Manú National Park is the largest and most pristine rainforest park in South America, unique in its wide variety of ecosystems. The area contains everything from puna grasslands to lowland Amazonian forest, intermixed with elfin forest, cloudforest and montane forest. Here are my thoughts on Manu Learning Centre Lodge, one of the places you can stay in Peru to discover the Amazon Rainforest. Visit Manu Learning Centre Lodge I had travelled to Manú several times 15 or 20 years ago. Aracari was highly involved in Manú then, and it was the top rainforest destination for our guests. This time around, the purpose of my trip was to visit the Manu Learning Centre Lodge and observe the activities of CREES Foundation, a relatively new lodge and operator in Manú. I also wanted to see first-hand how the area has transformed over the past two decades. How to get to Manu National Park Since a few years ago, the flows of rainforest tourism in Peru have changed. In the past, many upscale visitors were enticed the remoteness of Manú National Park, and the possibility – despite the high cost – of reaching the destination in a swift, 45-minute flight from Cusco in a twin otter propeller plane. Now, the only option to reach the Manú area is overland, over 12-hours from the nearest airport. This deters all but very adventurous visitors, sicentists, volunteers and budget travelers to visit the area. Instead, most affluent visitors flock to the luxury cruises on the Upper Amazon and venture to Pacaya Samiria Reserve, and other more adventurous guests head to the lodges in and near the more easily accessible Tambopata Reserved Zone. This shift sadly deprives the local populations in and around Manú of the much needed development and income that tourism used to bring, which continues to
Manú National Park is the largest and most pristine rainforest park in South America, unique in its wide variety of ecosystems. The area contains everything from puna grasslands to lowland Amazonian forest, intermixed with elfin forest, cloudforest and montane forest. Here are my thoughts on Manu Learning Centre Lodge, one of…
Mancora is Peru’s most popular beach retreat, a sandy haven on the Pacific Coast with a shoreline well-known to serious surfers. Thanks to a growing number of plush beach hotels, Mancora increasingly attracts sun-seeking jetsetters looking to bask in year-round rays and bathe in its warm waters. The Best Hotels in Mancora Having spent years living in South-East Asia and taking soft, white beaches as a given, I was nothing less than exceedingly skeptical about the quality of the sand to be found. Mancora proved to be a pleasant surprise. In no way can it compete with paradise perfection found in other corners of the globe, but the public beach that the top properties are nestled on was clean, almost entirely devoid of people, and golden under the permanent sunshine. Mancora's greatest advantages is its climate: no rain, always sunny, just how I like it. As an ardent sun-worshipper, I recently set off on the arduous task of donning my sandals and sunhat to test out the best luxury seaside sanctuaries - KiChic and Arennas. Mancora also boasts a wonderful range of private luxury beach villas. KiChic The first stop I made was at KiChic, a boutique retreat that places emphasis on health and wellness. It boasts its own large yoga studio with daily classes, which are also open to outside guests. KiChic’s philosophy is for guests to disconnect from the daily noise. They help you out by hiding the room’s TV under covers, but this extra measure truly wasn’t necessary for me. I was staying in the Balance Suite - a private bungalow with partial sea-views; the outdoor deck and its own small pool was enough to keep me entertained. There is also a main pool as an alternative. Room sizes and layouts all differ, but throughout the stylish decoration focuses
Mancora is Peru’s most popular beach retreat, a sandy haven on the Pacific Coast with a shoreline well-known to serious surfers. Thanks to a growing number of plush beach hotels, Mancora increasingly attracts sun-seeking jetsetters looking to bask in year-round rays and bathe in its warm waters. The Best Hotels…
Dream vacations can be derailed by unexpected illnesses. From questionable water to pesky mosquitoes, the new stresses of unfamiliar locations can leave even the fittest travellers sluggish or bedridden. No one wants to miss out on all the things their carefully crafted trips have to offer, so it is prudent to understand how to avoid or manage medical roadblocks. Here's Aracari's advice on how to manage altitude sickness in Peru. Preventing Altitude Sickness in Peru One of the most common afflictions in Andean areas is altitude sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or Soroche. The thin oxygen at high elevations causes rapid breathing, which leads dehydration as more water is lost through exhaling than is gained through inhaling the dry mountain air. Different travelers have different levels of susceptibility to altitude sickness, but most symptoms begin occurring at altitudes around 6,000 ft. Travelling at altitude Some of Aracari’s most beautiful destinations sit at dizzyingly high altitudes, including Machu Picchu (2,430 m/8,000 ft), Cusco (3,400 m/11,500 ft), and La Paz (3,6000m/11,800 ft). Not all travelers suffer from altitude sickness, but it is better to be informed rather than allow the possibility deter you from traveling to these spectacular locales. Prepare yourself with our handy Q&A on properly detecting and handling altitude sickness, with information from Dr. Dante Valdivia of the Centro de Investigación de Medicina de Altitud (CIMA). What are the symptoms of altitude sickness in Peru? Generally, altitude sickness manifests itself in heart pounding shortness of breath, which can cause headache, nausea, and dizziness as dehydration progresses. Some travellers also report feelings of extreme tiredness, insomnia, or loss of appetite. How do I deal with altitude sickness in Peru? There are a number of measures that can be taken to combat the perils of altitude sickness. BEFORE ARRIVAL: Plan your
Dream vacations can be derailed by unexpected illnesses. From questionable water to pesky mosquitoes, the new stresses of unfamiliar locations can leave even the fittest travellers sluggish or bedridden. No one wants to miss out on all the things their carefully crafted trips have to offer, so it is prudent…
The last week of October rolled around, and I still didn’t have Halloween plans. I had been living in Peru for about two months and, though I already had a great group of friends, nobody seemed interested in celebrating Halloween. “What are you guys going to be this year?” I asked them eagerly, hoping to brainstorm a group costume as I had done with friends in years past. “Peruvians,” they replied, laughing, completely apathetic to a holiday so celebrated stateside. Halloween is gaining popularity in Peru, especially amongst the younger generations, but it coincides with the el Dia de la Canción Criolla, or Creole Music Day. The holiday was created in 1944 by then-president Manuel Prado y Ugarteche to celebrate the diverse array of music Peru has to offer.The day is still strongly connected with Peru’s cultural identity, as evidenced by the rampant virality of Marca Perú’s celebratory video. So, devoid of spooky plans and eager to experience Peruvian culture to the fullest, I chose instead to accept an invitation to a peña. The peña, a staple of Peruvian culture, is a musical venue with a house band that plays creole music. The peñas exhibit a range of professionalism; some are even held in the musicians’ homes. The music also varies in style, from the almost waltz-like dance from the colonial past to the thumping afro-Peruvian beats of Lima’s outskirts. As the band plays, people dance, occasionally resting to breathe, listen to a slower numbers, or watch professionals demonstrating dances from throughout the region. Some peñas are open to the public, and for others you need to be on a list. One of Aracari’s specialist guides, Ronald Elward, has the connections at some of the best peñas in the city. I accompanied Ronald, our friend in the city Bruce, and
The last week of October rolled around, and I still didn’t have Halloween plans. I had been living in Peru for about two months and, though I already had a great group of friends, nobody seemed interested in celebrating Halloween. “What are you guys going to be this year?” I…
The sheer scope and scale of South America means that we can hand-craft ideal travel itineraries, no matter what the motivation is for travel here. After nearly two decades of crafting trips for Aracari guests, we’ve come up with a few guest profiles of the different styles of travellers that we tend to attract and have created itineraries with their tastes and requirements in mind. Read below to meet our guests. Intense Adventurers Short on time but not on aspiration, Intense Adventurers want to experience the exhilarating highs, the best and the most dynamic aspects of South America even if it means having to “rough it” once in a while. If camping, hiking and exploring lesser-visited sites are appealing, a few itineraries to consider are Peru’s Best Kept Secret and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Culture Connoisseurs Culture Conoisseurs seek immersion in thousands of years of unparalleled history and culture. They want to soak up the essence of the country they are visiting through guided tours of the best museums and archaelogical sites, by visiting authentic markets and boutiques, and over a meal with a local who can share a meal and a stimulating discussion about art, history or whatever might be of interest. Our Cultural Connoisseurs are often drawn to these itineraries: Peru with Flavor, Highlights of Northern Peru, or History and Evolution. Honeymooners Newlyweds with Aracari desire luxurious comfort, style and indulgence in a richly romantic, magical setting – perhaps with an element of adventure or culture to make it a truly unforgettable experience. One recommendation is Luxury Meets Authenticity. Global families There’s no better education than to experience the rainforest, the history, the geography and the culture with your children. Share valuable time together having fun and learning in one of the richest regions in the world.
The sheer scope and scale of South America means that we can hand-craft ideal travel itineraries, no matter what the motivation is for travel here. After nearly two decades of crafting trips for Aracari guests, we’ve come up with a few guest profiles of the different styles of travellers that…
Responsible travel Peru Tourism plays a powerful, positive role in international development. It creates jobs, stimulates economies, and funnels funds into the preservation of national treasures. Travel allows for intercultural exchange and encourages empathy and understanding across peoples from different walks of life. The United Nations recognizes this potential: it considers international travel key to global development. And with over one billion tourists taking journeys across the globe annually, the tourism industry has more influence now than ever. This September 27th marks the UN’s World Tourism Day 2015. The celebration, which this year takes place in Burkina Faso, highlights the myriad ways that responsible, sustainable travel enriches the lives of tourists and locals alike. Aracari’s tours in Peru, Bolivia and the Galapagos are underpinned by values of ethical and sustainable tourism practices. We actively seek out partners and collaborators that share our goals, who promote sustainable business practices while working with local communities.These local partners benefit from the business and inspire other companies to follow suit. The communities involved in these operations are economically empowered. Meanwhile, travellers have a more authentic experience and contribute to sustainability. Everyone—the operators, communities and travellers—has a better experience and makes a positive impact. In honor of #WTD2015, here are 5 organizations sustainable tourism in Peru initatives we love that support local communities through the power of tourism. 1. Tierra de los Yachaqs works with 8 communities in the Sacred Valley. The organization aims to preserve the history and traditions of local people. They enable communities to support their economy with authentic, high-quality tourism. Travellers visit the villages and take part in local customs, like textile demonstrations or hikes with llamas. Read our account of the visits in the following blog articles: La Tierra de los Yachaqs: Community based tourism in Peru’s Sacred Valley and Tierra de
Responsible travel Peru Tourism plays a powerful, positive role in international development. It creates jobs, stimulates economies, and funnels funds into the preservation of national treasures. Travel allows for intercultural exchange and encourages empathy and understanding across peoples from different walks of life. The United Nations recognizes this potential: it…
