In the spirit of the holidays, Aracari just returned from a gift-giving trip to the village of Patakancha set high in the Sacred Valley that surrounds Cuzco. There's no better feeling than giving back to a community that has given us so much over the past 13 years. For anyone who's ever trekked with Aracari, you have been touched by this community as the porters and cooks we work with all come from Patakancha. We were especially moved by the teacher at the local school how commutes 4 hours a day to work with these children. He proves that one person can make a difference in so many lives. Thank you for traveling with us - you've helped make this Christmas a little merrier for these children. Feliz Navidad!
In the spirit of the holidays, Aracari just returned from a gift-giving trip to the village of Patakancha set high in the Sacred Valley that surrounds Cuzco. There’s no better feeling than giving back to a community that has given us so much over the past 13 years. For anyone…
Spotlight on Northern Peru One of the most overlooked, but arguably beautiful regions of South America is the unspoilt wilderness of Northern Peru. An ornithologist’s delight, this diverse landscape dissected by the mighty Maraňon River, is home to thousands of bird species including the elusive White-Winged Guan which was thought to be extinct for over 100 years. Yet, our feathered friends give only a hint of the extraordinary wealth of wildlife found in this part of the world. The sound of the Pacific surf crashing on the beach of Cabo Blanco in Northwestern Peru gives a clue to the hidden treasures found within. Famous in the ‘50s for its big-game fishing (Ernest Hemingway caught a 700 pound marlin here while filming The Old Man and the Sea), today visitors come to observe and swim with the sea life that teems in this unique spot where the frigid Humboldt Current collides with the lukewarm El Niňo current. Here you can spot South American Fur Seals, Marine Turtles, Humpback Whales (from June to November) and if you’re brave enough, take the plunge with the Bottle-Nosed Dolphins. At the other end of the spectrum, the arid forests of Chaparri, a 34,412 hectare private reserve, an hour and a half’s drive from Chiclayo, is home to the elusive Spectacled Bear and the other 186 species recorded in the area so far. Not a high total by South American standards, but a remarkable result here in the dry Tumbesian forests. Sit quietly and you can see birds such as the White-Tailed Jay, Andean Condor and King Vulture, or spot the white-tailed deer and Sechuran Foxes. As for the mighty Puma and Spectacled Bears, time and patience is sometimes rewarded with a little luck. Chaparri is the base of a remarkable rescue and rehabilitation programme for
Spotlight on Northern Peru One of the most overlooked, but arguably beautiful regions of South America is the unspoilt wilderness of Northern Peru. An ornithologist’s delight, this diverse landscape dissected by the mighty Maraňon River, is home to thousands of bird species including the elusive White-Winged Guan which was thought…
Intelligent travel design takes more than just five star luxury hotels and over the years we have created a collection of little gems homestays and boutique hotels, each with their own character and story that offer a charming and affordable way to experience Peru. Check out our recommended luxury hotels in Peru Be inspired by our handpicked selection of private villas in Peru Home away from Home: The best guesthouses in Peru Casa de Leeuw In recent years with many entrepreneurs returning to these shores, there has been a boom in the creative effort applied to the business of accommodation. Take Daniel Borda and Fanny de Leeuw who spent over ten years working in the tourist industry before launching the first boutique apartment letting business in the Miraflores and Barranco areas of Lima. We realised that there was nowhere people could stay which would give them a sense of independence in comfort, they say. You have your own kitchenette and lounge as well as the usual facilities you would expect at a hotel. Casa Panqarani Convenience and comfort are on offer in Lima, but in Puno near Lake Titicaca you have the opportunity to stay in a grandmother's house. Casa Panqarani is lit up with colourful flowers and textiles in every room. The garden provides some of the magic ingredients of the home cooked food, sampled in the relaxing traditional courtyard. Hacienda Marcabamba If you are looking for other unusual places to stay, we offer an old mill, Molina Blanco, in the white city of Arequipa and a number of atmospheric haciendas run by the owners themselves, including Hacienda Marcabamba and Hacienda El Choloque. The scent of fruit trees lies heavy in the air at Hacienda Marcabamba, set on a raised terrace above the Urubamba River near Cuzco. It's a
Intelligent travel design takes more than just five star luxury hotels and over the years we have created a collection of little gems homestays and boutique hotels, each with their own character and story that offer a charming and affordable way to experience Peru. Check out our recommended luxury hotels…
The best Peru Private Chef Culinary Experiences Peru's food scene has exploded and its status on the world food scene cemented. The capital Lima is home to a handful of the World's Best 50 Restaurants thanks to innovate chefs drawing on the country's incredibly diverse range of ingredients and culinary traditions. Aracari travel shares insight on the top foodie experiences accompanied by your very own expert Peru private chef. Lima with Zest Cooking Class Meet a chef with a Passion for all things Peruvian cooking and spend the day with the delightfully aimiable chef Penelope Alzamora with the half-day experience Lima cooking class 'Lima with Zest'. One of the most passionate exponents of Peruvian cooking today, Penelope Alzamora returned to Peru after a stint in San Francisco where she taught at the celebrated Tante Marie School of Cookery. Originally trained in the States and the co-owner of a successful chain of restaurants. On this haf-day experience, start by visiting a colorful local market to buy fresh seafood with Penelope to take back to her Barranco apartment. Wander the bohemian neighborhood with a coffee break, before learnig to prepare a classic ceviche dish alongside Penelope. This is as much a lifestyle experience as a culinary one, as you get a window into Penelope's life and living in Barranco, before sitting down to eat together in her family apartment. This culinary experience can also be extended to a full day's excursion to visit the ceramics studio of Penelope's mother, Marilyn Deneumostier, the founder of the exclusive Jallpa Nina range of stoneware and porcelain. On this extended full day tour, guests tour the workshop with Marilyn learning about the ancient processes of Peruvian ceramics, before enjoying a fun hands-on cooking session in the studio garden with Penelope. Interested in culinary experiences? Check out our
The best Peru Private Chef Culinary Experiences Peru’s food scene has exploded and its status on the world food scene cemented. The capital Lima is home to a handful of the World’s Best 50 Restaurants thanks to innovate chefs drawing on the country’s incredibly diverse range of ingredients and culinary…
Piura Peru: Gateway to the Northern Beaches Piura is located in the extreme northwest of Peru, the capital city of the region of Piura. Thanks to regular direct flights to the capital of Lima, Piura is one of the key gateways to the warm, sunny northern beaches of Mancora which have helped place Piura on the map. Getting to Mancora Beaches from Piura Piura is approxmately a three hour drive to Mancora, home to the best luxury beach accommodation in Peru. Alternatively, there are also direct flights from Lima to Talara and Tumbes, which also provide easy access to the beaches of Mancora. Things to do near Piura The main attractions close to Piura are centered around the laid-back beaches of Mancora where you can relax in luxury hotels. Whale-watching is a spectacular seasonal activity that's not to be missed if you're travelling between July-October, when humpback whales can be spotted on boat tours as they migrate. The beaches accessible from Piura are also well-known among surfers for great breaks - Chicama Surf Resort is a great base if you're specifically travelling to Peru's northern beaches for surfing. Where to stay near Piura Peru The best luxury hotels are Kichic and Arennas. Aracari also arranges stays at Private Villas in Peru, such as and Casa Adobe, Casa Kichic, Casa Lino as part of any private, tailormade vaction to Peru. Contact us or email travel@aracari.com if you are interested in a luxury, tailormade trip to Peru including a visit to the northern Peru beaches.
Piura Peru: Gateway to the Northern Beaches Piura is located in the extreme northwest of Peru, the capital city of the region of Piura. Thanks to regular direct flights to the capital of Lima, Piura is one of the key gateways to the warm, sunny northern beaches of Mancora which…
Peru adventure travel opportunities are almost limitless. The Cordillera Blanca is one of the most specatacular mountain locations in the world, with snow-capped peaks and sparkling blue glacial lakes. There are over 50 peaks that exceed 5,000 meters (15,000 feet) and you are spectacularly close to these giant mountains from the first day of any trek. Aracari's founder & CEO, Marisol Mosquera, reports back on her experience hiking the classic Cordillera Blanca Santa Cruz trek, the most popular camping trek in this region. Review of the Cordillera Blanca Santa Cruz Trek I just did the Santa Cruz/Llanganuco Trek. Conclusion: It was absolutely gorgeous. The mountain scenery in the Cordillera Blanca is to die for - it is second only to the Annapurna in the Himalayas. Being so close to those snowy peaks was absolutely out of this world. The camping was first class and the food delicious. Our staff was delightful and totally connected with my 6 year old who trekked approximately 50% of the distance (50km) and used his horse for the remaining 50%. He had his first go at trout fishing, we roasted marshmallows and swam in glacial lakes. It was sheer bliss and very affordable too. Here you can read a detailed day-by-day account of the Cordillera Blanca Santa Cruz trek by the Aracari team. Alternative treks in the Cordillera Blanca The Cordillera Blanca Santa Cruz trek is just one of many Peru luxury trekking opportunities in the area. If you don't want to camp, basing yourself in a lodge is a great way to take day hikes, such as to the spectacular glacial lagoon Laguna 69, a not-to-be-missed highlight of the area. Check out our Cordillera Blanca trekking itinerary with day hikes based at Llanganuco Mountain Lodge. Hike the Cordillera Blanca Santa Cruz trek with Aracari Aracari specializes in private, tailormade trips to
Peru adventure travel opportunities are almost limitless. The Cordillera Blanca is one of the most specatacular mountain locations in the world, with snow-capped peaks and sparkling blue glacial lakes. There are over 50 peaks that exceed 5,000 meters (15,000 feet) and you are spectacularly close to these giant mountains from the…
