As an avid trekker and outdoor enthusiast, the vast offerings of Peru and the Andes Mountains are a dream come true. Occasionally I find myself overwhelmed by the options I have at my fingertips, but when I arrived in Cusco for the first time there was no doubt in my mind what my priority adventures were – the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and a trek to the beautiful Vinicunca, Rainbow Mountain Peru. If you are a like-minded outdoor enthusiast, contact Aracari or email travel@aracari.com for a tailormade trip to Peru including Rainbow Mountain Peru, or check out more of our trekking options. A Hike to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Peru Vinicunca is a mountain pass located about a four hour drive south east of Cusco, in the opposite direction of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Known more commonly by travelers as the Rainbow Mountain Peru and by locals as La Montaña de Siete Colores (mountain of seven colors) or Cerro Colorado (colored hill), the geographical wonder is famous for its rainbow tonality- a surreal natural phenomena of mineral deposits streaked across sandstone rock. In an area claimed to have one of the most impressive mountain sceneries in the Andes, Vinicunca is in close proximity to the snow capped Ausangate, the highest and most sacred mountain in the Cusco region. Rainbow Mountain Peru can be accomplished as either a part of longer trekking routes such as the lodge to lodge Ausangate trek or a shorter trip focused on Vinicunca. According to your outdoor interests and personal time constraints, trips range from two to nine days and are available with luxury camping accommodations, or as lodge to lodge treks. One day tours are widely offered from Cusco for backpackers and Aracari strongly recommends against this. The mountain pass is at high altitude, and on a multi day trip you have more time
As an avid trekker and outdoor enthusiast, the vast offerings of Peru and the Andes Mountains are a dream come true. Occasionally I find myself overwhelmed by the options I have at my fingertips, but when I arrived in Cusco for the first time there was no doubt in my mind…
Aracari's head of marketing Caroline, tests out a new culinary experience for our guests, tasting her way through the streets of Cusco and learning more about Peruvian food with every bite! Peru boasts an almost unbelievable number of ingredients and rich culinary history, sitting firmly on the international food scene as a must-visit culinary destination. Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire, is surrounded by the Andes which are recognized for their wide array of natural ingredients. Ancient superfoods like quinoa and kiwicha sit alongside the seemingly humble potato; nearby, the Sacred Valley lays claim to a special variety of corn, the giant choclo. Aracari now offers a special food-focused morning tour, led on foot by one of the city’s top professional chefs, so on a recent trip to Cusco, I went along to meet one of the chefs and test it out. Cusco Food tour with a professional chef Ingredients and their diversity from Cusco and beyond have helped inspire the country’s leading chefs to deliver internationally-acclaimed fare, consolidated Peru’s position as a gastronomic epicenter. On this tour you're led by one of our two professional chefs: Rodrigo Balbontín | Born in Chile, but raised gastronomically in Peru, Rodrigo took his first cooking class at the age of 9. Studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Peru’s culinary capital of Lima, he has worked in the kitchens of many of the country’s top restaurants including Astrid y Gaston, Rafael and Maido, as well as gaining experience abroad in London, Madrid and Barcelona. Rodrigo is passionate about food and experimenting in the kitchen, and enjoys sharing his love of cuisine with visitors. Stephan Joubert | Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Stephan studied culinary arts in his home city before exploring the world through top hotel kitchens including the Radison Blu Saton and the Ritz
Aracari’s head of marketing Caroline, tests out a new culinary experience for our guests, tasting her way through the streets of Cusco and learning more about Peruvian food with every bite! Peru boasts an almost unbelievable number of ingredients and rich culinary history, sitting firmly on the international food scene…
At the heart of any family adventure is the importance of fun, interactive and educational experiences, and a balance between keeping the kids and adults happy and entertained. Peru offers a rich array of experiences for a family trip to Peru. Our 14-day Amazing Andean Adventure itinerary is an introduction to some of the most fascinating places in the country and features activities specifically geared towards the comfort, safety, and interests of families. With a range of organized experiences including incredible wildlife excursions in the Amazon rainforest, learning to cook in the kitchen of a local family in the Sacred Valley and a hands-on chocolate-making workshop, you and your children are guaranteed to actively discover the ancient past and vibrant present of a country rich in culture, history and adventure! See the full itinerary here. Here are some of the itinerary highlights: Family trip to Peru: Learn to Surf in Lima For years Peru has been well-known as one of the premium surfing destinations in the world, with almost 2,500km of pacific coastline providing wave after crashing wave to surf upon. Accompanied by your professional surf instructors and guides from the amazing Latin American Surf School, you will spend the day at Lima’s Costa Verde shore, learning safe surfing techniques and riding the waves, with a variety of board options that cater to your specific experience level. Read more about surfing in Lima. Family trip to Peru: Explore the Wonders of the Amazon Spend three nights at an Amazon lodge, deep in the Tamboptata National Reserve, with exciting jungle excursions planned each day. At night you'll go in search of caiman with headlamps, and by day you'll enjoy walks and boat rides through the jungle. Climb a 25m canopy tower for an incredible view over the primary forest, on the look out
At the heart of any family adventure is the importance of fun, interactive and educational experiences, and a balance between keeping the kids and adults happy and entertained. Peru offers a rich array of experiences for a family trip to Peru. Our 14-day Amazing Andean Adventure itinerary is an introduction…
