As you travel through the Andes, a few things might catch your eye: the flash of a snow-capped mountain, a shaggy-haired alpaca or the vibrant clothes of the Andean women. The beautiful skirts you’ll see are called polleras. Their patterns, colors and designs change from village to village, and their story is a fascinating one. We’ve assembled a guide to polleras and where you can purchase one on your next Peru trip. A pollera is a full skirt made from cotton or wool that is decorated in vibrant embroidery. Decorations often include flowers and local animals. The rounded shape is similar to that of a bird cage, which is where we get the term pollera. Pollo, of course, means chicken. The Andean pollera The Andean pollera dates back to colonial times. During Spanish colonization, the settlers brought their European fashion sense along with them. One of the most popular pieces was the long and voluminous skirt that was particularly popular among peasants in Andalusia. Andean women decided to make their own out of alpaca wool. However, they decided to put their own twist on the garment. As such, the result was often more vibrant than its Spanish counterpart. While polleras are used for traditional festivals and folklore, you’re sure to see the dazzling dresses as you explore with a Bolivia or Peru travel guide. In these countries, the word pollera denotes a skirt worn by the urban mestizo and the rural indigenous classes. In the Bolivian altiplano, the urban pollera is made of eight meters of cloth and it is worn with four to five embroidered underskirts, which gives the Cholitas (mestizo women who wear the pollera) a "round" shape. Many women wear polleras daily, though they save their more elegant garments for special occasions. The most expensive polleras have very full
As you travel through the Andes, a few things might catch your eye: the flash of a snow-capped mountain, a shaggy-haired alpaca or the vibrant clothes of the Andean women. The beautiful skirts you’ll see are called polleras. Their patterns, colors and designs change from village to village, and their…
Lima is one of the great gastronomic cities of the world, drawing food-loving travelers from far and wide. Thanks to Lima’s award-winning chefs and world-class restaurants, the country’s cuisine is the second most popular tourist attraction in Peru. What is the top thing to do in Peru? That would be the great Machu Picchu, of course. For all the talk of the country’s culinary prowess – who doesn’t love ceviche? – Peruvian desserts don’t garner quite as much attention. (You could say they’re icing on the cake.) However, if you dig a little deeper, Peru’s sweet treats can teach you volumes about the country’s history. What do you know about Peruvian desserts? Peru is a melting pot of cultures. Each group that passed through left a footprint on the country’s culture and cuisine. As some background, Lima was founded in 1521 by Spanish conquistadors. Thanks to the gold and silver trade, the colony flourished and the settlers’ pockets bulged. Drawn by the promise of wealth, Spanish people continued to flock to Lima. Along with them, they brought their tastes, recipes and ingredients. The Spanish combined their recipes with the native ingredients. And with that, many of the most popular Peruvian desserts were born. As Spain had been Arab territory for 800 years, many of the sweets the Spanish brought were Moorish in origin. Today, Peru’s desserts are super sweet. They often feature honey and almonds, just like Middle Eastern and Turkish treats. Take alfajores, the delicious Christmas cookie made with honey, almonds and spices. Alfajores came to Spain in the days of al-Andalus. Their origin lies in the Arab sweet called “alajú.” The Peruvian version is made of two fine cookies filled with dulce de leche. Dulce de leche is found in all sorts of Peruvian desserts, from ice
Lima is one of the great gastronomic cities of the world, drawing food-loving travelers from far and wide. Thanks to Lima’s award-winning chefs and world-class restaurants, the country’s cuisine is the second most popular tourist attraction in Peru. What is the top thing to do in Peru? That would be…
And if you are looking for things to do in Lima, the list is constantly growing. The city is brimming with activity and is full of unexpected surprises such as a culinary journey by motorcycle, paragliding over Miraflores, a visit to long-time friend Mari Solari as she sets up her new show on animal-inspired folk art in Perú, a visit to Sanctuary of Nazarenas to pay tribute to Señor de los Milagros and discovering a French designer’s take on alpaca. And of course, dinner at Kjolle, Lima's new world-class top-rated restaurant. The variety is staggering, and there is something for every age and interest. Lima is always a great idea! Lima is always a good idea Festivities and Folk Art in Lima October is called “the purple month” in Lima, as this is the color of the Senior de los Milagros, Lima’s Patron Christ. October is his month and a visit to his Temple, Las Nazarenas, located in the Centre of the City is a unique experience. Crowds of people flock to worship his image in the temple and street vendors sell candles, rosaries and a variety of objects with his image. Dozens of stalls sell Turron de Doña Pepa, a very sweet local delicacy. A very early visit is recommended as it can get very crowded later in the day. If you happen to have a cool friend and culinary expert like Maria Julia Raffo, one of Aracari’s experts, she can take you on her motorcycle to her favorite places. Keep in mind her list is long and you MUST try all of her very well curated recommendations. Her neighborhood market is a good starting point to see all the varieties of corn, potatoes and fruit. October is artichoke and pumpkin month. Next stop is Pan de la Chola, for a quick
And if you are looking for things to do in Lima, the list is constantly growing. The city is brimming with activity and is full of unexpected surprises such as a culinary journey by motorcycle, paragliding over Miraflores, a visit to long-time friend Mari Solari as she sets up her…
Imagine visiting a Spanish Colonial hacienda in the Sacred Valley and having lunch hosted by the owners who love orchids, food, horses and collect Peruvian archaeology and folk art. This is Hacienda Huayoccari, owned by the Lambarri-Orihuela Family and conveniently located between Pisac and Urubamba. Stepping Back in Time: Hacienda Huayoccari Since the 17th Century, Hacienda Huayoccari was producing white corn, the most precious of the Inca crops and the one responsible for the expansion of the area and the wealth of many of these haciendas that had thousands of hectares. After the agrarian reform in 1968. Huayoccari was reduced to 40 hectares but was able to remain with the family thanks to the harmonious relationships developed with the surrounding community. In fact, the hacienda and the restaurant employ community members who have been with the family for generations. Celebrate with special hosts After being warmly greeted by Jose Ignacio Lambarri our host an old friend of Aracari the afternoon kicks off with a few pisco sours, Peru’s national drink, and a show of Peruvian Paso Horses known for their unique lateral gait, fancy foot movements and their performing nature. The rhythmical dance blends in perfectly with La Marinera, a couple’s tale that tells the story of a soldier flirting with a young woman. The couple and the horse dance mimicking each other’s gestures and steps. Lunch is served at the colonial dining room surrounded by the family’s personal collection of paintings, carved wood pieces, glazed pottery plates from Lake Titicaca, Toritos of Pucará, colonial saints, silver pieces and gorgeous furniture. The menu is a well curated selection of Peruvian homemade food using ingredients grown in their own chacra, the Andean garden. Classic dishes such as ají de gallina, chicken stew; lomo saltado, stir-fried loin; or the sara lawa, a
Imagine visiting a Spanish Colonial hacienda in the Sacred Valley and having lunch hosted by the owners who love orchids, food, horses and collect Peruvian archaeology and folk art. This is Hacienda Huayoccari, owned by the Lambarri-Orihuela Family and conveniently located between Pisac and Urubamba. Stepping Back in Time: Hacienda…
In this story we want to explain Inca Trail alternatives we have explored. A way to tell you our adventure firsthand. Let's go! One of the great joys of my job is that I get to travel with my sixteen year-old son. This time the journey was a full three-day, two-night camping trek exploring a new potential route that could be an alternative route to the Inca Trail. My son and I, joined by four Aracari colleagues: Marcella, Liz, Alexandra and Mark, met the team composed of our guide Sergio; Jessica and Monica who were in charge of the kitchen; Renato and his horse; and a team of seven strong men who were the muleteers ready to carry our personal luggage and all the equipment needed for such an adventure. The meeting point was the Qamicancha community by the Silke River, not far from Ollantaytambo north of Cusco. Our destination: some the beautiful Andean lakes and mountains with altitudes as high as 4650m/15255ft above sea level. Aracari’s Alternative to the Inca Trail One of the most scenic and beautiful treks to Machu Picchu DAY 1 started with a light walk through the agricultural fields of the nearby communities starting to climb a few hills where we were delighted to see the first bromeliads, wild orchids and native flora and water, water everywhere coming from very high in the mountains. After hours of beautiful changing landscapes, we reached the first clearing where we had our first meal of the trip. Lunch was served beautifully in a tent that had been set up for us. We were greeted with a hot towel to clean our hands and the very much needed mate the coca, the Inca’s traditional drink to cope with the altitude. After the hearty delicious hot lunch, we had a few more hours until
In this story we want to explain Inca Trail alternatives we have explored. A way to tell you our adventure firsthand. Let’s go! One of the great joys of my job is that I get to travel with my sixteen year-old son. This time the journey was a full three-day, two-night…
This time in August 2019 I will be leading Aracari’s second Founder trip, a group trip to Northern Peru. Founder trips are generally the opportunity to showcase the best kept secrets and some of the less known areas in the Andes as well connect to people and their stories the way Aracari knows how to do best. 2019 Northern Peru group trip We will be embarking on a journey to some of the most interesting and lesser-known destinations in northern Peru, an area of numerous and varied attractions, both natural and man-made. The pre-Inca archaeological site of Caral, dating back to before 2000 B.C and the seat of the oldest civilization in the Americas; the Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range in the world with numerous snowcapped peaks over 5000 metres (16,404ft) —including Huascaran, Peru’s highest mountain—, and Gocta, one of the world’s tallest waterfalls nestled in the cloud forest of Chachapoyas, are part of the list. Friends of the Aracari family, archaeologists, naturalists and lodge owners, will host us and tell us their untapped secrets. And of course along the way we will be tasting the highlights of one of Peru’s hubs of culinary delights. Connecting with Peruvian Pre-Columbian Cultures We will start our journey overland from Lima and travel 182 km (113mi) to the Supe Valley along the desert coast until we reach Caral. From Caral, which lies at sea level, we leave the desert behind and drive 326 km (202mi) towards the Andes where we will spend three nights in two lovely mountain Lodges, owned by our friends Charlie and Mariana Good. On the way to the Cordillera, we will spend a few hours visiting Chavin de Huantar (1200 BC), the most ancient and interesting pre-Columbian holy pilgrimage site in the Andes. From the high mountains we will take
This time in August 2019 I will be leading Aracari’s second Founder trip, a group trip to Northern Peru. Founder trips are generally the opportunity to showcase the best kept secrets and some of the less known areas in the Andes as well connect to people and their stories the…
