Monthly Archives: September 2018

Experiences, Hotels

Inkaterra Mayu Spa

As you may have read in our August Newsletter, we are extremely excited to announce that the serene Mayu Spa at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba is now open.
Nestled between historic Cusco and the impressive Machu Picchu, surrounded by breathtaking mountains in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you will find Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba. The contemporary hacienda-style boutique hotel provides guests with a stay in the Andes like no other. The newest addition to Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba’s unique property is the Mayu Spa, meaning ‘River’ in Quechua.
Relax at the Mayu Spa
While you look across the undisturbed foothill between our organic orchard and the vibrant Peppertree forest you can find the Mayu Spa; the wellness centre creates a truly peaceful area with rooms and casitas inspired by traditional Andean architecture. In a location with open space and inspiring views, Mayu Spa is the perfect place to go off the grid and relax after hiking Challa Huasi or spending a moment at the Chicha house, making your own Chicha de Jora.
Spend some time in the Mayu Spa Sauna and Plunge Pool
With stunning scenery and a plentiful botanical garden neighbouring the tranquil spa, you will discover the ingredients used throughout each treatment are 100% natural, with most growing just outside your room.
Take your pick of a variety of specially designed treatments reflecting the natural surroundings, from a rhythmic Andean hot stone massage, using stones from the nearby Urubamba river, to the ancient practice of reflexology. The luxury doesn’t stop there, take a dip in the outdoor plunge pool to revive yourself after a calming dry sauna session. Enjoy a truly holistic day at our Mayu Spa – the most relaxing way to start or finish your Peruvian adventure.
The Healing Garden at Mayu Spa
Whether you are searching for intrepid exploration, breathtaking views or looking for remote tranquility, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba can cater to all your needs, all year round. Find out more about the Mayu Spa, Inkaterra and Peru by visiting our website Inkaterra.com
 

Experiences, Hotels, Nature & Wildlife

Hiking In Peru; A Myriad Of Adventures

From the tips of the Andes to the nooks and crannies of the Amazon, Peru offers an array of outdoor activities for the adventurer and the curious alike. Intertwined with history, graced with beauty and packed with adventure, here are four Inkaterra-recommended hiking trails in Peru, guaranteed to keep you occupied and awe inspired this summer.
Tucked away in the northern highlands of Peru in the lesser known village of Kuelap, lies the 6th century fortress of the Chachapoyas which rests quietly some 3,000 metres high. Known as the walled city, Kuelap was once home to the culture, beliefs and rituals of the people of Chachapoyas, the “Warriors of the Cloud”. Accessible through the town of El Tingo, located in the Urubamba River Valley, hikers must ascend 1,200 metres by foot, should they wish to witness this pre-Incan ruin. This hike can be walked or trekked, and since March 2017, visitors were also welcome to explore the ruins via cable cars, ‘telecabinas Kuélap’, which provide a more leisurely experience for the latter half of the journey.
Llamas in Peru
Boasting calming tranquillity and expansive beauty, located in southern Peru near Arequipa, the Colca Canyon is the world’s second deepest river canyon diving 3,270m, and therefore the ideal hiking destination for the adventurous at heart. Surrounded by the greenery of nearby pastures, remote villages and Inca terraces, hikers can rest assured that they will be accompanied by omnipresent vistas, sun and the occasional Andean condor as they tackle the intense incline. Alternatively, travellers are also welcome to enjoying their trek by way of horseback, taking in the surroundings safely a leisurely. Laced with culture, the Colca Valley also makes for an exciting dabble in history during your trek; known for their traditional embroidery techniques, native villagers boast colourful and intricately designed frocks unique to this region.
Hiking in Peru
The highest trek in Peru, Ausangate, southeast Cusco, will take you through the wildest and most rarely seen parts of the country. Nestled in the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range, hikers will climb and dip over high passes and deep valleys whilst encountering traditional villages. This hike showcases an array of geographic sites, from snow-tipped peaks and glaciers to wildlife and valley lakes, all spread over 6,000 metres in one of the most untouched areas of the region. Considered a ‘mountain spirit’ or holy mountain, the location has been a sacred place of worship and host to many traditions dating back to the pre-Incan era.
Rainbow mountain in Peru
Standing as an endearing ode to history, travel and culture, the most visited trek in Peru is quite rightly the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Established some 500 years ago by the Great Incan Empire as a passage of pilgrimage and a system of communication, whereby Inca messengers, ‘chaskis’, would deliver goods and information. The trail covers roughly 23,000km and passes through northern territories of Colombia and Ecuador, undulating down to Peru, Chile, Argentina and ultimately Brazil and Bolivia. It also comprises many daring paths, some precariously carved in the mountainous regions with steep levels; these were created for local animals, such as llamas, to ensure easy negotiation during transportation. Passing through the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, today the Inca Trail remains a popular trek and travel attraction following its re-discovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham.
Machu Picchu in Peru
If you are travelling to Peru in search of a summer jaunt, whether you are looking for a death-defying scramble through the wilderness, or simply looking to take in the sites on horseback, make sure you’re packed and prepared for your treks. To find out a little more about other countless adventures Peru has to offer, have a browse of our website Inkaterra.com.

Experiences, Hotels, Nature & Wildlife

The History of the Incas

It is said that over 900 years ago, around 1100 CE the Incas migrated to the Cusco valley, seeking a new home for their community. This rich Inca history is embedded deep in the heart of the Cusco region; from the famous 6,000km Great Inca Trail, originally established as a communication pathway between other South American countries, to the rich Quechua language, still used today, and ceremonial drink chicha de jora, the history of the Incas is an important part of the local communities’ lives.
While staying at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba you can visit our Chicha house and create your very own Chicha de Jora
In the centuries that followed, the Kingdom of Cusco was formed as a small city-state, whilst expansion began into surrounding areas. A central government was formed with the Incas at its head and four provincial governments with strong leaders. Most accepted the rule of the Incas and acquiesced peacefully – one Inca 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.
As there were numerous thriving communities within the newly formed Inca Empire, each was encouraged by their rulers to maintain individual traditions, such as worshipping methods, although all communities were simultaneously introduced to the sun worship of Inti – the Inca sun God. The Inca Empire eventually saw its fall in 1532, following a war-laden clash of cultural interests between the Spaniards and native Incas. Kim McQuarrie’s “The Last Days of the Incas”, is a powerful account of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. The novel is also available in Spanish, following recent translation by Inkaterra.
It is said that the Incas never wanted the wonder that is Machu Picchu to be discoveredPhoto by sherrylanetravel
This powerful Empire encouraged growth, resulting in the creation of what will become one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the modern World’ Machu Picchu, which, according to archaeologists, was built as a getaway and summer residence for the royal family. Today this beautiful sight is visited by millions, although some say that the Incas never wanted this wonder to be found and went to huge lengths for it to remain hidden from the Spanish. Less than 100 years after its establishment, the Incas plotted to abandon the site, going as far as burning the nature surrounding the many trails they had created, to keep their treasure hidden.
Each Inkaterra Hotels guide are equipped with an array of insight on all things Peru.
While the site was discovered long ago, historians, archaeologists and explorers alike continue to discover never before found facts about Machu Picchu. Uncover the many wonders of this ancient citadel site for yourself at Inkaterra. Our explorer guides are equipped with an array of insight on all things Peru and can help you navigate through this historical site, and Peruvian history itself.
If you are interested in finding out a little more about the Inca Empire, see our blog, A Brief History of the Inka Empire.

Experiences, Our Peru

Weaving and Embroidery in Peru; Inspiring the longevity of tradition

Weaving and embroidery are a fundamental part of Peruvian history. From exquisite cottons, decorative techniques and unique dyes, Andean textile traditions date back to as early as 3000 BC and tell tales as elaborate as the labyrinths of the needlework.
In creating textiles, these talents were used widely throughout Peru for the creation of costumes and tapestries and were often associated with wealth and regarded more highly than gold or silver; many individuals who had achieved status in their lifetime were buried in textiles or “sacred fabrics” which were intricately embroidered. Many textiles we know today stem from sophisticated weaves and embroideries of ancient times which were created using many different techniques and materials.
Along the Peruvian coast near Lima, and within indigenous communities located in the Valley of Cusco, a variety of fabric structures are still being woven to this day. A popular method used to create textiles is through a traditional spinning technique; this process requires animals to be sheared and the resulting fibres washed and spun using an ancient drop-spindle tool which creates fine yarn. This process causes the fibres to twist as the weaver spins the apparatus while simultaneously evening out the fibres. Once the yarn has been produced, it is then naturally dyed using plants and insects which are exposed to a boiling process to create the pigment that is then be applied to the fibres.

The importance of weaving in this region is linked to the Quechua culture and has served to help identify and construct regional identities in addition to establish interregional communication over centuries. Whether through the development of careers or the display of distinct woven designs which can be associated with specific areas, weaving allows individuals to feel connected to tradition and culturally informed, due to the accumulated knowledge of the different techniques passed down from generation to generation.
Textiles have played a significant role in the Peruvian society for centuries and still continue to inspire the longevity of tradition today. It is very popular for communities to come together and celebrate such ancient traditions, for example the Momento Andes Event held at the Inkaterra hotel located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba encourages like-minded members of the community to come together and take part in seminars and practical workshops which celebrate Peruvian dishes, art and textiles.
Dyes In Peru
Also, in southern highland Peru, within the Colca Valley, the art of embroidery is acknowledged as a National Cultural Heritage. With techniques rooted in the history of the indigenous Collagua and Cabana people, the designs created are symbolic of traditional and artistic values. Much of the embroidery is created for clothing and engineered to illustrate attractive local flora and fauna. Techniques used to achieve the designs occasionally involve machines which have the capacity to layer a number of different fabrics which therefore creates a distinctly thick and durable embroidery.
Weaving In Peru
Photo Source: Google Images

Nature & Wildlife, Our Peru

The White-Throated Toucan

Toucans have a beautiful and unique appearance that has led to the species becoming one of the most popular birds worldwide and meant that they are frequently used in advertising due to their unique aesthetic qualities. One of the most well-known toucans in pop-culture is ‘Toucan Sam’, a cartoon character that has been used to advertise Kellogg’s cereal ‘Froot Loops’ since the 1960s. Other cartoon versions of the bird can be seen in children’s shows such as ‘Dora the explorer’ and ‘Toucan Tecs’, as well as in the video game ‘Pokémon Sun and Moon’.

A white-throated toucan can be found in central and south america

Photo: Clémence Grn


Originating from Central and South America and situated in the depths of the lush Amazon Basin, the real-life Toucan has an elongated bill that allows them to reach the hidden cavities of the many ancient trees, nests and other hard-to-reach places in search of food. Their diets mainly consist of a variety of fruit but will also feast on insects, smaller birds and lizards if they can be found!
A white-throated toucan (Ramphastos tucanus) close up in a zoo

Photo: YK


Inkaterra’s September Bird of the Month, the white-throated toucan, boasts a rainbow of colour – just one of many reasons we are showcasing this beautiful bird, native to the Amazon. The species has a black head, nape, back and tail with a bright yellow rump; giving justice to the name, their face, throat and chest are covered in white feathers while the bare skin around their eyes possess a vivid light blue colour. It also has a thin red band across its chest, a black stomach and a red vent. Their bill also displays an array of colours, the large and heavy beaks have a yellow tip on the upper ridge and blue on the base. The wildly vibrant toucan can be easily spotted perched at canopy level of the forest, they also have a distinct song that one can hear from a long distance.

Photo: Backpackinghacks


If you are staying in Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción or at the Inkaterra Guides Field Station look for the white-throated toucan during your excursions and tag your images with @Inkaterrahotels on social media using the hashtags #BirdofMouth and #BirdYourWorld. If you would like to read more about Inkaterra’s ‘Bird of Mouth’ project please click here.