La Tierra de los Yachaqs - translated as "The land of the wise" - is the name given to the community tourism Peru initiative in the Sacred Valley. I had a chance to try out several of their responsible tourism village experiences that allow an authentic insight into Andean life. Community Tourism Peru: Andean Life in the Sacred Valley Working with five communities, the mission of La Tierra de los Yachaqs is to preserve the history and traditions of local communities while enabling them to support their economy with responsible, authentic and high-quality tourism. This consists of travellers visiting the communities and participating in local customs, traditions and practices. Read more on the Route of the Achupalla gentle hike and weaving experience in Amaru village. Economic empowerment through tourism The community tourism peru initiative empowers locals to actually design and operate visits to their community. They must decide upon exactly what areas of their culture should be shown throughout the visit and are in control of the planning, booking and guiding.... they're even trained to recieve and respond email bookings! The name is closely tied in because the focus is on local people themselves having the wisdom to know what aspects of their culture are the most important to show to travellers, and to explain this properly. When compared to other projects in the region, where external observers march in and dictate what the visit should look like (which unfortunately happens all too often), the intrinsic value of La Tierra de los Yachaqs becomes apparant. That the word Yachaqs is a Quechua word reinforces ideas of pre-Columbian heritage, rooting the project firmly in the Sacred Valley and focusing entirely on local communities. The Route of the Acupalla with Tierra de los Yachaqs A Warm Community welcome On this particular sunny
La Tierra de los Yachaqs – translated as “The land of the wise” – is the name given to the community tourism Peru initiative in the Sacred Valley. I had a chance to try out several of their responsible tourism village experiences that allow an authentic insight into Andean life….
Aracari's Weekly Insight by Simon The Question: Which arts and crafts shop in Barranco is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend? The Answer: Las Pallas in Barranco celebrates its 25th Anniversary this weekend with the opening of an exhibition compiled of pieces that have been specially chosen for the occasion. Entitled “Tradition and Change”, the exhibition will feature an assortment of works ranging from weavings, ceramics and paintings to masks, baskets, charms and amulets. The exhibition will demonstrate not only the rich artistic tradition of Peru, but the incorporation of modern ideas and imagery into arts and crafts. “It’s not a normal distribution” Las Pallas founder Mari Solari told me as I visited for a sneak peak of the exhibition before tomorrow’s opening. “but a special collection of pieces that merge the vintage with the modern”. This was quite evident with some of the pieces on display, with traditional media such as ceramics and textiles being used to display such images as aeroplanes and lorries (trucks). 25 years of Las Pallas Mari Solari first came to Peru in 1966, and right from the off she was thrust into the country’s rich art world, with which her family was deeply involved. Before opening Las Pallas she worked at her mother-in-law’s art gallery in San Juan de Lurigancho for ten years, learning all about the country’s rich artistic tradition and meeting artisans from across Peru. In October 1986 she moved to Barranco and opened Las Pallas with the aim of promoting arts and crafts in Peru of the finest quality. “I fought for quality” she told me, “promoting those who were making things for use … and paying a fair price for such goods.” “Barranco was much rougher at that time” Mari told me, “there were no trees on the street, and
Aracari’s Weekly Insight by Simon The Question: Which arts and crafts shop in Barranco is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend? The Answer: Las Pallas in Barranco celebrates its 25th Anniversary this weekend with the opening of an exhibition compiled of pieces that have been specially chosen for the occasion….
Aracari's Weekly Insight The Question: Which is the most hotly anticipated hotel opening in Cusco next year? The Answer: The most hotly anticipated hotel in Cusco, due to open in June 2012, Palacio Nazarenas is set to raise the bar for accommodation in Peru higher still. This gorgeous hotel, a colonial convent refurbished by Orient-Express, will be a refined and fashionable property featuring 55 suites lavished in the most luxurious décor and amenities. “Nazarenas” is the name adorned upon the hotel because it is located in a former convent of nuns of the same name – beaterio de Las Nazarenas. The property was constructed in the late 17th century for a congregation of women who bore the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Orient-Express has undertaken an extensive restoration project on the building, and the property will make full use of original features such as wall paintings and frescoes. Now, considering that the hotel is located right next door to Orient-Express’ other flagship hotel, Monasterio, it could certainly be considered a challenge to distinguish Palacio Nazarenas from one of the best hotels in South America. Yet Orient-Express has managed this brilliantly, and the all-suite hotel will be completely unique in style and atmosphere. The décor is all being sourced from within Peru, so you can expect the like of fine Pima cotton, exquisite Andean textiles and hand carved wooden furniture in abundance. Traditional Peruvian design and techniques will run throughout the hotel, taking inspiration from Inca and Colonial styles alike, as well as the convergence between the two. The spa has been designed as an indulgent place to relax, again reflecting both Inca and colonial styles in Cusco. It will incorporate themes of ancient rituals of Andean cultures and will be adorned with plants and running water to create an authentic
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: Which is the most hotly anticipated hotel opening in Cusco next year? The Answer: The most hotly anticipated hotel in Cusco, due to open in June 2012, Palacio Nazarenas is set to raise the bar for accommodation in Peru higher still. This gorgeous hotel, a…
They’ve been heralded by Condé Nast Traveler as "a travel booking site that not only caters to sophisticated travelers but is also actually appealing to look at." The Associated Press meanwhile said that their "Mesmerizing photography makes the Web site an exciting destination on its own." It’s Jetsetter.com, and everyone who is anyone in travel is talking about them. The website, launched in 2009, is a members-only site that offers insider information and members-only prices on hotels and travel packages; the site is so exclusive that you need to be invited by a current member to join. Much of the praise has come because of their clean, user-friendly interface and their fresh approach to advertising travel deals, opening "flash sales" for a limited period of time to offer their members affordable luxury getaways at the finest properties all across the world. Aracari on Jetsetter.com Now – cruising to even loftier heights - Jetsetter have teamed up with Aracari to bring the very best of Peru to their members. We have collaborated to create a special 5 day holiday program that will see their members travel to Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu over Thanksgiving this November and on President’s day weekend next February. The itinerary, hand crafted specially for the occasion by our expert team, features Machu Picchu, visits to local communities, a textile demonstration and an authentic ceremony with a Shaman amongst other delights. Guests will stay at the lush Willka Tika, the luxurious Inkaterra Machu Picchu and the extravagant Andean Wings hotels along the way giving them a unique and unrivalled view of Peru. Initially working chiefly with hotels, running a full itinerary with all the bells and whistles is a relatively new venture for Jetsetter, and we’re delighted to have paired up to make this fantastic
They’ve been heralded by Condé Nast Traveler as “a travel booking site that not only caters to sophisticated travelers but is also actually appealing to look at.” The Associated Press meanwhile said that their “Mesmerizing photography makes the Web site an exciting destination on its own.” It’s Jetsetter.com, and everyone…
by Simon photos by Martin On September 23rd 1996 Marisol Mosquera started Aracari Travel with the vision of designing hand-crafted itineraries for those discerning travellers who wanted to explore Peru in comfort and style. Precisely 15 years later and the company is recognised as one of Peru’s finest tour operators, with awards from Conde Nast Traveler magazine and Travel + Leisure just a few of the plaudits that have been received over the years. Naturally this landmark called for a big party. And on such an important occasion we considered it appropriate that the event should be hosted by none other than our close friend Naguib Ciurlizza in his exquisite property on the outskirts of Lima. “We want to celebrate by giving you all a taste of what our guests experience” Marisol toasted assembled dignitaries from all walks of Peruvian travel; specialist guides, tour operators and close friends alike who had joined the Aracari staff in converging upon Naguib’s delightful house and garden for lunch and drinks. Her touching note set the scene for a most relaxing afternoon. This stared with a tour of the garden, an in depth look at the kaleidoscope of plants that Naguib has given beloved care and attention to, which on this day were basking in the early spring sunshine. This was followed by a peek at some of his delightful art collection, one of the best in Peru. The whole affair was accompanied by refreshing house cocktails. Lunch – most eagerly anticipated given that Naguib is an expert chef - consisted of a terrific and bountiful buffet of Peruvian cuisine. This featured the likes of causa (layered potatoes and yellow chilli pepper filled with ceviche of sole and garnished with lashings of lime juice), shambar (a rich northern Peruvian stew containing beans, meat and
by Simon photos by Martin On September 23rd 1996 Marisol Mosquera started Aracari Travel with the vision of designing hand-crafted itineraries for those discerning travellers who wanted to explore Peru in comfort and style. Precisely 15 years later and the company is recognised as one of Peru’s finest tour operators,…
She was hailed by the likes of nobel prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa as “the lady of the Colca Canyon”, while an article published in renowned British newspaper the Observer in 1999 echoed that Madre Antonia was one indomitable spirit in the Andes that dedicated her heart and soul to helping those less fortunate than her. A tribute to Madre Antonia, The Lady of the Colca Canyon July 2011 marks the first anniversary of the death of Madre Antonia. An old friend of Aracari, she sadly passed away in July of last year. But she has left us with an incredible legacy of whole-heartedness, determination and, at times, outright stubbornness. A nun hailing from the Maryknoll Order of the Bronx in New York, Madre Antonia later moved to Peru, and settled in the Colca Canyon in the early 1970's. Over the course of some 40 years, and right up until her death last year, she built a reputation locally as a woman who would give her left arm to help the poor. Supporting those less fortunate She provided warm food for many hungry mouths whilst harrying those who perpetrated domestic abuse; she provided vital medical assistance whilst seeking retribution for local wrongdoers; she championed the causes of locals whilst uncovering theft from the church. In the face of death threats and in spite of hostility, she continued ever more determined in fighting injustice in the communities of Colca. Yanque Soup Kitchen Perhaps her most remarkable feat, Madre Antonia set up a soup kitchen in the village of Yanque, providing as many as 1,000 people with a 5am breakfast of bread and thick soup made from fresh vegetables that she had devotedly nurtured in her own fields and adobe greenhouses. This would often be the only meal of the day. And in
She was hailed by the likes of nobel prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa as “the lady of the Colca Canyon”, while an article published in renowned British newspaper the Observer in 1999 echoed that Madre Antonia was one indomitable spirit in the Andes that dedicated her heart and soul to…
