On July 3rd, the main square of Machu Picchu Pueblo came alive with music, dance, and national pride to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Machu Picchu’s designation as one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel took part with a special stand showcasing one of its most remarkable scientific contributions: the discovery of 28 new orchid species, described by researchers affiliated with Inkaterra Asociación.

Among the featured species was the newly designated Pleurothallis machupicchuensis, named in honor of the Historic Sanctuary. This rare epiphytic orchid, growing between 2,000 and 2,500 meters above sea level, was identified by a team led by resident biologist Daxs Coayla, confirming its status as a species new to science.

Other notable orchids included the recently described Sarcoglottis wernerherzogii, named after acclaimed German filmmaker Werner Herzog, whose films Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) and Fitzcarraldo (1982) – co-produced by Inkaterra founder José Koechlin – immortalized the natural grandeur of Machu Picchu and the Peruvian Amazon. With flowers resembling dragon heads, this orchid is not only a new species but also a new genus for the Sanctuary. It was published in Lankesteriana by a team led by Inkaterra’s orchid authority, biologist Benjamín Collantes, alongside Peruvian and Mexican scientists.

Visitors to the event also participated in a tasting of organic teas from Inkaterra’s property, where tea is grown and harvested using centuries-old techniques. This same tea earned the Gourmet OR gold medal at the 2023 Teas of the World Awards in Paris, as well as two silver medals in 2024, celebrating its exceptional flavor and sustainable origins.

Founded in 1976 by José Koechlin, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is a pioneer in regenerative tourism. The property, once used for logging and cattle grazing, was restored into a lush cloud forest through reforestation with native species. Today, it is recognized as one of the world’s most biologically diverse urban hotspots, home to 372 native orchid species (the world’s largest collection in its own habitat, according to the American Orchid Society), as well as 311 bird species registered on eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology).

This regenerative approach is central to Inkaterra’s leadership in the effort to make Machu Picchu the First Carbon Neutral Wonder of the World, a certification renewed in June 2024 by Green Initiative. Since 2019, the destination has reduced its carbon footprint by 18.47%, thanks to a public-private alliance led by Inkaterra with partners including Grupo AJE, the Municipality of Machu Picchu, SERNANP, and Tetra Pak. This initiative has earned recognition from UNESCO, UN Tourism, Lonely Planet, and UN Climate Change as a global model of climate action through ecotourism.

Furthermore, Inkaterra Asociación continues to position Machu Picchu as a leading destination for native orchid observation. In August 2023, it organized the international exhibition “Orchids of Machu Picchu” at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. The exhibit drew a record 1.7 million visitors in seven months, making it the most visited exhibition ever on Peru’s natural and cultural heritage.

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Inkaterra has announced the upcoming release of “Machu Picchu: Orchid Symphony”, a deluxe publication by biologist Benjamín Collantes featuring 425 native orchid species. Set to be published in late 2025, the book will serve as a scientific and visual tribute to the Sanctuary’s botanical splendor and a lasting testament to Inkaterra’s legacy of biodiversity conservation.

The Fall-Winter 2026 campaign by fashion designer Stefano Ricci begins its journey with the release of its first teaser trailer, introducing a new chapter in the Explorer series—a visual approach that redefines luxury as a vehicle for discovery and global stewardship. Set in the Peruvian Andes, the campaign celebrates the profound relationship between landscape, culture, and timeless elegance.

The Explorer concept was born from a desire to transcend fashion imagery, inviting world-renowned National Geographic photographers to capture images of remote corners of the Earth where nature and human traditions remain deeply rooted. These campaigns not only showcase the brand’s sartorial excellence but also highlight the cultural and environmental richness of each location, reaffirming that luxury can—and must—support conservation.

For the Fall-Winter 2026 collection, the chosen setting was Peru, a country rich in Andean heritage, biodiversity, and ancestral memory. The production traveled to iconic sites such as the Historic Sanctuary and cloud forest of Machu Picchu, the Rainbow Mountain of Palcoyo, and the Pisac archaeological park (Cusco); the Condor Viewpoint and the traditional Achoma festival in the Colca Valley (Arequipa); and the floating Uros islands on Lake Titicaca (Puno). Local coordination was led by Peruvian producer Bibiana Melzi, with logistical support from Inkaterra, pioneer in conservation and sustainable tourism marking its 50th birthday this year.

The campaign’s imagery was captured by award-winning photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale, a longtime contributor to National Geographic. Vitale is known for her empathetic documentation of communities and ecosystems in transition, and her work—celebrated with multiple World Press Photo awards—brings a deep humanity to the visual narrative of Stefano Ricci’s design sense.

“This collection is a bridge between contemporary elegance and the millenary heritage of the Andes,” says Filippo Ricci, Creative Director of the fashion house. “Inspired by the Inca quipu as a narrative symbol, we sought to intertwine Italian artisanal mastery with the threads of ancestral memory and wisdom from Peru.” The result is a series of garments that harmonize with the mountains, native fibers, and the living architecture of the landscape.

With a production that honors the natural environment and uplifts local communities, Stefano Ricci Explorer – Peru is not merely a fashion campaign, but an ethical statement. In a time when the fashion industry is rethinking its values, this initiative proves that luxury can be a force to protect what matters most: beauty, identity, and nature.

From the highlands to the cloud forest, this campaign pays tribute to the exquisite complexities of Peru with the distinction, craftsmanship, and emotion that have defined Stefano Ricci since its Florentine beginnings. Fashion that breathes the world—for men who carry the world with them.

The July edition of Vogue Australia features the romantic engagement of Indian celebrities, Kavya Tandon and Jashan Deep Sandha, at Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica.

“It was the fourth anniversary of our relationship when we checked into the Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, an eco-luxury lodge deep in the rainforest. The setting was as breathtaking as it was remote; we had no internet or reception for four days, which made everything feel even more intimate," recalls Kavya.

While she napped in their private cabin, Jashan worked with the Inkaterra team to set the stage for his proposal, planned throughout the previous seven months. That evening, they went on a river excursion at night, guided by a single light. Afterwards, they were welcomed in the main house as “Mr. and Mrs. Sandha” and seated for a candlelit dinner.

The real surprise awaited her later that night: “He led me back to our cabin where a beautiful path lined with lanterns awaited us… He mentioned having a surprise. When I opened my eyes after twirling, there he was, on one knee, tears in his eyes.”

Back in the cabin, flowers, champagne, and a cake were waiting. "It was, without question, the most intimate and thoughtful proposal—one that allowed us to soak in the moment, away from the distractions of social media and photo ops, simply immersed in the beauty of nature."

From private river cruises to candlelit dinners, the team at Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica is eager to assist every groom-to-be create a proposal that is as magical as it is meaningful, for every love story to bloom in harmony with the rainforest.

In Plaza Nazarenas, amid the cobblestoned streets of the historic heart of Cusco, stands a 16th-century manor house that once hosted figures such as Spanish Conquistador Diego de Almagro and Libertador Simón Bolívar. The mansion had fallen into a severe state of disrepair when Inkaterra took on the challenge of its restoration. What was once a forgotten architectural jewel was carefully restored and transformed into the city’s first boutique hotel and the first Relais & Châteaux property in Peru. Its revival has become a landmark case of heritage conservation through hospitality.

At the helm of this transformation was our beloved Denise Koechlin. For five years, she led a meticulous and respectful restoration process that preserved original architectural elements such as the iconic central courtyard arches, carved wooden balconies, and colonial wall friezes. Every detail was carefully brought back to life, honoring the soul of the house while adapting it to the expectations of the modern traveler.

Denise’s aesthetic vision achieved a rare dialogue between tradition and modernity: colonial furniture sits alongside pre-Columbian textiles, original murals, and contemporary touches, resulting in a hospitality experience rooted in cultural identity. Her work earned international acclaim, including the “Editor’s Pick” distinction from Condé Nast Traveller in the Ambience & Design category, and Travel+Leisure’s 2018 World’s Best Awards, which named Inkaterra La Casona the Best City Hotel in Central and South America and the 4th Best Hotel in the World.

Since its reopening, Inkaterra La Casona has welcomed discerning travelers in search of authenticity. Illustrious guests such as Mick Jagger, Bono, Cameron Diaz, and Richard Gere, have found in its eleven suites a refined and intimate retreat in the heart of the Inca capital. Today, Denise’s legacy lives on in every corner of the property as a testament to her love for art, history, and the beauty of thoughtful living. Her vision continues to inspire us to make hospitality preserve the essence of Peru.