Rutland Birdfair 2017

This weekend, twitchers and wildlife enthusiasts from all over the world flocked to the Rutland Water Nature Reserve in England for the 2017 annual Birdfair.

Bringing together people and companies from across the whole spectrum of the birdwatching industry, the Birdfair offered educational lectures and hundreds of stands from exhibitors showcasing everything from binoculars and cameras to birding tours and eco holidays.

Screen Shot 2016-05-12 at 16.42.11

IT- Hoatzin

With a total of 814 species of bird living within our Inkaterra properties, birdwatching is a popular offering amongst our bird-loving travellers. From the endemic Inca Wren and Andean Cock of the Rock to the 18 species of hummingbird that live in the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel gardens, the birdlife at Inkaterra captivates even the most experienced ornithologists.

itmp_fauna005_mail-1024x685

This year’s fair was attended by our team of experts, including Dennis Osorio, an eco tourism and birding expert from Inkaterra’s NGO, the Inkaterra Asociación, Marlene Soto, Sales Manager and Inkaterra’s Founder and CEO, José Koechlin. As visitors explored the fair, the team was on hand to explain to them more about Inkaterra’s birding itineraries and the many species, both bird and other, which can be found in and around the properties.

21015770_10155638795084184_5635192782495725109_o

With a captive audience of eco-conscious travellers, Mr Koechlin delivered a short lecture during the fair, outlining the most recent conservation initiatives that Inkaterra is pioneering at present. These include the introduction of 78, 756 hectares of conservation corridors in the Amazon to provide safe passage for the many species that have been isolated by “wounds” created by illegal logging and mining.

20989071_10155638795089184_7283916557711674698_o

“The Birdfair helps to tell the world about the art and beauty of birdwatching,” comments Mr Koechlin. “It not only highlights wonderful species, but also the importance of caring for the environment in order to protect the species for future generations”.

The show also included its annual auction, which raised an impressive £350,000 for conservation projects in 2016. This year, Inkaterra donated a five-night birding itinerary for two people, with stays at some of its bird-rich hotels in the Andes & the Amazon rainforest, which was won by newlyweds Trevor Williams and wife. Congratulations to you both!

untitled

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba set to open a spa in 2018

As you may have read in our July Newsletter, we are extremely excited to announce that construction is underway for a spa at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba.

main_house_hu1-1024x576

Set to open at the course of next year, the spa will be a tranquil haven complete with a sauna and four spacious therapy rooms, each of which will boast spectacular views of the lush green countryside. The property tells a different part of the Inca story: one of life in the empire’s heartland. Built as a traditional Peruvian casa hacienda, guests are invited to soak up the culture and spiritual environment of the sacred Urubamba valley – one of the many reasons the National Geographic Society has welcomed the magnificent hacienda to its unique lodges of the world portfolio.

357a4962-1024x697

Since opening in 2015, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba continues to be popular amongst our guests who are seeking rest and recuperation. The valley’s lovely weather, picturesque landscape and the surrounding mountains and creeks have proven to be wonderfully restorative for those looking to truly unwind.

interior1-1024x576

superior_hu2-1024x576The new spa at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba will continue to celebrate the healing qualities of nature, already showcased at the UNU Spa at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. With this latest spa addition, comes the wonderful news that our Inkaterra hotels in the Cusco region, will all host a spa and massage room. All of the products which will be 100% natural derived from the botanical extracts from the on-site organic farm.

357a5557-1024x683

This is a really exciting development for Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, which since opening has already won the Tatler award for the Best Authentic Experience in 2015, and  been included in the 2106 T+Leisure IT List as one of the world´s best new hotels, & CNT Hot List .

A Taste of Peru at Home

In 2011 Chef, Ferran Adrià made a bold statement. He claimed Peru to be the country which​ ho​lds​the key to the future of gastronomy. At Inkaterra we’re excited to see the region becoming increasingly more recognised for its cuisine. The culinary masterpieces being created are vast, diverse and a new concept to a lot of the world; a true reflection on what this country has to offer.

Inkaterra is passionate about​ placing​ its own stamp upon the palates of our guests, showcasing​ Peruvian culture and cuisine from the heart of our properties, to provide a true, authentic experience. Every stay at Inkaterra is unique, which is why the menu varies from property-to-property, representative of what each offers,​ which in turn, ​maintains (and constantly improves) sustainability.

Wherever you are, you can recreate a taste of Peru at home, with these recipes straight from the Inkaterra Kitchens.

CACAO BREAD

It seems fitting to start our culinary expedition where our very own journey started over 40 years ago. At Inkaterra Hacienda Concepión, nestled between the Tambopata National Reserve, and the shores of the Made de Dios River, our Cacao Bread is a popular choice amongst guests. Packed with rich nutrients, and dozens of antioxidants from the cacao beans, this is the ultimate on-the-go snack, or wholesome starter – plus, ideal to curb those chocolate cravings.

INGREDIENTS:

∙       4 cups All-purpose Flour

∙       1/2 cup White sugar

∙       1/3 tsp Salt

∙       4 tsp Baking Powder

∙       3 tbsp Unsalted Butter

∙       3 Eggs

∙       1 tbsp Olive Oil

∙       1 2/3 cups Pure Cacao Paste

∙       1 1/3 cups Bitter Chocolate

∙       1 tbsp Natural Yeast Dough

PREPARATION:

  • Mix the flour with the natural yeast dough, the eggs, the olive oil, and beat them slowly in a ground blender until the mixture becomes elastic, reduce the speed and add the unsalted butter, the previously grated cacao paste and bitter chocolate until it becomes event.
  • Roll some 40 gr. Per bread piece and leave it to ferment for one hour. Place them in the oven, at 190 oC (370oF.) for some 15-20 minutes. Leave it in the oven until it´s lukewarm. Once ready place the bread piece on a dish and enjoy!

 
ANDEAN QUINOTTO

risotto

Lying along the terraced hills and waterfalls of a small Andean Village, close to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu is Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Deriving from this region is the world-renowned grain, quinoa – one of the most protein-rich foods we can nourish our bodies with – trumping barley and rice. So suitably next on the menu is Andean Quinotto, a fast, simple, and a fulfilling meal to transport you back to Peru in an instance! Similar to risotto, this is traditionally served as a main meal, which can be adapted if your vegetative stock is dwindling with your own choices.

INGREDIENTS
(Makes 4-6 servings)

∙       ½ cup red or tri-color quinoa:

∙       ½ onion, diced

∙       1 clove garlic, minced

∙       1 yellow bell pepper, diced

∙       6 ½ tablespoons heavy cream

∙       1 1/3 cup white wine

∙       ¼ cup Parmesan cheese

∙       Salt and pepper to taste

 PREPARATION:

  • Cook quinoa. (See cooking method on packet) Set aside. In a large pan, sauté yellow pepper, garlic, and onions in olive oil until softened.
  • Stir in quinoa, and then incorporate cream and white wine, cooking a few minutes to reduce the mixture. Next add Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper according to taste.  Serve with a garnish of fresh herbs, such as parsley or rosemary.
  • Note: No salt or sugar should be used during the cooking of the quinoa.

 
QUINOA COOKIES

cookies

The final recipe comes from one our most intimate properties, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Home to the Earth to Table concept from Executive Chef, Rafael Casin, guests are encouraged to harvest their own crops with traditional Incan tools, ​as it was practiced centuries ​before. Inspired by these low carbon crops, our quinoa cookies can be munched while enjoying a nourishing cup of Peruvian tea.

INGREDIENTS:

∙       3 tbsp Red quinoa

∙       3 tbsp Black quinoa

∙       1 1/2 cups Flour

∙       80 gr. Butter

∙       2 tsp Sugar

∙       2 tsp Olive Oil

∙       1 handful of Black raisins

∙       2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

∙       1 teaspoon Baking Powder

∙       1 Egg

PREPARATION:

  • Beat the butter, add sugar, mix until it becomes creamy. Next add the sifted flour, two types of quinoa, eggs, baking powder, olive oil and vanilla; bake for 20 minutes at 350 °f – in preheated oven during 15 minutes.

 
If this has tickled your taste-buds and you’re ready to roll up your sleeves to knead, bake and fill your homes with fresh meals, then take a snap and share it with us on social media, just tag @InkaterraHotels! We can’t wait to see them!

 9.8.17