Are you a fashion-focused traveler? Do you have a taste for arts, culture, and all things style? Then Lima is the city for you. Lima’s ever-growing fashion and arts scene always inspires, and is attracting the talents of new artists and creative makers all the time. Shoppers who know where to look can find one-of-a-kind treasures they’ll be thrilled to take back home with them. Below are some of Lima’s top arts and fashion hotspots, many of which you’ll find on our popular Fashion Forward Lima tour. From world class museums to tiny tucked-away boutiques, art and shopping in Lima has it all. Fashionable Museums In Lima AMANO Pre-Columbian Textile Museum This breathtaking museum takes you on a stunning 5,000-year journey of Peruvian textile history. Because the conditions of the Peruvian desert beautifully lend themselves to preservation, the fabrics and pieces you’ll see will have a remarkable vibrance to them despite being centuries old. Here, you’ll get an up-close glimpse of the role of textiles in Peruvian culture and history, and what they’ve meant to local communities over time. MATE Mario Testino Museum At MATE, you’ll explore the largest collection of photos by lauded Peruvian fashion photographer Mario Testino. Among his high fashion pieces, Testino’s work features photos of traditional Andean clothes worn in Peruvian highlands. The museum, housed in a 19th century townhouse, is a work of art in itself. There is care and intention in every detail, right down to the museum carpet that Testino himself designed. Shopping In Lima For Fashionistas AYNI Atelier AYNI is the brainchild of co-founders Adriana Cachay and Laerke Skyum. The designers are Peruvian and Danish respectively, and their creations reflect two major sources of inspiration by combining signature Danish minimalism with the finest quality Peruvian textiles. Since launching their first showroom in
Are you a fashion-focused traveler? Do you have a taste for arts, culture, and all things style? Then Lima is the city for you. Lima’s ever-growing fashion and arts scene always inspires, and is attracting the talents of new artists and creative makers all the time. Shoppers who know where…
Get to know a whole new side of Peru with a visit to Arequipa and Colca Canyon, two regions rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Here’s how to make the most of your time in this less-visited region of Peru. What To See In Arequipa Located in the foothills of Misti Volcano, the magical city of Arequipa is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage City. The metropolis is often known as “The White City” for its use of white volcanic stone called sillar as a building material. The result is a series of striking architectural creations you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Here are some top things to do in Arequipa. Santa Catalina A massive (and beautiful) monastery that serves as something of a city within a city. Founded in 1580, the space is known for its brightly colored walls, gardens, and art pieces. Santa Teresa Monastery This stunning site, built in 1710, doubles as a museum and functioning monastery. The monastery's lovely Museum of Virceregal Art features more than 300 art pieces from the 16th through 19th centuries and a tranquil garden. The monastery is also home to 15 practicing Carmelite nuns, who do not interact with the outside world, but whose peaceful chants can be heard around the building at certain times of the day. Santuarios Andinos Museum This museum is home to Juanita, an Inca mummy of a young girl who was killed in the 1400s as a ceremonial sacrifice to the gods. Juanita is strikingly well-preserved, and on a visit to the museum, you’ll get to learn the context and history of her role in the Inca empire. The Sillar Route Get to know the origins of Arequipa’s famous sillar by exploring the Sillar Route on the city’s outskirts. Visit a local sillar quarry,
Get to know a whole new side of Peru with a visit to Arequipa and Colca Canyon, two regions rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Here’s how to make the most of your time in this less-visited region of Peru. What To See In Arequipa Located in the foothills…
Why Potatoes are so important to Peruvian culture and where to find the best dishes. None of Peru’s many delicious and valuable crops shines as bright as the potato. This hardy crop is the most eaten vegetable in the world, but for those seeking cultural food in Peru – you’ll be hard-pressed to find a single ingredient used more often in the famous food of Peru. Peru’s fertile land makes for especially delicious potatoes – and the experimentation of innovative farmers and agriculturists has meant that today there are now more than 4,000 kinds of potatoes grown in Peru. Here at Aracari, we have spent more than two decades connecting our clients to cultural Peruvian food – much of which features the many different kinds of Peruvian potatoes. From the agricultural highlands of the Sacred Valley to the famous food of Lima, our privileged access allows our clients to gain an unforgettable insight into why potatoes are so important to Peruvian culture, and of course – where to find the best dishes. Within this exclusive guide, you’ll learn how to spot one variety of Peruvian potato from another and hear of just a few of the exclusive foodie experiences available only to Aracari guests. All are designed to whet your appetite for your next food adventure to Peru with Aracari. View of Foodie Itineraries Cultural Peruvian Food: The History of the Peruvian Potato Scientists believe that potatoes grew in the Andean highlands of Peru, Bolivia and Chile as far back as 13,000 years ago. But it was around 7,000 years ago, that people living in the Andes were harvesting the crop, successfully growing the vegetable in the challenging climates of the mountains. Then in the 1500s, potatoes were exported to Europe by the Spanish, and whilst the crop was initially
Why Potatoes are so important to Peruvian culture and where to find the best dishes. None of Peru’s many delicious and valuable crops shines as bright as the potato. This hardy crop is the most eaten vegetable in the world, but for those seeking cultural food in Peru – you’ll…
Dear Aracari friends, I would like to request that you sign the petition below. The petition is an honest hope to shed light on — and hopefully to stop — the building of an international airport in the small village of Chinchero, in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Chinchero is in what should be a protected area due to its cultural and natural value to the heritage of Peru. The area is already suffering from the strain of over tourism, and an airport there will only make matters worse. Aracari was founded nearly 23 years ago with the mission of “Promoting Peru’s Cultural and natural attractions sustainably through high quality low impact tourism." And I am proud to say that we are true to our mission to this day. But we cannot continue fulfilling our mission if our heritage is destroyed. It breaks my heart to see one of the most monumental and gorgeous landscapes in the Andes being defaced in the name of "progress." We want the best for Peru, so we have brought many visitors, created many jobs, and supported many families through the years - and we continue to do so. Our guests spread the word far and wide about the real cultural and natural riches of Peru, bringing more visitors who want authentic experiences. We want to make our guests’ stay as comfortable as possible. But not at the cost of destroying our attractions. This is inevitably going to happen if an international airport occupying approximately 400 hectares is built in the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas. I cannot see this happen in front of my eyes and not share it with you. You have experienced (or are about to experience) the beauty, magic, and solitude of this bit
Dear Aracari friends, I would like to request that you sign the petition below. The petition is an honest hope to shed light on — and hopefully to stop — the building of an international airport in the small village of Chinchero, in the heart of the Sacred Valley of…
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,…
A whole host of the top names in the culinary world call Peru home, and there are few foodie names you’ll hear more often than Pia León and Virgilio Martínez. Together, this culinary power couple has rejuvenated and transformed the Peruvian food scene. Lima has long been known as one of the top restaurant destinations in the world, and innovators like Martínez and León are what keep the city on the cutting edge. Virgilio Martínez is most well known for his use of unique Peruvian ingredients in his intricate dishes. (You may even recognize him from the popular Netflix series Chef’s Table.) He is the mind behind Central Restaurante in Lima and Mil in the Sacred Valley, which offer a series of courses reflecting Peru’s many altitudes and microclimates. Pia León is the creative force behind Kjolle, a newly opened restaurant that highlights Peru’s natural offerings with a focus on its wide range of flavorful herbs and tubers. In 2018, León was named the Best Female Chef in Latin America by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy. Peruvian Ingredients The Chefs Love León and Martínez met (and later married) when León got a job at Central Restaurante more than a decade ago, and the two have inspired each other’s work ever since. If you’re looking for insight into the Peruvian food scene, this duo is an endless source of wisdom. Below are three Peruvian ingredients León and Martínez have been associated with, and what makes them such a special part of the Peruvian food journey. Peruvian Corn León has mentioned to many a journalist that corn is her favorite ingredient. Peru grows more than 55 varieties of corn - more than any other place in the world - so it’s no surprise that this delicious crop is a staple in
A whole host of the top names in the culinary world call Peru home, and there are few foodie names you’ll hear more often than Pia León and Virgilio Martínez. Together, this culinary power couple has rejuvenated and transformed the Peruvian food scene. Lima has long been known as one…
