Celebrating our 28th birthday last week brings with it talk of our journey so far and what’s in store for the future.
After expanding our services to offer more of South America in 2022, our bespoke adventures now span more of the continent but we’re not in the business of only traveling wider, but deeper too. That’s why, on the anniversary of our founding, we’re launching a new initiative. A collection of unique, private experiences where travel isn’t simply travel, but rather an immersive intersection between art, culture, cuisine, retail, and so much more.
But first, a moment to revisit our story in the words of our founder, Marisol Mosquera.
Aracari Travel was founded in 1996 to redefine tourism in Peru.
“I was born in Peru but raised in Barcelona with dreams of Wall Street. Until my late twenties, I thrived as a successful investment banker in London, but I sought a career with deeper personal fulfillment and meaning.
In 1996, I left the corporate world to embark on a transformative year-long journey across Asia, which inspired me to merge my Peruvian roots with a new approach to tourism. At that time, Peru was recovering from political upheaval. It was largely unexplored as a luxury destination, yet still, I aimed to create journeys that transcended conventional and engaged with the country’s rich culture, history, and landscapes.
Leveraging my network and expertise, Aracari came to offer bespoke experiences showcasing the deep beauty of the country for curious travelers seeking highly personal travel. Collaborating with local communities and experts, many of whom still work with us today, Aracari would design immersive journeys without artifice for curious travelers.
Three decades later, Aracari remains dedicated to its founding vision, delivering exceptional travel that builds meaningful connections and supports the ecosystems and communities we visit. From a start-up to a premier travel company, we’ve earned industry accolades recognizing us as a gold standard of regional travel.
While our destinations now extend beyond Peru, our commitment endures: to deliver unforgettable experiences, from grand spectacles to intimate moments. Our upcoming project for 2025, Deeper and Different, will continue this legacy.” – Marisol Mosquera, Aracari Travel CEO and founder
The beginning of Deeper and Different began with Aracari Shop
In 2021, we expanded our offerings with Aracari Shop, a groundbreaking venture aimed at bringing Andean luxury to an astute global audience. The idea emerged during a period of stagnation following the pandemic, as we sought to connect people with travel and culture from their homes while supporting artisans who had lost their income due to halted tourism.
Aracari Shop is one of the world’s only online curations of art and design from South America that seeks to preserve ancient tradition and technique. We feature exquisite items, from gold-dipped jewelry molded from rainforest plants to clothing crafted from the finest Andean fibers spun by remote village communities. Our platform celebrates the unique artistry and craftsmanship of South America, but it’s more than that too.
At its core, Aracari Shop is more about people than products. Many of the pioneering artisans featured on our site now open their workshops and studios to Aracari clients, offering exclusive, one-of-a-kind experiences. This unique access enhances our commitment to deeper and different experiences for our travelers.
Aracari Presents: Deeper and Different Travel Collection
Where travel isn’t simply travel, but rather an immersive intersection between art, culture, cuisine, retail, and so much more.
Deeper and Different is centered on taking our clients to the very heart of a highly nuanced field of interest with real-life introductions to true pioneers. Offering astute travelers behind-the-scenes access to some of the world’s most interesting and unusual projects, from remote Patagonian artisans using salmon scales for the soles of slippers to a local scallop farmer on a private reserve of Paracas, Peru – whose catch is as fresh as any served in of Lima’s acclaimed restaurants.
It is a handpicked portfolio made public for the very first time, exclusively for those looking to journey to the very essence of an experience.
What experiences can you expect as part of Deeper and Different?
With that then, what experience might you expect to find in our collection? In Lima, there’s How Peru Came To Be: a full-day exploration of the capital led by John Alfredo Davis – a name interwoven in Lima’s history and a longtime friend of Aracari. We are privileged enough to have had John Alfredo guide our guests around the Peruvian capital for decades now. As he does – he modestly mentions his family’s role in its development – buildings constructed by a great uncle, and streets bearing his name.
The son of two prominent artists, the creative gene runs strong too. John Alfredo studied Fine Art and is a designer and artist by trade – his work is showcased on Aracari Shop– and he holds a lifelong interest in the revival and promotion of Peruvian folk art and textiles. In fact, he is one of few authorities on the subject, co-founding “Picaflor,” an organization that supports and exhibits the work of craftspeople in traditional Peruvian arts, as well as Kuntur Huasi, a traditional Peruvian arts and crafts gallery, and La Tienda Del Museo, which creates jewelry collections inspired by pre-Columbian designs. It is an experience perfect for those interested in history and culture and looking to get to know the history of Peru on a far deeper level.
For the foodies among our clients, while the Michelin-starred restaurants offer a sublime evening of culinary entertainment, a Deeper and Different foodie experience will take you to the heart of the food in Peru. Experience, for example, an unforgettable day in Paracas on the ocean hunting for scallops with a local fisherman. Explore the bay and stop at a scallop farm where you’ll taste freshly caught scallops paired with local wine before savoring a delicious scallop paella for lunch back on shore.
If it’s more community-based experiences that fill our travel wishlist then consider a trip to Lamay village high in the Sacred Valley. Often cited as one of our client’s favorite experiences during their time in Peru, visit rural communities in this mountainous region where you’ll have a unique insight into a traditional way of life, one that has remained unchanged for many generations. From trying your hand at plowing the fields to tasting the traditional recipes of the mountains, this Deeper and Different experience provided privileged and highly responsible access into rural life in the Andes.
By contrast, back in Lima – why not go behind the scenes of an acclaimed jewelry designer – whose work is exhibited on Aracari Shop – during our experience with Ester Ventura: Hidden treasures? You’ll be welcomed into the artist’s creative studio where you’ll witness how Ester’s designs come to fruition from the first inspiration to the crafting intricate process. Such as her designs with spondylus, a shell used by many Andean communities for rituals, body ornaments, and burials. Or say, the seed of huayruro, coveted in the Andes as a good luck charm, is another recurring material in her unique pieces.
Curating a bespoke private journey with Deeper and Different experiences
As ever, the aforementioned experiences are only a sneak preview of what’s in store during a bespoke adventure to South America with Aracari. We tailor every adventure to the individual, pouring endless time and attention into curating the most spectacular experience for you.
While some experiences may belong to our Deeper and Different collection, others may be more iconic – such as a trip to Machu Picchu or natural wonders like the Iguazu Falls or the Atacama Desert. It’s worth though, that even those experiences that don’t technically belong to this new initiative – the Aracari difference is always deeply embedded in everything we do.
Arrange a call with our travel designers today and begin your journey into the essence.