Aracari's Founder and CEO, Marisol Mosquera, shares her thoughts on her recent visit to Suasi Island Lodge, an eco-island getaway and one of the best places to stay on Lake Titicaca. Suasi Island: A retreat in Lake Titicaca During my recent visit to Suasi Island (February 2008), I experienced what had captivated me about this place ever since my first visit in 1997, when it was still under construction. Of course my personal and Aracari's close connection to Martha Giraldo the island owner has a lot to do with it. I still remember when it was all a dream and Martha came to my apartment in Lima to show me the blueprints of the lodge in late 1996. It was a daunting task, and I am impressed she single handedly managed to pull it off! Fast forward 11 years and the place is a dream come true. It is now operated by Casa Andina, and it is the jewel of their private collection. I have to admit they are doing a fabulous job. It isn't easy to operate a lodge at nearly 4000 metres, and on an island, 4 hours away from the nearest city! Casa Andina's efficient management coupled with Martha's constant and ongoing presence and input make the place work extremely well. She ensures that the gardens are how they should be; they are now mature and populated by endemic and exotic species. And she has removed 70% of the damaging eucalyptus from the island and planted native species such as Quenuas, Mashwa, K'antu trees... there are vicuñas, vischachas, and loads of hummingbirds. A stay in Suasi is truly rewarding and allows the visitor to assimilate what they have learned during a Peru visit. It is a haven of peace, where kayaking, hiking, photographing, and reading are the activities.
Aracari’s Founder and CEO, Marisol Mosquera, shares her thoughts on her recent visit to Suasi Island Lodge, an eco-island getaway and one of the best places to stay on Lake Titicaca. Suasi Island: A retreat in Lake Titicaca During my recent visit to Suasi Island (February 2008), I experienced what had…
Some say she's more popular than the President, and she's certainly made a splash on the world stage, but world surfing champion Sofia Mulanovich is happiest spending her days on the beach in her home country of Peru. Back in 2004, when this then 21 year old became the first South American to win the world title, surfing in Chicama and Peru was only known to locals and a select group of pro surfers. Surfing in Chicama - Surf champion Sofia Mulanovich Four short years later and the "Sofia" effect has alerted the world to the natural, varied splendours of the Peruvian surf. As the lady herself says, "Peru is the best preparation for a pro-surfer because there are so many different varieties of breaks and conditions." These include the longest left wave in the world found in Chicama on the Northern Peru beaches - a perfect three to six foot wave stretching for over four kilometres and listed at number two in semi-charted surfing spots by the British newspaper The Guardian this month. Chicama Surf Resort Like the group of friends who founded the ocean front Chicama Surf Resort after searching the world to find a perfect spot for a surfing vacation, we decided to focus on Chicama because it offers much more than just the perfect wave. Singled out by National Geographic, the Chicama Valley is uniquely rich in ancient archaeology and there are many sites to visit on the "Ruta Moche". At least five different civilisations inhabited this land, leaving numerous settlements, including the ancient and enigmatic Moche sites (c 500AD) of Sipan, El Brujo and the magnificent Huaca del Sol y de la Luna. In addition, there is the largest adobe city in the world at Chan Chan (Chimu culture c. 1200 AD) and the state of
Some say she’s more popular than the President, and she’s certainly made a splash on the world stage, but world surfing champion Sofia Mulanovich is happiest spending her days on the beach in her home country of Peru. Back in 2004, when this then 21 year old became the first…
Trekking in Peru without camping In the "top ten things to do before you die" list, trekking to Machu Picchu just became more than just a pipedream for those who simply could not face the idea of camping out. Two incredible initiatives have accomplished amazing feats of engineering by building top quality lodges at high altitudes in remote areas of Peru. Trekking in Peru: Salkantay Lodge-to-Lodge Trek Now you can truly trek along the Salcantay route to the foot of Machu Picchu in style, safe in the knowledge that at the end of a good days walking, you can relax in a hot shower and enjoy a fabulous meal before retiring your comfortable bed. Staying at different lodges along the route, your adventure includes traversing across magnificent mountain passes, witnessing mystical mountain peaks and passing through an incredible nine different ecosystems in all. Trek the spectacular Cordillera Vilcabamba range, passing glorious peaks and lush tropical vegetation en route to Machu Picchu. The trekking route is six days and five nights, with an additional night then at Machu Picchu. Read the Salkantay Lodge-to-Lodge itinerary here. Trekking in Peru: Ausangate Lodge-to-Lodge Trek If this is too tame for you, the second initiative, a joint partnership by our friend, the renowned guide Roger Valencia and the shepherding communities of the Chillca and Orefina, takes you higher, deep within the rugged landscape of the Ausangate range of Southern Peru. Under the protection of the Ausangate mountain (20,945ft / 6,384m), they have built four comfortable, eco-friendly "tambos", lodges ideal to rest weary feet after five days of trekking at these altitudes. The Ausangate Trek is breathtaking – accompanied by llamas and horses – round the highest sacred mountain in Cusco, Apu Ausangate. At high altitude, it requires acclimatization beforehand. Routes vary in length: we highliy
Trekking in Peru without camping In the “top ten things to do before you die” list, trekking to Machu Picchu just became more than just a pipedream for those who simply could not face the idea of camping out. Two incredible initiatives have accomplished amazing feats of engineering by building…
Celebrating the beauty of Chachapoyas Peru Poised on the brink of mass exposure, Chachapoyas Peru, is a swathe of dense cloud forest in the Andes of Northeastern Peru, and holds a special place in our hearts. In some ways, Aracari's history is intertwined with this magical place. It was here, in "Indiana Jones" country, that archaeologists made a startling find of 219 mummies on the remote shores of the beautiful Laguna de los Condores in 1997. A find so exciting that we had to endure ten hours of horseback riding from the nearest road just to see it for ourselves - on two separate occasions. The mummified remains were of the 'cloud people', the Chachapoya, a civilisation renowned for its fearsome warriors and famed shamans who thrived in this region from 800AD to the mid-1500s. The Chachapoya were special in many ways - physically they were taller than their neighbours, with whiter skin, strong bones and teeth. While, architecturally they are famed for their round houses built of stone and often embellished with decorative stone friezes. Chachapoyas Peru Ruins: Kuelap Fortress Nowhere is this appreciated more than at Kuelap - a walled settlement perched 9,500ft (approximately 3,000m) up overlooking the cloud forest. Known by many as the "Machu Picchu of the North", this ancient fortress houses over 400 dwellings within its imposing 60ft (18m) high walls, some of which feature friezes and friezes on their curved stone walls. And this is just one of the many varied sites half-hidden beneath the lush vegetation of bromeliads, ferns and orchids. Sacrophagi at Karajia There are the funerary houses at Revash painted in red and yellow ochre or the sarcophagi at Karajia embellished with prominent sculpted heads. Museo Leymebamba You can gain an understanding of their significance at the state of the art Museo
Celebrating the beauty of Chachapoyas Peru Poised on the brink of mass exposure, Chachapoyas Peru, is a swathe of dense cloud forest in the Andes of Northeastern Peru, and holds a special place in our hearts. In some ways, Aracari’s history is intertwined with this magical place. It was here, in…
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…
Hi Friends! Marisol Mosquera (Aracari's Founder and President) will be lecturing in London on the subject of Peruvian Gastronomy this coming June 24th, 2008. Peruvian cuisine is among South America's richest. Besides being the home of the potato - thousands of types - Peru has assimilated over hundreds of years Spanish, Creole, Chinese, and Japanese flavors from its waves of immigrants. This historic gastronomic view will take you from indigenous native foods of a thousand years ago, to the current Japanese style fusion, and will make your mouth water at Marisol Mosquera's vast visual presentation. Even Nobu Matsusida trained in Peru for three years. This is a fascinating look at a country's history thorough its food evolution into the new star of international gastronomy. Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 at 7:30 pm (doors open at 6.45pm) Miller's Academy of Arts and Science Hope you can make it and that it will inspire you to travel with us on a Peruvian Culinary Adventure.
Hi Friends! Marisol Mosquera (Aracari’s Founder and President) will be lecturing in London on the subject of Peruvian Gastronomy this coming June 24th, 2008. Peruvian cuisine is among South America’s richest. Besides being the home of the potato – thousands of types – Peru has assimilated over hundreds of years…
