Palacio Nazarenas has officially opened its doors to guests! This fabulous hotel, one of the coveted Orient-Express collection, opened for business on Friday 15th of June. We reported back in October 2011 that the hotel would further raise the bar for hotels in Cusco and by all accounts this is set to be the case. Guests staying at the 55 suites will enjoy the highest quality of personal attention, with private butlers, fresh flowers in the room and such personalized details as a pillow menu, an iPad preloaded with advice about Cusco and a selection of Oscar-winning movies at your disposal. Each of the suites is lavishly decorated with local textiles and colonial carpentry, while some of them have their own unique characteristics – such as a particularly good view of the city, or perhaps a unique feature of colonial architecture - giving guests a wide variety to choose from. Right next door to Orient Express’ other flagship hotel, Monasterio del Cusco, Las Nazarenas differs in that it has a swimming pool and a spa, and has a modern approach implicit in all areas of its service. It also has fewer, but more ample suites. For full details and specification please visit our corresponding website: Palacio Nazarenas. We feel that this hotel is a welcome addition to the array of hotels already available in Cusco. It offers a more modern interpretation of Cusco’s culture that is not distasteful or detached, and is ideal for those guests who prefer a focus on personal attention. Aracari founder Marisol Mosquera will be visiting the hotel next month and will give a first-hand account of her stay there. For now, here is a selection of pictures from the hotel:
Palacio Nazarenas has officially opened its doors to guests! This fabulous hotel, one of the coveted Orient-Express collection, opened for business on Friday 15th of June. We reported back in October 2011 that the hotel would further raise the bar for hotels in Cusco and by all accounts this is set to be…
Top chefs Ferran Adrià and Gastón Acurio have been promoting Peruvian gastronomy as a force for social transformation and empowerment at a recent presentation at the UN in New York. Earlier this week, the pair presented their documentary “Perú Sabe, La cocina, arma social” which examines how - with more than 80,000 culinary students in the country - Peru’s booming culinary scene has provided inspiration for a generation of youngsters. Cuisine, argues the documentary, gives them the passion and freedom that allows them to transform their lives. You can see a preview of the documentary below; video is in Spanish with English Subtitles. It will be aired Univision in the USA on June 17th and in Spain on RTVE. For more information on Peruvian food along with details of the culinary experiences that we organise in Peru, visit our page on Peruvian cuisine.
Top chefs Ferran Adrià and Gastón Acurio have been promoting Peruvian gastronomy as a force for social transformation and empowerment at a recent presentation at the UN in New York. Earlier this week, the pair presented their documentary “Perú Sabe, La cocina, arma social” which examines how – with more…
When organising visits to local communities in Peru, it is essential for us that we ensure the visit is authentic, tasteful and, above all, representative of what local life and tradition in Peru actually entails. In this spirit, the following series of photos were taken on a recent visit by Aracari guests to the community of Chuquibamba, part of the Tierra de los Yachaqs project. The accompanying report is written by Aracari guide Juan Llanos. If you are interested in an authentic comunity visit such as those with Tierra de los Yachaqs during your trip to Peru, contact us to enquire further. --- Visit to the community of Chuquibamba by Juan Llanos After a beautiful drive from Cusco of around 2 hours, our group was joyfully greeted by the people of the community. During our introduction, we were given local dress to wear during the visit; the clothing is unique to the locals of Chuquibamba, a symbol of their identity. It is important for guests to the village to wear the same clothes during their time here so that they feel welcome and not an “outsider”. After meeting and greeting with the community members, we climbed to more than 3,500 metres above sea level to visit the tombs of the villagers' ancestors. This sanctuary, adorned by skulls and bones, is a shrine of great importance as this is where the local people come to ask for the advice of their predecessors. There are also a collection of local arts and crafts, such as baskets, necklaces and other adornments, crafted from the trunk of the sacred Achupalla plant and its thorns. As the local guides explained to me in Quechua, the Achupalla is a very important plant for everyday life, as it provides food for their guinea pigs and llamas; it
When organising visits to local communities in Peru, it is essential for us that we ensure the visit is authentic, tasteful and, above all, representative of what local life and tradition in Peru actually entails. In this spirit, the following series of photos were taken on a recent visit by…
Not many travellers arrive at Juliaca Airport without heading straight to Lake Titicaca, but this time was to be an exception. We were on our way to another attraction of the Peruvian Altiplano: Hacienda Mallkini, an extensive ranch where Alpacas are raised to produce the most exquisite quality of wool, used to make all manner of different types of garment. Hacienda Mallkini by Lake Titicaca After a journey through the stunning, flat green landscapes that permeate the region, we arrived at the hacienda. The lodge where we were staying was nestled at over 4000 metres above sea level and situated on a slope overlooking the village of Nequeneque. The spot was blessed with was a fantastic view of the plains stretching off into the distance. Alpaca decor Our base for the next two days, we were delighted to find that the lodge was extremely cosy, and, as could be expected, adorned with soft Alpaca wool at every turn. Our rooms were insulated with Alpaca carpets while blankets made from baby Alpaca were at hand to protect us from the cold Andean nights. There was also a wood burning stove in the corner, with a fresh supply of logs from the nearby copse. But we weren't to indulge in the comforts of Mallkini just yet, and after dumping our luggage and a quick lunch we headed out on a tour of the estate. The Hacienda Mallkini Estate Covering 3,000 hectares and populated with more than 2,000 Alpacas, the hacienda is the largest private Alpaca centre in Peru. The mission of Mallkini, our guide Moises explained, is to improve the quality of Alpaca fibre, which is achieved by selecting the finest Alpacas in the Peruvian Andes and working on breeding techniques, nutrition and reproduction. The Alpacas themselves confidently patrol the raw and brash
Not many travellers arrive at Juliaca Airport without heading straight to Lake Titicaca, but this time was to be an exception. We were on our way to another attraction of the Peruvian Altiplano: Hacienda Mallkini, an extensive ranch where Alpacas are raised to produce the most exquisite quality of wool,…
In February last year we reported on the latest hotel news in our blog article Aracari’s rundown of up-and-coming hotels in Peru. Now it’s time to revisit the luxury Peru hotels that we featured, and we’ve been in touch with our contacts to see what progress has been made… Westin Lima –> Open for business The Westin, opened in May of 2011, has established itself as one of the finest hotels in Lima. The Aracari Team have since stayed at and toured the hotel and can tell you it is an excellent hotel befitting of the most discerning of guest. The 29 story building – the tallest in Lima - has 301 rooms, all of which are appointed with a swish and modern attire, all of which are spacious, and some of which feature a living room, kitchenette and extra bedroom. We saw some gorgeous suites on the higher floors with views right across the city down to the Pacific Ocean. The restaurant Maras is first class, top Lima chef Rafael Piqueras is behind the menu. The hotel is well situated for access to the airport and the commercial heart of Lima making it particularly well suited for business travellers or those just spending the night here. A nice feature of the bedrooms is a spacious desk for those in town on business. Hotel Plaza de Armas Cusco –> Open for business Hotel Plaza de Armas opened earlier this month in Cusco, on the 5th of April. Located right on the city’s main square, it offers travellers a comfortable base in the heart of the city at a most reasonable rate. The entire property has been remodeled and appointed with tasteful and authentic attire, as well as excellent service. There are 26 standard rooms and 2 suites, all with private bathroom, LCD
In February last year we reported on the latest hotel news in our blog article Aracari’s rundown of up-and-coming hotels in Peru. Now it’s time to revisit the luxury Peru hotels that we featured, and we’ve been in touch with our contacts to see what progress has been made… Westin Lima…
Those of you on twitter may recall that in February our good friend Ricky travelled to the Colca Canyon and stayed at Colca Lodge while live tweeting about the experience. Below is his full report of the trip with some great insights and tips for Aracari guests. Last month I ventured with Aracari to the Colca Canyon right in the middle of the rainy season. I was advised against this by many as Arequipa had been dealing with the worst rains in a decade, but I for one love the rain and find it to be very relaxing. I flew to Arequipa and took a shared minivan for a good 4 hours through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, a meseta (plateau) at 4,000 metres altitude. We passed through the heart of the vicuña habitat, the wild cousin of the South American camelid family. I only felt any effects from altitude for a good 30 minutes during the trip. We finally arrived at Colca Lodge, located in the middle of the ancestral farming terraces at 3,250 metres. Out of all of the hotels in the Canyon it has the best views. The lodge is rustic Andean chic with 45 cabin-type rooms .There are three suites including the bridal suite with its own jacuzzi, as well as double, twin, triple and quadruple rooms. All rooms have heating, hot water (from solar power), mini bar and a terrace, but no TVs which might bore some people like me. There is no wifi in the rooms either. Since I was travelling alone I felt a little lonely in the evenings, wifi would have kept me company. The onsite restaurant offers 'Alpandina' cuisine, combining local Andean produce and alpine techniques, resulting in flavourful and well-balanced meals. Additional facilities include 2 bars, a library, a living room with
Those of you on twitter may recall that in February our good friend Ricky travelled to the Colca Canyon and stayed at Colca Lodge while live tweeting about the experience. Below is his full report of the trip with some great insights and tips for Aracari guests. Last month I…
