On August 18, Inkaterra, which celebrates 45 years of scientific research this year, opened the international exhibition 'Orchids of Machu Picchu ' in the emblematic Cloud Forest dome of Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.

In this new exhibition, produced in collaboration with Gardens by the Bay and the Embassy of Peru in Singapore, Inkaterra displays their special collection of its 87 native orchid flowers from Machu Picchu. These orchids have been specially preserved by Inkaterra in acrylic through an exceptional technique, keeping its natural shape and color.

This is the first time that this precious collection – which captures the intricate beauty and delicate details of the flowers of Peru – has been presented abroad. It is exhibited alongside a scale model of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary and other species and hybrids of Peruvian descent cultivated in Gardens by the Bay.

“With the support of Mr. Félix Loh, General Director of Gardens by the Bay, and His Excellency Carlos Vásquez, Ambassador of Peru in Singapore, we are delighted to bring 'Orchids of Machu Picchu', to the Lion City,” said Inkaterra founder and CEO José Koechlin. “The exhibition offers orchid lovers around the world a unique opportunity to experience the greatness of Machu Picchu's biodiversity without having to travel to Peru.”

The floral display is inspired by the Inca Trail; it features a replica of the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) and a selection of emblematic artifacts from Peru's ancient cultures reproduced by the Peruvian artist, Edi Mérida. Visitors can step back in time and walk the same path traveled by a 15th-century Inca emperor on his pilgrimage amidst a plethora of orchids rarely seen in this part of the world.

"Orchids are one of the most extraordinary manifestations of mega biodiversity in Machu Picchu," said José Koechlin at the opening ceremony, attended by several Singaporean authorities, including 16 ambassadors and Ms. Indranee Rajah, Minister of the Office of the Prime Minister.

"Since 1978, Inkaterra Asociación has produced inventories of flora and fauna as a basis for the conservation of biodiversity and the well-being of local communities," said José Koechlin. "The research and conservation initiatives led by Inkaterra Asociación are the greatest source of inspiration for travel experiences at Inkaterra hotels."

Highlighting important indicators of biodiversity in Machu Picchu, Inkaterra’s founder, José Koechlin states: “Within 10 hectares of Andean cloud forest, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel houses the world's largest collection of native orchids in their habitat, according to the American Orchid Society. A genetic bank with 372 native species, including 26 species new to science described by fellow researchers from Inkaterra Asociación.”

The collection on exhibition at Gardens by the Bay was curated by biologist Benjamín Collantes, Inkaterra Asociación's main orchid researcher and discoverer of several of the 26 species new to science found at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.

According to Gardens by the Bay, 'Orchids of Machu Picchu' will welcome more than one million visitors during its 6-month run through February 2024.

In an interview with Singapore's The Straits Times, co-curator Dr. Shawn Tay comments: “We wanted to show how the Incas revered orchids in their natural setting and beauty. They did not grow orchids, nor did they collect them. We hope this collaboration with Inkaterra and the Embassy of Peru will educate visitors on the need to conserve orchid species around the world and especially in cloud forests."

The production of 'Orquídeas de Machu Picchu' had the invaluable sponsorship of PSA Marine, Olam Food Ingredients (OFI), and KLM Airlines.

For more than four decades, Inkaterra Asociación has been producing scientific research for the conservation of nature, with special emphasis on native orchids. Now it uses blockchain technology to certify the origin and traceability of the 26 species new to science found at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, described by researchers from Inkaterra Asociación.

“We are proud to announce the implementation of blockchain technology for the certification of the 26 species new to science found at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Today, thanks to our alliance with Seven Star Internazionale and this innovative certification, we reached a new milestone for our research initiatives in native orchids,” comments José Koechlin about this process of digital transformation for traceability processes.

It should be noted that Inkaterra Association preserves 372 species of native orchids in their habitat in the gardens of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. This isconsidered to be the largest collection of native orchids in the world according to the American Orchid Society.

Named the third best hotel brand in the world in 2018 by Travel + Leisure (American Express Group magazine), and recognized by the United Nations as the first Climate Positive hotel brand in the world, Inkaterra works under a holistic approach. Through Inkaterra Asociación, the brand produces scientific research as a basis for the conservation of biodiversity and the well-being of local communities in its areas of influence.

“This marks an important milestone as Inkaterra launches the world's first blockchain-certified Peruvian orchids, offering a means of credibility and validation of scientific studies and image registration. Furthermore, Inkaterra Asociación will use the blockchain for the pre-sale and delivery of its books worldwide through NFTs, with maximum security and transparency”, details Massimiliano Nicastro, CEO of Seven Star Internazionale, a company that develops and implements blockchain and artificial intelligence solutionsin the regional market.

“We are joining efforts to show the world the new fruits of Peru and its businessmen, great managers of the country that are now consolidated worldwide thanks to disruptive technology, with blockchain being the most important ally for this great crusade. On this occasion, Inkaterra's orchids will reach Singapore and the world with blockchain technology through the management of SSI and the MinaSmart technology platform”, says Fernando Patrón, commercial director of Seven Star Internazionale (SSI).

A research project, led by prominent scientist Alexander Damián Parizaca, fellow researcher of Inkaterra Asociación, and co-researchers Oscar Pérez (Kew Gardens) and Segundo Oliva (UNTRM), has been selected as the winner in the recent research call basic financed by PROCIENCIA.

The project, entitled "Phylogenomics of the Peruvian species of the genus Vanilla (Orchidaceae)", aims to unravel the fascinating evolutionary history of the world's most popular spice: vanilla.

The Vanilla genus has intrigued scientists for decades due to its complex evolution and origin in Peruvian territory. Now, thanks to an interdisciplinary team of researchers, this enigma could soon be solved. Only 2% of human consumed vanilla flavoring is organic, of natural origin.

The main objective of this initiative led by Inkaterra Asociación, in alliance with the Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza National University of the Amazonas Region and the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in London, is to shed light on the evolutionary history of vanilla and contribute to the consolidation of high-level scientific production in the country.

The project will take place in the Madre de Dios and Amazonas regions, and will address this challenge through taxonomic and genomic sampling using high-throughput sequencing techniques to analyze the DNA of various species of Peruvian vanillas. The use of Target Sequence capture technology with the Angiosperm353 probe set will make it possible to sequence hundreds of genes. This will allow for a detailed genetic tree of these species to be created, thus providing a clearer and more precise vision of their evolutionary history.

"This project represents a unique opportunity to understand the genetic secrets behind Peruvian vanilla and its evolution over the years," said Alexander Damián Parizaca, leader of the research team. "In addition, we are committed to training new scientific talent in our country, training Peruvian thesis students and students in laboratory techniques and bioinformatics protocols for the use of these advanced technologies".

Inkaterra Asociación and the research team are calling on national thesis students to apply to be part of the project by writing postgraduate theses. With the support of PROCIENCIA, the project "Phylogenomics of the Peruvian species of the genus Vanilla (Orchidaceae)" is positioned as an outstanding example of multidisciplinary research and a strategic alliance between leading institutions in the scientific field.

Attention all orchid enthusiasts! Inkaterra Asociación is proud to announce the venue and dates for the 7th Scientific Conference on Andean Orchids; the event will take place in Peru for the first time this year. From November 27-29, 2023, the auditorium of the Universidad San Antonio Abad in the city of Cusco will host the main orchid event of the Andean region – an area known for its mega-biodiversity, including some of the most extraordinary orchid species in the world.

With a vast array of subjects involving orchid diversity, systematics, ecology, conservation and horticulture, the Scientific Conference on Andean Orchids summons the international community of researchers, conservation professionals, gardeners and orchid aficionados to promote the most recent advances on scientific studies and conservation of orchid species native to the region.

Additionally, we are glad to announce all researchers that application of abstracts has been extended until July 31st. Guidelines can be found in the following link: https://www.inkaterra.com/inkaterra-asociacion-org/en/conferences/abstract-submission/.

To register at the 7th Scientific Conference on Andean Orchids, please contact us at: aoc@inkaterra-asociacion.org.