Aracari travel planner, Bronwen Griffith has recently returned from a bespoke travel experience in Bolivia. Here she shares stories, tips and ‘best bits’ from her tour. “Our journey began in Sucre, a city in the southern highlands of Bolivia. Colonial architecture, prettily whitewashed houses and looming towers with a Moorish influence greet you on arrival in this beautiful city". Sucre Sucre shares capital city status with La Paz and boasts a wealth of history and culture. We couldn’t wait to dive into it. Our first stop was Hotel Parador Santa Maria Real. It’s well located and extremely comfortable. The owner, Mr. Luis Rodriguez is often on hand to give you a tour or impart some of his extensive knowledge of Sucre. He also loves to proudly show Aracari guests his small museum collection. One of the highlights of Sucre is La Recoleta, a colonial-era church and convent seated high on a hill. It offers spectacular panoramic views over the city. You can tour the church to learn more about its long history and discover what life is like for the people who still live and work there. Another must-visit for Sucre is the Casa de Libertad (Freedom House). This is where the Bolivian declaration of independence was signed in 1825. You can view the Independence Act document and a handful of other important relics inside.” Potosi From Sucre, Bronwen and her friends moved on to Potosi; one of the highest cities in the world. Potosi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and historic mining town, lying at the foot of the Cerro De Potosi Mountain. Potosi is home to the former Royal Mint, now an important museum, and the Cerro Rico mine. “Our time in Potosi was short but we managed to pack a lot in. We started with a visit
Aracari travel planner, Bronwen Griffith has recently returned from a bespoke travel experience in Bolivia. Here she shares stories, tips and ‘best bits’ from her tour. “Our journey began in Sucre, a city in the southern highlands of Bolivia. Colonial architecture, prettily whitewashed houses and looming towers with a Moorish influence…
The wildlife in Peru is unlike any other experience of the natural world. With hundreds of endemic species and thousands of beautiful creatures to get to know, there’s so much to explore. That said, the types of wildlife you’ll see on your trip to Peru will be influenced by which season you choose to visit. When planning a trip with Aracari, we’ll help you organize your itineraries carefully to be sure that you’ll arrive in the right season to see the best wildlife. Peru has a rainy and dry season, and those two distinctions are even more impactful than the traditional four seasons. Temperatures and precipitation (and, in turn, mud) are distinctly different between the dry and rainy seasons. The dry season hits during Peruvian fall and winter (April through October), while the rainy season is in spring and summer (November through March). Below, a seasonal Peru travel guide to when you’re most likely to see some of Peru’s most treasured animals. Fall Wildlife In Peru Andean Condor In Colca Canyon The fall is a magical time to spot the Andean condor in Colca Canyon. The largest flying bird, the Andean condor is endangered and seeing its population continually decrease. Seeing this unbelievable bird in flight is something you’ll never forget. The condor is most active in Colca Canyon starting in April, and on through November. The expansive canyon in Southern Peru, near Arequipa, is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The canyon’s Cruz del Condor viewing point is an excellent place to watch for the bird up close. Colca Canyon is also well known for its natural hot springs, so when you’re done birdwatching for the day, you can kick back in a luxurious setting like the nearby Colca Lodge to soak up the springs. Winter Wildlife
The wildlife in Peru is unlike any other experience of the natural world. With hundreds of endemic species and thousands of beautiful creatures to get to know, there’s so much to explore. That said, the types of wildlife you’ll see on your trip to Peru will be influenced by which…
Here at Aracari, our team has been on our fair share of travel adventures with our kids. Family travel in Peru - and anywhere in the world - is an incredibly magical experience. Introducing kids to the world at a young age can be inspiring and rewarding. That said, traveling with kids involves special considerations to plan for a smooth adventure. Here are our top tips for traveling with kids in Peru. Tips For Traveling With Kids in Peru Consider your present self versus your remembering self. Some experiences that are tiring or overwhelming in the moment are well worth the memories you’re building. When traveling with kids, this is really important to keep in mind. Getting from place to place with little ones might require extra effort, but your future self (and your kids’ future selves) will be so glad you put forth the extra energy to create a family experience you’ll look back on for years to come. Give yourself plenty of extra time. With kiddos, everything has the potential to take a bit longer. Budget extra time for that long walk to your airport gate, that taxi ride to your tour experience, and your journey to that restaurant down the street from your hotel you’ve been hoping to try. When you’re not cutting it close to tour start times or other deadlines, you’ll suddenly feel like you have all the time in the world - and the stress of getting kids from A to B won’t run so high. Go with the flow. In a logistical sense, budgeting extra time is certainly one aspect of going with the flow - but there’s also a mindset component. As any parent knows, there are some aspects of adventures with kids where you have little control of how the
Here at Aracari, our team has been on our fair share of travel adventures with our kids. Family travel in Peru – and anywhere in the world – is an incredibly magical experience. Introducing kids to the world at a young age can be inspiring and rewarding. That said, traveling…
No visit to Peru is complete without a few visits to Inca archaeological sites - and there are a whole lot more to choose from than Machu Picchu. While Machu Picchu is certainly a must-see, there are also plenty of other less-visited Inca sites that will blow your mind - and might even change how you see our world. Here are Aracari's favorite Inca sites in Peru, and what makes them so special. Our favorite Inca sites in Peru Sacsayhuaman Experts believe that Sacsayhuaman was built either as an Inca military site or a ceremonial site during the rule of Inca leader Pachacutec around AD 1400. Academics have estimated that the massive stone structure took about 70 years to build, with its stones weighing more than 300 tons. In its full glory, Sacsayhuaman had three towers, and enough space in its buildings to hold 5,000 people. While many of the inner parts of the structure are no longer intact, you’ll see secure and majestic outer walls still standing. As the site is up on a hill above Cusco, you’ll be able to gaze out on romantic views of the city from on high. Pisac Pisac is home to two popular attractions: a bustling market and the Pisac archaeological site. You’ll find incredible stonework, gates, and many intricate buildings within its strong walls. Complex agricultural terracing and carefully constructed tombs stand out. You’ll also spot one of Pisac’s claims to fame: a stunning rock projection called Intihuatana, which was used for astronomy and worshipping. Pisac has a vast offering of Inca architectural feats and cultural facets, which makes it a must-see when in the Sacred Valley. You can reach the site by paved road or walking path. After your visit, be sure to take some time to explore the Pisac market
No visit to Peru is complete without a few visits to Inca archaeological sites – and there are a whole lot more to choose from than Machu Picchu. While Machu Picchu is certainly a must-see, there are also plenty of other less-visited Inca sites that will blow your mind –…
Peru is home to 51 indigenous communities, all of whom have a unique culture and way of life. Among the 31 million people who live in Peru, about 80% identify as either mestizo (a person of combined indigenous and European descent) or indigenous. From the high Andes to the jungles of the Peruvian Amazon, there are many thriving indigenous people of Peru to get to know. Indigenous Mountain People Of Peru Living in the harsh, inhospitable landscape of the Andes requires a special level of toughness and adaptability - and the indigenous people of the Andes have this in spades. These communities have spent centuries living at high altitude, so they have a whole lot to teach us about survival amid harsh climates. Quechua The Quechua are often the first indigenous people of Peru that travelers get to know upon visiting the country. Most Quechua people live in the Peruvian Andes, though there are other Quechua communities in Bolivia and Ecuador as well. The Quechua people predate the Incan Empire, and their way of life continued on long after the empire fell. The Quechua people are the largest indigenous group in South America today. Most Quechua communities are in the high Andes and are focused on farming. The Quechua are known worldwide for their beautifully intricate textile arts, and for their ability to thrive in high-altitude environments. It’s important to note the distinction between the Quechua people and the Quechua language. Around 10 million people speak the language of Quechua, while not nearly as many identify as Quechua themselves. This is because many surrounding indigenous groups adopted the Quechua language over time as their own native languages began to fade out. Today, it’s widely spoken among many indigenous Andean communities. (It was also the language of the Inca!) There are
Peru is home to 51 indigenous communities, all of whom have a unique culture and way of life. Among the 31 million people who live in Peru, about 80% identify as either mestizo (a person of combined indigenous and European descent) or indigenous. From the high Andes to the jungles…
My first steps onto the Inca trail When I took my first steps onto the historic Inca Trail, I was too excited to be nervous about the challenges ahead. I’d received many warnings from my guide, Jose, about what was likely to come: achy knees, shortness of breath as the altitude increased, and maybe even genuine questions of whether I could finish the trek. There was humor in his voice when he shared these warnings, but his message wasn’t a joke: he wanted our group to be prepared for the Inca Trail difficulty ahead. But those first few hours, I wasn’t thinking much about what Jose said. I was too busy chatting with my fellow hikers, oohing and ahhing over the fast-changing microclimates, and getting to know friendly locals along the trail. When we reached our first truly challenging incline a few hours in, my hiking companions and I were tired but determined. Bring it on, we thought. But as the day wore on, and the final hours of the afternoon stretched seemingly forever through endless hills and bridges and complicated mountain turns, we started to doubt ourselves. When we finally reached that evening’s camp, where our porters greeted us with drinks and a warm welcome, we were bone tired. Day One was supposed to be a simple day of acclimating, but it took the wind out of us. Day Two, said to be the toughest part of the trail, loomed large ahead of us - could we do it? From the outset, the Inca Trail might not look too difficult - in relative terms, anyway. It’s 26 miles, the total of a marathon, but instead of crammed into four hours of frantic running, those miles are spread out into four days. Yes, there are steep inclines, we were told, but there were also plenty of even-keeled stretches of the trek. So why, then, do some
My first steps onto the Inca trail When I took my first steps onto the historic Inca Trail, I was too excited to be nervous about the challenges ahead. I’d received many warnings from my guide, Jose, about what was likely to come: achy knees, shortness of breath as the altitude increased,…
