Monthly Archives: December 2018

Events, Our Peru

Santuranticuy and New Years in Cusco

Cusco is known for its famous celebrations over this festive period. It has long since been a place for revellers to congregate over Christmas and New Years, namely for its unique and distinguished location within the Andean mountain range.

In the lead up to Christmas, Cusco is transformed by local artisans to welcome Santuranticuy, meaning “Sale of Saints”, one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in Peru. Just as in ancient times, this one of a kind Christmas fair is set up in the main square of Cusco, where local artists, sculptors, and religious image-makers gather every year to showcase their finest work.

The origins of Santuranticuy date back to the vice-regency over 500 years ago, when the fair was a celebration of images of Catholic Saints which were sold to create Nativity scenes in homes and churches.

The temporary fair held from 23rd to 24th December has become a part of Cusco’s Christmas festivities that enchant hundreds of Cusqueños and tourists each year. It is the ideal time to find unique pieces of high quality and originality and everything one may wish to decorate their home with or simply find gifts for lucky friends.

At the Santuranticuy fair visitors can find unique gifts perfect for friends or family.

In Cusco, Nativity scenes are hugely important, often featuring the entire city. Niño Manuelito, a representation of baby Jesus, is the star of the fair among the images of the Catholic Saints. The name Manuelito is an endearing variation of “Emmanuel”, another name by which baby Jesus is referred to in the Catholic tradition. Niño Manuelito is very important for Cusco citizens and is displayed throughout the city, dressed with new clothing every year.

In the fair, visitors can find miniatures of every kind in various materials, designs and styles. The fair is worth a visit simply to admire the beautiful, intricate artefacts, and get a feel of Cusco’s spirit and tradition.

Santuranticuy is a holiday tradition in Cusco

Having experienced a highlight of our Cusqueños culture, visitors can go on to see another side of the fair, equally fascinating and unique. Here, one can buy a whole host of unique clothes such as shirts and blouses with Andean and Amazon designs or contemporary clothing and art. From singular hand-woven chullos to delicate dried flower arrangements, Santuranticuy offers an array of incredibl pieces that visitors will want to take away with them.

A visit to Santuranticuy should definitely be a part of any Christmas trip to Peru. Due to the vast number of visitors to the fair and the sheer size of the fair, organizing one’s visit is highly recommended.

Similarly, Cusco is frequented by Peruvians and tourists alike on New Years, who come to view Ausangate. One of Peru’s most important holy mountains, (6,384 or 20,045ft a.s.l.) seeing Ausangate early morning on 1st January is said to bring your good luck for the forthcoming year. Traditions include El Correr, where thousands of people run around the edge of the plaza, stemming from the idea that if you run around the plaza with an empty suitcase you will have a year full of travelling!

From all of us at Inkaterra, we wish you season’s greetings and a very happy New Year! Keep up-to-date with all the latest from Inkaterra in 2019 by visiting Inkaterra.com.




Events, Our Peru

The Peruvian December Solstice

Take part in the wonderful celebration of the Peruvian December Solstice on December 21st. An authentic part of the tapestry made up from Peruvian identity, this day is steeped in history and records show that it has been commemorated since the 15th century. The day marks the separation of two months which were used to honour the sun god (Inti). The two months are known as Capac Raymi (Royal Feast) and Capac Raymi Camay Quilla (Royal Feast, Festival of the Moon.), while the sun is at its strongest.

Capac Raymi falls in the middle of the Peruvian rainy season when normally the sun and moon couldn’t be seen as clearly, while the month of Capac Raymi Camay Quilla was celebrated when the Incas were waiting for a new moon. During the days of the next luminous full moon, there were festivals around the Inca Empire, with some lasting up to seven days.

December Solstice in Peru used to last months at a time

The length of these sacred celebrations changed year-on-year. If the new moon arrived early after the solstice, on December 21st, celebrations could last 22 days; but if it was late, they could last up to a staggering 52 days. The festivities for the full moon would then not take place in Camay Quilla but during the following month instead.

The December Solstice is during Peru's rainy season

The observance of the December solstice also marked an important event for the noble boys of the Inca Empire. The month preceding was dedicated to the initiation rituals, where the boys’ ears would be pierced allowing for the large ear spools worn by Inca royalty to be inserted. This was an incredibly symbolic way of commemorating the coming of age for the potential future leaders of the Inca Empire.

During the solstice revellers pay homage to the four elements

While rituals like this no longer take place in modern Peru, there are still festivities in Peruvian towns to mark the occasion. Many combine Inca and Christian elements in their festivities: they begin their celebration of Navidad (Christmas) and observe the December solstice. Today, if you happen to be in Cusco for the December Solstice, you will find yourself in the middle of a melee of parades, friendly crowds, day drinking and of course, an obligatory Pisco Sour or two!

Festivals and days of celebration take place throughout the year in Peru commemorating several events. Read about the Inti Raymi festival, which marks the June solstice, where performances aim to re-enact the original ceremony, pulling together some of the most incredible talents in Peru, with 500 actors, dancers and musician, or El Senor de los Milagros, remembering the events that transpired following a life-changing earthquake which took place in Lima and Callao in the 17th century, and also The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, marking the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and is celebrated on December 8th annually. To find out more about festivals in Peru please visit our blog. Discover more about Inkaterra by visiting Inkaterra.com

Events, Experiences, Hotels

A Moment to Marvel: Momento Selva at Inkaterra Guides Field Station – Madre de Dios / Tambopata

From 27th to 30th November 2018, the entire Madre de Dios-Tambopata region of Peru celebrated the 2018 edition of Momento Selva.

Momento Selva is an annual event, organised by world renown Chef, Virgilio Martínez, and dedicated to sustainability of local communities, culinary tradition, and the environment; bringing together chefs, academics, artisans and craftworkers, farmers and entrepreneurs for a series of educational workshops. Those attending developed their knowledge about the riches that can be gleaned from different cultures and the surrounding natural resources, as well as enhancing their understanding of traditional Peruvian artistry and skill.

This year, the Momento Selva programme was hosted at Inkaterra Guides Field Station. The Guides Field Station was originally designed as a research facility for Inkaterra Asociación (ITA), Inkaterra’s NGO, and as a location to train Inkaterra’s renowned Explorer Guides. In 2017, the Guides Field Station opened its doors to eco-conscious travellers, families, researchers and academics, volunteers and students from around the world, who are able to participate in various conservation projects alongside ITA whilst receiving food and accommodation at the property.

The Guides Field Station’s dedication to the continuance of biodiversity and researching the delicate ecosystems of the surrounding jungle environment made it the perfect location to host this momentous event.

Momento Selva at Inkaterra Guides Field Station

Over the course of the three days, 70 guests including artists, scientists, and chefs gathered together to dine, share experiences, and explore the wonders of the Madre de Dios-Tambopata area of the Amazon Rainforest, which is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in the world.

A range of experiences and excursions featured on the Momento itinerary in order to fully immerse participants in the nature that surrounds Inkaterrra Guides Field Station. This included an expedition to Lake Sandoval for an encounter with some of the exotic and playful inhabitants of the area, including Howler Monkeys, Giant River Otters,  native birds, and many others.

The group also gained a unique perspective of the Amazon Rainforest with a walk through the lush greenery at the canopy layer along the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. The walkway connects eight platforms and seven hanging bridges suspended 100 feet above the rainforest floor, offering the chance to witness creatures dwelling at the tops of trees, such as sloths and certain birds.

Momento Selva at Inkaterra Guides Field Station

Jan Brack and Manuel Acurio led a tour around Inkaterra Asociación’s bio-orchard, demonstrating to guests how it is possible to produce a rich food supply in a sustainable fashion within the rainforest. The food produces was showcased and enjoyed during an authentic Amazonian barbeque prepared by Inkaterra’s Corporate Executive Chef, Rafael Casin.

Renowned Argentine chef, Narda Lepes, also contributed to this ‘culin-education’ as he spoke about the role of the restaurant in maintaining the unique ecosystems in the Amazon, noting that though one kitchen may not make a big impact, the combined impact of many restaurants on the environment is certainly notable. Lepes opened debate on the controversial Monsanto law present in Argentina, and how important the role of a high-profile chef is in order to make positive changes within the industry.

Momento Selva at Inkaterra Guides Field Station

Other guests speakers included environmental photographer Nicholas Villaume, Harvard PhD graduate Yolanda Huang, Neurosurgeon Atom Sarkar, Peruvian language specialist Roberto Zariquiey and ethnobotanist Camilo Diaz.
The three days of Momento Selva were a success for all involved, and a great time to reflect on the Amazon and its many offerings; a moment to marvel at nature’s very own miracles.

Events, Our Peru

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Catholicism is now seamlessly integrated throughout Peruvian culture which has led to much of our national calendar being allocated to special holy days. One such day of celebration and worship, amongst believers, unfolds on December 8th throughout Peru and much of the Catholic world.
For Peruvian inhabitants, December 8th has been ordained a public holiday known as Día de la Purísima Concepción (day of the Immaculate Conception.) This day marks the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which takes place on September 8th to mark Mary’s birth. The public holiday is said to have been celebrated since as far back as the fifth century in the east but only solemnized as a Holy Day of Obligation on 6th December 1708 by Pope Clement XI.

The celebrations that take place on December 8th are also in commemoration of the day that Mary’s mother Anne became a Saint. Mary’s mother and father, Anne and Joachim, had unfortunately been a childless couple until an angel appeared and told Anne that she would give birth to a child that the world would honour, and upon offering her child to God’s service Anne was bequeathed the title of a Saint.
Since 1953 the Pope, as Bishop of Rome, has visited the Column of the Immaculate Conception in Piazza di Spagna to offer reparatory prayers and commemorate the solemn event. Many consider the feast to be a day to spend with relatives and loved ones, choosing to gather and attend mass, parades and processions as well as celebrating with firework displays, family meals and cultural festivities.

While each region in Peru celebrates in their own special way, during a visit to Inkaterra La Casona in Cusco you can join churchgoers in their local parade, with some members carrying statues of the Virgin Mary – everyone is welcome! In addition to the religious ceremonies in Cusco, revellers merge the festivities with ancient Andean traditions, with local music and dances being performed throughout the city. It is truly a marvel to behold so much respect for the tradition and heritage of Peruvian people.
Festivals and days of celebration take place throughout the year in Peru commemorating several different events. Read about Dia de los Difuntos, which gives friends and family a chance to gather and pay remembrance to loved ones who have passed away, or El Senor de los Milagros, remembering the events that transpired following a life-changing earthquake which took place in Lima and Callao in the 17th century, and also Santa Rosa de Lima, which honours Santa Rosa and her benevolent career throughout Peru. To find out more about festivals in Peru please visit our blog.