Cusco is a hybrid city, with Incan and Spanish colonial history constantly coming into contact and mixing in truly unique ways. One way in which the Incan legacy of Cusco pushes through the cracks of the Spanish colonial sheen is with the Inca walls that are scattered throughout the city, structures so strong and masterfully crafted that they have endured for centures. Cusco City: Inca Walls If you walk southeast away from the Plaza de Armas along the narrow alley of Loreto, there are Inca walls on both sides. Each side has its own significance to the ancient culture. The wall on the right-hand side belongs to Amarucancha, or the 'Courtyard of the Serpents.' Its haunting name derives from the pair of snakes carved at the lintel of the doorway near the end of the enclosure. Amarucancha marks the site of the palace of the 11th Inca, Huayna Capac, and the church of La Compañía was built here after the Conquest. There is now a school behind the church, and behind the school is a popular tourist market. On the other side of Loreto is the oldest-surviving Inca wall in Cusco. The wall belonged to the Acllahuasi, or the 'House of the Chosen Women.' After the Conquest, the building became part of the closed convent of Santa Catalina and switched from housing the Virgins of the Sun to housing pious Catholic nuns. Heading northeast away from the Plaza de Armas along Calle Triunfo, you soon come to the street of Hatunrumiyoc, named after the well-known 12-sided stone. The stone is on the right, about halfway along the second city block, recognizable by the small knot of Indians selling souvenirs next to it. The stone belongs to a wall of the palace of the sixth Inca, Inca Roca. It is a brilliant display of a technique known as polygonal masonry. There is
Cusco is a hybrid city, with Incan and Spanish colonial history constantly coming into contact and mixing in truly unique ways. One way in which the Incan legacy of Cusco pushes through the cracks of the Spanish colonial sheen is with the Inca walls that are scattered throughout the city, structures…
Top surf destination in Peru Anyone who spends time in Lima (especially during the summer months, December - April), who is reasonably fit, and has never tried surfing, should consider trying a class surfing in Lima during their stay. The beaches where the classes take place are perfectly endowed for novices and generally have gentle waves for learning, plus they are located right in Lima. I hadn’t paid enough attention to the fact that Lima offers unique conditions for this activity until I went with my son to watch and take pictures of him during private half day surfing class. The surfing truck with Charlie, one of the instructors, collected us punctually and after a quick drive from Miraflores we arrived at “Barranquito” beach right next to Cala Restaurant. There, we parked and noticed that there were many other independent surfers and a handful of surfing schools set up by the pier. Each one has an awning with their name where they keep supplies and provide chairs and shade for the non-surfers. It is a lively and fun place with families and friends gathering to both try and watch this sport. A lot of sunblock is key, as the sun here is fierce. After putting on his wetsuit and about 15 minutes of technique and stretching exercises with Charlie, Nico went into the water with Aaron, his private instructor, where he had a go at surfing for the first time in his life. The instructors were very personable and it was clear safety was a priority. I felt confident that Nico was in good hands, so I was able to enjoy watching him surf rather than worry on the sidelines. They spent an hour and a half amongst the waves, and Nico had a brilliant time. There were many surfers
Top surf destination in Peru Anyone who spends time in Lima (especially during the summer months, December – April), who is reasonably fit, and has never tried surfing, should consider trying a class surfing in Lima during their stay. The beaches where the classes take place are perfectly endowed for…
In a country with a depth and complexity of history as Peru, ancient and deep-rooted religious beliefs vie with the official national religion of Catholicism. Add to this the dramatic physical and political impacts of the great earthquake of 1650 and the invasion of the Spanish Conquistadors – and you have the makings of a fantastic spiritual outpouring. Such spirituality manifests every year on the last Monday of March, when the people of Cusco depart from their daily lives for the procession of Señor de los Temblores (Lord of the Earthquakes). The ceremony is as dramatic as its name suggests. Taking place on the moveable feast of Easter Monday, the procession carries aloft a statue of Christ, the Taytacha. According to one of a number of legends this was inspired by the statue at the cathedral in Burgos and was a gift from Charles V to Cusco, which he considered the most important city in his new dominions in South America. Today, blackened by the smoke of thousands of candles over the centuries, the statue is an impressive if somewhat eerie sight. In 1977, restoration expert Pedro Querejazu discovered that it was made from wood and cloth stiffened with glue and covered in llama skin. Moreover, Taytacha's flowing locks and beard are made from human hair, and his head is topped with a solid gold crown of thorns fashioned in the mid-17th Century by locals in the Hispanic tradition. On the day of the procession, two groups of Quechua singers known as chaynas or jilgueros inaugurate the ceremony with song as the statue prepares to move from the cathedral. Other senses are awakened with the rich colour of the crimson ñukchu flower which decorates the cross, symbolising the blood of Christ. Finally, flanked by the singers and crowds of people, the
In a country with a depth and complexity of history as Peru, ancient and deep-rooted religious beliefs vie with the official national religion of Catholicism. Add to this the dramatic physical and political impacts of the great earthquake of 1650 and the invasion of the Spanish Conquistadors – and you…
La Paz is a metropolis of many nooks and crannies. I had visited La Paz once before in 2011 when I was living in Sucre, but when I was passing through again in 2015, I wanted to get a new perspective on the city. In order to become reacquainted with the cultural and historic highlights, I decided to take a a private alternative La Paz walking tour with Aracari travel, local experts in luxury travel Bolivia, to get to know the city. The tour consisted of taking the cable car (Mi Teleferico) on the yellow line from the center of La Paz to the last stop which is in the 'Satellite City' of El Alto, up above the valley. Afterwards, the guide lead me back down with panoramic views of the valley below through residential neighborhoods built into the hills and then markets before reaching the center. Expert guiding on my La Paz Walking Tour My tour guide, Alejandra, was very punctual and was waiting for me at my hotel at 2 pm. We took a public taxi to the cable car stop and along the way she pointed out various things such as the Alasitas Fair, a market of miniatures open for about a month each year. Bolivians buy miniatures of things that they hope to have in the New Year, such as food, a new house, a cell phone, a car, or a baby. Alejandra provided me with a bottle of water, but as open food and beverages are not allowed on the cable car, it had to be stowed away in a bag for the ride. The cable car ride lasted about 15 minutes and had amazing views of the entire city spreading out into the mountains. Alejandra explained and pointed out different neighborhoods along the way and answered any questions
La Paz is a metropolis of many nooks and crannies. I had visited La Paz once before in 2011 when I was living in Sucre, but when I was passing through again in 2015, I wanted to get a new perspective on the city. In order to become reacquainted with…
At Aracari, we dedicate ourselves not only to providing the best experience for our travelers, but also by supporting local initiatives that make a positive impact in the regions we serve. One of our favorite initiatives is from the Sol y Luna Lodge and Spa, which aside from being a gorgeous luxury property in the lush Sacred Valley not only supports the Asociación Sol y Luna educational initiative, but it was the very reason that founder Petit Miribel founded it with her husband - precisely to generate sustainable funding for the educational projects of the Association. Petit Miribel is a French ex-pat who moved to Peru 20 years ago to work in mining, though since early childhood had always felt a profound desire to advance social justice. About one year after moving to Peru, she was inspired to work in education in the Sacred Valley, where she has lived ever since and committs her work and efforts to the improvement of educational opportunities in the area. Petit was disappointed in the state of schools when she first moved to Peru, well before tourism in the region had developed as much as it has today. There were 200 students without no bathrooms, the roofs were falling down, and getting the most basic needs met was a struggle. With the public schools' inaction, she decided to take matters into her own hands and start a school of her own to deliver quality education in an inclusive environment. This last point is particularly important for Petit's vision for equal opportunities: her own children attend the school and are educated alongside children from the wider community; only those who can afford to pay full fees. The Sacred Valley was hardly a tourist destination two decades ago, so it complicated to lay the groundwork for Petit's vision.
At Aracari, we dedicate ourselves not only to providing the best experience for our travelers, but also by supporting local initiatives that make a positive impact in the regions we serve. One of our favorite initiatives is from the Sol y Luna Lodge and Spa, which aside from being a…
Tailormade trip Peru The Sacred Valley is replete with towns and villages influenced by both the ancient legacies and modern day life. Pisac, which sits about 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Cusco, is a popular place to visit as part of any private, tailormade trip Peru as it boasts a hybrid modern-colonial village lying on the riverbank with a souvenir and local market, and an Inca fortress on a mountain spur about 600 meters (1,970 feet) above. A tailormade Pisac tour is an enjoyable day trip through stunning landscapes, which can be easily combined with other nearby attractions: Chinchero, Maras salt Pans, Maray and Ollantaytambo ruins. Pisac Market For most of the week, the colonial town of Pisac is a quiet Andean village where locals relax in the plaza or enjoy fresh bread baked in an old-fashioned clay oven. Here there is a popular market for tourists where you can pick up an array of souvenirs. But the village comes alive on Sunday when the famous weekly market takes place. Pisac’s Sunday market attracts locals and international tourists alike.The main square gets crowded, especially after the mass, which is celebrated in Quechua. The congregation leaves the church in a colorful procession, led by the Mayor holding his silver staff of office. Pisac Ruins The Pisac Archaeological Site above the village is the largest fortress city of the Incas and one of the largest of ancient America. During a Pisac tour, walking the site in full with expert guiding in Peru takes one and a half hours approximately. For those seeking less adventure, it is also possible to visit the main entrance to the site and walk less, which still affords impressive views down into the green valley. Pisac's setting is postcard-worthy. Visitors can reach the site either by a 10-kilometer (6-mile) paved road up the Chongo Valley, or by a short
Tailormade trip Peru The Sacred Valley is replete with towns and villages influenced by both the ancient legacies and modern day life. Pisac, which sits about 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Cusco, is a popular place to visit as part of any private, tailormade trip Peru as it boasts a hybrid modern-colonial village…
