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…
At Aracari, our passion for delivering unsurpassed travel experiences is as strong as it is for promoting and protecting the communities and destinations we bring travelers to. Peru, Bolivia and The Galapagos are spectacularly diverse countries, culturally and geographically. All have delicate and endangered ecosystems which we are proud to share with our visitors, and hope to for generations to come. In order to accomplish this we need to ensure the impacts of our trips are minimized by providing environmentally friendly travel in Peru, Bolivia, and the Galapagos. THE PROBLEM WE’RE TACKLING Aracari knows that the world has a plastic problem. According to National Geographic, four million tons of trash are thrown away every day, and about 12.8% of that garbage is plastic. That plastic waste causes big problems for wildlife, our oceans, and the earth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQTUWK7CM-Y Though all plastic is a problem, a small and simple way to reduce waste is by turning away from plastic water bottles. If usage continues the way it is going, by the end of the decade over half a trillion bottles will be used annually! But, can’t the plastic just be recycled? Though that is true, only one in six plastic bottles end up recycled. Sometimes, even when you have the best intentions to recycle, there is no opportunity. Plenty of the off the beaten track places Aracari visits haven't yet developed recycling facilities. For example, you could be in a small village in the Sacred Valley with the intention of recycling your water bottle, and have no access to a recycling bin. The majority of water bottles end up in the trash, and eventually end in landfills or in our oceans, where animals may confuse it for food, or where it will slowly release its chemicals into the environment for a minimum of 450 years. To better understand the gravity of the
At Aracari, our passion for delivering unsurpassed travel experiences is as strong as it is for promoting and protecting the communities and destinations we bring travelers to. Peru, Bolivia and The Galapagos are spectacularly diverse countries, culturally and geographically. All have delicate and endangered ecosystems which we are proud to share with our…
Lima, Peru is often referred to as the culinary capital of Latin America thanks to its selection of the top restaurants in the region, and three of the best in the world. We are spoiled with incredible dining options, ranging from home cooked meals at hole in the wall eateries to world renowned gourmet restaurants. Visit the gastronomic capital of Latin America with culinary travel specialist, Aracari. Contact us or email travel@aracari.com for tailormade trip ideas that give you access to the best restaurants in Lima Peru, as well as exclusive dining experiences. Aracari Insight: A Few of the Best Restaurants In Lima Peru As culinary travel specialists, we at Aracari take dining very seriously. The team has explored an array of the restaurants that Lima has to offer and has compiled our favorites in our free culinary guide. Five of those favorites are as follows: Astrid y Gastón - Keep reading for a detailed review of the phenomenal restaurant. Malabar - Creative fusion cuisine with a seasonal menu. Aracari offers a private 5-course cooking demo with celebrity chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino. Central - Recognized as the #1 restaurant in Latin America and #5 in the world, Central is one of the most sought after reservations on earth. Rafael - A celebration of Peru's diverse culinary history, the cuisine combines the finest ingredients found in the country. amaZ - Known for its creative Amazonian flavors and drinks, the restaurant features products from the jungle like its chorizo oil-drizzled snails. Astrid y Gastón, a flavorful evening at one of the best restaurants in Lima Peru Recently I had a wonderful luxury dining experience at one of the best restaurants in Lima Peru, Astrid y Gastón, and I am thrilled to be able to share the highlights of my experience. Dining at Astrid y Gastón is truly that, an experience. The restaurant is nestled in the cozy, upscale neighborhood of San Isidrio and lives in an
Lima, Peru is often referred to as the culinary capital of Latin America thanks to its selection of the top restaurants in the region, and three of the best in the world. We are spoiled with incredible dining options, ranging from home cooked meals at hole in the wall eateries to world…
