The Galapagos Islands are bucket list-worthy for more than a few reasons. 620 miles off the coast of Ecuador, not only did this island chain serve as the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s famous Theory of Evolution, but it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site two times over (both land and sea are protected). From the vast range of wildlife to the sandy white beaches, volcanic landscapes, and unique local culture, your tailormade trip to Ecuador should definitely include a visit to the Galapagos Islands. When you visit the Galapagos Islands, don’t miss these six things to do:

1. Snap a Photo Next to a Giant Galapagos Tortoise at Rancho Primicias

Giant Tortoise, Galapagos

Right up there with red and blue-footed boobies are the Galapagos Islands’ famous Giant Tortoises, and there’s no better place to see them than at Rancho Primicias on Santa Cruz Island. Less crowded than the island’s more popular El Chato Tortoise Reserve, Rancho Primicias is a privately-owned animal sanctuary brimming with these captivating giants. Though you can’t touch or feed them, you will have plenty of photo ops to take away the ultimate Galapagos Islands vacation souvenir.

2. Explore the Lava Tunnels on Santa Cruz Island

Lava Tunnels, Santa Cruz Island

Bellavista Village in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island is home to lava tubes and tunnels large enough to walk through. By the light of your flashlight, wander through tunnels as long as 1,200 feet and marvel at these impressive 23-foot high tubes that once contained molten lava. When the flow of lava eventually ceased, the tunnels cooled and hardened to form this magnificent result. Be sure to pencil this unique experience into your custom Galapagos Tour.

3. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station

Charles Darwin Research Center

If you’re the scientific type, the Charles Darwin Research Center is a must-stop on your Galapagos Islands tour. The site features an active breeding center maintained by a team of conservation researchers, volunteers, and educators. They have set up plenty of informational displays for you to read up on the Galapagos Islands’ unique ecology and history. You may even spot a few Giant Tortoises roaming the property during your visit.

4. Experience the Fish Market at Puerto Ayora

Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos

Puerto Ayora is the Galapagos Island’s primary residential town located on Santa Cruz Island. Full of restaurants, shops, and a low-key nightlife, the Puerto Ayora Fish Market is a nice cultural complement to an otherwise wildlife and outdoor adventure-heavy visit to the Galapagos Islands. Watch the fisherman unload their catch of the day, batting off pelicans looking to steal the bounty. By sundown, the market transforms into an outdoor restaurant with nothing but fresh seafood on the menu and at great prices too.

5. Snorkel or Dive Devil’s Crown on Floreana Island

Snorkel and dive in the Galapagos

There are more than a few spots to dive beneath the Galapagos Islands’ turquoise waves, but Devil’s Crown off the coast of Floreana Island is notorious for being one of the best places to snorkel and dive in the Galapagos. The site got its name for its crown-like shape of jagged rocks, a crown only the devil would wear. This former volcanic crater now attracts a plethora of colorful reef fish. Some snorkelers have even spotted Hammerhead Sharks, White-tipped Reef Sharks, sea turtles, and large Manta rays, while others have had the good fortune of sharing the water with a curious sea lion or two.

6. Hike to Volcano Sierra Negra on Isabela Island

Volcano Sierra Negra, Galapagos

If you’re up for a little land-based adventure, add the Volcano Sierra Negra hike to your personalized Galapagos Islands travel itinerary. Not only is Volcano Sierra Negra one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos, but its crater is six miles wide, making it the second largest volcanic caldera in the world. This hike takes you up to Sierra Negra’s rim and then across its otherworldly caldera of surreal geologic and active geothermal features. On the way back, you’ll pass lava fields and fumaroles spewing steam and gas.

Plan your visit to the Galapagos Islands with an expert Kuoda Travel Designer and piece together the custom Galapagos trip of your dreams.

If taking a luxury South America vacation is on your bucket list, you will want Kuoda in your corner. With over 15 years of experience in personalized travel and trip planning to South America and a passionate team of Kuoda Travel Designers who intimately know the destinations you dream to visit, you can rest assured that your once-in-a-lifetime South America trip is in good hands. Here’s why and how.

Our Process

Titicaca, Puno

When you make the decision to entrust Kuoda with your luxury South America vacation, our first step and top priority is to get to know you. Your personal Kuoda Travel Designer will take what they learn about your passions, interests, and desires, as well as your restrictions, circumstances, and needs, and build from there the perfect custom tour of the South American country of your choice, be it to Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, or Colombia.

Our Connections

Knowledgeable Guides

After getting to know more about you and what you hope to experience on your South America trip, we take a step back to look at who we know in and what we know about each place on your tailormade tour so that we can piece together the right hotels, tour guides, transportation, restaurant recommendations, and experiences to fit your every want and need. This is where are our 15+ years in the business and our never ceasing passion for unearthing the newest experiences truly shines through.

Our Mission

Machu Picchu

You book a tour through a tour operator or agency because you want the details and logistics to be taken care of for you. You want to make the most of your international vacation, as it may be your only visit to that place. Our mission for your once-in-a-lifetime trip to South America is that you leave feeling like it was your trip from start to finish without any of the stress that comes with going it alone. With your personal Kuoda Travel Designer at the helm and on the ground to support you every step of the way, your luxury South America trip will be perfectly planned to fit your unique interests and standards in ways you could have never put together yourself. We’re in it for the lifelong memories you will surely go home with and the knowing that your vacation in South America was one that checked every box, stress-free.

Our Passion

The Sacred Valley, Cusco

One of the defining qualities of Kuoda is our passion and intimate connection to the people and places that we take our travelers. We don’t simply sell trips to South America; we’re proud South American residents ourselves with a wealth of insight into what makes each destination so unique and worth exploring. We’re your ultimate local friend, the one that you call up to see if they can show you all of the best spots in their city. Think of Kuoda that way and you’ll start to understand why our custom tours of South America are so memorable and unique.

Tap Into Kuoda’s Passion and Experience for your Luxury South America Vacation

We currently offer custom tour packages for trips to Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. Get in touch with a Kuoda Travel Designer today to begin planning your ultimate trip to the South American destination of your choice. It is going to be unforgettable. That is guaranteed.

For some, a trip to Peru is as much about visiting Machu Picchu as it is about taking a bite out of Peruvian cuisine. As Cusco is likely on your Peru trip itinerary, we have a new restaurant to suggest for you: Mil. This restaurant perched 500 meters above the archaeological complex of Moray is run by none other than Virgilio Martinez, the chef behind the famous Central in Lima.

The Concept

Mil offers a creative 8-course menu

Like Central, Mil offers a creative 8-course menu that takes you on a journey through Peru’s high altitude ecosystems. The underlying mission behind Mil is to introduce diners to ancient local ingredients and culinary practices in the hope of bringing them back from the brink of extinction.  The restaurant   in cooperation with the nearby farming communities of Kacllaraccay and Mullaka’s-Misminay.

Martinez’s well thought out mission is evident in every course, or “moment” as the menu calls it. Diners can engage with and play a role in the revival of these ancient ingredients and techniques while dining next to the very Incan agricultural complex that was once used to produce the ingredients on their plates.

The Moments

Culinary Adventure

Without spoiling the culinary adventure that is dining at Virgilio Martinez’s Mil, we’ll let you in on a few of the moments, or creative courses you can expect during your dining experience.

Preservation: not your average chip and dip, this dish employs an age-old technique practiced by the local community involving potatoes doused in a flow of cold water, then sunlight, and finally freeze-dried.

• Andean Forest: a beautiful dish of colorful lupinus legumes served in a leche de tigre sauce.
• Diversity of Corn: similar to muesli, this course features native varieties of corn including white corn, chullpi, and piscoronto.
• Extreme Altitude: featuring blue-green algae plucked from an Andean lake, this course introduces alpaca and black quinoa to you palate, staple food products of the high Andes.

How To Get To Mil

500 meters from the Archaeological Complex of Moray

The address is quite literally “ascending 500 meters from the Archaeological Complex of Moray.” In this way, the restaurant’s location is idyllic, if not slightly out of the way and high altitude (11,706 feet above sea level).

From Cusco, Mil is about a 90-minute drive by private vehicle or 15 minutes from the nearest town of Maras. We recommend having your reservation coincide with a day trip into the Sacred Valley and visits to the adjacent archaeological complex of Moray and Maras Salt Mines before or after your unforgettable meal.

Will Mil Be On Your Peru Itinerary?

Let your Kuoda Travel Designer know that Mil is on your must-do list in Peru and we’ll sort out the rest of the details for you, from reservations, transportation to and from the restaurant, and where it best fits into your itinerary.

The use of plants and herbs to treat human maladies dates back thousands of years and yet the mystery remains as to how the ancients were able to discover the myriad of uses for plants to treat human maladies. However this knowledge was derived, there is a time-honored tradition for the use of herbal remedies in Peru and all of South America.

In this blog post, we’ll take a brief look at three medicinal plants native to the Amazon region of Peru and discuss their uses. Think of this as part of your Amazon vacation primer.

Sangre de Grado

Photo Source: Dick Culbert – commons.wikimedia.org

Sangre de Grado (Croton Lechieri) is a tree that grows in the Amazon region of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia; it has the common English name of Dragon’s Blood. Its dark red latex (liquid sap) is used to close wounds, forming a barrier almost like a second skin, when applied to the injured area. It is also used to treat stomach ulcers, bleeding gums, bone fractures, insect bites and other skin conditions, and is taken internally for diarrhea. Its earliest recorded use dates from the 1600’s, but of course indigenous people used it centuries prior to this.

Uña de Gato

Photo Source: Vangeliq.petrova – commons.wikimedia.org

Uña de gato, or Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a climbing plant native to the Amazon region of Peru. A related species, Uncaria guianensis, is often confused with U.tomentosa. The two plants have different uses in alternative medicine, but the more heavily researched is U. tomentosa. It has been used as a general immune stimulant, to treat arthritic conditions by reducing pain and inflammation, and to treat exhaustion due to stress. It is under study for the treatment of serious illnesses like cancer and AIDS. Dr. Fernando Cabieses, a well-known neurologist from Lima, has written a book on the current research being conducted on this plant, entitled The Saga of the Cat’s Claw.

Ajo Sacha

Photo Source: Krishna – flickr.com

Ajo Sacha (Mansoa Alliacea) meaning “false garlic” is an evergreen shrub that is native to the rainforests of Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, the Guyanas and Costa Rica. It is especially abundant in the Madre de Dios and Ucayali Rivers in the Peruvian Amazon.  It tastes and smells like garlic. It is used to reduce pain and inflammation, as a muscle relaxant and fever reducer and in the treatment of colds, flus and viruses. It is also considered to be a magical plant that is capable of repelling evil spirits, and is sometimes used in ayahuasca brews as an adjunct ingredient.

The Importance of the Amazon Rainforest

There are thousands upon thousands of unidentified plants in the Amazon region of Peru whose uses for humans have not yet been discovered.  This is only one important reason that preserving the biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest is crucial for human life on this planet.

Your personal Amazon guide will be able to share more with you on the plants and herbs of the Peruvian Amazon during your private Peru vacation. Contact a Kuoda Travel Designer today to begin planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Peru.

Welcome to our 5-part “Insider Access” blog series featuring some of Peru’s most exclusive, authentic, and unheard-of travel experiences handpicked by our team of Kuoda Travel Designers. Many of these experiences are exclusive to Kuoda travelers, as we pull on our local connections and intimate knowledge of Peru to create something special and unique for your once-in-a-lifetime vacation in Peru.

First up in the series: Luxury Travel in Peru

Below, we share four luxurious Peru vacation experiences loaded with everything one would expect in a private luxury tour through Peru’s stunning landscapes, be it mountains, jungle, ocean, or altiplano. Allow these experiences to inspire your luxury Peru tour and itinerary.

Experience #1: Experience the Amazon Rainforest like never before, on a luxury Amazon cruise liner.

Experience the best of a Luxury Amazon Cruise in Peru’s North Amazon Rainforest

Whether aboard the Aria or Delfin Amazon River Cruises, luxury is top of mind. Set sail down the coffee brown waters of the renowned Amazon River to exotic jungle sounds and sights. From your high-style private cabin to the gourmet meals prepared by expert chefs, your entire Amazon River vacation will be one for the memories, full of adventure and new experiences as you float deeper into the bio-diverse lungs of the world.

Experience #2: Embark on an unbelievable rail journey across breathtaking highland and altiplano landscapes.

Experience the best in luxury train travel with Belmond’s Andean Explorer Sleeper Train

The Andean Explorer Sleeper Train by Belmond is as unique an experience in Peru as you can find (in fact, one might go as far as to say it is as unique an experience as you can find in all of South America, because this luxurious sleeper train is the first of its kind on the continent). Dine in elegant dining carriages while sweeping views of Peru’s countryside pass by through the window. The one-, two-, and three-day itineraries deliver you to the doorstep of some of Peru’s proudest travel destinations, including Lake Titicaca, the Colca Canyon, and of course Machu Picchu. You could be one of the first to experience this unique way of traveling Peru and South America on your private Peru vacation.

Experience #3: Traverse and explore the Ballestas Islands in style on a private yacht tour.

Enjoy the Ballestas Islands in Paracas on a private boat tour

Experience the teeming wildlife of Peru’s Ballestas Islands off the coast of Paracas from the comfort of a private yacht. Come face-to-face with sea lions, penguins, and a whole host of birdlife. This is as intimate of a wildlife experience in Peru as you can find outside the Amazon. Your private luxury yacht will come equipped with all of the comforts you would expect on a private luxury tour in Peru, including a guide well versed in the area’s biodiversity and history.

Experience #4:Traverse the epic trails that surround the Cusco region in personalized comfort on a multi-day luxury trek.

Trek through the rugged Andes Mountain in comfort and style

From Cusco, the trekking possibilities are truly endless and Kuoda makes sure you are well taken care of on the trail with massages for your sore muscles, gourmet food to restore your energy, and cozy tents that will feel more like hotel rooms. Whether your sights are set on a trek to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail, the meandering passes of the Ausangate Trek, or the off-the-beaten-path trek to Choquequirao, Kuoda brings the luxury travel experience to you.

Start Planning Your Luxury Peru Tour

There is a luxury travel experience in Peru for every interest. Wildlife lovers can book an Amazon cruise or a private yacht to explore the Ballestas. Extreme adventurers looking for a little extra comfort can sign up for a trek through Peru’s highlands, or visit all the sights on a luxurious 1920s-inspired sleeper train.

If one of these luxury Peru travel experiences catches your eye, get in touch with one of our Kuoda Travel Designers today to begin exploring your luxury Peru tour options.

If your custom Peru vacation happens to fall during this festive time of year, you’re in for an exciting experience full of traditions, some familiar and others entirely new. In this blog post, Kuoda Travel will fill you in on what to expect and provide you with a few suggestions on where best to spend the Christmas in Peru. Whether you’re finalizing details for your approaching Peru vacation or thinking ahead to next year, speak to your Kuoda Travel Designer today about how you can incorporate some of these Christmas traditions into your personalized Peru tour package.

Peruvian Christmas Traditions

The Nativity Scene that almost all Peruvians set up in their households

Whereas much of the world celebrates Christmas on Christmas Day, Peru celebrates on Christmas Eve, or La Noche Buena. It’s a day full of family gatherings, good food, and religious tradition. The festivities officially begin in the evening of the 24th when families attend the misa de gallo, a special Christmas mass that begins at 10pm. After mass everyone returns home for what will be a long night of celebrations with family and friends. At the stroke of midnight, Peruvians dig into a Christmas feast of turkey, chicken or pork, tamales, and applesauce with close friends and family while fireworks ignite across the skies. Adults toast with champagne and children sip on hot chocolate between bites of panetón, a sweet bread filled with raisins and candied fruits. Gifts are exchanged after dinner and then sleepy kids are put to bed while the adults dance the night away with friends and family. For this reason, Christmas day is usually quiet in Peru with many sleeping in and resting from an eventful night prior.

The delicious Paneton that you can find over the table of every family household

From locating panetón to sitting down for a Peruvian-style Christmas feast, talk to your Kuoda Travel Designer for some ideas on how you can include some of these Peruvian Christmas traditions in your fast approaching or future custom Peru holiday.

Where to Spend Christmas in Peru

Cusco

The sort of items and artwork you can find in Cusco´s Santurantikuy Christmas Fair

For a taste of Andean Christmas tradition, head to Cusco. There, you’ll find a popular traditional Christmas market called Santuranticuy. Artisans from Cusco’s San Blas neighborhood and across Southern Peru gather in the Plaza de Armas to sell handcrafted Christmas art and figurines, as well as raw materials like moss, straw, and grass for nativity scenes. Stroll this magnificent spectacle with a sweet rum punch or hot chocolate in hand and take home a Christmas souvenir to represent your unforgettable Peru holiday.

Puno & Lake Titicaca

Along with Cusco, Puno is another great option for travelers looking to experience a truly traditional Peruvian Christmas. Known as the folklore capital of Peru, Puno is to be counted on for a full-on festival atmosphere. Expect all of the fanfare of one of their infamous festivals set to the stunning backdrop of Lake Titicaca. Go to mass in one of Puno’s quaint colonial churches as they reverberate with the sounds of the angelic Christmas choirs and sit down to an Andean-style Christmas feast where roasted guinea pig and alpaca are sure to be on the menu.

Lima

Christmas in Lima!

For a more modern Christmas with plenty of familiar décor, Lima is your best bet. The streets and city plazas will be decked out in Christmas cheer, even with the summer-like temperatures of Lima this time of year. Lima is a great Christmas destination if you’re on a family trip to Peru. There are plenty of fun activities for the whole family, including ice-skating at Iceland Park in the district of Jesus Maria.

Trujillo

The surf is always up in Trujillo, even for Santa Claus!

If spending Christmas on the beach sounds more your style, then Trujillo is the perfect Peru destination for you. Located on the northern coast of Peru, Trujillo is home to beautiful Spanish Colonial architecture, a thriving culinary scene, and relaxing beach vibes. The Plaza de Armas is sure to be dressed for the season and the wide range of top-notch restaurants will provide you with a variety of Christmas dinner dining options. Spend Christmas Day on the beach soaking up the bountiful surf and sunshine.

Feliz Navidad!

From our family to yours, have a Merry Christmas!!!

As they say in Peru, “Feliz Navidad!” From the Kuoda Travel family to yours, we wish you nothing but the merriest of Christmases. If yours just so happens to be with us here in Peru, we look forward to making it a custom Peru Christmas vacation to remember.

Did any of these Christmas destinations or traditions catch your eye? Your Kuoda Travel Designer will be more than happy to work them into your personalized Peru holiday, be it this year or Christmases to come. Contact us to get started.

Photo Source: Serperuano.com