Ollantaytambo (2,800 meters, or 9,200 feet above sea level) is the name given both to the Inca ruin complex sculpted into the cliff side at the northern end of the Sacred Valley and to the town founded by the Incas. A private Ollantaytabmo tour can be arranged as part of a longer visit to the Sacred Valley, combined with other Incan sites of interest including Pisac, Chinchero and Moray. Ollantaytambo: A highlight of the Sacred Valley The town of Ollantaytambo is the best surviving example of Inca city planning. The original layout and structure, including canals, are still used by the town's inhabitants. The Incas divided the village into blocks called canchas, each with just one entrance leading into a courtyard. Residents entered their individual houses from the courtyard, rather than from the street. A collection of British charities financed the small Ethnographic Museum in town, opened in December 1997, that highlights the ancient customs and traditions of the peoples of this part of the Andes. There are displays of tools and garments of present-day indigenous populations in the highlands. The Incan Ruins of Ollantaytambo But the true highlight of an Ollantaytambo tour is visiting its ruins. The expansive, steep terraces guarding the Inca fortress are a sight to behold. The Incas likely saw Ollantaytambo as a temple rather than a military stronghold, but the Spanish conquistadors called it a fortress and it has been referred to as such ever since. Some of its walls were under construction at the time of the conquest and have never been completed. The stone used for these buildings was quarried from the mountainside 6 kilometers (4 miles) away high above the opposite bank of the Urubamba River. Transporting the huge stone blocks from the quarry to the site was a stupendous feat, employing thousands of native workers. Incan Battle Victory The complex is also a site of
Ollantaytambo (2,800 meters, or 9,200 feet above sea level) is the name given both to the Inca ruin complex sculpted into the cliff side at the northern end of the Sacred Valley and to the town founded by the Incas. A private Ollantaytabmo tour can be arranged as part of…
1996. The year DVDs were launched in Japan and Dolly the sheep was the first mammal to be cloned. It was also the year that Marisol Mosquera founded Aracari Travel, with a vision of creating unique, first-class travel experiences for visitors to her beautiful home country, Peru. Leaving behind her London-based career in banking, Marisol set about exploring Peru and fostering friendships and connections as she travelled. Over the last twenty years, this has resulted in an unparalleled network of contacts that enable guests today to enjoy exclusive access and privileged insight into the places they visit. Having expanded to offer first-rate services in Bolivia and the Galapagos, Aracari remains at the very forefront of experiential travel, awarded with prestigious industry accolades that recognize this expertise. Since Aracari was founded, the focus has always been to provide high-quality, low impact tourism that promotes cultural and natural attractions, while disseminating ethical business practices and supporting local initiatives. Reflecting on that vision from 20 years ago, Marisol shares her thoughts: Looking back at what Aracari has achieved over 20 years, I'm proud that my original vision lives on. The experience of our guests has always been our main priority: delighting them, surprising them, and helping them discover the simultaneous rawness and sophistication of this amazing part of the world. I am excited to start this new phase in Aracari's journey. And to all of our partners, guides, specialists, team members and, most of all, our guests, a big gracias and hasta pronto. Here's to another 20 years! Un abrazo, Join the celebration In the coming months we’ll be celebrating our 20th anniversary on social media – sharing travel stories and photos from our travellers’ experiences over the years. Join or follow the fun: We’ll also be looking ahead, as we continue to
1996. The year DVDs were launched in Japan and Dolly the sheep was the first mammal to be cloned. It was also the year that Marisol Mosquera founded Aracari Travel, with a vision of creating unique, first-class travel experiences for visitors to her beautiful home country, Peru. Leaving behind her…
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…
