For a truly authentic day in the Sacred Valley, I highly recommend you join Ollantaytambo based NGO, Awamaki, for a weaving experience and village visit. I had the chance to participate on a recent trip to the region with my family, and I am delighted to be able to share details of my visit and why this is such a special Sacred Valley responsible travel opportunity. A day with Awamaki can be arranged by Aracari as a part of any larger, tailormade trip to Peru - check out our Connecting with Peru itinerary for inspiration. Sacred Valley Responsible Travel Awamaki is an NGO based in Peru that aims to empower rural communities through responsible tourism and revitalize their culture through textiles. The responsible tourism experiences they offer range from full-day weaving village visits to four-day textile workshops. To get a taste of village life and textile culture, I recommend you opt for the full-day visit as I did. The longer immersion workshops are better suited for very niche-interest travelers. My Experience with Awamaki The Journey to Patacancha The day started with pick-up from our hotel near Urubamba and we began the one-hour drive to the quaint village of Ollantaytambo. Famous for its ruins, train station, and traditional local life, this is a must-see stop on any trip to the Sacred Valley. From here, we met our Awamaki guide, Juan, and began a 1 hour and 20 minute journey to the community of Patacancha. Awamaki works with many weaving communities in the Patacancha Valley, so the exact location of visits vary. But no matter where you go, you will make stops along the way at little-visited ruins or small churches to take in the rich culture and heritage of the region your are visiting. Meeting the Weavers Upon arrival to the
For a truly authentic day in the Sacred Valley, I highly recommend you join Ollantaytambo based NGO, Awamaki, for a weaving experience and village visit. I had the chance to participate on a recent trip to the region with my family, and I am delighted to be able to share…
Aracari prides itself on offering the most exclusive experiences that we can for our guests. We create one-off, completely tailormade moments that suit your interests to make sure your trip is one you never forget. One example of this is a pop-up Andean tea break in the Sacred Valley, to make a day in the mountains of Peru even more special than you imagined. Andean Tea Break in the Sacred Valley For this experience, a picture is worth a thousand words... Take advantage of the incredible sweeping vistas of the Sacred Valley on a premium tea break. Your guide and driver will take you to a surprise location with spectacular views, and set up a lovely table so you can enjoy a hot beverage. Adventurous travelers are welcome to pick fresh muña, an herbal plant, from the area to boil in water for tea. Or for an indulgent treat, melt scrumptious Peruvian chocolate to make rich hot cocoa. Whatever you pick, you won’t be able to keep your eyes off the views and your taste buds happy during this moment of bliss. Contact us if you would like special experiences like an Andean tea break on a larger, private, tailormade trip to Peru with Aracari.
Aracari prides itself on offering the most exclusive experiences that we can for our guests. We create one-off, completely tailormade moments that suit your interests to make sure your trip is one you never forget. One example of this is a pop-up Andean tea break in the Sacred Valley, to…
On a recent trip to Peru I took a long weekend and headed 4 hours south of Lima to visit Ica, an area of vast fertile land that produces succulent grapes for Pisco (Peru's national drink). I am thrilled to share my experience which was centered around my stay at Hacienda La Caravedo, one of the top accommodations in the area that also delivers the best of fine Peruvian spirits. Pisco & Paso Horses at Hacienda La Caravedo Ica I began my journey to Hacienda La Caravedo around 9am when my private car picked me up in Lima. I was already looking forward to my weekend away, but the anticipation only grew as coastal desert sprawled out my window. I passed through several local towns before arriving to the green vineyard oasis of the traditional Hacienda and distillery. Set on 48 hectares of gorgeous green vineyards in the middle of Peru’s coastal desert, this traditional hacienda is more than just a place to stay – it is a true experience. La Caravedo is known for being the oldest working distillery in the Americas and was founded in 1684 to produce Peru’s national spirit of Pisco. Guests of the hacienda are treated to tours of the famed distillery and sampling of the award winning Pisco, in between relaxing by the pool and exploring the surrounding area. The hacienda boasts 5 air-conditioned bungalows, each of which is equipped with a private terrace and kitchenette to help guests feel right at home. Highlights of My Stay at Hacienda La Caravedo Ica What I liked most about La Caravedo was that it offered me the possibility of staying in first class accommodation, in complete privacy and wonderful surroundings, while I had the opportunity to immerse myself in authentic traditions from the southern coast of Peru. Apart
On a recent trip to Peru I took a long weekend and headed 4 hours south of Lima to visit Ica, an area of vast fertile land that produces succulent grapes for Pisco (Peru’s national drink). I am thrilled to share my experience which was centered around my stay at Hacienda…
During a trip to the Sacred Valley of Peru, I had the chance to participate in an unforgettable day hiking through remote mountains, visiting little-known ruins, and eating lunch with the friendliest community imaginable. The experience gave me insight into the real Sacred Valley, something most tourists long to see but never get the chance to. Aracari offers the experience as a full-day cultural Peru hike, and can be included as a part of a private, tailormade trip to Peru. A Cultural Peru Hike in the Sacred Valley The day started with a morning pick-up from my hotel in the Sacred Valley. My knowledgeable guide Kathy explained the schedule for our day as we drove about an hour in our private vehicle to Chinchero. We would start with a visit to the town and ruins of Chinchero, before walking about 4 hours through the mountins to the rural community of Rachji. In the community we would enjoy lunch, and participate in a farming and weaving demonstration to get a better understanding of the locals' day to day life before wrapping up with another private car ride to my hotel. Hiking with Llamas I was so excited to get started that I practically jumped out of the car when we arrived at our starting point of Chinchero (3,800m/12,500ft). The town is picture-perfectly surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, and is buzzing with local women in voluminous colorful skirts selling textiles and produce. We took a tour of the town and ruins and Kathy explained that the area was once home to the great conquering emperor Inca Topa Yupanqui and features incredible history. We walked through the ruins and down some stairs and were greeted by the greatest suprise ever - llamas! During our trek we would be accompanied
During a trip to the Sacred Valley of Peru, I had the chance to participate in an unforgettable day hiking through remote mountains, visiting little-known ruins, and eating lunch with the friendliest community imaginable. The experience gave me insight into the real Sacred Valley, something most tourists long to see…
The Sacred Valley of the Incas, located just a one and a half hour drive from Cusco - the gateway to Machu Picchu - is a must-visit destination on a trip to Peru. Dotted with archaeological ruins, traditional rural villages and sweeping landscapes of rich, fertile land, the Sacred Valley is also home to an exquisite selection of some of Peru's finest hotels. Aracari shares our handpicked round-up of the best hotels in the Sacred Valley, selected based on our first-hand stays and 20 years of experience scouting out the stand-out properties. The Best Hotels in the Sacred Valley Sol y Luna We adore this stunning, socially-responsible five-star hotel, one of the best hotels in all of Peru. Sol y Luna is set in spacious grounds with an outdoor swimming pool, dedicated spa, two top-notch restaurants and a wine cellar for private dining. There's even a horse-ranch, with riding trails offered in the surrounding countryside. The stand-out rooms are comprised of individual private villa bungalows, with supremely tasteful, artistic design that gives Sol y Luna a unique edge in the Sacred Valley style-stakes. Each 'casita' bungalow has ample amenities, though we recommend you upgrade to a deluxe casita which is almost double the size of the standard. If luxurious comfort isn't enough - the hotel is a Relais & Chateaux property - sleep well knowing that Sol y Luna was set up to fund the non-profit Sol y Luna Association to sustainably fund education projects, including running its own school for children from the local community. A stay at Sol y Luna directly helps support these initiatives, and visits to the Association can be coordinated with the hotel. Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba Colonial-inspired Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba is comprised of a hacienda-style building with 16 rooms constructed around a central courtyard, along with an additional collection of
The Sacred Valley of the Incas, located just a one and a half hour drive from Cusco – the gateway to Machu Picchu – is a must-visit destination on a trip to Peru. Dotted with archaeological ruins, traditional rural villages and sweeping landscapes of rich, fertile land, the Sacred Valley…
Peru is a country of diverse landscapes ranging from the jagged peaked Andes mountains, to the densely forested Amazon jungle. Though the distinct regions can be explored by practically any mode of transportation, one of our preferred methods is on horseback. That's why we have rounded up the best horse riding in Peru, any of which can be included on a tailormade journey by Aracari. Forget your vehicle, and hop on the back of a gorgeous steed who can take you to panoramic vistas and traditional local villages. The Best Horse Riding in Peru Rein Supreme in the Sacred Valley 2 Hour Horseback Ride - Ideal for Beginner Riders (or 7 Hour Ride for Experienced Riders) Head outdoors for a horseback ride through the scenic Sacred Valley. The shorter 2 hour ride starts at Hacienda Huayoccari, a traditional hacienda that is owned and operated by the prestigious Lambarri family. From here you will ride across the Vilcanota River to the quaint town of Urquillos and then head into the rural and picturesque town of Huicho. Though some paved roads are unavoidable, the majority of the excursion will be on rural dirt roads with views of adobe homes, farms and the impressive Urubamba mountain range. This is a great ride for beginners as the famed Peruvian paso horse has a smooth trot that keeps you steady and secure on their back. Alternatively, experienced riders can opt to enjoy a longer ride through the Sacred Valley starting at Sol y Luna hotel. You’ll ride through Rumichaca Baja, a community where you can observe the daily life of the villagers, pass alongside corn fields, and the Urubamba river. From there continue to Media Luna gorge, a local famers’ settlement and irrigation reservoirs, through Chajwar, and ascend to the Pumahuanca gorge, a protected zone with beautiful
Peru is a country of diverse landscapes ranging from the jagged peaked Andes mountains, to the densely forested Amazon jungle. Though the distinct regions can be explored by practically any mode of transportation, one of our preferred methods is on horseback. That’s why we have rounded up the best horse…
