Are you pining for exclusive travel experiences? Do you want to connect with culture, community and craft from the comfort of your own home? Don’t miss your chance to sign up to our special event – and experience pure Peru with our virtual Hacienda art tour followed by a show from the wonderful Paso horses. Read the full story below for more about this exclusive event. In January of this year, we invited friends from around the world to join us for a live streaming of the Pachamama Ceremony – or offering to Mother Earth – conducted by Shaman Rufino Turpo high in the Andean mountains. The idea was to connect people to culture, community and craft in a time when there are so many restrictions on how we’re able to interact with the world around us. The event was a great success, and Marisol and her team of Travel Designers were thrilled to be able to play a part in facilitating such a unique and immersive experience once more, albeit virtually. Since then, we’ve been working hard to engage with many of our expert friends across Peru. In the hope that we are able to take more of our exclusive experiences online and make them globally accessible to everyone stuck at home. Thankfully our call was heard, this time by long-time friend of Aracari and owner of the beautiful Hacienda Huayoccari - Jose Ignacio Lambarri. On the 17th April, we invite you to join Jose as he takes us on a remarkable tour of this 17th century hacienda. The virtual event will include an introduction to the family’s impressive private collection of paintings, carved wood, glazed pottery from Lake Titicaca, Toritos of Pucará, colonial saints and silver pieces, dating from pre-Inca, Inca, Viceregal and Republican times. But not before heading
Are you pining for exclusive travel experiences? Do you want to connect with culture, community and craft from the comfort of your own home? Don’t miss your chance to sign up to our special event – and experience pure Peru with our virtual Hacienda art tour followed by a show from…
This month Aracari is proud to announce it's support of Valle Sagrado Verde, a community project to reforest the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Since the first humans arrived in the Sacred Valley, some 5000 - 7000 years ago, this enchanting land has been intensively managed for grazing, agriculture, and construction. The region remains one of the most picturesque in Peru, yet one can only imagine how awe-inspiring a trek through this land would have been before civilization arrived, a truly green Sacred Valley. By committing to plant 3500 trees through the Valle Sagrado Verde project, we want to help restore the environment and habitats of the Sacred Valley, to ensure today's generations can benefit from the land in a way that doesn't undermine its future enjoyment. Marisol Mosquera, Aracari Founder, says "Many of the volunteers of the Valle Sagrado Verde project, who will physically help to plant the trees, are Aracari friends and partners who in normal (pre-covid) times would have earned a living from local tourism. The impact of the pandemic means these people have found new ways to support their communities. Reforestation not only helps restore local habitats and wildlife but also reduces the risks of landslides and flooding, in addition to soaking up greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere." We are just one partner of the Valle Sagrado Verde project. Achieving our vision will take many more supporters to become involved. That's why we're committing to plant an additional 10 trees per group that books any kind of travel with Aracari. It's just one way that travelers with Aracari can have peace of mind their journeys are responsible. To learn more about all the projects that we support, please view our sustainable travel page. The Valle Sagrado Verde project's website also contains further information about the remarkable
This month Aracari is proud to announce it’s support of Valle Sagrado Verde, a community project to reforest the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Since the first humans arrived in the Sacred Valley, some 5000 – 7000 years ago, this enchanting land has been intensively managed for grazing, agriculture, and…
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is undoubtedly one of Peru's most breathtaking regions. Famed for its vast landscapes, rich culture, and ancient Inca relics – including the most famous of all, Machu Picchu – the Sacred Valley is an unmissable destination for those seeking cultural travel to Peru. Indeed, it’s so popular that almost all of our luxury Peru itineraries include a stay in the Sacred Valley, whether it’s a vacation centered on wellness and natural healing, or one more dedicated to adventure and the wild outdoors. Yet for its wonder and beauty, the elevation of the Sacred Valley can cause sickness-inducing symptoms. Explorer our Sacred Valley Itineraries At Aracari, we often get asked what the altitude of the Sacred Valley is by those set to travel there as part of a luxury Peru vacation. The Valley itself is measured at 2,800 meters above sea level, whilst the city of Cusco is found at over 3,000 meters. This dramatic elevation is significant and takes some adjusting to – especially if you want to enjoy our most recommended experiences in the region. Thankfully, altitude sickness in the Sacred Valley is no new thing. Long before modern medicine Peruvian people have sought natural remedies for soothing its symptoms, harvesting the unique herbs that grow here. Muna: Avoiding Altitude Sickness in the Sacred Valley with muna Tea One of the most popular Peruvian herbs is muña, a mint-like Peruvian medicinal plant that makes for an excellent herbal tea to help relieve symptoms of altitude sickness in the Sacred Valley. Also referred to as Andean mint, muña is a bright green plant that grows in the Andes highlands near cities like Cusco and Puno. This woody shrub is known for its ability to stay such a vibrant color even during
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is undoubtedly one of Peru’s most breathtaking regions. Famed for its vast landscapes, rich culture, and ancient Inca relics – including the most famous of all, Machu Picchu – the Sacred Valley is an unmissable destination for those seeking cultural travel to Peru. Indeed,…
Imagine visiting a Spanish Colonial hacienda in the Sacred Valley and having lunch hosted by the owners who love orchids, food, horses and collect Peruvian archaeology and folk art. This is Hacienda Huayoccari, owned by the Lambarri-Orihuela Family and conveniently located between Pisac and Urubamba. Stepping Back in Time: Hacienda Huayoccari Since the 17th Century, Hacienda Huayoccari was producing white corn, the most precious of the Inca crops and the one responsible for the expansion of the area and the wealth of many of these haciendas that had thousands of hectares. After the agrarian reform in 1968. Huayoccari was reduced to 40 hectares but was able to remain with the family thanks to the harmonious relationships developed with the surrounding community. In fact, the hacienda and the restaurant employ community members who have been with the family for generations. Celebrate with special hosts After being warmly greeted by Jose Ignacio Lambarri our host an old friend of Aracari the afternoon kicks off with a few pisco sours, Peru’s national drink, and a show of Peruvian Paso Horses known for their unique lateral gait, fancy foot movements and their performing nature. The rhythmical dance blends in perfectly with La Marinera, a couple’s tale that tells the story of a soldier flirting with a young woman. The couple and the horse dance mimicking each other’s gestures and steps. Lunch is served at the colonial dining room surrounded by the family’s personal collection of paintings, carved wood pieces, glazed pottery plates from Lake Titicaca, Toritos of Pucará, colonial saints, silver pieces and gorgeous furniture. The menu is a well curated selection of Peruvian homemade food using ingredients grown in their own chacra, the Andean garden. Classic dishes such as ají de gallina, chicken stew; lomo saltado, stir-fried loin; or the sara lawa, a
Imagine visiting a Spanish Colonial hacienda in the Sacred Valley and having lunch hosted by the owners who love orchids, food, horses and collect Peruvian archaeology and folk art. This is Hacienda Huayoccari, owned by the Lambarri-Orihuela Family and conveniently located between Pisac and Urubamba. Stepping Back in Time: Hacienda…