Discover Centro Colich Strolling down the streets in my resident district of Barranco one evening, I found myself wandering into Central Colich, a hidden gem, exhibition space, boutique clothing atelier, and café. One of my favorite places in Lima to frequent, Central Colich has a trendy, bohemian atmosphere with an ever-changing array of artwork, artisan jewelry, decoration and interior design, and high-quality clothing. The house was first built in 1907 and owned by Austrian Santiago Colich, and after more than a century, it has been fully restored to its original glory, with high ceilings and colorful tiled floors. Photos courtesy of Centro Colich On this particular night, I was pleasantly surprised to find the sculptor of the artwork featured in the current exhibit, "Apacheta," present and enthusiastic to share his work. This title roughly translates to "wayside shrine" or "cairn" and alludes to the overlap of cultures and historical continuity. Six samples of work are currently on display and consist of a large wooden sculpture, two smaller obsidian sculptures, and three mixed-media paintings. The Limeño artist, Javier Aldana Rivera, graciously provided detailed and unpretentious explanations, elaborating on the context and physical qualities of each piece as well as providing a comparison of Peruvian past and present (specifically of the indigenous people) to that of the United States. His enthusiasm for the work that he produced and the messages that he was trying to relay was clear, and he even invited me to close my eyes and touch one of the sculptures, to challenge my initial visual impressions with the feel of the smooth yet imperfect surface of the obsidian - a metaphor for the piece itself. About an hour after we began the private tour, a small group entered the gallery, and Javier greeted them with the same inviting smile
Discover Centro Colich Strolling down the streets in my resident district of Barranco one evening, I found myself wandering into Central Colich, a hidden gem, exhibition space, boutique clothing atelier, and café. One of my favorite places in Lima to frequent, Central Colich has a trendy, bohemian atmosphere with an…
National Ceviche Day The first dish that comes to mind when most people think of Peruvian cuisine is ceviche...and for good reason. A source of pride and national identity here in Peru, the tasty dish, which in its simplest form consists of fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice, has been around for over 500 years and holds a significant cultural importance. So much so, that in 2008, Peru’s Ministry of Production named June 28th a national holiday, National Ceviche Day, celebrating and showcasing the country’s national dish. Ceviche: Peru's National Dish Widely consumed all around the country, this emblematic dish is the perfect combination of an addictive amount of spice, tanginess, and fresh fish flavor. According to the traditionalists, a good Peruvian ceviche is composed of only five ingredients - fresh fish, onion, chili peppers, lime juice, and salt - and it is typically accompanied by choclo (corn) and sweet potato. However, that doesn’t stop chefs from creating their own preparations and combinations, and all throughout Peru you can find different takes on ceviche. Some incorporate different types of seafood, herbs like cilantro, and others utilize asian elements like yuzu and soy sauce. The possibilities are endless. Read more on our guide to Peruvian ceviche. Recommended restaurants in Lima for ceviche In honor of the holiday, here are a few of the best restaurants in Lima to enjoy ceviche: El Mercado - Another hit from top chef Rafael Osterling, serving delicious Creole seafood favourites in a variety of different house styles with both local and international influences. Pescados Capitales - Well prepared traditional seafood dishes with playful names related to the seven capital sins La Mar - A well-established Gaston Acurio restaurant that can now be found around the world as far as New York and San Francisco Download
National Ceviche Day The first dish that comes to mind when most people think of Peruvian cuisine is ceviche…and for good reason. A source of pride and national identity here in Peru, the tasty dish, which in its simplest form consists of fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice, has…
We're a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association! Aracari is proud to announce we're a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association! Operating adventure trips in Peru since we started back in 1996, we felt it was high time that we supported the efforts of this global membership organization, which has social and environmental ethics at the heart of their efforts. The ATTA is an association of 800 members, ranging from tour operators, travel agents, guides, and media representatives, all of whom are dedicated to promoting responsible adventure travel around the world. As one of the only upscale travel agencies in Peru to operate our own treks, we are able to provide a very high standard of trekking experiences in the Andean region, with the assurance that every detail is catered for. Offering short camping treks, treks that take you close to local communities, multi-day high altitude treks, and anywhere in between, our guests get to know the region, its landscapes, its history, and its people through up-close-and-personal immersion. We have been recognized for our expertise in adventure travel before, most recently, in May 2013, Travel + Leisure featured our trek to Apu Huayllanay on their Ultimate Guide to Trekking, Walking, & Hiking. We even offer a number of treks in lesser known areas of the country, such as the Cordillera Blanca, where we were fortunate to trek to Laguna 69 in September 2012 with the help of our friends at Llanganuco Lodge. As well as trekking, the varied and dramatic landscapes of the Andes and the rainforest afford all kinds of opportunities for sustainable adventure travel. In the Sacred Valley, activities such as kayaking on Waypo lake and mountain biking from the ancient agricultural testing site of Moray allow you to escape life for a moment. One of our
We’re a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association! Aracari is proud to announce we’re a member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association! Operating adventure trips in Peru since we started back in 1996, we felt it was high time that we supported the efforts of this global membership organization,…
Peru festival, Inti Raymi Today marks the colorful celebration of Inti Raymi, or the “festival of the sun,” thought to have been one of the most important rituals in the Inca Empire. On June 24th each year just after the Winter Solstice, a religious ceremony takes place venerating Inti, the most significant God in the pantheon of Andean religion. Huge importance was placed upon the movement of the sun, and the solstice marked the return of the sun from its farthest position from earth. This also meant the beginning of longer days, the start of a new cycle, and the return of the source of life to the Andes. Thus, Inti Raymi was a celebration of the Inca New Year. A theatrical reenactment of the celebration takes place each year in Cusco, attracting thousands of locals and tourists alike. In preparation for the festival, hundreds of actors are chosen to take part in the reenactment, including the Sapa Inca, the ruler of the Inca empire. On the morning of the 24th, the crowd assembles at the fabled Koricancha, or Sun Temple, and takes part in a ceremony led by the Sapa Inca and praising Inti. The crowd then marches to the Plaza de Armas carrying the Inca on a golden throne to continue the celebrations before beginning the climb to the temple-fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Following in tow are the hundreds of other participants, including high priests in traditional ceremonial robes, officials of the court, and other nobles, all dressed in colorful garb. Once they arrive at Sacsayhuaman, an elaborate ritual takes place including several speeches and sacrifices. The ceremony ends with a procession back to Cusco’s main square and once again, the Inca new year has began. Although this festival has become rather commercialized and contrived in recent years and
Peru festival, Inti Raymi Today marks the colorful celebration of Inti Raymi, or the “festival of the sun,” thought to have been one of the most important rituals in the Inca Empire. On June 24th each year just after the Winter Solstice, a religious ceremony takes place venerating Inti, the…
Preview of El Mercado Tunqui Yesterday Aracari had the fantastic opportunity to have a sneak preview of Cusco's latest boutique hotel, El Mercado Tunqui. Although they are still finishing a few details, I was thrilled to find out that the hotel exceeded all our expectations... not bad considering our expectations are pretty high in the first place! Following our blog article last month (which, admittedly, we lifted from a press release), we were eager to see the hotel with our own eyes. In particular we wanted to know how the concept of a marketplace has been handled, and whether the hotel lived up to the billing of Cusco's newest Boutique hotel. Finally, we were clamouring to know how the hotel stands up when compared to other hotels in the same category. I'm very pleased to say, after my visit, that El Mercado Tunqui succeeds on all counts. The 27 rooms are beautifully decorated, many of these have a view of the city. Apart from having a more ample size, the 2 suites and the 5 junior suites differ from the 20 standard rooms in that they all have their own bathtub and fireplace. All the rooms have feather pillows and 400 thread count cotton sheets (if you're allergic to feathers synthetic pillow can be provided). Amenities include a coffee machine as well as a selection of mate teas. The walls and floors of the bedrooms are all heated creating a perfect temperature. Internet wifi is strong all over the hotel as the have multiple routers and a router in every room. There is an elevator to access the upper floors. The brakfast room is incredible! It is open with service all day and is very comfortable, it has one of the most beautiful atmospheres that I have seen in a hotel
Preview of El Mercado Tunqui Yesterday Aracari had the fantastic opportunity to have a sneak preview of Cusco’s latest boutique hotel, El Mercado Tunqui. Although they are still finishing a few details, I was thrilled to find out that the hotel exceeded all our expectations… not bad considering our expectations…
Spizza Lima Restaurant Review Despite the ridiculously fresh seafood and a variety of tasty food options here in Lima, I’ve had a hard time finding substitutes for some of the things I love from back home, and oftentimes in the past year, I have found myself craving a taste of home. Coming from New York and being raised in a family that for some time owned and operated pizzerias, it goes without saying that my relentless craving was for some good pizza. I was under the (perhaps ignorant) assumption that I would definitely not find anything remotely as good as back at home, but nonetheless I was on the hunt. I sampled some places nearby the office, stopped in chains like Papa John’s, and even went out and purchased a pizza stone to experiment in my own oven, but nothing really satisfied that craving. That was until I found Spizza Lima in San Isidro...easily the best pizza to be had in Lima and what has become a weekly staple during my time in Lima. Download Aracari's free e-guide book to culinary travel in Peru Before you even walk into this San Isidro establishment you immediately notice the smell of the wood fired oven, reminiscent of some of my favorite pizzerias back home and something pretty rare here in Peru. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the friendly staff there during my many visits. After several visits, we eventually earned the status of “Regulars” and, proving our committed relationship to the restaurant, we were fortunate enough to sit down with co-owner Augusto Tenorio. Over some wine, we discussed our mutual love for pizza and learned how he first became involved with a Peruvian pizzeria. His love for food, specifically pizza, and an influence by
Spizza Lima Restaurant Review Despite the ridiculously fresh seafood and a variety of tasty food options here in Lima, I’ve had a hard time finding substitutes for some of the things I love from back home, and oftentimes in the past year, I have found myself craving a taste of…
