Practiced originally on the shores of Hawaii, stand up paddle boarding (SUP) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Having heard a lot about it, I decided to try out the soft adventure sport on a stunning high altitude lake near Cusco. This adventure activity takes half a day and is best in the morning when the winds are calmer. Combine SUP with an afternoon visit to Incan ruins or other top adventure activities in the Sacred Valley. Stand Up Paddle Cusco at Laguna Huacarpay My experience stand up paddle boarding took place on scenic Laguna Huacarpay, just 40 minutes outside the city of Cusco. While not quite as tropical as Waikiki, the lakes around Cusco offer a beautiful and tranquil setting, ideal for first-timers like me to learn the ropes. After an initial safety briefing and time to put on a wetsuit, I was pushing off from shore and took to my feet, carefully gaining my balance and gently paddling forward. ‘This is easy,’ I thought, tempting fate to shove me into the glistening waters below me. Luckily I didn’t fall in, although, dangling my foot into the lake, I was pleasantly surprised to find the water at a manageable temperature. A Great Activity for Families The popularity of stand up paddle boarding is undoubtedly in part due to how super easy it is to learn. Anyone, of any age, can give it a go, making it an ideal activity for families looking for a little soft adventure. Joining me on the lake was a friend and his two daughters, ages 5 and 7, both of whom were very excited to be getting involved and, as it turned out, both expert paddlers themselves. Acclimatizing to the Altitude Unlike many activities in the Cusco area, Stand Up Paddle Boarding is not
Practiced originally on the shores of Hawaii, stand up paddle boarding (SUP) has become increasingly popular in recent years. Having heard a lot about it, I decided to try out the soft adventure sport on a stunning high altitude lake near Cusco. This adventure activity takes half a day and…
The Two Day Lares trek in Peru The two day Lares trek from Patakancha to Lares is a spectacular hike through the Peruvian Andes. One of the most popular alternative hikes to the Inca trail, the Lares trek can be done as a three day / two night trek, or quicker over two days and one night, camping en route. One of the best things about this two day lares trek is that you can avoid the tourist crowds and gain an insight into local culture: while other Peru treks focus exclusively on landscapes, with the two day Lares trek you get to hike through the country's Quechua highlands and pass rural communities along this spectacular hike. Aracari arranges the two day Lares trek on a private basis only, not as a group tour. The village of Patakancha I recently had the chance to take this two day trail through breathtaking landscapes, where life remains much unchanged since the time of the Incas. Our journey began with a drive through the Sacred Valley where upon reaching Olllantaytambo, we climbed our way up a partially-paved road for 45 minutes until reaching the small community of Patakancha. This small village is charming, with thatched roof buildings of stone or adobe bricks and cheery locals making their livings as they have for centuries from weaving textiles and farming and raising animals. Meeting the Porters It was here that we met up with our team of porters and muleteers. Once our mules were loaded and sunscreen had been applied to shield us from the strong Andean sun, we began our walk out from Patakancha. Heading gently upwards through the agricultural terraces and passing flocks of grazing llamas, there was already a feeling that we had escaped the main tourist trail and were experiencing Andean
The Two Day Lares trek in Peru The two day Lares trek from Patakancha to Lares is a spectacular hike through the Peruvian Andes. One of the most popular alternative hikes to the Inca trail, the Lares trek can be done as a three day / two night trek, or…
Aracari is thrilled to introduce you to our photography and archaeology specialist, Kevin Floerke. With 9 years of experience working in Peru, Kevin is a United States native with a wealth of information on Incan archaeology, and photography techniques for shooting Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Aracari can connect you with Kevin, one of our many top Peru specialists, on any private, tailormade trip to Peru. He is the perfect companion for travelers looking to experience Peru through the eyes (and lens) of a professional photographer and archaeologist. Contact travel@aracari.com now for a private, custom journey led by top Peru specialists. Kevin Floerke: One of Aracari's Top Peru Specialists Archaeology Expertise Kevin is a charismatic young professional with extensive accomplishments and energy that make him a great guide and specialist on a tailormade trip to Peru. A graduate from UCLA, Kevin's archaeology accolades include working with the Smithsonian Institute to help create the most extensive map of the Inca Road system in the Cusco Valley to date, leading explorations and excavations in the Yanama Valley north of Choquequirao, directing data collection and mapmaking for The Great Inca Trail expedition, and accompanying National Geographic sponsored expeditions in Peru. Photography Expertise Over the course of time he has spent exploring the Andes on these archaeological expeditions, including challenging hikes over little-visited terrain, Kevin simultaneously pursued his professional photography and filmmaking passions. Kevin’s media work has been featured in prestigious outlets such as BBC Travel, and the Outdoor Channel. Kevin’s passion for photography and archaeology may seem like standalone talents, but interestingly enough they go perfectly hand in hand. When he joined the team for The Great Inca Trail project- which was hiking for 5 months with a llama train from Cuenca, Ecuador to Cusco, Peru- the expedition welcomed him aboard to collect archaeological data on the
Aracari is thrilled to introduce you to our photography and archaeology specialist, Kevin Floerke. With 9 years of experience working in Peru, Kevin is a United States native with a wealth of information on Incan archaeology, and photography techniques for shooting Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Aracari can connect you…
Last week I left the hustle and bustle of Lima and adventured south to begin a multi-day escape from Cusco to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa on South America's first ever luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer. Over the next three days I would travel more than 450 miles (725km) across the Peruvian Andes on a train climbing to 14,270ft (4,350m) - and it's safe to say I was pretty excited to experience this overnight luxury train Peru, which launched in May 2017. Interested in train travel? Check out our Luxury Peru by Rail itinerary. The Belmond Andean Explorer I arrived at 10:30am to the PeruRail station in Cusco after having spent a few days in the area acclimatizing to the altitude. Upon boarding the train I was immediately impressed by the level of luxury, style, and service consolidated into the 16 cars. I was greeted with the other passengers by the train's guide and taken to the beautiful Piano Bar Car where we were briefed on the days schedule and then individually shown to our respective cabins. We then set off on a 3 day, 2 night journey- one of the 4 routes available on the Belmond Andean Explorer. Accommodation Aboard the Luxury Train Peru The train has 4 different room layouts, two larger style double bed cabins, a twin bed cabin which is about half the size, and a very small bunk bed cabin which I would recommend only for children. I was staying in the Junior Double Bed Cabin, the second level of four in terms of room luxury. Both the room and the bathroom turned out to be much more spacious and comfortable than one would expect on a train - well heated for the cold nights and equipped with a comfortable bed and decent sized bathroom. Every room on the train is equipped with oxygen and a nurse is readily available
Last week I left the hustle and bustle of Lima and adventured south to begin a multi-day escape from Cusco to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa on South America’s first ever luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer. Over the next three days I would travel more than 450 miles (725km) across the Peruvian Andes on a train…
Earlier this year I packed my hiking boots and headed to the hills to stay at Explora’s first property in Peru, Explora Valle Sagrado. Offering understated luxury for adventure-seekers, it puts the personality of a lodge inside the body of a sizable, 50-room hotel. Set within a 30-odd hectare plantation of giant corn and kiwicha, the setting in the shadow of imposing mountains is something spectacular. Explora Valle Sagrado Review The only all-inclusive property in the Sacred Valley, the reason to stay here over any other luxury hotel in the Sacred Valley (of which there are several) is for its wide range of carefully designed a la carte hiking and biking routes, included in the price. The Sacred Valley sees busy footfall thanks to camera-wielding tourists en-route to Machu Picchu, but the treks and bike ride I tested out proved perfectly crafted for crowd-avoidance, passing through quiet Andean villages, along back routes to commonly visited sites and to picture-perfect viewpoints. Contact Aracari today for a tailormade trip to Peru including Explora Valle Sagrado The Excursions: Explora Valle Sagrado Review All the treks and biking excursions take either a half day or a full day. There are also excursions with less emphasis on hiking – but Explora’s strength is hiking excursions. Visits to Machu Picchu are not included in the pricing, but can be added on and arranged by Aracari. To avoid any back-tracking and to maximize your time in the countryside, I highly recommend you choose from the full day treks rather than having to drive back to the hotel for lunch. Gentle acclimatization routes close to the property allow you to build up to heights where the oxygen is noticeably thinner. I particularly enjoyed the 8.5km Cinco Lagunas (Five Lakes) ‘’medium’’ (Explora’s definition) full day trek. Reaching an altitude of
Earlier this year I packed my hiking boots and headed to the hills to stay at Explora’s first property in Peru, Explora Valle Sagrado. Offering understated luxury for adventure-seekers, it puts the personality of a lodge inside the body of a sizable, 50-room hotel. Set within a 30-odd hectare plantation…