Shopping for quality Peruvian alpaca products while sipping a glass of French wine? Now it’s possible--and I don’t mean online. Recently, two Aracari team members, Caroline and I, had the opportunity to visit the Concept Store “Cajamarca 219” in Barranco, which opened last year in 2014. Set down a quiet street in the Bohemian district of Lima, this new addition to the neighborhood is one-of-a-kind in the area and worth a visit, especially if you’re in the market for high quality clothing or furniture made from alpaca (although they sell other things as well). The store and its products are the creation of Thibault van der Straete, a French designer based in Peru. He designs and produces articles of clothing such as sweaters, scarfs, slippers and vests using pima cotton and alpaca wool, handspun and hand-woven. In addition to the staple alpaca sweater, the store sells rugs, pillows, sofas and other homeware created from vintage woven alpaca ponchos beautifully stitched together forming patterns of patchwork and stripes. Der Straete is not a newcomer to Peru. In fact, his first trip was over 20 years ago, when he was inspired by the colors, scenery, people and their traditions. After becoming familiar with traditional weaving of alpaca wool, he began to use alpaca fabrics, woven in the Peruvian Andes, in his fashion collection. Everything is made in Peru with Peruvian materials. Originally focused on exporting, sending sofas, rugs, and clothing to Europe and Japan, Der Straete’s collection of alpaca products are now, not only available in stores in London, New York, Japan and elsewhere in Europe, but have a homebase in Lima, where the designer has been living since 2008. The entrance to the Concept Store is a hallway with art, design and lifestyle books for sale as well as their own
Shopping for quality Peruvian alpaca products while sipping a glass of French wine? Now it’s possible–and I don’t mean online. Recently, two Aracari team members, Caroline and I, had the opportunity to visit the Concept Store “Cajamarca 219” in Barranco, which opened last year in 2014. Set down a quiet…
Yesterday I had the opportunity to check out the inauguration of Lima Photo 2015 which runs until this Sunday, August 16th from 2-9pm. Set up similarly to Art Lima, it was hosted in the Centro de la Imagen in Miraflores and consisted of many small rooms representing the various galleries. It was quite a labyrinth to navigate but I think I visited every one! There are over 25 galleries showing work at Lima Photo from many different countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Uruguay, Venezuela, United States and, of course, Peru. At the door, visitors are given a floor map, which made finding particular galleries much easier. The participating galleries are: 80m2 Livia Benavides, Aluna Art Foundation, Carlos Caamaño Proyecto Fotográfico, Cecilia González & Denise Dourojeanni, Corkin Gallery, Del Infinito, Del, Paseo, Diego Ortiz Mugica fotografías, Enlace Arte Contemporáneo, Galería El Ojo Ajeno, Galería Forum, Galería Impakto, Galería Lucía de la Puente, Galería OKYO, Galerie Younique, Gonzalez y Gonzalez, Imaginario Galería de Arte, LA GALERÍA, Prima Galería de Arte, PSH Projects, Quimera, Revolver Galería, Rolf Art, Vértice Galería de Art, Y Gallery, and Atelier Fotolaser. Inside was not only great for seeing what you came for, photography, but also people-watching as the crowd ranged from famous faces in Lima’s art world to photography students and everyone in between. Something I really enjoy about this type of event is the accessibility of the art. There was someone representing each gallery--many times the artists themselves--with whom you can engage in conversation about the pieces being shown. In addition, the photographs are available for purchase. American Express was sponsoring an initiative to encourage the purchase of national and international contemporary photographs where 25 photographs costing $1000 were marked and available to buyers interested in starting or adding to their collection. The
Yesterday I had the opportunity to check out the inauguration of Lima Photo 2015 which runs until this Sunday, August 16th from 2-9pm. Set up similarly to Art Lima, it was hosted in the Centro de la Imagen in Miraflores and consisted of many small rooms representing the various galleries….
Machu Picchu is the most-visited attraction in Peru and one of the top destinations to visit in the world. Unsurprisingly, as a result it attracts crowds of camera-toting tourist all vying for the best vantage points to capture their postcard-worthy photos. Though you’ll never have the site entirely to yourself, there are some straightforward steps you can take to avoid feeling like you’re stuck trailing a tour group, to avoid the crowds at Machu Picchu and to appreciate the tranquility and wonder of this UNESCO World Heritage site during your Machu Picchu luxury travel adventure. Tips on How to Avoid The Crowds at Machu Picchu Timing: The Best time to visit Machu Picchu Timing is key to avoiding the crowds as much as possible at Machu Picchu--ensure you allow a few hours to visit the site without rushing. Whilst day trips are technically possible to and from Cusco or the Sacred Valley, they’re best avoided. The preferable approach to planning Machu Picchu luxury trips is to visit over two days, spending a night at Aguas Calientes. Morning and Afternoon Visiting Slots As of 2017, visitors to Machu Picchu must visit in either the morning or afternoon timed slots (you can visit in both if you buy two tickets, one for the morning and one for the afternoon). Taking a morning train to Machu Picchu on your first day will have you arrive when the tour groups are starting to disperse, as they all tend to arrive first thing in the morning. By mid-afternoon, many large groups and day-trippers have already left. The last bus back down to Aguas Calientes leaves at 5.30pm. The following day you can head up again for sunrise--before the day visitors arrive on the first train. Afterwards, you can continue exploring the parts that you didn’t visit
Machu Picchu is the most-visited attraction in Peru and one of the top destinations to visit in the world. Unsurprisingly, as a result it attracts crowds of camera-toting tourist all vying for the best vantage points to capture their postcard-worthy photos. Though you’ll never have the site entirely to yourself,…
The Inca Trail in Peru is one of, if not the most, famous treks in the world, taking in three major sets of Inca ruins en route to the mythical citadel Machu Picchu, traversing through cloud forest, puna grasslands and high altitude passes. However, bucket-list status can sometimes come at a price. With strictly limited trail permits for the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and its shorter one-day version, these can sell out well in advance, so here's our handpicked selection of the best alternative treks to the Inca trail. The Best Alternative Treks to the Inca Trail There's no reason to leave your hiking boots at home should you find there isn't space available on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. In fact, once your realise the breathtaking alternative treks to the Inca trail, you might even be glad you had the excuse to consider exploring the lesser-trodden paths of the Cusco region. The Inca Trail is just one part of a sprawling network of roads that the Incas built during their epoch and the area is home to plenty of impressive and rewarding trails - all of which can combine with a visit to Machu Picchu itself during a trip to Peru, so there's no risk of not making it to the UNESCO World heritage Site. From Peru treks to get your pulse racing with more demanding physical activity, to gentler family-friendly trekking adventures, here are some of the top altenerative treks to the Inca trail. Multi-Day Camping Treks Salkantay - varied scenery and vistas of Machu Picchu (4D/3N, Rigorous, 58 km (36 mi), Max. Altitude: 4,600m (15,091 ft)) Following an ancient trail close to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay trek includes mountain passes to descents into the high-altitude jungle. What you lack in Inca ruins you undoubtedly make up for in the variety of
The Inca Trail in Peru is one of, if not the most, famous treks in the world, taking in three major sets of Inca ruins en route to the mythical citadel Machu Picchu, traversing through cloud forest, puna grasslands and high altitude passes. However, bucket-list status can sometimes come at a price. With…
Explorer, author and prominent historian Dr. John Hemming is arguably the world’s greatest-renowned expert on the Inca Empire and a leading authority on the history of the Amazon and its people. To coincide with the 2015 launch of Hemming’s latest work, Naturalists in Paradise: Wallace, Bates and Spruce in the Amazon, Aracari and Delfin Amazon Cruises are hosting a special 5 Day / 4 Night lecture cruise led by Dr. John Hemming. Delve into the Amazon and the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Peru, aboard the luxurious Delfin II. This unmissable voyage, with highly limited places, will take place on February 10 to February 14, 2016. Director of the Royal Geographical Society for 20 years and recipient of Peru’s highest national honours for his work, Hemming is extensively travelled throughout Peru and has conducted a number of expeditions into the Amazon. Drawing on this unparalleled experience and expertise he will deliver a series of three lectures as guests explore the Amazon from the comfort of the Delfin II vessel, with its fourteen large, air-conditioned guest suites, holding a maximum of 28 passengers. Sharing the stories of his first great Amazonian expedition when Hemming’s friend Richard Mason was ambushed and killed by a totally unknown tribe – the last European ever to suffer such a death – the first in the lecture series will look at the indigenous people of the Amazon. Hemming has penned a definitive three-volume history on Brazilian and Amazonian Indians from time of conquest to present day: Red Gold, Amazon Frontier and Die If You Must. Hemming has also written a general history of the Amazon, Tree of Rivers: the Story of the Amazon. Hemming will share beautiful photographs from when the tribes were first contacted. The second lecture will focus on the three naturalists and explorers of Naturalists
Explorer, author and prominent historian Dr. John Hemming is arguably the world’s greatest-renowned expert on the Inca Empire and a leading authority on the history of the Amazon and its people. To coincide with the 2015 launch of Hemming’s latest work, Naturalists in Paradise: Wallace, Bates and Spruce in the…
The Smithsonian Institution hosts an annual Folklife Festival in Washington DC, with the spotlight turning to Peru this year as the theme of the event. Held outdoors on the National Mall in Washington DC from June 24-28 and July 1-5, the festival delivers a program that showcases contemporary living and cultural traditions. Entitled Perú Pachamama, the 2015 activities draw their inspiration from across Peru to celebrate and promote its rich heritage with many performers and artisans traveling from Peru to the United States to participate in the festival. The line-up is exciting and diverse, highly recommended as much for those who have been to Peru before as those looking for their first introduction to the culture. Held every summer since its inception in 1967, the festival serves as “model of a research-based presentation of contemporary living cultural traditions”, using the research work of many folklorists, anthropologists and other scholars. The festival traditionally focuses on a nation, region or state--with Peru’s turn now in 2015. The festival is not only a cultural and educational experience but it even directly lead to the development of the UNESCO’s 2003 International Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Festival co-curator, Olivia Cadaval, has commented in preparation for this year’s event that, “Peru is a country steeped in millennial traditions, but we are exploring how today’s traditions are deeply contemporary. Our challenge is to capture and present the creative tensions between tradition and modernity and the threads of connectivity between the different environments and communities.” One of the many goals of the festival is to present and preserve community-based traditions while creating an interactive environment that delivers a message through main themes. By empowering local and regional tradition-bearers and their communities, the festival helps create and conserve cultural resources. THE FESTIVAL PROGRAM: WHAT TO
The Smithsonian Institution hosts an annual Folklife Festival in Washington DC, with the spotlight turning to Peru this year as the theme of the event. Held outdoors on the National Mall in Washington DC from June 24-28 and July 1-5, the festival delivers a program that showcases contemporary living and…
