By Caitlin, Photos: Caroline Maxcy Photography | On July 4th, 2012 I had the pleasure of visiting one of the most unique schools I have ever seen. It is located in the Urubamba Valley just walking distance from one of the most famous markets in Cusco, the Pisac Market. Kusi Kawsay School, which means happy life in the native language of Quechua, is made up of students that range from kindergarten to 8th grade with an upper grade study group. It is an Andean Waldorf inspired school, an academic structure and philosophy that can be found in many countries around the world. It offers an alternative integral education that promotes high self esteem in economically challenged children through the integration of their native Andean traditional culture, which is both valued and respected. Upon my arrival in Pisac I met Fielding, our host, at the Pisac Inn. She accompanied us up the flight of terraced steps that lead you from the market to where the Kusi Kawsay School is located. Along the way she gave us an excellent introduction to the school and its philosophies. Fielding and her husband are the owners of the Pisac Inn and close friends of Aracari for some time now. We frequently send our clients to their delicious restaurant located within the inn, Cuchara de Palo. I actually had lunch there during my visit and I can hands down say it was one of the best lunches I had in the Valley! Once we learned that Fielding was involved with this school (sending their own children there) and was actively trying to help fundraise, we decided that this organization was definitely worth a personal visit. When we arrived at the school, we visited each classroom starting with kindergarten. Luckily, we arrived on a Wednesday, the day
By Caitlin, Photos: Caroline Maxcy Photography | On July 4th, 2012 I had the pleasure of visiting one of the most unique schools I have ever seen. It is located in the Urubamba Valley just walking distance from one of the most famous markets in Cusco, the Pisac Market. Kusi…
Once upon a time, our great friend Susy Dyson was spotted for American Vogue by the Countess Aileen de Romanones in Marbella. Countless magazine covers followed, together with catwalk appearances for, among others, Yves Saint Laurent. Then having spent a decade absorbing the glamorous world of fashion, Susy decided to import her own brand of glamour back to her home country of Peru - with a vision of turning the bountiful raw materials found here into luxurious and beautiful products. Over the past twenty years, Susy has realized that vision in a line of clothes and accessories for export, by developing property and as an author - you'd be hard pushed to find anybody as well-connected inside and outside Peru, who can also provide a fascinating insight into local culture and traditional craftsmanship. Today, we are proud to be the recipients of Susy's latest venture, Ticllabamba - a beautiful, sixteenth century two bedroom house in the picturesque village of Yucay, 35km from Pisac deep in the Sacred Valley, the playground of the Incas. At 1000m lower and warmer than nearby Cuzco, the Valley is the ideal place to acclimatize and relax before exploring at higher altitudes. With comfort in mind, Susy has created a luxurious, but understated private retreat, with the emphasis on giving a uniquely personalized service for Aracari clients. Like its owner, the house has a fascinating story steeped in Inca history. Part of the 'royal estate' of Yucay, Ticllabamba is believed to been the property of Beatriz Coya, daughter of the Inca Huayna-Capac and was the favourite bathing place of "La Nusta", an Inca princess and daughter of the last Inca, Sayri-Tupac. Indeed, when rebuilding they found an Inca-stone lined bath below one of the three small cascades that flows into the northern terrace of the property,
Once upon a time, our great friend Susy Dyson was spotted for American Vogue by the Countess Aileen de Romanones in Marbella. Countless magazine covers followed, together with catwalk appearances for, among others, Yves Saint Laurent. Then having spent a decade absorbing the glamorous world of fashion, Susy decided to…
Educational institution, Kusi Kawsay in Pisac celebrated its 5th anniversary this year, and looking at recent advances the school has made, it is clear how it has matured and grown since its opening. For those unfamiliar with Kusi Kawsay, it is an independently-run school situated just above the famous Pisac Market in the Urubamba Valley with a pedagogy modeled on the Waldorf Educational Method. The focus here is on the incorporation of Andean culture and worldview into the classroom, placing a special importance on the arts. It was founded by five families who felt that traditional schools in the Cusco region discouraged Andean children from expressing and taking pride in their cultural heritage among other concerns about the overall management of students, classrooms and staff. So they started their own school, Kusi Kawsay, which in Quechua means “happy life”. Aracari has paid the school several visits, and our guests have generously donated this wonderful institution, contributing directly to its development and thus the development of the children who attend, as the school depends on individual donors and grants. Aracari also offers guests the opportunity to visit the school in Pisac to learn about its foundation and development from one of the founding parents. Below are some of the latest developments that Kusi Kawsay shared in its annual report for their 2013 academic year. The full report can be found here. Teacher training and developments - Kusi Kawsay received a one-year grant from Global Fund for Children towards organizational development of the school to work on interpersonal dynamics among faculty and assisting with the further progression of planning, fundraising, governance, human resource development, financial management, monitoring, learning and assessment. In addition to this support, Kusi Kawsay has yearly workshops for teacher training from ProHumanus, a civil association in Peru that offers teachers
Educational institution, Kusi Kawsay in Pisac celebrated its 5th anniversary this year, and looking at recent advances the school has made, it is clear how it has matured and grown since its opening. For those unfamiliar with Kusi Kawsay, it is an independently-run school situated just above the famous Pisac…
Of the many accommodation options in Peru’s Urubamba (Sacred) Valley, we have recently come across a very special and unique alternative being offered by our friend Mariana: KusyWasi Villa. Located near the town of Pisac, this beautiful villa allows for guests to escape the crowds and tour groups that frequent nearby hotels and enjoy the privacy and tranquility that the property has to offer. Amidst an estate with other privately owned villas and beautiful gardens, KusyWasi Villa is an ideal accommodation for families or groups looking for a private and spacious property to stay in the breathtaking Valley. "I got the idea after renting a home in the countryside in Tuscany", Mariana told us of the very elegant villa, which features an atrium complete with a fountain among other details. Guests can expect a personalized welcome upon arrival at the two-story, four bedroom villa. The house features two master bedrooms equipped with king-sized beds, cozy linens, and elegant ensuite bathrooms as well as two additional smaller bedrooms. Guests can also enjoy the comforts of home, relaxing in front of the fireplace in the living room, perhaps, or cooking their own meal in the full-sized kitchen with local Peruvian ingredients. Mariana goes out of her way to make guests' stay at KusyWasi Villa memorable and personalized. She prides herself in making the cozy villa a “home away from home” for all her guests, accommodating their requests and arranging additional services if required. Please contact us for more information about staying at KusyWasi Villa and incorporating a stay at the villa into your trip to the Urubamba Valley.
Of the many accommodation options in Peru’s Urubamba (Sacred) Valley, we have recently come across a very special and unique alternative being offered by our friend Mariana: KusyWasi Villa. Located near the town of Pisac, this beautiful villa allows for guests to escape the crowds and tour groups that frequent…
Following last month’s review of El Mapi in Aguas Calientes, Aracari is continuing its critique of the most sought after luxury hotels in Peru with a review of Rio Sagrado in the Sacred Valley.
Following last month’s review of El Mapi in Aguas Calientes, Aracari is continuing its critique of the most sought after luxury hotels in Peru with a review of Rio Sagrado in the Sacred Valley.
There are few experiences on earth that capture the imagination quite Peruvian Amazon cruises. In a realm of extraordinary biodiversity, pulsing with life and mystery, this vast green expanse is often thought of as a destination for the boldest adventurers. But with the right partners and the right vessel, the Amazon can be anything you need it to be — a haven of discovery for young minds, a place of comfort and camaraderie for seasoned travelers, or an unforgettable backdrop for life’s milestone moments. Recently, two of Aracari’s own embarked on Peruvian Amazon cruises aboard Delfin, our long-standing luxury cruise partner. Juanjo, our Product and Experience Manager, set off with his young son, age seven, while our founder and CEO Marisol returned to the region for a voyage with close friends. Their experiences—vastly different, equally profound—serve as a testament to the diversity and adaptability of Amazon cruising when carefully curated. Where the Rainforest Becomes Water: Navigating Peru’s Amazon To understand the magic of Peruvian Amazon cruises, one must first understand the place itself. The Peruvian Amazon is a vast and remote region, home to one of the most intact tracts of rainforest on Earth. Cruises like those offered aboard Delfin navigate the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, a 20,800-square-kilometer protected area known as the “forest of mirrors” for its glasslike blackwater rivers that reflect the towering canopy above. During high-water season (November to May), the jungle transforms—the forest floods, waterways swell, and boats glide silently between the trees, revealing a world that feels secret and sacred. This is a place where nature reigns in its purest form. Sloths dangle in the treetops, toucans flash across the sky, and pink river dolphins crest quietly through the dark water. Remote riverine communities live in harmony with the jungle, offering glimpses into lifeways
There are few experiences on earth that capture the imagination quite Peruvian Amazon cruises. In a realm of extraordinary biodiversity, pulsing with life and mystery, this vast green expanse is often thought of as a destination for the boldest adventurers. But with the right partners and the right vessel, the…