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…
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 Mariana Gonzalez of Cuesta Serena Boutique Hotel. Mariana Gonzalez’s Cuesta Serena Boutique Hotel is located on the slopes of Anta, 20 minutes outside the city of Huaraz. The hotel sits in the Cordillera Negra, overlooking the most impressive ice peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, which is the highest tropical mountain range in the world. The hotel houses 7 unique bedrooms with incredible views of the mountains. Mariana, who is originally from Lima, spent many years living in the USA and working for Prada. She returned to Perú a few years ago when she inherited this property from her father. She felt the place was too beautiful not to be shared, and has created this haven to allow guests to disconnect, recharge, and enjoy the amazing sights of the region. Mariana’s husband Charlie also owns a lodge higher up in the mountains (Llanganuco Mountain Lodge), and they share their love for the mountains with their 3-year-old son Jack. Mariana and Charlie split their time between Cuesta Serena, Llanganuco Mountain Lodge, Lima, and skiing in Vail, where they spend the off-season devoted to their family passion of skiing. A One-Of-A-Kind Treasure There’s simply no place else like Cuesta Serena. “Our hotel is the only luxury boutique hotel in the Cordillera Blanca,” Marian says. “Every detail in our hotel has been planned for our guests, from using the freshest ingredients, to selecting beautiful local art pieces and textiles and the highest quality amenities. Our carefully landscaped gardens with privileged views of Huascaran, the highest mountain in Perú at 6768m, provide our guests with a contemplative, relaxing space. Most importantly, we differentiate ourselves for our level of customer
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 Mariana Gonzalez of Cuesta Serena Boutique Hotel. Mariana Gonzalez’s Cuesta Serena Boutique Hotel is located on the slopes of Anta, 20 minutes outside the…
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 Lissy Urtaega of Delfin Amazon Cruises. Lissy Urteaga is the creative force behind Delfin Amazon Cruises. Delfin Amazon Cruise has three luxury vessels (with 22, 14, and 4 cabins) that cruise upriver to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. Delfin is the only Relais & Chateaux river cruise company in South America. “I have the privilege to cruise through the mightiest of the rivers in the world, the Amazon River,” Lissy shares. “Given the destination is so unique and pristine, our vessels thrive smoothly with the environment. They are river vessels that can only cruise in these waters, all 3 of them are locally made and in perfect harmony with the ecosystem, covered with local woods from sustainable forests, palm fibers, and an Amazon ambiance all around.” Lissy runs Delfin with her husband Aldo Macchiavello, a former investment banker. For her, cruising through the most important river basin in the world is a gift that connects her to nature. “To feel immersed in the vastness of the forest surrounded by wildlife of every kind is humbling and exhilarating,” she says. “To meet its local people and learn its dynamic is an experience that will be cherished in your heart and mind forever.” Their contribution to female entrepreneurship and creativity does not end with Delfin. Their two daughters, Chiara and Giuliana are the founders and force behind Escudo, one of the most successful social fashion brands in Peru. Celebrating Perú's Diverse Ecosystem Perú is known as an Andean country, but what people don’t always know is that it has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world - spanning from flat lands, highlands, deserts, mountains,
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 Lissy Urtaega of Delfin Amazon Cruises. Lissy Urteaga is the creative force behind Delfin Amazon Cruises. Delfin Amazon Cruise has three luxury vessels (with…
This past August, I visited the Galapagos with my son for the first time in many years. I first visited the Galapagos twenty years ago, and then again ten years ago, so I was due for another visit. My son is 16, and the last time he visited the Galapagos was ten years ago. He was just six years old, and though he loved every minute of it back then, he certainly didn’t remember the trip! We were both excited to create new memories around experiences in the Galapagos this time around. The Galapagos islands are maintained and managed in a sustainable way, but there are certainly more environmental pressures on the islands these days than ten years ago. The islands are facing an influx of visitors, so there is more focus than ever on making sure that the destination's delicate ecosystem is treated with care. What To Know About The Galapagos The Galapagos Islands sit high at the top of most people's bucket lists, and for good reason: they're the ultimate immersive travel experience. This archipelago of volcanic islands sit more than 550 miles off the western coast of Ecuador, and is known for its high concentration of species that can only be found on the islands. The wildlife of the Galapagos is so extraordinary that Charles Darwin studied there while compiling his theory of evolution. The subtropical climate of the islands makes for consistently warm temperatures and soothing waters. The warmest months are December through May, when you'll mostly find high-temp forecasts and afternoon rains. The rest of the year, from June to November, is cloudier and slightly less warm. As if the warm weather weren't calming enough, the islands look like a scene from a postcard. Bright blue waters, high peaks, and stunning snapshots of the natural
This past August, I visited the Galapagos with my son for the first time in many years. I first visited the Galapagos twenty years ago, and then again ten years ago, so I was due for another visit. My son is 16, and the last time he visited the Galapagos…
If you’re a fan of chocolate, Peru is the perfect place to visit. Chocolate has been part of life in Peru for centuries, so it's no surprise that chocolate in Peru is known as some of the best in the world. Chocolate, cocoa butter, and cocoa all come from cacao, which grows as seeds on tropical evergreen cacao trees. The trees are relatively environmentally friendly to grow, as they are shade crops and can help protect soils. Cacao trees first originated in the Amazon, and chocolate became an important part of cultures like the Aztec and the Maya. The Spanish brought chocolate to Europe from South America and added in sugar to the mix for a sweeter taste. The Origins Of Chocolate To make chocolate, the bitter cacao seeds are fermented, dried, and cleaned. Then, the cacao seeds are roasted, shells are removed, and they are ground into what's called a cocoa mass. This cocoa mass is heated until it becomes a liquid chocolately heaven (known as chocolate liquor), and then is often combined with sugars and oils to ultimately become a delicious chocolate bar. Ten Peruvian regions harvest cacao: Cajamarca, Junín, Huánuco, Ayacucho, Cusco, Ucayali, San Martín, Piura, Tumbes, and Amazonas. Peru's wide range of diverse soils and climates makes for a variety of different flavor possibilities. Cacao is grown in many places, but only a small percentage of cacao harvested in the world is considered to be of high quality - and that's the caliber you can find in Peru. Peru is known for growing three main varieties of cacao: Amazon foreign, Creole, and Trinitary, all of which lead to excellent chocolate. The Creole variety is especially growing in popularity because of its high fat content, which equates to high-quality chocolate. Peruvian chocolate is receiving more and more recognition on
If you’re a fan of chocolate, Peru is the perfect place to visit. Chocolate has been part of life in Peru for centuries, so it’s no surprise that chocolate in Peru is known as some of the best in the world. Chocolate, cocoa butter, and cocoa all come from cacao,…
