Food is the beating heart of Peru. Throughout its regions, pockets of unique culinary marvels are waiting to be discovered; from Michelin Star dining rooms to market stall delicacies. Indeed, no luxury vacation to Peru would be complete without sampling the exquisite taste of true Peru. But more than that, foodie travel in Peru is about knowledge and history. Unearthing the story behind Peru’s meteoric rise to becoming the world’s top culinary destination – as voted for by the World Travel Awards, nine years running. At Aracari, we have spent 26 years as Peru travel specialists, and so we’ve witnessed first-hand how the country’s unique foodie scene has exploded on the world stage. Yet, we’ve always known its magic. Our private travel itineraries to Peru include some of the most exclusive foodie experiences in all South America, and we’ve even dedicated entire luxury vacations to Peru’s magnificent gastronomy. Leaning on our decades-long relationship with some of the pioneers of Peruvian cuisine, from the chefs of molecular kitchens to villagers preserving the ancient cooking techniques of the Incas, we’ve curated unique food experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Explore our Itineraries Our Ultimate Guide to Food in Peru Navigating Peru’s culinary landscape during a foodie vacation to Peru can feel overwhelming. How do find the best restaurants in Cusco, for example? Or know an authentic dining spot over those vying for visitor attention? Or find a cooking class led by a real local expert? Thankfully that’s where we come in. Throughout this insider foodie guide, you’ll glean a fascinating insight into what makes Peru’s gastronomic scene so unique. From the exotic fruits of the Amazon to root plants from the Andean heartlands to the succulent shellfish plucked from the South Pacific – you’ll read not only about where to go and
Food is the beating heart of Peru. Throughout its regions, pockets of unique culinary marvels are waiting to be discovered; from Michelin Star dining rooms to market stall delicacies. Indeed, no luxury vacation to Peru would be complete without sampling the exquisite taste of true Peru. But more than that,…
A Peruvian train journey for every type of traveler As luxury South American travel agents, we often get asked what are the best train journeys in Peru. Yet unlike some of its continental neighbors, Peru isn’t a country where train travel is the most common mode of transport. Here, the terrain maps from coastline to rigid mountains, from jungle to sweeping savannahs, and so the challenge of laying down train tracks that crisscross the entire country hasn’t quite yet been realized. However, if you’re connected to those in the know – there exists a mesmerizing Peruvian train journey for every kind of traveler. At Aracari, our 25 years of experience in planning luxury vacations to Peru means we can provide you with the ultimate guide to train travel in Peru. With our expert knowledge, we are privy to it all, from the rarest of routes stretching from Lima to Andean highlands – a schedule that runs just five times a year – to the most luxurious of private charters, carrying you in sublime comfort through the magnificent Sacred Valley to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu… The Five Best Train Journeys in Peru Peru is home to one of the most magnificent train journeys in the world: a railway line that cuts through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, following parts of the Inca Trail itself. Luxury trains to Machu Picchu are an unforgettable experience, passing staggeringly beautiful landscape, before ultimately arriving at the ancient wonder itself, one of the most important historical landmarks the world over. That’s why, within this list, you’ll find three kinds of Machu Picchu trains – each offering a very different experience for a very different traveler. Yet train journeys in Peru extend further than Machu Picchu alone. Across this beautiful country, you can reach
A Peruvian train journey for every type of traveler As luxury South American travel agents, we often get asked what are the best train journeys in Peru. Yet unlike some of its continental neighbors, Peru isn’t a country where train travel is the most common mode of transport. Here, the…
Luxury travel. What do you think of when you hear those two words? A deserted beach, a sumptuous suite? An ocean-front pool, a secluded rainforest lodge? But beyond that, what’s the feeling you think of? As a Peru luxury travel agent, we understand that luxury travel to Peru is not only about a place or property but about the feeling you have when you’re there. Think about it – one could be in the most premium of hotels, or aboard the most luxurious of yachts, or dining in the most exclusive of restaurants – but if the atmosphere is out of kilter, then the effect will be less luxurious and more lackluster. At Aracari, luxury travel to Peru is about access and not excess. After a quarter-century in the business, and 14 Conde Nast Travel Specialist Awards later – the latest of which was awarded just last month – we pride ourselves in connecting our clients to experiences that go beyond the standardized tourist trail. And it’s not as simple as lavishness alone. Of course – premium comforts feature in all our itineraries – but more than that, we offer the luxury of deeply meaningful travel. And meaningful travel is not one-size-fits-all, but rather meaningfulness is in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps to one person, it’s about connecting with culture, thoroughly grasping what it is to belong to certain indigenous communities. Whilst to another, it might mean being guided through the rural churches of the Sacred Valley by a professor in religious art history – rather than a more typical tour guide. And again, to another, it could be tasting the coastal cuisine of Peru cooked by a private chef in a private beachfront villa, rather than at a restaurant. True luxury travel is a whole range of factors, and
Luxury travel. What do you think of when you hear those two words? A deserted beach, a sumptuous suite? An ocean-front pool, a secluded rainforest lodge? But beyond that, what’s the feeling you think of? As a Peru luxury travel agent, we understand that luxury travel to Peru is not…
Across the globe, green stays are fast becoming a top travel trend. More travelers are now seeking out eco-friendly travel, the kind of vacations that have a positive impact on the planet and its people. At Aracari this is nothing new to us. For over two decades our team of travel experts has connected clients to the best eco-friendly tourism in Peru, Bolivia, and the Galapagos. Having always put a huge emphasis on ensuring that the trips we offer truly are a greener way to travel. However, we also know that the buck doesn’t stop with us. Gaging just how sustainable a trip is, can be difficult to decipher. It goes beyond Aracari’s sustainability pledge and forces us to look closer at what our partners are doing – whether that’s a hotel or a hike operator. A Guide to the Green Stays of Peru That’s where our Report The Green Stays of Peru comes in. Published just this month, in March 2022, it compiles everything you need to make an informed choice on where, and with whom, you want to spend your money when you travel with Aracari. Taking our team the best part of a year to produce, it outlines incredible stories of sustainability, from initiatives to preserve ancient cultures, to projects helping protect endangered wildlife. We’re proud to have gone beyond certifications and accolades, probing deeper into what businesses are doing to ensure that decades from now, precious countries, cultures, and communities can be enjoyed by the next generation of explorers. Your next eco-friendly trip: our top 5 green stays But before you delve into the complete guide, we’ve curated an exclusive highlight list. These are the pinnacle of eco-friendly travel, green stays that offer guests not only an enriching experience of their own but the opportunity to
Across the globe, green stays are fast becoming a top travel trend. More travelers are now seeking out eco-friendly travel, the kind of vacations that have a positive impact on the planet and its people. At Aracari this is nothing new to us. For over two decades our team of…
Bolivia and Peru offer up some of the most breathtaking trekking routes in the world, so it’s no wonder that an Andean trek makes it on to so many bucket lists. Trekking in Peru or Bolivia is serious business; you must be fit, healthy and well-prepared to get the most of your adventure. At Aracari, we’ve been planning treks in Peru and hiking in Bolivia for over 25 years, so when it comes to how to prepare for a trek in the Andes, our insider knowledge is the best around. Choosing A Trek There are many different types of trek in Peru and Bolivia. You probably already know about the world-famous Inca Trail, but that’s not all this region has to offer. The diverse climate and landscapes of the Andes make it one of the most exciting places to hike. You can choose a high-altitude mountain hike over multiple days, or take a half-day trail through the jungle. You can visit tourist-free Incan ruins and traditional villages; take in turquoise lakes and rainbow-hued mountains; walk amongst wildlife and fantastic scenery. All you must do is choose what you want to see first – since once you’ve done one, you’ll definitely be back for more. The trek you choose should be based on your level of fitness and experience, and how much time you have. There’s a trek for most abilities and timescales, and Aracari’s adventure specialists can guide you on the one they deem most suitable based on all the above factors. Essential Information When you’ve chosen and booked your trip, the following information will help you prepare for it. Be sure to follow all the advice below, this way you can get the most out of your trek in the Andes. Health and Fitness A moderate level of fitness
Bolivia and Peru offer up some of the most breathtaking trekking routes in the world, so it’s no wonder that an Andean trek makes it on to so many bucket lists. Trekking in Peru or Bolivia is serious business; you must be fit, healthy and well-prepared to get the most…
At the turn of every new year, the team here at Aracari dedicate hours to curating their travel hotlist for the year ahead. Using our insider knowledge – the product of 25 years’ experience in luxury travel – our experts seek out other industry trailblazers who are pioneering new and innovative ways to experience our region. The criteria for making it onto our travel hotlist is of course very stringent. Marisol and her team continuously pose questions around sustainability, authenticity, and purposeful travel – ensuring that those who make it onto our shortlist do in fact adhere to Aracari’s own core values. And that’s not forgetting the most important criteria of all – you, our guests. From hotels to hikes, from superyachts to superfood restaurants – every entry has been chosen because we believe they are aligned perfectly with the astute Aracari traveler. Destinations and experiences you will want to earmark, assign travel time to, and visit over the next 12 months. So – before you begin to pen your own bucket list for 2022, let us gift ours to you. A shortlist of the very best happenings in luxury travel, and let’s just say – it looks set to be a very happy New Year indeed… 1. Hotel CIRQA, Arequipa The year-round sunny climate of Arequipa makes it the perfect destination for those seeking sunshine alongside some of Peru’s finest culture and cuisine. And this year, our travel hotlist features the perfect base from which to explore the white city. Hotel CIRQA is a beautiful boutique hotel that captures the city’s unique history and architectural style. Opening its doors in 2019, just before the pandemic took hold of international travel, the property was never really afforded the grand opening it deserves! You’ll find just eleven rooms, housed in a
At the turn of every new year, the team here at Aracari dedicate hours to curating their travel hotlist for the year ahead. Using our insider knowledge – the product of 25 years’ experience in luxury travel – our experts seek out other industry trailblazers who are pioneering new and…
