The Spanish Conquistadors did more than defeat the Incas in the 16th Century. They sowed the seeds for the evolution of a unique breed of horse, the Peruvian Paso Horse, which is often referred to today as the ‘smoothest ride in the world'. Here we provide information on this special breed or horse and where to see a Peruvian paso horse demonstration as part of a luxury travel peru tailormade journey. The unique characteristics of the Peruvian Paso Horse At the core of its popularity is the extraordinary natural four beat lateral gait that the Peruvian Paso horse unusually passes through the generations. In layman's terms, the forelegs ‘almost prance', like the horse is always on parade – a graceful, flowing motion called ‘termino'. Bred for luxury and endurance by a select group of prominent Peruvian families for over 450 years, this compact, sturdy horse evolved to ride long distances comfortably, often across savage Andean mountain ranges. Unsurprisingly, the breed developed a congenial nature as with the landowners having little time, the unfortunate individuals with a bad disposition were simply discarded. ‘Brio' is the word most often used to describe the Peruvian Paso horse's nature. Deceptively short as a term, it stands for intelligence, grace, pride, dignity, docility and gentleness. These horses are renowned for their love of people, particularly their owners whom they become extremely attached to. After 450 years of quiet evolution and steadfast service, the Peruvian Paso horse is experiencing something of a boom in worldwide popularity. This is particularly true in the United States where it was introduced a mere thirty years ago. Today it is hailed as the ideal ride for the 21 st Century rider, with demand often outstripping supply of these beautiful creatures. Where to see a Peruvian Paso Horse Demonstration Peruvian Paso
The Spanish Conquistadors did more than defeat the Incas in the 16th Century. They sowed the seeds for the evolution of a unique breed of horse, the Peruvian Paso Horse, which is often referred to today as the ‘smoothest ride in the world’. Here we provide information on this special…
Dr John Hemming is an explorer and writer who ran the Royal Geographical Society for 21 years. In addition to Peru, his passion is Amazonian indigenous peoples. His latest book about them is Die If You Must. Brazilian Indians in the Twentieth Century. Here he shares thoughts and top tips for visiting Cusco with Aracari. Dr. Hemming's Insider Insight: Tips for Visiting Cusco Why Cusco? I first saw Cusco in 1960 and fell hopelessly for this strange city. I have twice lived there for a while, and go back whenever I possibly can. Cusco never forgets that it was the capital of the mighty Inca empire. This means a lot to me, as I have written a history of the Conquest of the Incas and another book on their greatest artistic achievement - architecture. What do you miss most when you are away from Cusco? The altitude and the dignity. Cuzco is at 3310 metres (almost 11,000 feet), and I am addicted to the thrill of stepping out of a plane into that cool, thin climate and deep blue sky. I marvel at the way Cuzqueños keep their calm despite living in one of the world’s great tourist destinations. Everyone is unhurried at that altitude, and the townspeople are always friendly but dignified, as befits the heirs of the Incas. (The altitude should not be a problem, provided that you go easy on both food and drink for two or three days after arrival.) What’s the first thing you do when you return? I walk, slowly of course, around beloved streets. The ancient heart of Cusco is quite small, and there is Inca masonry everywhere. Every ruler built a palace of ashlars cut with dazzling virtuosity and you keep bumping into fragments of their walls. But look at the base of every
Dr John Hemming is an explorer and writer who ran the Royal Geographical Society for 21 years. In addition to Peru, his passion is Amazonian indigenous peoples. His latest book about them is Die If You Must. Brazilian Indians in the Twentieth Century. Here he shares thoughts and top tips for…
As Peru’s more rustic cousin, Bolivia is a country that until the last decade, remained largely unexplored by International travelers. But as one of Aracari’s flagship destinations, Bolivia has been very much a feature of our tailormade itineraries for almost 25’ years. Witnessing Bolivia’s evaluation from a destination only suited to the more adventurous traveler, to a country now catering different styles, means Marisol and her team are very much in the know when it comes to what to do and see within Bolivia’s landlocked borders. From soaring mountain peaks and untouched rainforest, to expansive, otherworldly salt flats and sweeping savannahs – Bolivia is a country that will stay with you long after you return home. However, knowing Bolivia’s secrets is the key to planning a trip of a lifetime. These secrets can’t be found on Google, but only from those who know her best – so, in an Aracari exclusive, here are our favorite must-see highlights of breathtaking Bolivia. Uyuni Salt Flats Bolivia’s majestic salt flats (Salar de Uyuni) stretch as far as the eye can see in every direction. At over 10,000 square kilometers in area, this vast expansive is one of South America’s great natural wonders. Marisol and her team of Bolivia experts have crafted each detail of our Salar de Uyuni experiences to take in rarely visited colorful lagoons, rock gardens, geyser fields and cactus forests that other travelers simply won’t know about. Guests may choose to visit the salt flats by private excursion led by Aracari’s expert guides, a one-in-a-lifetime experience that includes taking in the sunset with a glass of Bolivian red wine and local delicacies. Or instead, to include the Salar de Uyuni as part of one of our exhilarating road trip itineraries that cross borders from Peru to Bolivia to Chile,
As Peru’s more rustic cousin, Bolivia is a country that until the last decade, remained largely unexplored by International travelers. But as one of Aracari’s flagship destinations, Bolivia has been very much a feature of our tailormade itineraries for almost 25’ years. Witnessing Bolivia’s evaluation from a destination only suited…
The Ausangate Trek is the highest trek in Peru. It takes you through some of the country’s wildest scenery, and is the perfect opportunity for travelers to get off the beaten track. Here is Mark’s account of his time on the trail. Complete guide to the Highest Trek in Peru Trail of the Apu A lodge-to-lodge trek around Mount Ausangate has been on my bucket list for some time, so I was thrilled to experience it recently. I had very high expectations, and I’m delighted to report that it exceeded them. The Ausangate Trek takes place in the Cordillera Vilcanota, a breathtakingly beautiful mountain range approximately four-hours south of the city of Cusco. This region receives comparatively few visitors than the more well-known treks closer to Machu Picchu, but hikers are rewarded with privileged - and often private - panoramas. We witnessed towering snow-capped peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and the other-worldly landscapes of Vinicunca and Red Valley. Getting Acclimatized Altitude and acclimatization is a very important factor in this region. The entire 26 mile (42 kilometer) trails sits at elevations of between 4,290 meters (14,000 feet) and 5,150 meters (16,900 feet). With these altitudes in mind, the recommendation is to allow for a minimum of 2 nights in the Cusco region before embarking on the trek. Many hikers opt to complete the hike after completing alternative treks near Cusco at lower altitudes. Our trek began at our hotel in Cusco. After meeting with our guide we were driven several hours south along the Vilcanota River towards the hamlet of Japura. Following a tranquil river-side picnic lunch, the first day of hiking consisted of a short and steady stroll to our first lodge at Chillca Tambo. This was a gentle and enjoyable warm-up ahead of the more challenging full-day hikes to
The Ausangate Trek is the highest trek in Peru. It takes you through some of the country’s wildest scenery, and is the perfect opportunity for travelers to get off the beaten track. Here is Mark’s account of his time on the trail. Complete guide to the Highest Trek in Peru…
As one of the lucky countries with the Andes decorating its landscapes, Peru is rich in hiking and climbing opportunities for adventure travelers. But the best part about the varied terrain is that there is trekking for every skill set and fitness level. A great hike for soft adventurers, who love to be outside but aren't looking for a huge challenge, is the Canocota Canyon Colca Peru hike which can be included as a part of a luxury, tailormade trip to Peru with travel specialists, Aracari. Canocota Canyon Colca Peru Hike My colleague Caroline and I recently made a trip south to try out some of the great experiences Aracari offers in the Colca Valley and Canyon. Lucky for us this included two hikes, a difficult hike to Madrigal Chimpa Fortress and an easier half day hike through the Canocota Canyon, the smaller and lesser-known sister of the Colca Canyon. Located in the north-eastern area of the Colca Valley, the Canocota Canyon is home to dramatic landscapes and incredible views. This Colca Peru hike is a point to point trek, that starts in the small town of Canocota, which sits at 3,500m (11,482ft), and ends at La Calera, one of the many natural public thermal bathes in the Colca Valley. An easy-moderate option for travelers, the hike is about 8.2km (5.1mi) and on average takes 3 hours to walk. My Experience on the Canocota Canyon Colca Peru Hike We decided to bring a box lunch, and start our hike around 1pm. This turned out to be a great idea, as there was not a single other traveler on the path. Most of the tour companies hike this route from 2:30-5:30 in the afternoon, so we had the scenery and Andean landscapes all to ourselves. After admiring the colonial church while passing through the Canocota town square, Caroline, myself, and
As one of the lucky countries with the Andes decorating its landscapes, Peru is rich in hiking and climbing opportunities for adventure travelers. But the best part about the varied terrain is that there is trekking for every skill set and fitness level. A great hike for soft adventurers, who…