As Peru’s more rustic cousin, Bolivia is a country that until the last decade, remained largely unexplored by International travelers. But as one of Aracari’s flagship destinations, Bolivia has been very much a feature of our tailormade itineraries for almost 25’ years. Witnessing Bolivia’s evaluation from a destination only suited to the more adventurous traveler, to a country now catering different styles, means Marisol and her team are very much in the know when it comes to what to do and see within Bolivia’s landlocked borders. From soaring mountain peaks and untouched rainforest, to expansive, otherworldly salt flats and sweeping savannahs – Bolivia is a country that will stay with you long after you return home. However, knowing Bolivia’s secrets is the key to planning a trip of a lifetime. These secrets can’t be found on Google, but only from those who know her best – so, in an Aracari exclusive, here are our favorite must-see highlights of breathtaking Bolivia. Uyuni Salt Flats Bolivia’s majestic salt flats (Salar de Uyuni) stretch as far as the eye can see in every direction. At over 10,000 square kilometers in area, this vast expansive is one of South America’s great natural wonders. Marisol and her team of Bolivia experts have crafted each detail of our Salar de Uyuni experiences to take in rarely visited colorful lagoons, rock gardens, geyser fields and cactus forests that other travelers simply won’t know about. Guests may choose to visit the salt flats by private excursion led by Aracari’s expert guides, a one-in-a-lifetime experience that includes taking in the sunset with a glass of Bolivian red wine and local delicacies. Or instead, to include the Salar de Uyuni as part of one of our exhilarating road trip itineraries that cross borders from Peru to Bolivia to Chile,
As Peru’s more rustic cousin, Bolivia is a country that until the last decade, remained largely unexplored by International travelers. But as one of Aracari’s flagship destinations, Bolivia has been very much a feature of our tailormade itineraries for almost 25’ years. Witnessing Bolivia’s evaluation from a destination only suited…
As more people across the globe look to shrubs, herbs and other vegetation for their natural wellbeing benefits, Aracari is anticipating a boom in traveling for wellness. After decades of working closely with local communities, we know that in Peru, making a return to Mother Earth’s own linctus cabinet is nothing new here. Peruvians have long cultivated crops for their medicinal and healing properties, and in fact - many of our guides are themselves encyclopaedias of knowledge on the properties of locally grown flora and fauna. In the coming months, we predict many travelers will look to countries like Peru, choosing to journey in search of wellness travel retreats and wholesome experiences, which offer a sanctuary from their modern busy lives, especially after the stress and seclusion caused by numerous lockdowns. For Aracari’s longstanding hotel partner and owner of the premium wellness retreat Willka T’ika - Terry Cumes, this is welcome news. A premium wellness retreat in the Sacred Valley Aracari has had a strong relationship with Carol and Terry Cumes for a number of years. Founded in 1995 by Carol Cumes, Willka T’ika has become a pioneer of natural wellness in Peru. Marisol and her team have visited the wellness center more than once, while curating experiences in the Sacred Valley. Each visit has been a source of great inspiration, discovering more of the natural benefits of plants, flowers and native shrubs growing in their Seven Chakra Gardens. The grounds of which are tended to by no fewer than 19 Quechua farmers – who have continued the ancient practices of their forefathers, using medicinal plants to treat all manner of ailments. In fact, it is this Seven Chakra Gardens, which has become the focus of a brand new Aracari wellness itinerary developed in partnership with our friends at
As more people across the globe look to shrubs, herbs and other vegetation for their natural wellbeing benefits, Aracari is anticipating a boom in traveling for wellness. After decades of working closely with local communities, we know that in Peru, making a return to Mother Earth’s own linctus cabinet is…
Aracari is well versed in understanding Peru’s yearly calendar scattered with celebrations, and the Easter period is no exception. In fact, the days of Easter celebrations in Peru – the Holy Week of the Catholic faith – are marked by some of the nation’s most notable festivals and events. Catholicism arrived with the Spanish in the XVI century and was adopted by the indigenous communities alongside existing practices and beliefs. Today, this hybridity makes for an interesting blend in the religious identity of the country, one that is uniquely Peruvian. The duality emerges in rituals that blend the native enamour for Mother Earth with the ceremonies of the Catholic church, in a way that Marisol and her team know to be immensely captivating for both participant and spectator. So, as we approach the weekend of Easter celebrations in Peru, Aracari offer you a glimpse into the real Peru at Easter. Not the attractions performed for visitors, but those celebrations revelled in by locals each year, from the Central Andes to Northern tip of the Huascarán National Park. This insider guide to Peru at Easter time has been crafted from 25 years’ experience in showcasing the heritage and history of the country. From the sombreness of Good Friday, to the jubilation of Easter Sunday – the following celebrations are those which to Aracari, encapsulate the spirit of Peru at Easter time. ***Due to the pandemic, celebrations in 2021 are set to be a little different. But as pioneers of exceptional travel experiences, Aracari wanted to look forward to a time when crowds can be shoulder-to-shoulder once more, revelling in some of Peru's most spectacular Easter celebrations. 1. Our Lord of the Earthquakes Procession Cusco is of course one of the most popular destinations for Aracari guests, and during Holy Week this
Aracari is well versed in understanding Peru’s yearly calendar scattered with celebrations, and the Easter period is no exception. In fact, the days of Easter celebrations in Peru – the Holy Week of the Catholic faith – are marked by some of the nation’s most notable festivals and events. Catholicism…
One of Peru’s best kept secrets is the exquisite, handmade collectables produced here. From cotton to clay, the country is rich in raw materials and for generations, Peruvians have harvested these bountiful resources. Cultivating and creating – molding natural materials into expressions of Peruvian identity or talismans of spiritual and historical significance. Yet it is Aracari’s belief that the artisanship found in Peru is more than artistic creation; it’s a crossover of artistry and ingenuity. How to weave textiles to be striking and sturdy, or how to sculpt pottery that is decorative and durable. And although some of the practical necessities might have faded, the appreciation for the craft has not. Aracari has always been close to the Peruvian art and craft scene. Today the country’s artists are some of the world’s leading visionaries. They all inherit artistic legacy of their ancestors – even if some elements have been brought into the 21st Century. Partnering with a number of these creatives has meant Marisol and her team are able to connect our guests with remarkable experiences; the chance to visit studios, enjoy private exhibitions guided by the artist themselves and participate exclusive workshops. If you’re curious about handmade Peruvian art and craft, here’s the insider guide to what you can expect, exploring artisanship with Aracari. Textiles From the brightly colored patterns of Andean fabrics, to premium garments produced in organically grown, naturally dyed pima cotton and vicuña wool, Peru’s textiles are some of the world’s most renowned. Each step of the process, from natural dyes to the faming of the animals, is part of craft that has been honed over generations. Many of guests have journeyed to Peru with Aracari looking to discover more about these highly sought-after textiles, and it’s been a pleasure to connect travelers with some
One of Peru’s best kept secrets is the exquisite, handmade collectables produced here. From cotton to clay, the country is rich in raw materials and for generations, Peruvians have harvested these bountiful resources. Cultivating and creating – molding natural materials into expressions of Peruvian identity or talismans of spiritual and…
Are you pining for exclusive travel experiences? Do you want to connect with culture, community and craft from the comfort of your own home? Don’t miss your chance to sign up to our special event – and experience pure Peru with our virtual Hacienda art tour followed by a show from the wonderful Paso horses. Read the full story below for more about this exclusive event. In January of this year, we invited friends from around the world to join us for a live streaming of the Pachamama Ceremony – or offering to Mother Earth – conducted by Shaman Rufino Turpo high in the Andean mountains. The idea was to connect people to culture, community and craft in a time when there are so many restrictions on how we’re able to interact with the world around us. The event was a great success, and Marisol and her team of Travel Designers were thrilled to be able to play a part in facilitating such a unique and immersive experience once more, albeit virtually. Since then, we’ve been working hard to engage with many of our expert friends across Peru. In the hope that we are able to take more of our exclusive experiences online and make them globally accessible to everyone stuck at home. Thankfully our call was heard, this time by long-time friend of Aracari and owner of the beautiful Hacienda Huayoccari - Jose Ignacio Lambarri. On the 17th April, we invite you to join Jose as he takes us on a remarkable tour of this 17th century hacienda. The virtual event will include an introduction to the family’s impressive private collection of paintings, carved wood, glazed pottery from Lake Titicaca, Toritos of Pucará, colonial saints and silver pieces, dating from pre-Inca, Inca, Viceregal and Republican times. But not before heading
Are you pining for exclusive travel experiences? Do you want to connect with culture, community and craft from the comfort of your own home? Don’t miss your chance to sign up to our special event – and experience pure Peru with our virtual Hacienda art tour followed by a show from…
After a year of such stasis, we are predicting that slow travel is set to make a return to bucket list adventures. Continental and domestic flights swapped for South American adventure road trips, crossing countries the old-fashioned way: over land borders. Crowded transport terminals ditched for the open expanse. Travellers looking for ways to soak up as much of a destination as possible during the days of their vacation. Preparing for these changes in travel habits has kept our Travel Designers busy over the last few months. Using expert knowledge to map roads that cross some of the continent’s most spectacular National Parks, pass through ancient villages and pinpoint remarkable pit-stops, from Inca ruins and secret lagoons. Pair your unique road trip with overnight stays at some of our exclusive hotel partners, and you’ll have the perfect post-pandemic travel itinerary. From an eco-friendly beach-front boutique, where each one of its 18 rooms feature a terrace opening straight onto the rugged coastline of Chile’s extreme north. To a family-owned working hacienda in rural Ecuador, that produces tree-to-bar handmade chocolate, dulce de leche, honey and other farm-fresh products. Let us take you over land and off the beaten track, with our pioneering, tailormade, adventure road trips, designed to showcase the open road. 1. The Vast and the Curious Luxury Road Trip – Bolivia and Northern Argentina Beginning in the city of Sucre, in the southern highlands of Bolivia, this private journey explores some of the most untouched landscapes on earth. The route passes through Potosí, which at 4,090 meters above sea level stands at one of the world’s highest cities. Before reaching Bolivia’s breath-taking natural wonder – Salar de Uyuni. Here, the roaring log fires and sloping ceilings of Luna Salada offer cozy sanctuary from the dropping desert temperatures. Half a
After a year of such stasis, we are predicting that slow travel is set to make a return to bucket list adventures. Continental and domestic flights swapped for South American adventure road trips, crossing countries the old-fashioned way: over land borders. Crowded transport terminals ditched for the open expanse. Travellers…
