country. To understand how Peru arrived at its independence celebrations of today, let Aracari take you on a journey through the country's past. With specialist guides taking you to the top historic sites and museums for private tours, understanding the past is a great way to appreciate modern day Peru. 3. Fly the colours You'll see that all public buildings in Peru proudly fly the Peruvian flag for Fiestas Patrias, and decorate their buildings in red and white. Even vehicles, bicycles and pets get in on the action. Peru's flag is red and white, colours chosen by
Fiestas Patrias in Peru On 28 and 29 July each year Peru celebrates Fiestas Patrias, the national holidays to commemorate the country’s independence. It’s the biggest holiday in Peru after Christmas and the whole country takes part in the lively festivities. 28 July marks the official day when Jose de San Martin…
Puente Qeswachaka I’ve visted Cuzco and the Sacred Valley so many times – for work and pleasure, and I love that even now after all these years, there are new things to discover in the region. Before a recent work trip, a colleague mentioned that my trip would coincide with the annual rebuilding of the Qeswachaka Bridge in June. I was intrigued and had to go see it. An ancient tradition lives on So much has changed in the Sacred Valley over the centuries, and there is very little that has remained from the time of the Inca. It’s nice to see local communities committed to preserving their history and traditions. Qeswa (with many spelling variations) from the Quechua language is a rope made of twisted, dried maguey or qoya grasses, and chaka means bridge, so it essentially translates to rope bridge. The handwoven rope bridge is located across the Apurimac River near Huinchiri, about 3 hours from Cuzco, and is the last remaining Inca rope bridge. There is a modern vehicular bridge that crosses the river, so its annual reconstruction is more about maintaining ancient customs than for functional need. The site is not easy to access - you have to hike there, and to see the progress over the few days that it takes to build the bridge means camping nearby as there are no hotels in the area. It takes a village to raise a bridge I arrived on the last of the four days that it takes to construct the bridge. The whole process is dictated by rituals and sacred customs. There are specific roles for the 180+ people involved from several family groups to rebuild the bridge each June. For instance, the women’s job is to weave and twist the dried grass
Puente Qeswachaka I’ve visted Cuzco and the Sacred Valley so many times – for work and pleasure, and I love that even now after all these years, there are new things to discover in the region. Before a recent work trip, a colleague mentioned that my trip would coincide…
Everyone's in search of somewhere new and off the beaten track, before the crowds arrive. At Aracari we're constantly seeking out and testing new destinations and hotels across Peru, Bolivia and the Galapagos Islands. I've just come back from a trip to La Paz, which has really upped its game recently with lots of new, exciting things to offer well-travelled and adventurous guests. With the city's first five-star luxury boutique hotel about to open and a new buzz around its gastronomic scene, there's ever more reason to stay longer in La Paz and consider Bolivia for your next holiday. Where to stay in La Paz ATIX. Everyone's talking about the city's first five-star design hotel, due to open at the end of August, and I was lucky to get a sneak peek. With design inspired by Bolivia's rich biodiversity, each floor represents a different ecosystem: Amazon, Salt Flats, Lake Titicaca, Mountains, Lípez Desert and the Valley of the Spirits. The interiors showcase a specially commissioned collection of art by Bolivian artist Gaston Ugalde and the property also boasts a rooftop infinity pool, restaurant and bar. This is definitely my top pick of where to stay in La Paz. La Casona. This is where I stayed in La Paz. With a great city centre location I could walk to Jaen Street, the Museum of Ethnography, and explore the nearby historic attractions. Set in a restored 17th century colonial building, it's a good afforable option, and I'd recommend the rooms at the back which are quieter. Casa Grande. I stopped in to inspect this modern high-rise hotel which gives guests sweeping views of the mountains and the city of La Paz. Located in the city's lively Zona Sur, 30 minutes from the city centre (and opposite ATIX), the hotel has an indoor heated pool, restaurant and coffee shop. The property's
Everyone’s in search of somewhere new and off the beaten track, before the crowds arrive. At Aracari we’re constantly seeking out and testing new destinations and hotels across Peru, Bolivia and the Galapagos Islands. I’ve just come back from a trip to La Paz, which has really upped its game recently…
At Aracari we’re always interested in getting under the skin of Peru – understanding the places and people that make it the multifaceted cultural destination that we’re proud to showcase to the world. Recently, Caroline and I had the pleasure of meeting Pablo Patrucco, a homegrown Limeño artist at his apartment in Miraflores. This was not the first encounter between Aracari and Pablo - in 2012 Aracari sponsored El Placer es más importante que la Victoria, an exhibition of Peruvian artists at the Tasneem Gallery in Barcelona, which Pablo participated in. An artist who speaks with his brushes Pablo is quiet and soft spoken, but when you get him talking about his art, you can see the passion for his craft in his eyes. Born in Lima in 1975, Pablo studied History of Art at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and Plastic Arts at the Escuela Superior de Arte Corriente Alterna here in Lima. Hyperrealism - a unique perspective Much of his work employs the hyperrealism technique – it’s extremely lifelike and technically very impressive, resembling high resolution photos but with an added narrative and emotive depiction. Beneath that impressive first visual layer, Pablo’s work is a commentary on life and society in Lima, depicting themes such as public transport, garbage, overcrowding, consumer products, pre-Columbian artefacts and more. An individual painting may look like a simple rendition of the subject matter, but as a series, there are clear messages on societal tends of accumulation, commercialization, trivialization and the abandonment of society. In the photo library above, there is a painting of a scene that could be from any of the hundreds of shoe shops around Lima. In isolation, it's not particularly remarkable. But when you look at it in the context of other pieces in the series, for instance the one depicting pre-Columbian artefacts, the commonalities solicit
At Aracari we’re always interested in getting under the skin of Peru – understanding the places and people that make it the multifaceted cultural destination that we’re proud to showcase to the world. Recently, Caroline and I had the pleasure of meeting Pablo Patrucco, a homegrown Limeño artist at his apartment…
