Apus Peru has been recommended in the latest edition of Lonely Planet Peru!
Just published recently this edition updates previous guides.
We are recommended as Cusco region trekking operator, as well as a specialist for the Ausangate and Choquequirao routes!
Enjoy the bright colors and tastes of Peru with these photos from Lima!
Julie Gibb and Christian Morrison travelled with Apus Peru in January this year. After their trip they wrote, “As for Lima – we loved it. We really enjoyed our culinary walking tour with Ronald. The organic market wasn’t operating the day of our tour so Ronald substituted some architectural areas in Miraflores which we really enjoyed – he was very knowledgeable about the history of these areas and architectural styles. We learned a lot about Peruvian food and Ronald was able to answer my many questions about all of the different previously unknown (to me) fruits and vegetables that we saw in the market. Tasting the foods would have added to the experience though we were trying to be careful where fresh fruits and vegetables were concerned. He was able to explain how these foods were prepared having learned how to cook these distinctive Peruvian foods and dishes. We only regret not having spent more time in Lima – there is so much to see and do – and we would have loved doing another tour with him.”
Thank you to Julie and Christian for their great photos – we have included some our Lima favorites here.
Canchitas – deep fried and salted maize, a delicious start to any meal.
By Ariana Svenson, Originally published as a “BlueList”
The complete guide to getting that perfect, different or enigmatic glimpse of these famous ruins! An insiders look at many different angles of this fabulous city!
The Classic shot
The Classic Shot of Machu Picchu. Photo by Michael Mossop.
It is said that travellers in Incan times had to undergo cleansing rituals at the Caretakers cottage before being allowed into the Sacred City. Things aren’t so stringent these days – this is the classic Machu Picchu photograph taken by thousands.
View from Inti Punku, arriving at Machu Picchu in the afternoon, on the Short Inca Trail.
Inti Punku (The Sun Gate)
Doing the last stretch of the Inca Trail in the dark to be at the Sun Gate for sunrise is memorable. As the ancient city is in the cloud forest it is sometimes difficult to see sunrise through the clouds – but you still remember it though!
The spectacular view from Huayna Picchu is well worth the climb. Photo by Isaiah Brookshire.
Huayna Picchu (Young Peak)
This peak dominates pictures of Machu Picchu – and if you climb it, is likely to be your highlight of your visit to the Lost City. It’s a tough couple of hours up on narrow stairs – but you will never ever forget the impressive view of the ruins.
View from Huchuy Picchu, with the author Ariana Svenson in 2005.
Huchuy Picchu (Small Peak)
Full of gung-ho (they will need it) to get up Huayna Picchu people tend to race past the unassuming Huchuy Picchu. However it is well worth a look for its close up overview of the ruins – with a lot less climbing than for the bigger peak behind it!
Everywhere you look are fantastic opportunities to get another perspective of Machu Picchu. Photo by Isaiah Brookshire.
Hiking up and down to Machu Picchu
For those that like a relatively easy climb/ or descent it takes about an hour. Not only do you feel somehow superior to those in the tourist buses, you get an appreciation of what an awesome feat it was to build a city there!
Hiking along the railway tracks from the Hydroelectric
Since Peru Rail have increased prices for this short ride, more people are hiking for 2 hours along the train track. The lower ruins of Machu Picchu tower above you – perched with breathtaking audacity over a gorge – and tourists seem like ants.
View of Machu Picchu from Llactapata.
Llactapata (High Town)
These ruins were rediscovered in 2002 and their position on a ridgeline across a valley from Machu Picchu helps us to understand the complexity of the network of Inca cities. It’s great to camp here and see the ruins of Machu Picchu from your tent.
Mandor Pampa
A stop on the Hydroelectric train ride or a hike from Aguas Calientes, visit the botanical garden and waterfall here as a nice day trip. Far away from the crowds you get in touch with the cloud forest, and get a good look at Huayna Picchu..
Putu Cusi
View of Machu Picchu from Putucusi.
Not for the faint hearted, this is the mountain opposite Machu Picchu. Climbing up rickety ladders and steep slopes, this is for adrenaline junkies and those that really want to get a different perspective on the famous city. Highly recommended!
As I’ve gotten older, and I’ve seen trends come and go, and one such fashion was Lonely Planet’s BlueList.
The BlueList was a concept Lonely Planet promoted around 2006… To use their words, “We created this word because here is no word to describe what we set out to do with this new book, which is to ‘create an evolving selection of classic and current travel experiences and destinations selected by Lonely Planet staff, authors and travellers.’
Ariana Svenson enjoying Corpus Christi with her daughter.
At the time, I was a passionate traveller and even aspiring writer - and set my pen to paper various times to write these ‘Blue Lists.’
Now long gone from the Lonely Planet website and even my memory, I found them carefully saved on a dusty hard drive and to my surprise … they are still amazingly relevant to trekkers and people visiting the Cusco region!
Stay tuned for our next blog post – a Blue List about Different Angles of Machu Picchu!
Ariana Svenson, Apus Peru Co-Founder and one time Blue-Lister
Apus Peru has committed to the conservation of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest by making what will become a yearly donation to the Peruvian NGO ArBio in order to conserve one hectare of rainforest in the neighbouring state of Madre de Dios.
In this way, Apus Peru is directly contributing to the attainment of ArBio’s goals and successful implementation of their initiatives, including the preservation of biodiversity in this area.
ArBio manages an area of 1642 hectares (16.42m²) of tropical rainforest which boasts record levels of biodiversity, including a recorded 300 unique species of tree per hectare. This area is also home to a wide variety of bird and animal species, including the jaguar and tapir, both considered at-risk species due to the threat of deforestation and habitat loss.
Through this donation, Apus Peru is also contributing to the perpetuation of traditional knowledge, as one of ArBio’s projects includes the mapping and documentation of traditional medicinal plants found in their area of engagement.
ArBio is itself a responsible and ethically minded organization, as they dialogue with neighbouring land-owners to come to mutually beneficial, conservation-focused agreements. Apus Peru is proud to support such a forward-thinking, responsible and local organization.
Visit the little known ruins at Choquequirao while also participating in a Clean Up Trek! Photo Courtesy Diane Patterson.
Apus Peru like to give visitors to Peru the chance to do things that are completely different as well as seeing some great things and “giving back”.
Our clean up treks include Machu Picchu entry, transportation, great food and experienced guides, plus a special T-shirt to remember your trip with. Here are the departures we currently have planned:
Choquequirao-Machu Picchu: 9D/8N (http://www.apus-peru.com/treks/choquequirao_machu_picchu.html ). $855.00 per person, minimum of four to depart
Lares-Machu Picchu: 4D/3N (http://www.apus-peru.com/treks/lares_machu_picchu.htm ) departing July 9th and returning July 12th. $585.00 per person, minimum of four to depart.
For full details and inclusions, please follow this link:
http://www.apus-peru.com/treks/special_treks.html
Trash disposal and litter are serious environmental issues in Peru. These cleanup treks are a great way to contribute positively through travel and enjoy a beautiful, remote route!
Stunning views greet you at every turn on the challenging but beautiful Choquequirao trek. Photo courtesy Diane Patterson.
We are planning to frequently feature Apus Peru staff members on our blog, with a photo and brief interview. Some will be people you meet in the office, or plan your trip with, and others will be staff you probably will never meet, but play in important role in the operation of our treks and tours. This month … featuring ….Hilda Callañaupa Gonzales
Hilda Callanaupa Gonzales
Hilda has worked for Apus Peru for many years, working part time while also completing her studies to become a licensed guide. She is an important part of the Apus Peru office, and works buying train tickets, a critical aspect of every client’s satisfaction. She also plays an important role in our Sustainability program and has completed short courses in Environmental Accounting, Biodiversiy, & International trade for development. She hopes to soon study new course to gain a specialisation in Environmental Legislation and Natural Resources.
Trabajo en operaciones, específicamente compro tickets de tren y también en nuestra program de sostenibiidad. / I work in Operations, specifically in the purchase of train tickets and also in our sustainability program.
2. What is your favorite thing about Cusco? Why?
La ciudad, porque es tranquilo, no es como las grandes ciudades, sus cerros cuando miro veo lo verde que esta, y cuando estoy caminando, veo las grande obras que nos dejaron los incas y nunca me canso de mirar y de imaginar como es que lo hicieron.
The city, because its relaxed, it is not like the big cities, I can see the green on the mountains. When I am walking I can see the great works that the Incas left us and I never get tired of looking at them and imagining how they were made.
3. Besides Machu Picchu, what would you recommend people see when they visit? Why?
Choquequirao, Valle Sagrado y la caminata a Uchuy Qosqo, es muy hermoso el cañon y puedes apreciar los apus mas importantes del Cusco./ Choquequirao, the Sacred Valley and the hike to Huchuy Qosqo, the canyon is very beautiful and you can appreciate the most important Apus of Cusco.
Thank you to Hilda for all your hard work!
