Recently back from an incredible trip to The Colca Valley and Canyon, I want to share one of my highlights - a half day hike in Colca Peru to the pre-Incan Madrigal Chimpa Fortress. Sitting high above the Colca Valley (4,412m / 14,475ft), it has kept watch over the lands below since 1,200 AD. The exact history of the ruins remain a mystery to visitors and locals alike, but it is thought to have been the military fortress that divided the clashing Collagua and Cabana cultures of pre-Inca times. Reaching these ruins requires a tough uphill hike - but the views from the top are more than worth it. While there are many hikes in Colca, this one boasts a practically tourist-free trail, deserted ruins, panoramic views of Colca Canyon and an active volcano - and even the chance to sight majestic condors! Getting to the Madrigal Chimpa Fortress hike Traveling with Caroline, our trek to Madrigal Chimpa Fortress began with a scenic drive along the right hand side of the Colca River to the base of the fortress. The river's right hand side is far less visited than the left, so we couldn't help but laugh at the "traffic" that we kept hitting along the way. The roads were completely desolate, apart from donkeys, cows, and llamas! We made a brief stop en route in the town of Lari (3,033m) to take photos of the quaint village and its charming colonial church. As we then approached the foot of the fortress, after about an hour and fifteen minute drive from our hotel, Colca Lodge, the imposing mountains created a definite 'wow' factor. The steep ascent hiking to Chimpa Fortress After applying plenty of sunblock and filling our reusable water bottles we began to ascend, slowly but surely making our way up the side of the mountain with the fortress in
Recently back from an incredible trip to The Colca Valley and Canyon, I want to share one of my highlights – a half day hike in Colca Peru to the pre-Incan Madrigal Chimpa Fortress. Sitting high above the Colca Valley (4,412m / 14,475ft), it has kept watch over the lands below since 1,200…
*Photo credits to RPP Noticias for images of the Danzaq and Saqra dancers featured above. Festival in Peru, Señor de Choquekillka From now through September some of the most fascinating and unique festivals will be celebrated throughout Peru including the upcoming Pentecostal celebrations this weekend followed by Qoyllur Riti, Corpus Christi and Inti Raymi in the coming weeks. The city of Ollantaytambo in the Urubamba Valley will celebrate the vibrant Festival of the Señor de Choquekillka in honor of their patron saint and Pentecost beginning this Saturday June 7th through Tuesday June 10th. Ollantaytambo is located about 80 kilometers from the city of Cusco and is known for its impressive Inca fortress, original Inca streets and architecture and the train station that services travellers to Machu Picchu. The festival, proclaimed Cultural Patrimony of the Nation in 2008, is a spectacular example of syncretism between the Catholic and Inca religious traditions and beliefs, combining dances, food and rituals of the region with the observation of Pentecost, which marks the end of the Easter season in the Catholic Church. During the festival, a cross bearing the image of the Señor de Choquekillka is taken out of the church in the main plaza and carried through the streets to the Temple of Santiago the Apostle in a colorful procession accompanied by musicians. This procession happens various times over the course of the festival. During four days the town is abuzz with festivities that include dancing, singing, religious processions and masses, bull fights and fireworks as sponsors of the festival offer the community an abundance of traditional and local dishes. There are more than 16 unique dances performed by around 400 dancers, all dressed in brilliant costumes, each symbolic of a moment or aspect of the history of the region and Peru. There are
*Photo credits to RPP Noticias for images of the Danzaq and Saqra dancers featured above. Festival in Peru, Señor de Choquekillka From now through September some of the most fascinating and unique festivals will be celebrated throughout Peru including the upcoming Pentecostal celebrations this weekend followed by Qoyllur Riti, Corpus…
A Trip Across Bolivia with Aracari Journalist Lauren Holmes shares her personal experience travelling through Bolivia with Aracari as part of her research trip for her Bolivia destination article for House & Garden Magazine. During my first trip to Bolivia, backpacking across the continent a decade ago, I had time on my side. Yet, despite a month spent hopping between Andean Altiplano and dense jungle, ticking off the major must-sees, I left feeling like I had missed something, that of all the countries I had visited, it was the hardest one to crack. A multitude of worlds within one The country’s complexities are no secret and date back to the Incas, who maintained their grip of power over their vast empire by shuffling tribes around to dissuade dissent. When the Spanish Conquistadors arrived, their disregard for anything associated with the indigenous way of life made the already hermetic communities ever more fiercely protective of customs and traditions – and forged a wariness of foreigners that is still palpable. Today, Bolivia is a multitude of worlds within one - 35 officially recognized indigenous languages and cultures that enable you to jump between historical periods as if you had a time machine. Bolivia is a difficult country to travel alone Second time round, I was determined to forge a stronger connection to the culture and find the understanding I had lacked, as well as exploring all that was to enjoy of Bolivia’s ‘new luxury’ for a feature for the UK’s House & Garden magazine. This was where Aracari would prove invaluable. With a culture as dense and confusing as the topography, limited infrastructure and regular roadblocks, Bolivia is a difficult country to travel alone, particularly if you want to head off the well-trodden tourist path. Exploring La Paz We started in La
A Trip Across Bolivia with Aracari Journalist Lauren Holmes shares her personal experience travelling through Bolivia with Aracari as part of her research trip for her Bolivia destination article for House & Garden Magazine. During my first trip to Bolivia, backpacking across the continent a decade ago, I had time…
