Each year on days leading up to the full moon before Corpus Christi, the remote Sinakara Valley on the north face of Ausungate transforms from a desolate, icy no-mans-land to the final destination of a rigorous pilgrimage and the site of a festival known as Qoyllur Riti. As many as 50,000 people take part in the world-renowned pilgrimage, hiking many miles to reach this valley located at almost 15,000 feet above sea level and gathering on the mountain slopes to take part in the celebrations. This year the festival’s main events will take place on May 27th. Qoyllur Riti, like many other Andean festivals, is a syncretism of Catholicism and traditional Andean beliefs. The Church's official stance is that the history of the celebration dates back to 1780 when an image of of a small mestizo boy eventually revealed himself to be Jesus Christ to a young Andean child in the area. However, the Andean people who preserve this tradition had been doing so for many years before the invasion of the Spanish and Catholicism, so for the local decendents of the indigenous population, the festival was oringinally a celebration of the stars. To this day, Qoyllur Riti combines and celebrates both the Catholic and Indigenous aspects. The festival takes place during a time period when the Pleiades constellation disappears and reappears in the Southern Hemisphere, signaling the transition to the upcoming harvest. As is the case with many celebrations throughout the Andean region, images of Christ,crosses and other Christian symbols and beliefs mix with pre-columbian traditions, music, dance, and clothing to create these unique, amazing celebrations. Families of pilgrims from all over Peru make the trek to this sacred ground to pray for good health, a new car, a son, or whatever it is they would like to come
Each year on days leading up to the full moon before Corpus Christi, the remote Sinakara Valley on the north face of Ausungate transforms from a desolate, icy no-mans-land to the final destination of a rigorous pilgrimage and the site of a festival known as Qoyllur Riti. As many as…
Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike In every well-known photo of the Machu Picchu ruins is Huayna Picchu Mountain, standing majestically as if it were a watchful guardian protecting the sacred sanctuary below. Its prominent peak rises from the depths of the valley and beckons for you to climb its winding, vertical path to the ruins that sit atop. For me it was through this trek and from this vantage point that I experienced Machu Picchu to the fullest. Each day, only 500 people are allowed to make the journey up, providing every boldly adventurous trekker with a less cumbersome trail and with more room to maneuver and explore around the summit. Perhaps the most incredible aspect of this trek is the 360-degree view from the top, which overlooks the ruins, the snaking Urubamba River, and the lush mountainous landscape. Tickets to Huayna Picchu Due to the restrictions on visitor numbers to hike up Huayna Picchu, tickets must be purchased well in advance as they always sell out. You cannot buy tickets on the day, and the ticket is an addition to your main Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Entrance times to start the hike are divided into two slots, allowing 250 visitors in each. The first entrance slot is from 7-8am and the second is from 10-11am. The average time for the round-trip ascent and descent is three hours; note that you must exit Huayna Picchu by 1pm in the afternoon. When Huayna Picchu sells out, there are still sometimes tickets available to the alternative hike Machu Picchu Mountain. Uphill Hiking One overcast and muggy day last January, Aracari team member James, his brother, his father, and I were among the intrigued and daring hikers to make the climb. Entering through the main gate of Machu Picchu, we made our way across
Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike In every well-known photo of the Machu Picchu ruins is Huayna Picchu Mountain, standing majestically as if it were a watchful guardian protecting the sacred sanctuary below. Its prominent peak rises from the depths of the valley and beckons for you to climb its winding, vertical…
How could we not feature a meal at TripAdvisor’s currently #1 ranked restaurant in Cusco on our blog? Let me take you through the meal that, although not Peruvian, left me dreaming of French baguette and foie gras for days. Le Soleil is the first restaurant offering French cuisine in Cusco, and although most of the ingredients need to be imported, the chef delivers a line-up of plates as deliciously sophisticated as one you would find in a stylish bistro in Paris. I can graciously admit that although I am obsessed with the flavorful tiradito and juicy pollo a la brasa that comprises my typical dining schedule, the need to branch out and explore the offerings of other cultures is a necessity for me. With recommendations from Marisol, who recently posted a blog article about her time spent with the world-class owner Artur Marcinkiewicz at his restaurant and hotel La Lune One Suite, my initial curiosity became a full-fledged desire to see what all of the ‘great food, ambient atmosphere, and spectacular service’ fuss was all about. I could easily describe in great detail the sumptuous wine and each of the five elegantly prepared dishes that were placed before me, but I believe that the photographs documenting my extravagant dining selection is enough to purvey just how incredible my meal was. The refined flavors of the food and wine, attentive and personalized service (from Artur himself, as well!), and the casual yet smart vibe of Le Soleil certainly lives up to the hype. I now understand why this fabulous French restaurant hidden down the cobblestone streets of Cusco has made such an impression on discerning locals and visitors alike. To include a reservation at Le Soleil or an overnight at the equally incredible La Lune One Suite during your trip to
How could we not feature a meal at TripAdvisor’s currently #1 ranked restaurant in Cusco on our blog? Let me take you through the meal that, although not Peruvian, left me dreaming of French baguette and foie gras for days. Le Soleil is the first restaurant offering French cuisine in…
On a recent trip to the Urubamba Valley, the Aracari team was most pleased to have the opportunity to stay at one of the finest new additions to accommodation in Peru: the New Suites that have been recently been inaugurated by Sol y Luna in June 2010.
On a recent trip to the Urubamba Valley, the Aracari team was most pleased to have the opportunity to stay at one of the finest new additions to accommodation in Peru: the New Suites that have been recently been inaugurated by Sol y Luna in June 2010.
Caral and Cajamarca: Highlights of the North Northern Peru is an Aracari must and Nigel Richardson shares his insights on why now's the time to visit the wondrous Pre-Inca archeological site of Caral as well as the Northern Peru's colonial gem called Cajamarca. Take a look at what he had to say in the UK's Daily Telegraph Peru: A history lost in the ruins Done Machu Picchu? There's more to Peru's ancient past, Nigel Richardson discovers in Caral and Cajamarca About Caral Journalist Nigel Richardson writes: ''As the 21st century dawned, Caral took centre-stage. In 2000, carbon dating of a bag woven from plant fibres proved that the 163-acre site had been built between 3000 and 2100BC, making it the oldest civilisation on the continent of the Americas and contemporaneous with the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. At a stroke, Caral was rocketed into the archaeological superleague''. About Cajamarca The quaint colonial city of Cajamarca sits in a lush valley dotted with eucalyptus groves and roving cattle. Rivaled only by Cusco in Andean charm, Cajamarca is the cultural and commercial center of the Peruvian highlands. The city is renowned for its rich cheeses and dairy products, and its mild, dry and sunny weather makes it pleasant to visit throughout the year. Nevertheless, this little-known destination is almost untouched by tourists. Cajamarca is a reminder of Peru's riches and is just one of an almost immeasurable number of opportunities to explore beyond the traditional tourist destinations. Cajamarca is best known as the place where the Inca Empire began its end. In 1532, Atahualpa, the final sovereign ruler of the Inca Empire, was en route to Cusco to claim his throne after defeating his brother, Huáscar, in battle. When he stopped in Cajamarca, conquistador Francisco Pizarro was waiting with 168 soldiers, who had
Caral and Cajamarca: Highlights of the North Northern Peru is an Aracari must and Nigel Richardson shares his insights on why now’s the time to visit the wondrous Pre-Inca archeological site of Caral as well as the Northern Peru’s colonial gem called Cajamarca. Take a look at what he had to…
Located on a mountain spur, overlooking the Apurimac river on south and the vertical slopes of the Vilcabamba range to the north and east, Inca Choquequirao (3000m) is an awesome site. A private trek to Choquequirao is a unique way to get away from the tourists crowds on a tailormade trip Peru. Trek to Choquequirao: Lost City of the Incas It was considered for a century and a half to be "the Lost city of the Incas" a term applied now to Machu Picchu. In fact the likenesses to Machu Picchu are many: much like Machu Picchu it is located on a mountain outcrop overlooking a raging river, Machu Picchu the Urubamba, and Choquequirao the Apurimac. Machu Picchu was probably a sacred place or estate of Inca Pachacutec, and Choquequirao was certainly a place of worship….and each of them are located at opposite sides of Nevado Salcantay (6264m) one of the holiest mountains in the region. Choquequirao is one of the top peru treks in the country for adventurous travellers and an spectacular alternative well worth considering if you're not doing the inca trail trek. Peru Luxury Trekking: Trek to Choquequirao: 5D/4N Choquequirao is much more than an archaeological complex. Its setting is extraordinary: within the space of just a few kilometers, the area is home to such varying ecosystems as glaciers at over 6000m, down to steamy tropical valleys at just 1800m. The ruins are rarely visited but it is possible to reach the site with a rigorous five day, four night trek to Choquequirao with Aracari travel. See the full day-by-day itinerary for the Choquequirao trek History and discovery of Choquequirao Choquequirao is located 40 kms south west of Machu Picchu as the condor flies: but the mighty peaks of Soray (5428m), Salcantay (6264m) and Yanama (5347m) lie between the
Located on a mountain spur, overlooking the Apurimac river on south and the vertical slopes of the Vilcabamba range to the north and east, Inca Choquequirao (3000m) is an awesome site. A private trek to Choquequirao is a unique way to get away from the tourists crowds on a tailormade…