Monthly Archives: July 2018

Conservation and Sustainability, Experiences, Food and Drink, Hotels, Nature & Wildlife, Our Peru

In Conversation With Head Chef Rafael Casin


Rafael Casin, Inkaterra’s Corporate head of F&B and Chef, is best known for his ingenious take on sustainable food, bringing the ‘Earth to Table’ concept to Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba‘s guests who wish to get closer to the traditional Andean way of eating. What inspired our extraordinary chef to think of and extend his food philosophy to his guests? Read more to find out…
1. Your experience has seen you work in various culinary hot spots around the world, including London and Italy. Do you incorporate elements of what you have learnt in these countries into the cuisine at Inkaterra?
– Of course, I have learned many techniques and tricks from Chefs and also from my own colleague cooks. Really one learns a lot all the time from each and all, especially when one has the opportunity to interact with people from other countries, from other cultures. One absorbs all good knowledge and habits like a sponge.
2. What is the biggest challenge when it comes to sustainable sourcing of ingredients?
– Nature provides seasonal products that give a very important pattern to the kitchen life. These help us orientate our work in harmony with nature and create our own proposals, in particular, the ‘Earth to Table’ concept we are now proposing in some of our hotels.
Our major challenge is to use seasonal products with the same rhythm, elaborating recipes and plates that use a large number of these unique and varied ingredients, in view of the delight of our savvy guests.

3. Inkaterra hosts guests from many different nationalities. How do you create a menu that appeals to such a diverse group of tastes?
– It is true that we receive travellers from all over the world, a fact that represents for us a huge challenge and also an opportunity to show the richness and variety of our products and gastronomy to such diverse palates. For example, some of our plates include strong and hot condiments which we have reduced so as to find the perfect combination adapted to each guest’s taste.
Furthermore, it is important to propose balanced menus in which one may find alternatives for families. I am lucky to have entire freedom for the elaboration of the menus without any nutritional restrictions.
4. How can other hotels increase their sustainability with their F&B offerings?
– Making good partnerships with local providers. Reaching a good synergy with them allows us to reach sustainability and also project ourselves towards the future.

5. The ‘Earth to Table’ concept at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba was launched back in 2015. How has this concept developed at the property since it launched?
– With humility, I can say that this concept receives a good reception from our guests: many comment that we are really very lucky to have such a large and complete farm next to the hotel and be able to use it for them. Each year we increase the production and varieties of local products, and the farm is adapted to the menus we elaborate and propose.
6. What was the inspiration behind ‘Earth to Table’ and the main objectives? Do you think these have been met?
– Our main inspiration comes from our guests and also from the message we want to transmit, a healthier and organic concept. It is not an easy matter to cement this dream and we still have a lot to do to develop it. We are still unsatisfied with its results but want to improve these day by day.
7. Many guests at Inkaterra enjoy visiting the eco farm and seeing where the produce comes from. Do you think this style of education is important for guests to understand sustainable sourcing?
– I think that it is important to show what we are doing, especially when products are so fresh, cared for, organic etc. Showing the process of the ‘Earth to Table’ concept creates an understanding and a positive atmosphere and allows us to feel proud to propose it and transmit what we are doing to guests.
8. If you had to pick one ingredient which is grown at any Inkaterra property, what would it be and why?
– This is a very difficult question to answer, choosing one only ingredient among so many others that I love; however, if I must, I would choose the Amarillo (yellow chilli). This is an iconic ingredient that identifies our food and is used in many dishes, sauces, appetizers, main courses etc. It´s very versatile and has a happy flavour.
9. The local cuisine varies as you look at the different communities in Peru. How would you describe the differences in the regional cuisines and is this evident in the menus at the various properties?
– It is true that each region puts a distinctive hallmark, an identification, on its cuisine, In our case our differences are very important due to the fact that our hotels are located in very different regions The Andes & The Amazon. In the Amazon region, we use local products such as the Churos (giant river snails), when in the Cusco region we promote the traditional Cuy (or guinea pig) on our menu, among other local products.

10. How often do you change the menus/ dishes at the properties? Is seasonality a big focus?
– The seasonality is a premise; what we try to achieve is to respect and maintain the rhythm of nature.
11. Peruvian cuisine is growing in popularity as more countries learn about the dishes. Have you noticed a difference in the guests coming to Inkaterra and their expectations of Peruvian food?
– Our guests are more and more demanding and when they arrive at our properties their expectations for a quality Peruvian gastronomy are very high. In our kitchens, we do our utmost to provide a unique gastronomy experience.
12. If you could sum up the Inkaterra cuisine in one sentence, what would it be?
– “Earth to table”
13. When sourcing ingredients from outside the hotel properties, how do you select the best produce and ensure it is sustainable?
– One of the most important and complex challenges is to reach a good product traceability. Luckily we count on an excellent logistic team that use different and efficient means of transportation to reach our properties: air, land and river.

14. Can you give a little more information about the various crops and ingredients that are grown on the different properties?
– We are lucky enough to have a great variety of products in each region. In the Amazon rainforest, we manage an organic farm in the Gamitana area which produces many local products such as: aji dulce (sweet chile), various types of bananas, cacao, cocona (jungle tomato), copoazu (cacao family), araza, carambola (star fruit), sapote, cashew nut, pijuayo (peach palm) and pineapple.
In the Urubamba Valley mountain range, and in particular in the Huayoccari area, we count with a large bio-farm that produces aji Amarillo (yellow chilli), amaranth, uncucha (native potato), choclo (giant white corn), various types of lettuces, aromatic herbs, among many other products.

Nature & Wildlife, Our Peru, Uncategorized

A Brief History of the Inka Empire

The Inka Empire was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America and, in the early 16th Century, it was possibly one of the largest empires in the world. The origin myths of the Inka Empire relay stories of a pastoral tribe who carried a magic gold staff, and wherever the staff landed, the Inka people would live. After a long journey across the highlands, the staff sank into the ground in Cusco in modern-day Peru.
The political and administrative heart of the Empire was therefore located there, and it has been noted for having one of the most sophisticated structures of politics and society for the time.
Ancient Cusco
From 1438 until 1533, the Inka Empire was made up of a large part of Western South America, centred on the Andean Mountains. At its largest point, the territory was a consolidation of Peru, large parts of modern-day Ecuador, Western and South Central Bolivia, Northwest Argentina, North and Central Chile and a small fraction of Southwest Colombia.
Some of the most notable elements of the Empire were the monumental architecture, especially stonework; the extensive road network created to reach all corners of the Empire; finely-woven textiles; use of knotted strings for record keeping and communication; and agricultural innovation in difficult environments.
Ancient Peru
The Kingdom of Cusco was formed as a small city-state, whilst expansion began into surrounding areas. A central government was formed with the Inka at its head and four provincial governments with strong leaders. Most accepted the rule of the Inkas and acquiesced peacefully – one Inka ruler sent messages to other leaders expressing the benefits of joining the Empire, offering luxurious gifts such as textiles, and promising they would be materially richer as part of the Empire.
Due to this, the Empire was an enormous amalgamation of various languages, cultures and people. Not all local cultures were fully integrated, each keeping their local worship methods though the Inka rulers encouraged the sun worship of Inti – the Inka Sun God. The spoken language was Quechua, and the entire Empire worked on an economy based on exchange of goods, services and labour until the last stronghold was conquered by the Spanish in 1572.
Ancient Ruins
Recognising our history is incredibly important to us at Inkaterra Hotels as we aim to tread lightly on the planet whilst preserving and celebrating the foundations of Peruvian culture. As a Peruvian organisation with more than 40 years of experience in sustainable tourism, Inkaterra currently has 7 properties in Peru. The ancient Inka practice of exchanging goods, service and labour is not so far off our values as a hotel group in the modern day, as we work hard to maintain our Peruvian workforce and utilise materials and products from our neighbouring areas.
Every single year we host over 200,000 travellers to Peru, sharing authentic Peruvian travel experiences in nature with our guests. Our properties’ locations in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu Pueblo and in the Amazon inspire us to continue our preservation work and spread the word about Peru and its colourful past and present.

Events, Experiences, Our Peru, Uncategorized

Celebrating Fiestas Patrias in Peru

In addition to mouth-watering Peruvian cuisine, from ceviche to Pisco sour cocktails, and our awe-inspiring Andean landscape, Peru boasts many exciting traditional holidays, including the joyous celebration of Fiestas Patrias.
Apart from Christmas, Fiestas Patrias is one of the most important celebrations of the year for Peruvians; a two-day national holiday that takes place in July to mark Peru’s independence from Spain since 1821, led by General José de San Martin – ‘Peru’s liberator’.
While the national flag is displayed throughout the whole month, festivities, for the most part, begin on the night of the 27th July with traditional folk music played in and around the parks and plazas of Peru, ending with fireworks.
Fiestas Patrias
Festivities on the 28th, which is the official independence day, are energetic with a 21-cannon salute and a flag raising ceremony at dawn in the capital, Lima. At 9.00am the Archbishop celebrates the Mass of Te Deum in the cathedral. Whenever a new president is elected in Peru, he is sworn in on the 28th and presents his first Address on that day too. The 29th of July is a day to pay tribute to the country’s national police and armed forces and a massive military parade takes place to mark the importance of their role within the country.
The country celebrates Fiestas Patrias with parades, festivities, food, music, and beverages. Attendees can get in the to the spirit of the celebration by waving that Peruvian flag, enjoying traditional treats, and giving a toast with the national liquor, Pisco! These joyous celebrations usually take place in ramadas, open-air buildings with a dance floor under a thatched roof, or one of the traditional shelters.
Music, particularly patriotic songs like the national anthem, is everywhere. As the Peruvians sing and dance to the tunes of their favourite songs late into the evening, the scents of asados, open-pit barbecues, empanadas baking and other favourite national dishes, fill the air.
The rise of globalisation in South America has allowed locals and tourists alike to immerse themselves in the Peruvian culture. By having the opportunity to witness and be involved in important national festivals like this, people from various parts of the world are discovering another part of Peruvian culture in addition to the famed Machu Picchu.
Fiestas Patrias
But as all festivities go, it is important that we also acknowledge the history of the celebration. Fiestas Patrias is a vibrant celebration of the ancestors who fought for independence and liberation in Peru a reflection of how we became the culture we are today.

Experiences, Hotels, Nature & Wildlife, Our Peru, Uncategorized

Seven Wonders of the World – Machu Picchu, the Incan Citadel that Stood the Test of Time

Celebrating architectural precision and harmonic collaboration, the Seven Wonders of the World have been admired for centuries, dating back to the ancient world, and have gracefully stood the test of time into our modern ages.

Originally defined as themata, the Greek for ‘things to be seen’, Seven Wonders of the Ancient world consisted of the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse at Alexandria. Of these original wonders, only the Great Pyramids still exist today, the remaining either being destroyed by natural or other disasters, or fabricated from ancient myths. Known more familiarly to us, the modern wonders comprise the Great Wall of China, Chichén Itzá, Petra, Christ the Redeemer, Colosseum, the Taj Mahal and finally, Machu Picchu, which is also a little closer to home.
El Mapi Blog
Becoming a ‘wonder of the world’ in 2007, located in the Andes Mountains and nestled above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu is said to have originally acted as a palace complex for ruler, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. This famed city was rediscovered and documented in 1911 by American Archaeologist, Hiram Bingham, who then initiated a scientific study on the site. Standing as one of the few pre-Columbian ruins, Machu Picchu remains nearly intact and features agricultural terraces, formerly watered by aqueduct systems, temples and residential quarters, which are estimated to have been occupied from the mid-15th century to mid-16th century.

Further discoveries provide evidence that Machu Picchu was one of a number of fortified sites consisting of barracks and signal towers. With reasons for the site’s abandonment unknown, its structure stands tall, with thousands of stone block steps and plazas still visible. The Main Plaza is at the north-central location of the site, and is surrounded by the celebrated ceremonial sundial, the Hitching post of the Sun ‘Intihuatana’. Towards the other end of Machu Picchu, an enthralling path which leads to the well-known Inca Bridge, a complex rope structure which crosses the Urubamba River.

This awe-inspiring city once hosted our native ancestors and their many practices, rituals and ceremonies. Today, we are lucky enough to be situated at the entrance of Machu Picchu Pueblo, in amazing proximity to the this archaeological site. Paying homage to this ancient citadel, our Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, showcases the essence of an Andean Village, with terraced hills, waterfalls, petroglyphs, stone pathways and 83 whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest of Machu Picchu. Proud members of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World & Virtuoso, the property spans across 12 acres of tropical gardens and has preserved natural beauty, where a plethora of bird species (214, of which 18 are hummingbird), native orchids in their natural habitat (372 species-World Record according to the AOS), ferns and more, and other wildlife can roam free.

After exploring the marvels of Machu Picchu, our guests can freely enjoy our in-house activities and Unu Spa, which uses a combination of classic luxury with an mystical Andean approach. To find out more about the offerings of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel and the wild and wonderful adventures of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, visit our site at Inkaterra.com.

El Mapi Blog
Events, Experiences, Food and Drink, Hotels, Nature & Wildlife, Our Peru

Inkaterra: Guests’ Perspectives – El Mapi by Inkaterra

Nestled amid the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu, El Mapi by Inkaterra is a cosy yet contemporary lodge that goes to the beat of its own drum. Offering a down-to-earth and understated break, explorers can indulge in the spirited and welcoming atmosphere of the nearby town which showcases colourful local markets, food and music. Whilst at El Mapi, one can the enjoy homely comforts of the quaint, fresh rooms, communal bar, dining room, cafe and buffet-style breakfasts, all set among lofty ceilings and panoramic windows.
Located a stone’s throw from Machu Picchu, guests can venture from Machu Picchu Pueblo (commonly named Aguas Calientes) all the way up to the famed Inca Ruins and be enveloped by the pure beauty of the surrounding Andean Mountains. El Mapi offers a wholesome and relaxing ambience after exploring one of Peru’s most prized locations, the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Read about El Mapi from our guests’ perspective below.
“Lovely place and people, thank you for making our trip so comfortable and enjoyable” Laura, USA
El Mapi Entrance
“Much love from Machu Picchu! A lovely place! Much love from Rio de Janeiro” Natalia & Marcelo
El Mapi Front Desk
“It’s been a real pleasure to travel from Spain to get to know this marvellous area” Ana Sofia
El Mapi Bar
“Loved our stay, sad to leave!” Elizabeth, France