Monthly Archives: June 2016

Nature & Wildlife

Jaguar sighted at Inkaterra

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As the sun started to rise above Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, Inkaterra Explorer Guide, Charles Yauta,  pulled on his walking boots and set off into the heart of the forest, with six intrepid explorers by his side. They were on their way to Lake Valencia, a beautiful oxbow lake with magnificent scenery and an abundance of flora and fauna.

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Some minutes after boarding their boat, an extraordinary diversity of fauna came into view, including birds, mammals and reptiles. Little did they know, they were about to spot the only Panthera species native to the Americas – a solitary, stalk-and-ambush predator, playing a key role in regulating ecosystems through hunting.

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Drifting down the Madre de Dios River, the boat came to a halt, as travellers spotted a majestic feline, sitting peacefully on a wooden pier, some 30 meters away. The wild jaguar (Panthera Onca) remained resting in the shade of a tree, as travellers took photos and revelled at the big cat’s stunning coat, and piercing eyes.

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Photos were taken for about two minutes while the jaguar was resting under a shade tree, before hiding away amidst the dense vegetation.

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The sighting of the jaguar confirms the extraordinary biodiversity conserved by the work of Inkaterra throughout the Amazon rainforest. This is the first time in two years the elusive feline has been encountered by an Inkaterra explorer guide in broad daylight, and as the animal holds a ‘near threatened conservation status‘ (IUCN), it really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for  Charles Yauta and his accomplices.

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Events, Experiences

Part 3: Colourful and Captivating Cusco

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As the travellers made their way to the historical town of Cusco, driving through the scenic Sacred Valley of the Incas, they stopped at fascinating archaeological sites including the imposing Incan fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the peaceful site of Tambomachay, also named the Bath of the Inca.

In the afternoon, the group arrived on Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s energetic main square surrounded by colonial churches and balconied shops, bars and restaurants. They had been transported into a completely different world, far away from the serenity of the Urubamba mountains. Once the capital of the Incan Empire until the Spanish conquest, this UNESCO World Heritage Site perched high in the Andes, is an amalgam of architectural styles, cultures and traditions, making it truly captivating.

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After a long day of exploring, the group found a welcome respite in Inkaterra La Casona, a quiet 11 suite 16th Century manor house immersed in history, located steps away from the main square – the perfect base from which to explore Cusco. Once the training grounds for Incan soldiers, Inkaterra La Casona, the first Relais & Châteaux property in Peru,  was home to a conquistador and lodging for Simon Bolivar, Peru’s El Libertador. Each room has been individually, carefully decorated with antique furnishings, pre-columbian textiles and local art.

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The following day, the group strolled the charming cobbled streets of the picturesque artists’ quarter of San Blas and explored the colourful Mercado Central, filled with fresh produce, local crafts, and juice bars.

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As they embarked on the flight back to Lima, the journalists shared highlights and anecdotes from their thrilling Peruvian adventure – there is no doubt this is a trip they will remember for many years to come.

Experiences, Uncategorized

Part 2: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba and the Sacred Valley of the Incas

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 To celebrate the launch of British Airways’ London Gatwick to Lima route, a group of high calibre travel journalists were among the first to experience this new service with a nine-day adventure through Peru in partnership with Inkaterra and Audley Travel. 

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After a picturesque train journey meandering alongside the Vilcanota River, the group reached the Sacred Valley of the Incas at nightfall. As Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba slowly appeared in the distance, everybody exclaimed ‘wow’ in unison. The twinkling lights emanating from the buildings and the starry sky made the arrival at the hacienda nothing short of mystical.

After a good night’s sleep in the comfort of their own luxury casita, the journalists woke up to breath-taking views of the Urubamba mountain range. They then made their way to the hotel’s Dining Room, which is beautifully decorated with antique Peruvian tapestries and pre-Columbian masks, for a hearty breakfast of quinoa pancakes, fresh fruit and tamales.

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The daring ones then went mountain biking across the Sacred Valley, making stops at Andean villages and archaeological sites. Those wanting to explore the surroundings of the hotel enjoyed a hike along the Challa Huasi trail.

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In the afternoon, the group toured Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba’s eco-farm with an Inkaterra Explorer Guide and learned about the wide variety of fruit and vegetables grown on site – from purple and giant white Andean corn to quinoa and Wild Ayrampo (Andean berry). They also tried their hands at making Chicha de Jora, a traditional drink from the Andes.

At sunset, the group embarked on a twilight walk where they discovered ancient myths and gazed at the stars of the Southern Cross.

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The following morning, it was time for the explorers to pack their bags and head to the vibrant colonial town of Cusco for their next adventure.

To be continued…

Experiences

Part 1: A Whistle-Stop Tour of Inkaterra in Celebration of BA's New Flight Route

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To celebrate the launch of British Airways’ London Gatwick to Lima route, a group of high calibre travel journalists were among the first to experience this new service with a nine-day adventure through Peru in partnership with Inkaterra and Audley Travel. 

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First stop, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

After a flight to Cusco, a car ride to Ollantaytambo and a train journey to Machu Picchu Pueblo, the group arrived at the rustic Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in the evening, excited to get some well-deserved rest. They were greeted by a crackling fire, a hot water bottle and a comfy bed ready for a good night’s sleep.

The following morning, despite the rain, the early risers of the group went bird watching in the Andean Cloud Forest, which surrounds the property, accompanied by one of Inkaterra’s Explorer Guides. During the walk, they spotted a wide variety of birds including some of the 17 species of colourful humming bird identified on the grounds. After a hearty breakfast, the group went to the Spectacled Bear sanctuary to visit the bears Pepe and Kina, who were rescued thanks to the Inkaterra Associación (ITA) Spectacled Bear Rescue project, which aims to rehabilitate Andean Bears that have been negatively impacted by humans.

In the afternoon, a few explored the orchid trails around the hotel and tried their hands at picking tea leaves and making their own tea bags. Some also experienced the unique Andean Sauna, located next to the natural spring water pond, where stones are heated in a candle-lit eucalyptus hut.

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 The group had dinner at the cosy Café Inkaterra, overlooking the Vilcanota River, where they sampled authentic Peruvian dishes such as the delicious ‘lomo saltado’ and guinea pig stew, watching the trains go by.

The next day, as the sun rose, the group split in two and made there way to the historic Machu Picchu citadel. The active members of the group tackled an hour’s hike up a stone staircase, which leads to Machu Picchu. Those wanting a gentler wake up took advantage of the bus service that shuttles daily visitors every 10 minutes. Accompanied by an Inkaterra Explorer Guide, the tales of the Incas history, the ancient citadel and the explorer Hiram Bingham were relayed.

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After a full day exploring the historic site, it was time to head back to Machu Picchu Pueblo to catch the train to the Sacred Valley for the next chapter of the Peru adventure.

To be continued…