Salar de Uyuni is one of the most striking natural sites in the world. Formed more than 40,000 years ago, the salt flats expand across 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi) in Bolivia at an altitude of 3,656 meters (11,995 ft) above sea level. Amid wide-stretching plains of salt, Salar de Uyuni also has plenty of bright-colored landmarks, like lagoons, geological formations, and cacti. Visiting Salar de Uyuni is a lovely and satisfyingly rugged experience. The landscape’s off-the-beaten path locale can make it tough to reach on your own, so getting there is extra rewarding. Here’s what you need to know about this mystifying destination - and the new lodging that’s about to change the way visitors experience the Salar. When to visit Salar de Uyuni Salar de Uyuni has distinct dry and rainy seasons. Rainy season, from November or December until early April, is a popular time for photographers to visit because of the visual effects the rain creates on the Salar. The rainy season also takes place at the same time as Chinese New Year, which is an especially popular time for visitors, so you’ll want to avoid those dates if you’re looking to steer clear of big crowds. Dry season, which usually lasts from late April through October, is marked by sunshine, clear skies, and colder weather than the rainy season. Things to Keep In Mind When visiting Salar de Uyuni How to access the area. Salar de Uyuni can by accessed by plane from La Paz, or via road access from Potosi and Oruro. On certain days of the week, you can also take a seven-hour train ride from Oruro to Uyuni. On your way, you’ll want to stop off at Colchani, a town near Salar de Uyuni where locals process salt from the flat.
Salar de Uyuni is one of the most striking natural sites in the world. Formed more than 40,000 years ago, the salt flats expand across 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi) in Bolivia at an altitude of 3,656 meters (11,995 ft) above sea level. Amid wide-stretching plains of salt, Salar…
Peru is one of the most coveted culinary destinations in South America - and the world over. As Peru’s restaurants serve up more and more memorable dishes, foodies and chefs alike keep flocking to the region. This all makes perfect sense when you consider the source: Peru’s wide range of unique crops. The Peru agriculture industry produces thousands of varieties of food staples we see on our tables every day, along with all kinds of unique Peruvian crops you can only find in the region. What’s especially exciting is that Peru is a hotspot for a growing number of superfoods, known for their high concentration of powerful nutrients. Peru Agriculture Helps The Culinary Scene Grow You’ll find evidence of this abundance of crops when dining at world famous Peruvian restaurants like MIL, Maido, and ámaZ. MIL, in the Sacred Valley, offers an 8-course experience with ingredients that reflect each of the eight ecosystems of the Andes. Maido, a top Lima eatery, specializes in Peruvian-Japanese fusion that draws on local ingredients. ámaZ, in Lima, serves up acclaimed Amazonian dishes. None of this would be possible without the robust Peru agriculture scene. Here’s everything you need to know about some of the top Peruvian crops, from superfoods to must-have staples. Peruvian potatoes This hearty crop is the most-eaten vegetable on the globe. There are nearly 4,000 varieties of Peruvian potatoes. South America is where the potato first surfaced, and the crop’s history on the continent spans about 13,000 years. In the 1400s, potatoes were brought to Europe from South America, and ultimately became a worldwide staple. A visit to a Peruvian market or restaurant will paint a picture of just how many varieties of Peruvian potatoes there are to sample, and how they can differ in taste and preparation. Some rare and
Peru is one of the most coveted culinary destinations in South America – and the world over. As Peru’s restaurants serve up more and more memorable dishes, foodies and chefs alike keep flocking to the region. This all makes perfect sense when you consider the source: Peru’s wide range of…
In honor of International Women's Day, Aracari is celebrating women who dedicate their lives to leading responsible businesses connected to tourism in Perú. Here, you'll meet Adriana von Hagen of Kentitambo. Adriana von Hagen is the founder of Kentitambo, a series of 5 double bungalows with ensuite facilities located on a hillside overlooking the Museo Leymebamba. Kentitambo is located in the town of Leymebamba in the cloud forest of Chachapoyas, northern Perú. When Adriana arrived, the surrounding natural area was in rough shape. Over the years, she’s transformed it into paradise. “In just over twenty years we have converted a deforested, barren hillside into a lush forest of native species teeming with hummingbirds,” Adriana says. “Thus the name of our lodge, Kentitambo - the hummingbird inn. We have multiple hummingbird feeders as well as plantings that attract as many as 16 species of hummingbirds, in addition to warblers, tanagers, parrots, toucans, and trogons.” Adriana is the author of a number of books on Inca, pre-Inca, and Chachapoyas culture. She has a deep interest in tropical ecology, archaeology, and handicrafts. “I came to Leymebamba in 1997 to help rescue and protect Chachapoya mummies and artifacts from looters at the Laguna de los Condores and was instrumental in creating the Museo Leymebamba.” Built With Care Adriana and her partner Oscar first built their own house in the area, and then decided to have guests visit to view the hummingbirds and relax. As their acclaim grew, they decided to try lodging - and the rest is history. Adriana and Oscar now split their time between Kentitambo, Lima, and the world. Kentitambo’s location is a delight. “It is a stone's-throw from the Museo Leymebamba, considered one of Perú's top five museums as well as its gardens of native flora, over 50 bird
In honor of International Women’s Day, Aracari is celebrating women who dedicate their lives to leading responsible businesses connected to tourism in Perú. Here, you’ll meet Adriana von Hagen of Kentitambo. Adriana von Hagen is the founder of Kentitambo, a series of 5 double bungalows with ensuite facilities located on…
In honor of International Women's Day, Aracari is celebrating women who dedicate their lives to leading responsible businesses connected to tourism in Perú. Here, you'll meet Cristina Gallo of Kichic. Cristina Gallo is the founder of Kichic, a boutique hotel in Mancora, along Perú’s northern coast. Kichic is an oasis of palm trees with 9 rooms: four spacious suites with private pools, two superior rooms, and three standard rooms. Cristina, originally from Lima, holds Mancora in a special place in her heart. She raised her five children in the town, and after leaving to spend several years overseas and in Lima, she’s now back to stay. Cristina and her children and grandchildren love spending time at Kichic together. Alongside Cristina is her cousin Rocio Gallo, who also lives in the property, makes sure every detail is covered and meets each one of the guests. They are a powerful duo: "Kichic would not be what it is without Rocio" says Cristina. Food is an important aspect of Kichic, with a vegetarian kitchen and a seafood bar inspiring a healthy and creative experience. The hotel provides a gorgeous yoga space surrounded by neem trees, and offers daily classes and special programs. Sustainability Is Key At Kichic Every inch of Kichic has been built with respect and care for the surrounding environment. “I studied traditional building methods, the use of branches and leaves and other natural materials to create a space in harmony with the environment,” Cristina says. “This untapped area in the north of Perú is now a space for healing and wellbeing, a place where every detail has meaning and depth.” Kichic is created and run by women, a truly feminine space. In fact, they’ve recently embarked on a new project of women weaving inspired by the sea. “Sustainability
In honor of International Women’s Day, Aracari is celebrating women who dedicate their lives to leading responsible businesses connected to tourism in Perú. Here, you’ll meet Cristina Gallo of Kichic. Cristina Gallo is the founder of Kichic, a boutique hotel in Mancora, along Perú’s northern coast. Kichic is an oasis…
In honor of International Women's Day, Aracari is celebrating women who dedicate their lives to leading responsible businesses connected to tourism in Perú. Here, you'll meet Rocio Florez of Gocta Natura. Gocta Natura, Rocio Florez’s creation, is a secluded piece of forest. Rocio, originally from Lima, visited Amazonas with husband her Augusto for the first time over 10 years ago. When they arrived to Cocachimba, the home of Gocta waterfall, they fell in love with the place and bought some land that same day, without really thinking about what it implied for their lives. Over the years, the couple had discussed a healthy way to approach retirement when the time came and agreed on two conditions: it had to be productive and fun, and it had to unfold in the rural area somewhere in Perú. Their new property was the perfect opportunity. And so it happened: Rocio began visiting every two months, became engaged with environmental issues, and developed sustainable projects with the community. By the time she left her job at the World Bank a few years later, their “productive retirement plan” was well underway. First it was family and friends visiting, and receiving paying guests just flowed naturally. And the rest is history. A Luxury Experience in Nature Gocta Natura has 5 double and triple boutique cabins with ensuite bathrooms and offers gourmet “farm to table” homemade meals, all in a simple but chic environment. Each cabin faces Gocta and the secondary falls to the north and east, as well as the western mountain ridge where the sun sets. Gocta Natura's main house, built on a higher spot with an even better view, is where guests start their day at breakfast and end it with a glass of wine and dinner. What makes it unique? “It provides
In honor of International Women’s Day, Aracari is celebrating women who dedicate their lives to leading responsible businesses connected to tourism in Perú. Here, you’ll meet Rocio Florez of Gocta Natura. Gocta Natura, Rocio Florez’s creation, is a secluded piece of forest. Rocio, originally from Lima, visited Amazonas with husband…
In honor of International Women's Day, Aracari is celebrating women who dedicate their lives to leading responsible businesses connected to tourism in Perú. Here, you'll meet Petit Miribel of Sol y Luna. Petit Miribel is the owner and creator of Sol y Luna, one of the most beautiful hotels in the Sacred Valley, and a Relais & Chateaux property. Sol y Luna was founded in the mid-’90s, and is a treasured benchmark for locally inspired luxury in Perú. Petit is originally from France. She and her husband Franz, who is Swiss, were living Perú in the ‘90s when they decided to move to the stunning natural area where Sol y Luna was born. They were drawn to the beauty of the location and their love of the outdoors. “The place itself is paradise, gardens filled with flowers and hummingbirds, the high Andes Mountains surrounding us and the original, vibrant art throughout the casitas and restaurants,” Petit says. “All these things are the unique face of Sol y Luna.” Empowering The Community Sol Y Luna Hotel is intimately connected to the Sol y Luna Foundation, a school providing primary and secondary education to underprivileged children and children with special needs in the area. “This project is something that started with a dream - my belief that education should be for all - and has turned into a reality that I could never have imagined when I started out. Our school and foundation is a real-life example of my definition of sustainability. What could be more sustainable than giving children education? It is like giving them a key which they can decide how to use, and which doors to open.” Sol y Luna doesn’t stop there, though: the hotel is also dedicated to environmental sustainability. “Reducing one-use plastic to minimizing waste
In honor of International Women’s Day, Aracari is celebrating women who dedicate their lives to leading responsible businesses connected to tourism in Perú. Here, you’ll meet Petit Miribel of Sol y Luna. Petit Miribel is the owner and creator of Sol y Luna, one of the most beautiful hotels in…
