Aracari's Weekly Insight The Question: How did the Incas celebrate New Year? The Answer: Despite the distinct lack of fireworks, staying up til 12 Oclock and renditions of Auld Lang Syne, the Inca celebration of the new year - over the winter equinox in June - was a very important event in their calendar. Not least of all, the equinox marked the return of the sun from its farthest position from the earth and the beginning of longer days. Observing the Sun Huge importance was placed on the movement of the sun in Inca times, and it was the most significant god in the pantheon of Andean religion. The Incas and cultures before them tracked the movement of the sun using sophisticated measuring devices in the form of stone pillars. They placed pillars in exactly the position where the sun rose and set on the shortest days of the year – from the 21st to the 24th of June. Marking the winter equinox, the colourful spectacle “Inti Raymi” in the city of Cusco, or “festival of the sun”, is thought to have been one of the most important rituals in the Inca Empire, with celebrations lasting for as much as nine days. The ceremony was doused in rituals, which are believed to have entailed the Inca drinking Chicha de Jora – a type of drink derived from maize – to honour the sun. Ceremonies were held in the main plaza of Cusco, where pilgrims from across the empire would assemble. There was also much merriments in the form of feasting, drinking and dancing. Despite clandestine ceremonies taking place during the Spanish conquest, Inti Raymi was completely prohibited by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo in 1572 as a pagan ceremony opposed to Catholicism. Nevertheless, since the 1940’s, a theatrical representation has taken
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: How did the Incas celebrate New Year? The Answer: Despite the distinct lack of fireworks, staying up til 12 Oclock and renditions of Auld Lang Syne, the Inca celebration of the new year – over the winter equinox in June – was a very important…
Responsible Travel Peru: Aracari sponsors Soccer team In line with our commitment to supporting communities in Peru, Aracari is sponsoring a football (soccer) team from the community of Huayllabamba in the Cusco region. Libio - the chef for our adventure, trekking and camping trips - hails from the community, along with some of our trekking porters, and so we decided to provide some snazzy new football strips for their local team. Let's hope the new look sends them to the top of the league! Read more about Aracari's responsible travel Peru initiatives.
Responsible Travel Peru: Aracari sponsors Soccer team In line with our commitment to supporting communities in Peru, Aracari is sponsoring a football (soccer) team from the community of Huayllabamba in the Cusco region. Libio – the chef for our adventure, trekking and camping trips – hails from the community, along…
Taller Huaringa, the studio of Lima artist Maricruz Arribas, uses only recyclable materials to create a fantastic array of artwork. Taller Huaringa Lima When we visited today, Carlos and I were given a privileged peak at the studio, which has opened its doors for two days this week in the run up to Christmas. Beginning as a hobby, Maricruz has developed her passion for recycling unused objects into a profession, dedicating her work to breathing new life into disposed of and forgotten materials. She takes what could be considered by many to be "mundane" and "boring" objects and transforms them, turning them into excting and vibrant works of contemporary art. “The materials come from all over,” Maricruz told us “mostly from old houses that are about to be demolished … every time I enter such a house, firstly I cry,” she explained to us. “Then I go about frantically trying to salvage anything that can be used in my artwork.” "Often when I pick up a disused item I have no idea what I will do with it. Then, when I take it back to the studio, ideas begin to formulate ..." The very name Huaringa is derived from a place in northern Peru, near to Maricruz’s home town of Piura, where witches are purported to have gathered. “I chose this name because witches transform things, much as I do with my own work.” On our tour of the studio, Maricruz showed us an array of artwork, ranging from sculptures crafted from old furniture, teddy bears made from burlap sacks, to flowers and ornaments made from twisted glass bottles. The works have gone on exhibition in Peru’s top galleries and have featured in international contemporary art exhibitions also. Maricruz currently features in a collective exhibition at the Lima Museum of
Taller Huaringa, the studio of Lima artist Maricruz Arribas, uses only recyclable materials to create a fantastic array of artwork. Taller Huaringa Lima When we visited today, Carlos and I were given a privileged peak at the studio, which has opened its doors for two days this week in the…
Hearts Cafe Ollantaytambo UK and Peru registered NGO Living Heart is associated with social enterprise Hearts Café Ollantaytambo on the main square of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Quality Food at Hearts Cafe Ollantaytambo Meals at the café are not gourmet, rather they constitute great quality comfort food. All of the food is very delicious and made from good quality ingredients, most of which grown locally. There are a whole array of interesting options, some of which are not always available in Peru. Creating local employment All of the staff in the café are people who previously suffered from domestic abuse, and who are now offered work and shelter by the NGO. All of the profits go towards the projects that the NGO is involved with. As well as highly encouraging travellers to stop by the cafe, it is possible for our guests to arrange a visit with Sonia Newhouse to discuss the work of Living Heart in full. Please contact us for more details. Supporting Andean Communities The NGO Living Heart works with five highland communities in the Sacred Valley, offering a wide variety of vital support. The founder of the NGO is Sonia Newhouse, an English woman in her early 80s, who has dedicated the last decade of her life to helping local communities. Amongst other support, Living Heart provides educational supplies and learning materials to children; they organise volunteer art teachers and theatre classes for children; they provide nutritional diets to younger children and abandoned elderly people; they offer family planning advice and contraception; and they work with small scale water purification and elimination of risk from water borne parasites. Although Living Heart does not disclose which communities they work with in order that they can remain protected and undisturbed by outside visitors, travellers can visit Heart's Café
Hearts Cafe Ollantaytambo UK and Peru registered NGO Living Heart is associated with social enterprise Hearts Café Ollantaytambo on the main square of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Quality Food at Hearts Cafe Ollantaytambo Meals at the café are not gourmet, rather they constitute great quality comfort food. All of the…
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: What makes the Inca Trail so unique? The Answer: Next week on CNN en Español, viewers from across the world will have the chance to see how Aracari operates the Inca Trail, one of the most popular trekking routes in the world. Here are just a few reasons why this trekking experience is held in such high esteem: 1) Variety of landscapes, climates and ecosystems. Traversing through a variety of different landscapes, the scenery on the Inca Trail is breathtaking, and is surely one of the reasons that makes it so special. Partakers in the trek will see high Andes Mountains, cloud forests, puna grasslands and cross high passes along the way, and the huge variety of wildlife, birdlife and flora that populate these climates. The blend between these different types of terrain also offers some quite spectacular views, with the Andes dwindling down into the high Amazon rainforest. 2) Inca ruins only accessible by foot Another reason that the trail is one of a kind is that it visits three major sets of Inca ruins along the way, all of which are only accessible by foot. On the first day trekkers visit the ruins of Llactapata, an impressive site with terracing and buildings forming what looks like a small, fortressed village on the hillside. On the third day, hikers visit Sayacmarca and nearby Phuyupatamarca, both extensive complexes with remains of terracing and buildings. After camping nearby to Phuyupatamarca, one of the highlights of the trek is considered to be waking up to the sun rise over the ruin just before making the final trek to Machu Picchu. Perhaps the most remarkable ruin on the route, however, is Wiñay Wayna. This beautiful site, of particular spiritual importance for the Incas, consists of arcing Inca terracing
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: What makes the Inca Trail so unique? The Answer: Next week on CNN en Español, viewers from across the world will have the chance to see how Aracari operates the Inca Trail, one of the most popular trekking routes in the world. Here are just…
Aracari is very pleased to reveal that Marisol Mosquera Has been included amongst 133 of The World’s Top Travel Specialists as published by Conde Nast Traveler magazine in December 2011. Marisol has been listed as a Travel Specialist for Peru and Bolivia the third year in a row that she has featured on the list and the first year as a specialist for Bolivia. Naturally we all at Aracari are ecstatic about the news, and look forward to providing Marisol's travel expertise to readers of one of the world’s most prestigious travel magazines. The list is drawn up by travel expert Wendy Perrin, who, for the last 20 years, has rigorously screened and interviewed travel experts from across the globe for "The Perrin Report". The Conde Nast list of Travel Specialists - now in its 12th edition - is her definitive guide to the finest travel agents from every country and region; in her own words "... the most trusted insiders—people who offer the best combination of specialized knowledge (based on firsthand travel experience), local connections, user-friendliness, and value for your dollar.. " The above considered, if you would like help on planning an innovative, creative and authentic travel experience in Peru or Bolivia, please do feel free to contact us straight away.
Aracari is very pleased to reveal that Marisol Mosquera Has been included amongst 133 of The World’s Top Travel Specialists as published by Conde Nast Traveler magazine in December 2011. Marisol has been listed as a Travel Specialist for Peru and Bolivia the third year in a row that she…
