In honor of the recent celebration of Chinese New Year, we thought we'd put together a brief introduction to Chinese culture in Peru, one of the many cultures that has helped shape Peru into the diverse country that it is today. Chinese immigrants arrived in Peru in the 19th century mostly as contracted laborers brought to work in the guano mines and sugar plantations following the abolition of slavery. Over a period of about twenty years, more than one hundred thousand Chinese workers arrived in Peru, establishing a community that has grown, evolved, and has had a significant cultural influence on the country. Later, in the 1980’s and 90’s, a wave of Chinese immigrants reactivated the migratory network and settled here, reinforcing the community and strengthening the culture in Peru. Today, Chinese cultural influence is very noticeable in everyday life. Walk down the street in Lima and you will be sure to interact with people of Chinese descent. Also to be noted, words like “chino” and “kion” (Cantonese word for ginger) have permeated into the Peruvian dialect of the Spanish language. The best place to gain insight into the Chinese-Peruvian culture is in downtown Lima’s Barrio Chino, or Chinatown, a thriving community of immigrants old and new in the heart of Peru’s capital city. A traditional Chinese arch welcomes you into a bustling concourse for Chinese businesses, shopping, and restaurants, and street food. Centralized around the seventh and eighth blocks of Jirón Ucayali in an area almost universally referred to as Calle Capón, Barrio Chino is the headquarters for several Chinese associations and businesses. These include La Voz de la Colonia China (“The Voice of the Chinese Colony”), a weekly publication for Chinese-Peruvians, and several temples ran by various Chinese cultural societies. But perhaps the most visible influence of Chinese
In honor of the recent celebration of Chinese New Year, we thought we’d put together a brief introduction to Chinese culture in Peru, one of the many cultures that has helped shape Peru into the diverse country that it is today. Chinese immigrants arrived in Peru in the 19th century…
Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike In every well-known photo of the Machu Picchu ruins is Huayna Picchu Mountain, standing majestically as if it were a watchful guardian protecting the sacred sanctuary below. Its prominent peak rises from the depths of the valley and beckons for you to climb its winding, vertical path to the ruins that sit atop. For me it was through this trek and from this vantage point that I experienced Machu Picchu to the fullest. Each day, only 500 people are allowed to make the journey up, providing every boldly adventurous trekker with a less cumbersome trail and with more room to maneuver and explore around the summit. Perhaps the most incredible aspect of this trek is the 360-degree view from the top, which overlooks the ruins, the snaking Urubamba River, and the lush mountainous landscape. Tickets to Huayna Picchu Due to the restrictions on visitor numbers to hike up Huayna Picchu, tickets must be purchased well in advance as they always sell out. You cannot buy tickets on the day, and the ticket is an addition to your main Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Entrance times to start the hike are divided into two slots, allowing 250 visitors in each. The first entrance slot is from 7-8am and the second is from 10-11am. The average time for the round-trip ascent and descent is three hours; note that you must exit Huayna Picchu by 1pm in the afternoon. When Huayna Picchu sells out, there are still sometimes tickets available to the alternative hike Machu Picchu Mountain. Uphill Hiking One overcast and muggy day last January, Aracari team member James, his brother, his father, and I were among the intrigued and daring hikers to make the climb. Entering through the main gate of Machu Picchu, we made our way across
Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike In every well-known photo of the Machu Picchu ruins is Huayna Picchu Mountain, standing majestically as if it were a watchful guardian protecting the sacred sanctuary below. Its prominent peak rises from the depths of the valley and beckons for you to climb its winding, vertical…
An amazing Peru festival in your trip Each year during the first two weeks of February, Puno hosts one of the largest and most vibrant festivals in all of South America - the spectacular Festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria. Paying homage to their patron saint, tens of thousands of dancers and musicians from all over the Peruvian Altiplano gather together on the shores of Lake Titicaca transforming Puno into the “Folkloric Capital of Peru.” Legend has it that during a large battle in the 1700’s, rebels attempted to overtake the city of Puno. Largely outnumbered, the townspeople struggled and were on the verge of losing the city until one villager desperately took a statue of the Virgin into battle. Morale quickly rose, and with the Virgin’s protection, the city’s inhabitants were able to force the invaders into retreat. Since then, La Candelaria is considered the patron saint of the land. The original statue is proudly venerated in the city’s main church and is taken out each year for the festival. For many days, the streets are flooded with colorful processions, strewn with confetti, and alit with fireworks. Dances are performed throughout the festival including a full-day competition featuring over 200 different styles of dance. The diverse styles reflect the deep folkloric tradition of the Quechua and Aymara cultures of the region. Donned in spectacularly colorful costumes and masks, the performers dance and sing along to traditional Andean music aiming to please the Lady of Candelaria, and to of course win the competition and that year’s bragging rights. The festivities culminate days later with thousands taking part in a lively five-kilometer parade through the city. Contact us to visit and take part in next year’s Candelaria Festival Puno.
An amazing Peru festival in your trip Each year during the first two weeks of February, Puno hosts one of the largest and most vibrant festivals in all of South America – the spectacular Festival of the Virgen de la Candelaria. Paying homage to their patron saint, tens of thousands of…
As if we needed another reason to indulge in this wonderfully tangy and frothy cocktail - each year on the first Saturday of February, Peru celebrates its National Drink, the iconic Pisco Sour. The cocktail has become such an institution and part of the national identity here that Peruvians demanded a day dedicated to the drink they adore. For them, it isn’t only a delicious concoction, but also a symbol of their country and what it has to offer. The simple, yet sophisticated drink is the perfect refreshment for a warm day in Lima; the tang of the lime, sweetness of the sugar, the bite of the Pisco, and the velvety texture from the egg white combine perfectly to create a well-balanced beverage sure to be your new go-to summer drink. A number of fairs and festivals are set to take place in Lima's Plaza de Armas, Barranco, and other areas throughout the city where people will gather together for a day inevitably filled with free-flowing Pisco Sours, music, and partying. We understand that busy schedules, prior arrangements, and living outside of our fine country makes it impossible to attend such events, so we've included our very own homemade cocktail recipe in the spirit of the day! Pisco Sour 2 ounces of Peruvian Pisco Juice of 1 Lime 2 tablespoons of simple syrup 1 tablespoon egg white 1/4 cup ice Bitters Preparation: Combine the lime juice with the syrup and mix to dissolve. Add pisco and ice and blend. Add the egg white and continue to blend until frothy. Pour, add a few drops of bitters, and serve. Contact Aracari today to book your very own Pisco Sour-filled adventure in Peru.
As if we needed another reason to indulge in this wonderfully tangy and frothy cocktail – each year on the first Saturday of February, Peru celebrates its National Drink, the iconic Pisco Sour. The cocktail has become such an institution and part of the national identity here that Peruvians demanded…
Taquile Island On a recent visit to the expansive and picturesque Lake Titicaca, James and I were rewarded with a visit to a community unlike any other that we had experienced before. Although much of the area is associated with inauthentic gimmicks aimed at attracting tourists, as Marisol described in her post, “Trip Report: Lake Titicaca,” we were afforded the opportunity to spend some time learning about the intriguing island community known as Taquile. Departing from the pier in Puno, James and I traveled on a boat bound for Suasi Island Eco Lodge. The warm rays of the sun, the cool breeze of the lake, and the gently rocking of the boat were mesmerizing and complemented the tranquil views of the shoreline, the Andean ducks, and the passing boats. Following a two-hour boat ride, we arrived to the pier, where members of the community welcomed us with a handshake and a smile. During our visit, our guide Maria, with the help of one of the community members, explained the various aspects of the Quechua-speaking people living here - people who are able to successfully fuse their ancient Inca traditions with modern technology. We listened intently as they described the Inca communal laws which they live by as well as the rudimentary process of farming potatoes, quinoa, barley, and other agricultural products, yet we were shocked when Maria explained that the islanders opted to use solar energy as their power source. There were also various demonstrations during our visit. One volunteer showed us how they use the natural flora to create a very important household item: laundry detergent. They produced this powerful and natural cleaning agent by grinding a particular cactus in between two stones, yielding a frothy and green mixture that is then strained and diluted with fresh water from
Taquile Island On a recent visit to the expansive and picturesque Lake Titicaca, James and I were rewarded with a visit to a community unlike any other that we had experienced before. Although much of the area is associated with inauthentic gimmicks aimed at attracting tourists, as Marisol described in…
Over the past few years, Peru has developed into a destination that is no longer just for backpackers looking for adventure in the Andes or historians studying ancient civilizations. Popping up at an increasingly growing rate in various regions throughout the country, luxury hotels, five-star dining, and private experiences are attracting a new demographic of discerning travelers. A destination once known only for its historical offerings, Peru is now a big player in the world of leading luxury destinations. The base of any trip starts with the accommodations, and the emergence of high-end boutiques and luxury hotels throughout Peru provides travelers with a combination of personalized service, high-quality and ample amenities, and a mix of style and comfort that permeates the importance of attention to the “finer details.” Luxury hotel brands have invested huge amounts in introducing hotels defined by their facilities and attention to customer service, and come fully equipped with spa services, gyms, and business centers. Boutiques, meanwhile, add quirky details and highly authentic touches to bring an altogether different flavor to options in Peru. A perfect example of an accommodation raising the bar of luxury hotels in Peru is Cusco’s Palacio Nazarenas (2012), a colonial convent refurbished by Orient-Express into a refined and fashionable property featuring 55 suites lavished in the most luxurious décor and amenities. The brand new JW Marriott Cusco also seeks to satisfy the needs of today’s luxury travelers with the style and design elements of an architecturally stunning site. For those looking for a more unique, personalized, and cozy property, La Lune One Suite (2012 … actually two suites) is an owner-operated boutique hotel? perfect for discerning travelers looking for a refined, lavish, and exclusive experience, with a hotel owner and operator who goes out of his way accommodate his guests and make
Over the past few years, Peru has developed into a destination that is no longer just for backpackers looking for adventure in the Andes or historians studying ancient civilizations. Popping up at an increasingly growing rate in various regions throughout the country, luxury hotels, five-star dining, and private experiences are…
