Amongst the Andean terrain there is an amazing blend of beauty between the peaks, the nature, the Incan Ruins, the thriving indigenous culture and the bountiful sacred sites that span these lands. When you step off the plane in Cusco (the center of the Incan nation), you spontaneously feel the magic percolating in the air.
The views offer one snow capped mountain after another with the valleys bustling with the locals herding their sheep, alpaca and llamas. The people wave as you pass with kind and generous smiles that invite you to settle into a diverse culture of the Incas and Europeans.
Machu Picchu along with many other phenomenal sites take you to a time when man was united with the natural elements. You will find amazing technologies created so long ago that truly harmonize with the land, water and mountains around them. Here are the top 5!
1. Machu Picchu (of course): One of the new 7 wonders of the world offers many ways to explore the advanced civilization of the Incas amongst the green beauty of the cloud forest in Peru. With over 2000 visitors each day, there are many ways to experience this site. One can hike the Inca Trail with local guides on a 4-day hike to Machu Picchu: ( http://www.incatrailperu.com ).
A second way is to take the Peru Rail into Aguas Calientes and enjoy a stay in the city below Machu Picchu. One can enjoy modest accommodations for under $70 at places like Wiracocha Inn. And, if you prefer to splurge, The Sanctuary Lodge snuggles up right next to the entrance of Machu Picchu (prices range from $600 - $1000 depending on availability).
2. The Sacred Valley: This vast area of beauty is noted for its plethora of snow-capped peaks, bountiful rivers and fertile land. This was actually under the rights of the Incan King because of its lush setting. Here you can hike to many Incan Sites like Moray, a site that was used to test crops at different climates and elevations. Moray looks like a huge UFO planted itself in the earth - a photo: (http://cristimoise.net/2012/10/29/moray-sacred-valley-peru/ )
The local market in Urubamba on Wednesdays is not to be missed giving you the feel of vibrancy of the indigenous culture. Here you can get your fruits and local made chocolate! The place to stay is Las Casitas del Arco Iris (http://www.lascasitasdelarcoiris.com/Flex/Site/Page.aspx?PageID=&Lang= )
This quaint hotel has eight private bungalows that are amazingly crafted by the local stones and eucalyptus with design of luxury. All of the proceeds go to support the school, medical clinic, orphanage and outreach programs on site. A real treat to stay and know your money is supporting the people of Peru.
3. The Shamans: The power and lineages of the Andean Shaman (healers and spiritual guides of the indigenous) span many centuries earlier than the Incas. You can work with a Pampamisayoc (earth shaman) or you may get lucky enough to find one of the four Altomisayocs (exhalted mountain shaman) of Peru. These men and women have been known to have the gifts to heal incurable diseases, assist in bringing peace to the mind and re-harmonizing us with mother nature.
Many of these authentic shaman work with westerners with a willingness to share how to connect with the wisdom and spirits of Mother Earth (Pachamama) and the Mountians (Apus). The best way to assure a authentic experience may be to go with a western guide who hosts these type of shamanic journeys.
One group offers bi-annual Spiritual Retreats in the Andes with a family of Pampamisayocs and one of the few Altomisayoc. You will find yourself with a small group exploring sacred sites unknown to the tourists and you experience a full immersion in the traditional healing ways of the ancient Peruvian shaman. This is a unique-amazing trip:http://www.jasoncfrahm.com/calendar/retreats/
4. Lake Titicaca: Visiting the highest navigable lake in the world is a trip of its own. The Peru side offers Luxury Retreats in places like the Liberatador ( https://reservations.libertador.com.pe ) and Titilaka (http://titilaka.com)
There are many trips out to Uros, the grass islands - village constructed out of grass and literally on grass islands. There are opportunities to have home stays on some of the islands like Amantani: (www.mysteryperu.com/eng/pu_lake_titicaca_2days_homestay_program.html ). Here you can learn how to weave like most the andean women do… a real treat.
And while you’re there, you might as well traverse over to the other side of the lake into La Paz, Bolivia and explore some of the islands and beauty for this side. There isn’t much luxury in La Paz, yet the magic is said to be on the Bolivian side. Near La Paz, it is whispered that there is a vortex the Ancient Incas traveled through. Few know of its location and I’ve heard the Dalai Lama has traveled there to experience its authenticity. It is a treasure hunt to find this place!
5. The Valley of the Condors: This excursion requires a minimum of 3 days to fly to Arequipa, wheel to Colca Canyon and settle in before the 100’s condors take flight at dawn over the landscape of the mountains and volcanoes. Between your two days days of soaring with the condors you can soak in the four private hot springs if you choose to post up at Aolca Lodge ( https://www.colca-lodge.com ).
And if you have a wild hair you can zip line at 70mph over a river bed and pine trees encased by the jagged edges of the Andes (http://www.colcaziplining.com/index.php )
You will often have to finish with a night in Arequipa before flying out. This is a much calmer city than Cusco. Here, I like the La Plaza Arequipa ( http://laplazaarequipahotel.pe/es/ ). From there you can easily explore the city and enjoy some of the top gourmet restaurants in town.
Try the Zig Zag for dinner ( http://www.zigzagrestaurant.com ) and the Crepismo for breakfast or lunch (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294313-d1086593-Reviews-Crepisimo-Arequipa_Arequipa_Region.html )
Enjoy an amazing stay while you’re in Peru! Hasta pronto.
The views offer one snow capped mountain after another with the valleys bustling with the locals herding their sheep, alpaca and llamas. The people wave as you pass with kind and generous smiles that invite you to settle into a diverse culture of the Incas and Europeans.
Machu Picchu along with many other phenomenal sites take you to a time when man was united with the natural elements. You will find amazing technologies created so long ago that truly harmonize with the land, water and mountains around them. Here are the top 5!
1. Machu Picchu (of course): One of the new 7 wonders of the world offers many ways to explore the advanced civilization of the Incas amongst the green beauty of the cloud forest in Peru. With over 2000 visitors each day, there are many ways to experience this site. One can hike the Inca Trail with local guides on a 4-day hike to Machu Picchu: ( http://www.incatrailperu.com ).
A second way is to take the Peru Rail into Aguas Calientes and enjoy a stay in the city below Machu Picchu. One can enjoy modest accommodations for under $70 at places like Wiracocha Inn. And, if you prefer to splurge, The Sanctuary Lodge snuggles up right next to the entrance of Machu Picchu (prices range from $600 - $1000 depending on availability).
2. The Sacred Valley: This vast area of beauty is noted for its plethora of snow-capped peaks, bountiful rivers and fertile land. This was actually under the rights of the Incan King because of its lush setting. Here you can hike to many Incan Sites like Moray, a site that was used to test crops at different climates and elevations. Moray looks like a huge UFO planted itself in the earth - a photo: (http://cristimoise.net/2012/10/29/moray-sacred-valley-peru/ )
The local market in Urubamba on Wednesdays is not to be missed giving you the feel of vibrancy of the indigenous culture. Here you can get your fruits and local made chocolate! The place to stay is Las Casitas del Arco Iris (http://www.lascasitasdelarcoiris.com/Flex/Site/Page.aspx?PageID=&Lang= )
This quaint hotel has eight private bungalows that are amazingly crafted by the local stones and eucalyptus with design of luxury. All of the proceeds go to support the school, medical clinic, orphanage and outreach programs on site. A real treat to stay and know your money is supporting the people of Peru.
3. The Shamans: The power and lineages of the Andean Shaman (healers and spiritual guides of the indigenous) span many centuries earlier than the Incas. You can work with a Pampamisayoc (earth shaman) or you may get lucky enough to find one of the four Altomisayocs (exhalted mountain shaman) of Peru. These men and women have been known to have the gifts to heal incurable diseases, assist in bringing peace to the mind and re-harmonizing us with mother nature.
Many of these authentic shaman work with westerners with a willingness to share how to connect with the wisdom and spirits of Mother Earth (Pachamama) and the Mountians (Apus). The best way to assure a authentic experience may be to go with a western guide who hosts these type of shamanic journeys.
One group offers bi-annual Spiritual Retreats in the Andes with a family of Pampamisayocs and one of the few Altomisayoc. You will find yourself with a small group exploring sacred sites unknown to the tourists and you experience a full immersion in the traditional healing ways of the ancient Peruvian shaman. This is a unique-amazing trip:http://www.jasoncfrahm.com/calendar/retreats/
4. Lake Titicaca: Visiting the highest navigable lake in the world is a trip of its own. The Peru side offers Luxury Retreats in places like the Liberatador ( https://reservations.libertador.com.pe ) and Titilaka (http://titilaka.com)
There are many trips out to Uros, the grass islands - village constructed out of grass and literally on grass islands. There are opportunities to have home stays on some of the islands like Amantani: (www.mysteryperu.com/eng/pu_lake_titicaca_2days_homestay_program.html ). Here you can learn how to weave like most the andean women do… a real treat.
And while you’re there, you might as well traverse over to the other side of the lake into La Paz, Bolivia and explore some of the islands and beauty for this side. There isn’t much luxury in La Paz, yet the magic is said to be on the Bolivian side. Near La Paz, it is whispered that there is a vortex the Ancient Incas traveled through. Few know of its location and I’ve heard the Dalai Lama has traveled there to experience its authenticity. It is a treasure hunt to find this place!
5. The Valley of the Condors: This excursion requires a minimum of 3 days to fly to Arequipa, wheel to Colca Canyon and settle in before the 100’s condors take flight at dawn over the landscape of the mountains and volcanoes. Between your two days days of soaring with the condors you can soak in the four private hot springs if you choose to post up at Aolca Lodge ( https://www.colca-lodge.com ).
And if you have a wild hair you can zip line at 70mph over a river bed and pine trees encased by the jagged edges of the Andes (http://www.colcaziplining.com/index.php )
You will often have to finish with a night in Arequipa before flying out. This is a much calmer city than Cusco. Here, I like the La Plaza Arequipa ( http://laplazaarequipahotel.pe/es/ ). From there you can easily explore the city and enjoy some of the top gourmet restaurants in town.
Try the Zig Zag for dinner ( http://www.zigzagrestaurant.com ) and the Crepismo for breakfast or lunch (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294313-d1086593-Reviews-Crepisimo-Arequipa_Arequipa_Region.html )
Enjoy an amazing stay while you’re in Peru! Hasta pronto.
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