Things to do in Lima Since I moved to Lima, I have been commuting every morning by bike. It seemed like a logical decision -- the city is relatively flat, the coastal views are spectacular in the daybreak, and there are plenty of cycling lanes along the main veins of Miraflores. But up until September, I hadn't had the opportunity to venture beyond my commute. I wasn't sure where the best routes led or what the highlights were along the way. When I heard Aracari was testing out a city bike tour with Green Bike Peru, I jumped at the chance to participate. We met bright and early at their office in Miraflores, where our guide, Milagros, was waiting. Milagros and her team set us each up with a water bottle, a helmet, and one of Green Bike's branded bicycles, which are easily distinguished by their signature green frames. Milagros explained the safety procedures and hand signals in Spanish and English and we were off. We chose the Southern Lima Beat package, featuring the bicycle-accessible highlights of Miraflores and Barranco. Milagros was friendly, funny, and knowledgeable. Her English was superb, save for the occasional grammar stumble. She and her partner, Francisco, were exceptionally conscious of keeping everyone in the group safe – Francisco trailed behind the last person to ensure that nobody was falling behind. With Milagros leading the way, we followed Pardo (the main stretch of my daily commute) out to the coast. The traffic was a little challenging as Ana, the tiniest member of our crew, was unable to find a bike that properly fit her. Every time she used the breaks, she would teeter; she fell three times, once on the shoulder of a busy road. We then traveled down to the Malecon (esplanade), where the stunning
Things to do in Lima Since I moved to Lima, I have been commuting every morning by bike. It seemed like a logical decision — the city is relatively flat, the coastal views are spectacular in the daybreak, and there are plenty of cycling lanes along the main veins of…
Private luxury amazon lodge ideal for families The Amazon rainforest is a destination for true adventurers. Travelers who fear the mighty mosquito may pass on excursions from Puerto Maldonado into the Tambopata National Reserve, no matter how spectacular the wildlife watching may be. That said, Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas lodges both highlight the intrepid aspects of the Amazon without sacrificing the comfort of their guests. I had the opportunity to stay at the two properties this April. They share many similarities, with roughly the same number of rooms; limited Internet access and electricity; fixed hours for dining; and, much to my delight, birdwatching towers with spectacular views. But there are some important distinctions to consider, which are especially essential when planning a trip to such a remote area. My whirlwind tour through the Amazon was certainly unconventional. Because of the transportation times, guests normally choose one property or the other and stay for at least three nights; I stayed at each lodge only one night. Luckily, my quick run through the two properties allowed me to compare them while still fresh in my mind. Posada Amazonas Lodge The main advantage of Posada Amazonas is that it is closer to the main city. The lodge is approximately 2 hours from Puerto Maldonado. After a short transfer from the airport to the port, it's about a 1 hour and 15 minutes journey by boat, followed by a 45-minute walk. The guides kept us well-fed during the journey. Snacks were provided during the walk -- a little banana, water, and cookies in a sweet little basket -- and in the boat, we received a boxed lunch with rice and chicken, juice, and an orange. All the meals are served at fixed hours in the inn, with dinner served at 7:00 PM.
Private luxury amazon lodge ideal for families The Amazon rainforest is a destination for true adventurers. Travelers who fear the mighty mosquito may pass on excursions from Puerto Maldonado into the Tambopata National Reserve, no matter how spectacular the wildlife watching may be. That said, Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas…
Moche Route Highlights: Royal Tombs of Sipan and Huaca Rajada On a recent trip to Peru’s north, I visited some of the most significant historical sites. None capture the imagination more than the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, near Chiclayo (a one-hour flight north of Lima). This well-designed, modern museum houses the remains of the Lord of Sipan, a revered warrior priest from the Mochica era, whose vast collection of treasures and trinkets are on display in the permanent exhibition. Huaca Rajada - the tomb of the Lord of Sipan My day began with a visit to the Huaca Rajada, the tomb in which the Lord of Sipan was discovered back in 1987 by local archeologist Dr. Walter Alva. This site is located just outside the village of Sipan, in a dry, dusty valley, about 30 minutes overland from the main city of Chiclayo. Upon arrival, we made a short stop to take in the site museum, which, although not essential as part of the visit, at least provided a respite from the scorching sun overhead. The burial chambers Continuing onwards, we walked along towards the archaeological site, where we encountered the first of the burial chambers. As all of the original relics have long since been excavated and taken for research or put on display in the museums, replica skeletons, mummies and other artifacts have been set out within the tombs to recreate how they would have looked when first uncovered. Our wonderful local guide, Rocio, who was herself a practicing archeologist, explained how each of the 3 pyramids contained a total 14 separate tombs and chambers, each designated in relations to hierarchy and importance. The sites date back to as far back as 100AD, over 1,000 years before the rise of the Inca Empire. The discovery of the
Moche Route Highlights: Royal Tombs of Sipan and Huaca Rajada On a recent trip to Peru’s north, I visited some of the most significant historical sites. None capture the imagination more than the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, near Chiclayo (a one-hour flight north of Lima). This well-designed, modern museum…
With their breathtaking natural beauty and unique wildlife, the Galápagos Islands are a destination high on the to-do list of curious globetrotters. But when choosing the best way to explore the islands on a luxury travel Galapagos adventure, travelers are often baffled by the wide range of cruise options. Here I share one of my top picks, with my first-hand Galapagos Ocean Spray review on the cruise after testing it out personally. Ocean Spray Review During my recent visit to the islands, I had the opportunity to cruise on board the luxury catamaran Ocean Spray and experience the services on offer first hand. A perfect blend of style, comfort, education and adventure make a cruise like this the ideal way in which to experience all that this unique destination has to offer. The Ocean Spray is a sleek 113-foot-long catamaran with space for up to 16 guests in 8 balconied cabins. Public areas onboard include a sun deck fitted with loungers and Jacuzzi; an outdoor dining and bar area; a communal lounge and library used for daily itinerary briefings; and the main restaurant. As a first time visitor to the Galápagos, cruising the islands onboard the Ocean Spray was everything I could have hoped for. Read our complete list of the best Luxury Galapagos Cruises My journey began at Quito airport, where an Ocean Spray representative was waiting to assist me with check in for the morning flight to Baltra airport, the Galápagos Islands’ main hub. Upon arrival in Balta, I collected my luggage and was greeted in the arrivals hall by another Ocean Spray representative, just as friendly as the first. He ushered me and my fellow passengers to the docks to board a panga, a mid-sized motorboat that would take us to the main vessel. Expert guiding The friendly and
With their breathtaking natural beauty and unique wildlife, the Galápagos Islands are a destination high on the to-do list of curious globetrotters. But when choosing the best way to explore the islands on a luxury travel Galapagos adventure, travelers are often baffled by the wide range of cruise options. Here…
Education doesn’t have to happen in a classroom -- family travel with young children can be formative to developing a global perspective and broadening the scope of cultural understanding. That’s why we’re so impressed by the adventure one of our guests undertook when she and her husband took their four kids (a 13 year old, 12 year old, and two 10 year olds) out of school for a yearlong journey around the globe, to 31 countries on all 7 continents. Family Travel Peru with Dana White Dana White - blogger and family travel planner extraordinaire - wanted to teach her four kids to view their privilege as an opportunity to make a difference in the world beyond themselves. Dana chronicled their family’s adventure in her popular blog, 6explorers. During their time abroad, Dana and her family explored Peru with the help of Aracari, hopping from highlights like Machu Picchu to hidden gems like Apu Ausangate. After their incredible journey, Dana wanted to help other families plan such formative experiences using what she learned on the road to smoothen the process. Dana’s company Lead Explorers builds itineraries with families planning their own trips around the world, to maximize learning experiences and family bonding. In an interview with Aracari, Dana White shared her story, and her expert tips for traveling with a family. ARACARI: How did you end up going away for a year in the first place? DANA WHITE: Oh, it was unbelievable! We had been talking about it for 10 years, so it was something that was a defining moment in our family. We really wanted to help our children become global citizens and see the world while we still can. I think that we are very fortunate and we wanted to make sure that our children knew that the
Education doesn’t have to happen in a classroom — family travel with young children can be formative to developing a global perspective and broadening the scope of cultural understanding. That’s why we’re so impressed by the adventure one of our guests undertook when she and her husband took their four…
Manú National Park is the largest and most pristine rainforest park in South America, unique in its wide variety of ecosystems. The area contains everything from puna grasslands to lowland Amazonian forest, intermixed with elfin forest, cloudforest and montane forest. Here are my thoughts on Manu Learning Centre Lodge, one of the places you can stay in Peru to discover the Amazon Rainforest. Visit Manu Learning Centre Lodge I had travelled to Manú several times 15 or 20 years ago. Aracari was highly involved in Manú then, and it was the top rainforest destination for our guests. This time around, the purpose of my trip was to visit the Manu Learning Centre Lodge and observe the activities of CREES Foundation, a relatively new lodge and operator in Manú. I also wanted to see first-hand how the area has transformed over the past two decades. How to get to Manu National Park Since a few years ago, the flows of rainforest tourism in Peru have changed. In the past, many upscale visitors were enticed the remoteness of Manú National Park, and the possibility – despite the high cost – of reaching the destination in a swift, 45-minute flight from Cusco in a twin otter propeller plane. Now, the only option to reach the Manú area is overland, over 12-hours from the nearest airport. This deters all but very adventurous visitors, sicentists, volunteers and budget travelers to visit the area. Instead, most affluent visitors flock to the luxury cruises on the Upper Amazon and venture to Pacaya Samiria Reserve, and other more adventurous guests head to the lodges in and near the more easily accessible Tambopata Reserved Zone. This shift sadly deprives the local populations in and around Manú of the much needed development and income that tourism used to bring, which continues to
Manú National Park is the largest and most pristine rainforest park in South America, unique in its wide variety of ecosystems. The area contains everything from puna grasslands to lowland Amazonian forest, intermixed with elfin forest, cloudforest and montane forest. Here are my thoughts on Manu Learning Centre Lodge, one of…
