Monthly Archives: December 2017

Our Peru

A Peruvian Christmas

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Around the world, Christmas, for many, evokes a sense of joy. It is a time when families gather together and reflect on the year that has gone by, share stories and exchange gifts, usually accompanied by a range of edible delights. Peru is no different and has been celebrating Christmas for centuries and practising traditions that treasure our heritage.

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The celebrations begin on 24th December, La Noche Buena, ‘The Good Night’ as families get together and usually stroll through the main square and partake in local festive activities. This is extremely special in Cusco where the square, Plaza de Armas, is infused with Christmas spirit. In true Peruvian-style, it becomes awash with vibrant colours as friends and families gather. Cusco also hosts Santuranticuy, literally meaning ‘selling of saints’, a traditional market where Peruvians flock from all over the country to sell handcrafted goods. A popular purchase is pieces for the nativity or images of the scene. Visitors wander the crowds, sipping on ponche, a hot alcoholic beverage, or perhaps a hot chocolate for the children. Guests, over the festive season, at Inkaterra La Casona are fortunate enough to be able witness these magical Cusco traditions.

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Also known as Retablos, the nativity scene is an important part of Peruvian Christmas decorating. Christmas trees have become popular, however it is the Retablos that take pride of place in front rooms and living rooms. Retablos were used historically by priests to convert the Indigenous population, and are still part of culture today. The manger in a nativity scene is usually carved from wood by the Quechua Indians, and on La Noche Buena it may not be Father Christmas but in fact Niño Jesús who comes to fill stockings left by the manger.

Flickr image courtesy of Pedro Dias http://bit.ly/1OLcBNU

Flickr image courtesy of Pedro Dias http://bit.ly/1OLcBNU

La Noche Buena continues and can be different depending on family preferences. As the clock strikes twelve marking the start of Christmas Day some families choose to have their Christmas dinner, although the excitement to unwrap gifts means that this is often postponed. Some Andean communities celebrate with a meal and opening of gifts on the 6th January during Epiphany – Adoración de Reyes Magos. Festive feasts vary, but many opt for lechón, roast suckling pig, in coastal regions fish dishes are popular or Andean pachamanca in the highlands or a roasted wild chicken. No matter the food, dining is bound to be a banquet finished with panetón, a sweet bread loaf filled with raisins and candied fruits, originating from Italy and now a Peruvian Christmas classic. The party doesn’t end here as the children are then sent to bed and the adults continue the celebrations through the night.

Flickr image courtesy of jacinta lluch valerohttp://bit.ly/1U4LyRm

Flickr image courtesy of jacinta lluch valerohttp://bit.ly/1U4LyRm

All that’s left to say is Feliz Navidad, Happy Christmas to everyone wherever and however you choose to celebrate.

Experiences, Nature & Wildlife

Relax, refuel and reconnect with Inkaterra

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Mindfulness, and the ability to reconnect with your body in everyday life, is becoming increasingly important. Whether it’s meeting deadlines at work, rushing to buy Christmas presents, or making enough time for our friends, there’s always something on our mind. A travel trend predicted to soar in 2018 is the need for ‘Break-up Breaks’, holidays that, not only help to heal after hard times, but offer a detox from the digital world, enhancing mindfulness and boosting a sense of self. Whether they’re taken solo, or with a friend, Inkaterra’s excursions offer the opportunity for guests to retreat, refuel and reconnect.

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A stay at the secluded Inkaterra Canopy Treehouse enables guests to focus on increasing mindfulness, 85ft high-up in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. Thanks to the vantage point of the Tree House, travellers can soak up the true essence of nature in the Amazon, with a privileged view of animals not visible on the ground. This position allows for no distraction and the possibility of a fresh perspective, encouraging individuals to reflect and gather their thoughts under the uninterrupted starry sky.

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Waking up, with a fresh, new perspective, travellers can face their fears on the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, one of the largest tree canopy bridges in South America. Suspended 98ft above the ground, guests can walk through the treetops and spot animals and species not usually visible to the naked eye. Facing our fears allows us to move forwards, and take steps towards positive action and growth.

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After facing their fears in the heart of the Amazon, guests can venture to Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel to enjoy a new level of spiritual indulgence.

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Set high in the mists of the Andean Cloud Forest, travellers are immersed in Peruvian nature, offering complete seclusion and the opportunity to rejuvenate both mind and body with a selection of immersive activities. The UNU Spa infuses rituals with traditional techniques and mystical Andean medicines, from the de-stress and tea plantation massages, to the Andean Sauna, whereby stones are heated in a specially designed Cloud Forest Hut, infused with the scent of eucalyptus.

Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel Sauna

Those who want to dive back into civilisation, reconnecting with the outside world, can head to Inkaterra La Casona in the heart of vibrant Cusco. Tucked away in one of Cusco’s enchanting plazas, the 16th Century colonial manor house offers the chance for travellers to wander the cobbled streets, culture-brimming museums and Incan ruins; the ideal way to ease back into the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Inkaterra La Casona, Cusco

Whatever might have caused their stress, guests at Inkaterra find themselves in a completely new setting, and return from their travels fully recharged. For more information, please visit our contact page on our website here.

Our Peru

The Untold Stories of Machu Picchu

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With more than 5,000 visitors a day Machu Picchu remains at the top of our bucket lists. Renowned for being one of the most ‘Instagrammable’ places in the world, the ancient citadel is the perfect wanderlust capture.

You may already know that the ancient citadel was discovered by Yale professor Hiram Bingham in 1911, who later revealed his discovery to the world via National Geographic in 1913, but there is more to this wonder of the world than meets the eye.

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According to Travel and Leisure Machu Picchu was never supposed to be discovered. Upon building Machu Picchu the Incans were keen to keep it a treasured secret, worried that the Spanish would lay claim to the site and its spoils. Less than 100 years after the establishment of the city, in 1532, the Incans plotted to abandon it. They burnt the forest surrounding Machu Picchu in the hope of obscuring the paths, which proved to be a successful ploy with the site going undiscovered for hundreds of years.

Bingham discovered the wrong city. Bingham actually thought that his local guides were leading him to the Lost City of the Incas, Vilcabamba, which has been a key area in the rulers year-long battle against Spanish conquistadors. Bingham was eventually proven wrong in 1964 by explorer Gene Savoy. Unlike Bingham’s experience you can count on Inkaterra’s explorer guides to show you the sights.

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Machu Picchu was perhaps the original resort town. According to archaeologists Machu Picchu was built as a sanctuary for the royal family. Research suggests that Pachacutec, Inca leader who it is believed to have been built for, may have hoped for a peaceful getaway to escape Cusco city life.

The citadel is also thought to have been an ancient pilgrimage route. Despite early explorers suggesting that Machu Picchu was a secluded citadel, archaeologists now think that the site was part of a pilgrimage route never finished due to the arrival of the Spanish.

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 Despite everything that we know there is still more to learn about this wonder of the world. Only in 2014 French explorer, Thierry Jamin, discovered a door that no one had found before. It is thought to lead to the burial chamber of Yupanqui, but the Peruvian government have forbidden its opening so we can only speculate. Who knows what we will go on to uncover.

Discover more of Machu Picchu with our excursions available for guests.