Five Inkaterra properties are nominated for the Condé Nast Traveler 2026 Readers' Choice Awards, one of the most prestigious and influential recognitions in the global travel industry.

In the Hotels category, nominations include Inkaterra La Casona, Cusco's first Relais & Châteaux property, and Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, nestled within a restored private Andean cloud forest at the foot of Machu Picchu, --one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

In the Resorts category, travelers can vote for Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica and Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción, both located in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, as well as Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes and living culture of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

These nominations recognize not only exceptional hospitality, but also Inkaterra's longstanding commitment to sustainable tourism, scientific research, biodiversity conservation, and authentic cultural experiences. Throughout five decades, Inkaterra has pioneered a model of regenerative travel that seeks to create meaningful connections between visitors, local communities, and the natural environment.

"We are deeply grateful to every guest who has shared their journey with us and supported our vision over the years," says Inkaterra founder José Koechlin. "These nominations belong to the landscapes and communities that make each Inkaterra experience possible."

Voting is open through the Condé Nast Traveler website at www.cntraveler.com/vote.

Alcira Cuba, Tea Master at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, represented Inkaterra at the first edition of the International Tea Symposium 2026, held on May 19-21 on Réunion Island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean renowned for its rich tea-growing heritage and biodiversity.

Her participation follows a series of international recognitions for Inkaterra’s organic tea, including the Gold Medal and two silver medals at the Teas of the World Awards organized by AVPA France.

As the steward of Inkaterra’s organic tea program, Alcira shared the story of one of the world’s most unique tea-growing landscapes: the century-old Camellia sinensis plantation nestled within the cloud forest of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. Located at 2,050 meters above sea level, these historic tea fields are cultivated under the shade of native trees and managed according to organic principles that harmonize agricultural production with ecological restoration.

More than a beverage, Inkaterra tea represents a living expression of regenerative tourism. Revived from a historic plantation acquired by José Koechlin in 1976, the project contributes to the conservation of the Andean cloud forest while preserving an ancestral agricultural tradition. Today, each cup reflects the unique terroir of Machu Picchu: mountain soils, spring water, mist-covered forests, and nearly five decades of commitment to conservation and sustainability.

The symposium brought together tea producers, researchers, artisans, gastronomic experts, and industry leaders from around the world to exchange knowledge and explore the future of tea cultivation in a changing world. Discussions focused on topics such as terroir, biodiversity, climate resilience, traditional knowledge, sustainable production, and the growing role of tea as a cultural and gastronomic expression.

By participating in international gatherings such as the International Tea Symposium, Inkaterra continues to strengthen its contribution to the global dialogue on biodiversity, responsible agriculture, and the cultural value of tea.

On May 9, Inkaterra participated in Global Big Day, the world's largest birdwatching event organized by eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. During the event, 63 bird species were recorded at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel and its surrounding areas, while 102 species were registered along the route between Puerto Maldonado and Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica, for a total of 159 species documented that day.

The results reflect the brand’s long-standing commitment to conservation, scientific research, and bird tourism. Across Inkaterra’s areas of influence, over 900 bird species have been recorded—similar to the total number documented in countries such as Costa Rica.

A remarkable example is Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, where nearly five decades of regenerative tourism and cloud forest restoration have transformed a formerly degraded landscape into a biodiversity hotspot. Today, 316 bird species have been registered on the property through eBird, making it one of Peru's most important destinations for birdwatching and a living demonstration of how tourism can contribute to ecosystem recovery and biodiversity conservation.

Inkaterra Asociación recently presented the results of the research project “Phylogenomics of Peruvian Species of the Genus Vanilla (Orchidaceae)” at the Natural History Museum of the National University of San Marcos (Peru). The presentation was led by Dr. Landy Alexander Damián-Parizaca, principal investigator of a study that represents a major milestone in understanding the evolutionary history of one of the world's most valuable and widely used spices.

Funded by PROCIENCIA and developed in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (United Kingdom) and the National University Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza, the project generated the first large-scale phylogenomic dataset for the genus Vanilla. By analyzing at Inkaterra Asociacion’s project 204 taxa, including 54 species of vanilla, researchers were able to reconstruct the most comprehensive evolutionary tree of the genus to date.

The study revealed how millions of years of evolution gave rise to the extraordinary diversity of vanilla species found across the tropics today. Researchers uncovered evidence of ancient and recent hybridization events and identified the Guiana Shield as the most likely birthplace of the genus some 30 million years ago. The findings also underscore the pivotal role of the Amazon as a cradle of diversification, from which vanilla species spread throughout tropical America. Together, these discoveries help resolve long-standing scientific questions while providing valuable information for the conservation and sustainable management of Peru's native vanilla species.

Beyond its scientific contributions, the project strengthened research capacity through international collaboration and academic training. As part of the initiative, Inkaterra Asociación hosted the course-workshop “Introduction to the Phylogenomics of Flowering Plants” at the Green Lab and Canopy Center in Madre de Dios, where students and young researchers received hands-on training in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and biodiversity research.

The project reflects Inkaterra Asociación's ongoing commitment to scientific excellence, conservation, and the generation of knowledge that helps protect Peru's extraordinary natural heritage.