Lima by train Traveling by train has not lost its romance in Peru as the well-known scenic train rides to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca continue to enchant travelers. However, it is likely that you have not heard about the second highest railway in the world, which is a train from Lima to Huancayo that runs through the heart of the Andes. The train passes through breathtaking Andean landscapes during a 12 hour journey that ends in the city of Huancayo in the central Andes, the capital of a region known for its fertile land and traditional handicrafts. The Ferrocarril Central Andino is an impressive engineering feat, designed by Polish engineer Ernest Malinowsky and constructed by American Henry Meiggs between 1870 and 1908. This ride is a major attraction for train enthusiasts with 58 bridges, 69 tunnels and 6 switchbacks. Beginning in Lima, the train climbs 4,631m (15,193ft) in just 158km (98mi) at the highest pass in Galera at 4,781m (15,685ft) from which is descends until Huancayo at 3,261m (10,698ft). The train runs only five times a year, from April to October, though in the past it ran at least twice a month, and the company in charge of the railway has proposed blasting a tunnel through a mountain to reduce the trip time by nearly half. Presently, the train departs Lima at 7:00am and returns two days later from Huancayo at the same hour. This June I had the chance to experience this incredible journey from Lima to Huancayo accompanied by Aracari Lima specialist, John Alfredo Davis Benavides. When we arrived at the Desamparados Station in the historic Lima center, it was still dark, and passengers with weekend bags were lined up waiting to board. There are two classes of passenger cars on the train--touristic and classic. We were
Lima by train Traveling by train has not lost its romance in Peru as the well-known scenic train rides to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca continue to enchant travelers. However, it is likely that you have not heard about the second highest railway in the world, which is a train…
During my last visit to Cusco, I had the chance to try out a new, rigorous one-day trek in the Sacred Valley, the Patabamba Huchuy Qosqo Trek, which takes you to the fascinating archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo, reachable only foot. The total trek is about 12-14km, which is about 7-9hrs of hiking time. The Patabamba Huchuy Qosqo trek is challenging but offers adventure and a glimpse into the world of the Andes: you experience altitude, witness the drastically changing landscapes and vegetation, encounter wild camelids and charming villages and locals along the way. And of course, you get the chance to explore the unique archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo, which few people who visit Cusco get the chance to see. One-day Trek to Huchuy Qosqo My guide picked me up from my hotel in Cusco at 5:30 in the morning on a Saturday, and we rode to a tiny town in the mountains called Patabamba, where we would begin. We had a hand-drawn map to guide us, created by the director of the Aracari treks in Cusco, who had chosen the route. From Patabamba we would begin ascending to the Huchuy Qosqo pass at 4,300m (14,100ft) and then hike down to the archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo before descending to the town of Lamay in the Urubamba Valley. View all our Peru treks Llamas and Alpacas After an hour and a half or so of driving plus a stop for some pictures of the stunning views, we got out of the car to begin our trek. We were at about 3,900m (12,800ft) as we started hiking. At that altitude, there was little vegetation except for small, sparse bushes. We encountered a pack of llamas and alpacas roaming along the mountain, grazing. They reluctantly fled as we neared them, and I
During my last visit to Cusco, I had the chance to try out a new, rigorous one-day trek in the Sacred Valley, the Patabamba Huchuy Qosqo Trek, which takes you to the fascinating archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo, reachable only foot. The total trek is about 12-14km, which is about 7-9hrs…
The country’s capital city Lima proudly lays claim to being the ultimate food mecca in South America. In Lima you will find 4 of the World’s Top 50 restaurants. Exploring local markets, taking a Lima cooking class with an expert chef, sampling local food and dining at local eateries and world-class gourmet restaurants are unmissable experiences in Lima, with Peru's culinary scene providing a window into the Peru's history and culture. To get under the skin of Peru's food scene, we arrange a hands-on Lima cooking class and complete personalised Peru culinary tour experiences with our star chef, Penelope Alzamora, one of Aracari's many specialists. Lima Cooking Class & Culinary Experience: Lima With Zest Penelope Alzamora Through our culinary experience Lima With Zest, Penelope will introduce you to all things Peruvian cuisine and tailor the experience to your interests - from being more hands-on to a more informative demonstration. Penélope grew up in Peru but received her education abroad, getting a degree in hospitality at Newbury College outside of Boston, learning culinary arts at Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island and then teaching about Peruvian cuisine at Tante Marie Cooking School in San Francisco. Additionally, she and her family opened the restaurant Bohemia Café y Más in Lima, where she worked in the kitchen for years, partnering with famous Peruvian chef, Gastón Acurio during that time. A group from Aracari spent a morning with Penélope enjoying the Lima With Zest experience, visiting a local market to buy ingredients for a lunch we'd prepare at the chef’s home in the seaside neighborhood of Barranco. Here we share our culinary tour Peru experience! Peru With Flavor: At the Market The day of our culinary tour Peru experience with Penelope I entered a bright, white-walled market in the San Isidro district and found the Aracari group gathered in
The country’s capital city Lima proudly lays claim to being the ultimate food mecca in South America. In Lima you will find 4 of the World’s Top 50 restaurants. Exploring local markets, taking a Lima cooking class with an expert chef, sampling local food and dining at local eateries and world-class gourmet restaurants…
Peruvian sculptor Margarita Checa, born in Lima, has a reputation in the art world for being one of the most important contemporary sculptors in South America, known for carving life-size and larger human figures with incredibly emotive features in wood and bronze. Peruvian Sculptor Margarita Checa Though she began her artistic career drawing at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru, she discovered that sculpture was her ultimate niche, beginning with works in bronze and later moving on to wood as her principal material. Her works have been exhibited in galleries around Peru like Lucía de la Puente in Lima and internationally at galleries in the United States, Spain, Panama and Mexico. Most recently in September 2013, the Peruvian Institute of North American Culture (ICPNA) in Lima housed a retrospective of Checa’s works from 1972-2013, curated by art historian and critic, Luis Eduardo Wuffarden. As a product of this exhibition, the ICPNA has just this week published a book, Margarita Checa. Muestra antológica, 1972-2013, showcasing the sculptor’s oeuvre from her student years to the present. Meeting with Margarita Checa When Aracari learned about the publication a few months ago, we met with the artist at her home in Lima in honor of the upcoming release. Upon entering her apartment, the most striking aspect of is, not surprisingly, the sculptures and art that fill the space. Wooden sculptures by Checa flank each corner, decorate the walls, dominate small tables. In addition to her own works are pieces by Peruvian artists like a painting by José Tola and a bronze piece by her mentor, artist Cristina Galvez. After Galvez’s passing in 1982, Checa rented the Cristina Galvez Atelier, where she and other artists exhibited work and taught classes. Though she has stopped teaching for some time, dedicating herself fully to her works, she
Peruvian sculptor Margarita Checa, born in Lima, has a reputation in the art world for being one of the most important contemporary sculptors in South America, known for carving life-size and larger human figures with incredibly emotive features in wood and bronze. Peruvian Sculptor Margarita Checa Though she began her…
The Colca Lodge is a charmingly rustic property in the Colca Valley of southern Peru. Set on the bank of the Colca River, the lodge’s design immerses guests in the lush surrounding landscape. The lodge boasts several eco-credentials, employing ecological radiant heat panels, geothermal energy and solar power to heat the water. Recently they reopened six renovated suites made of adobe with traditional thatch roofs, which naturally regulate temperature, maintaining coolness under the hot sun and act as insulation in the chilly nights. Each of the ample suites is decorated with simple elegance, incorporating aesthetic touches of the Andean countryside, and has a private terrace and entrance, with stunning views of the area. The Colca Valley and Canyon provide travellers a bountiful offering of activities that will get them out of their rooms and into nature, canoeing, mountain biking, hiking or venturing out to spot condors and wild alpacas and vicuñas. The lodge counts with three natural hot springs and a eco-friendly spa with stunning views of the valley that guests can enjoy while relaxing after a day of activity. And for children (and adults) there is an alpaca ranch on site with information about these beautiful cousins to the llama. Guests can interact with alpacas at the ranch and see firsthand the variety of colors and textures of their fur, which is used to make the famous alpaca sweaters and outerwear. The Colca Lodge with its new suites offers travellers to the region a comfortable stay for their adventures in the Colca Valley and Canyon, making any trip that much better. For more information about a trip to Colca and a stay at the new suites, contact us. Read about previous Aracari staff adventures to the region: Cantering in the Colca Valley: An Alternative Peru Horseback Riding Experience and Peru Travel Insights:
The Colca Lodge is a charmingly rustic property in the Colca Valley of southern Peru. Set on the bank of the Colca River, the lodge’s design immerses guests in the lush surrounding landscape. The lodge boasts several eco-credentials, employing ecological radiant heat panels, geothermal energy and solar power to heat…
During a trip to Cusco, I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Jean-Jacques Decoster, one of Aracari's top specialist guides who accompanies travelers on tours of Machu Picchu and is a rich source of information on the Incas and Andean culture. Dr. Decoster provides insider information for a privileged insight into Cusco and the surrounding area. Aracari's Cusco Specialist Guide Dr. Jean-Jacques Decoster Dr. Decoster is a native of France, who now lives in the city of Cusco, where he is the Director of the language school and cultural center, Centro Tinku, the president of the non-profit organization, Asociación Kuraka, the French Consul and a National Geographic Expeditions Expert. He received a degree in Linguistics and Literature from the University of Lille in France and continued on to earn a master’s degree and a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Virginia and Cornell, respectively, as well as a doctorate in Social Sciences from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Peru. Professor of Anthropology Over the past decade, he has held the positions of Professor of Anthropology and Ethnohistory at the Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cusco, where he teaches courses in Inca History and Andean Ethnography. Dr. Decoster’s major publications focus on aspects of the cultural anthropology of the Andes, and he actively seeks out solutions to development problems in rural areas, specifically, the relation between native groups and their environment; human rights and socioeconomic conditions of indigenous populations; and bilingual education in rural communities. Aracari's interview with Dr. Jean-Jacques Decoster Recently I interviewed Dr. Decoster about his education, field of study, current projects and work he does in the region of Cusco, which you can read below to see why Aracari is pleased that our guests can meet and learn from such an interesting
During a trip to Cusco, I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Jean-Jacques Decoster, one of Aracari’s top specialist guides who accompanies travelers on tours of Machu Picchu and is a rich source of information on the Incas and Andean culture. Dr. Decoster provides insider information for a privileged…
