From the warm Caribbean Sea hugging Colombia’s northern coast to the icy Arctic Ocean lapping at the shores of Argentina and Chile, South America is a luxury traveler’s paradise from top to bottom. Expect world-class cuisine, vibrant culture, and 5-star luxury accommodations to greet you at every stop on your bespoke South America tour. The real challenge for luxury travelers to South America is choosing which destination to travel to first. To help you begin narrowing down your perfect South America luxury travel itinerary, we’ve selected our picks for the top 10 luxury travel destinations in South America.

1. Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast is the epitome of romantic luxury travel. The colonial city is home to quite the selection of upscale boutique hotels, world-class art galleries, and a vibrant nightlife scene. Horse-drawn carriages cart tourists down the cobble-stoned and colorful streets, while private yachts deliver sun-seekers to offshore Caribbean islands. This colonial-era port city is an absolute must-visit if Colombia is on your list for a luxury vacation in South America.

2. The Galapagos, Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands, located 1,000 kilometers off the coast of mainland Ecuador, steal the show when it comes to exclusive travel in Ecuador. The archipelago is best explored by way of luxury cruise. Hop from island to island to see and experience the Galapagos’ world-famous wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and plenty of sea lions. If you seek a luxury trip to South America filled with natural wonder and exciting wildlife encounters, then a Galapagos trip should be on your custom Ecuador itinerary.

3. Quito, Ecuador

Quito is the capital of Ecuador, built on Incan foundations and boasting some of the country’s best blend of art, culture, history, gastronomy, and luxury accommodations. Many of the city’s most luxurious hotels are the former homes of Ecuador’s most prominent families, restored to retain their original grandeur. Fill your days with visits to Quito’s artisan markets and historical sites, including the well-preserved historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4. Lima, Peru

Another South American capital city, Lima is a sprawling urban metropolis on Peru’s Pacific coast. Amidst the modern high rises and intriguing restaurants, find pre-Colombian ruins and colonial-era plazas. Lima is a place so rich in culture that it’s true depth is often missed without the expert guidance of a local to show you it’s greatest gems. Do not fail to spend a few days in the “City of Kings” if you’re planning a personalized tour of Peru.

5. Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley, Peru

Traveling in luxury comes easy when visiting Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of Peru. Luxurious hotels dot the lush and mountain-lined valley floor while the 5-star Belmond Sanctuary Lodge awaits you when it’s time for your once-in-a-lifetime visit to the famous world wonder of Machu Picchu. Travel in style aboard the Vistadome train to get there, enjoying its panoramic windows, live traditional music, cuisine, and dancing. It will be a memorable and high-class experience from start to finish if this region of Peru makes it into your luxury South America tour.

6. Lake Titicaca, Bolivia and Peru

There is no topping the sweeping views of South America’s largest lake from the perch of a well-positioned hotel on a Lake Titicaca island. This is the place for a quiet and restorative breathe of fresh of air on what otherwise might be a whirlwind custom tour of South America. Spend your days soaking in the views of the snow-capped Cordillera Real against the vivid blue of the lake’s water or get out on the lake to visit some of the local communities and archaeological sites dating back to Incan and pre-Incan times.

7. Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

From the world’s highest navigable lake to the world’s largest salt flats, the Uyuni Salt Flats of Bolivia are the perfect next stop on your luxury South America tour. From November to March, the rainy season transforms the Uyuni Salt Flats into the world’s largest mirror, a surreal sight to see. Before resting your head each night at a luxurious salt hotel (yes, you read that right), visit the salt flat’s multi-colored lagoons, cactus island (Isla Incahuasi), and the great train graveyard, while keeping your eyes peeled for a flash of pink from the resident flamingo population.

8. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Here is another capital city to add to the list. Buenos Aires is more than tango and a good bottle of Malbec; it’s a buzzing metropolis of tree-lined boulevards, stylish restaurants, and fascinating attractions, including the colorful Boca District, Recoleta Cemetery, and the boutique shops of Palermo. Plan to spend at least a couple of days in Buenos Aires on your tailor-made Argentina trip to truly grasp its layered culture and history.

9. Mendoza, Argentina

Mendoza is South America’s premier wine destination with more than 1,000 wineries. And if the world-class wine and picturesque vineyards aren’t enough to lure you to this corner of Argentina on your luxury South America tour, the wine resorts will. Stay in any one of Mendoza’s boutique hotels set in the middle of vineyards. It’s a wine lover’s dream come true. We recommend targeting the area of Lujon de Cuyo for your stay in Mendoza, as it’s considered one of the best wine growing areas in the country.

10. Tierra del Fuego, Chile and Argentina

Fondly referred to as “the end of the world,” Tierra del Fuego is quite literally the southernmost habitable place on Earth. This triangle-shaped island beyond the Magellan Straits is half Argentinian and half Chilean. For a combined experience of luxury travel with epic outdoor adventure-filled days, this destination must be included on your custom tour of South America. It remains an off-the-beaten-path locale where you’ll find yourself surrounded by nothing but untouched and pristine wilderness, often without another tourist in sight.

Book a Luxury South America Tour With Kuoda

Visit one or visit them all, these 10 luxury South America destinations merely scratch the surface of what’s possible on a custom tour of South America. Will it be wine-tasting in Mendoza or yachting in Cartagena, sea kayaking Tierra del Fuego’s Beagle Channel or watching sunset over Lake Titicaca? Contact a Kuoda Travel Designer today to begin planning your tailor-made luxury vacation to this vast and varied continent.

For a truly off-the-beaten-path experience on your custom Peru tour, the ancient city of Chachapoyas fits the bill and then some. It once served as the home base for the Chachapoyas culture, an ancient civilization also known as the “Cloud People.” Their majestic ruins of Kuelap still stand in the remote and isolated area of Peru’s northern Amazonas region at an elevation of 7,600 feet. A visit to Chachapoyas should be on every adventure traveler’s personalized Peru itinerary. Here’s why:

The Getting There is Tough, But Worth It

Due to its location between the Cordilleras Occidental and Central (western and central corridors), Chachapoyas receives a good amount of rainfall annually, but manages to avoid the excessive tropical downpours that are found further east. It’s also a bit hard to get to which makes it only more appealing for those searching for alternative destinations in Peru. It’s accessible by a 22-hour bus trip from Lima passing through Chiclayo en route. You can also depart on an overnight trip from Trujillo (13 hours) or Chiclayo (nine hours). Chachapoyas can be reached from the Amazon city of Tarapoto. One of our Kuoda Travel Designers can walk you through the options more in depth.

A Lost City Awaits

Among the unique attractions of Chachapoyas are the ruins of Kuelap, built by the Chachapoyas people, also known as the “Cloud People”, in the sixth century AD. Kuelap is being dubbed “the new Machu Picchu.” It consists of a walled ruin that encloses over 400 pre-Inca stone buildings. Kuelap boasts beautiful round stone houses with thatched roofs, and ceremonial courtyards where burial chambers are visible. It has massive stone walls that are said to have the eerie, deserted feel of a recently discovered and little-known ruin. Although a recently opened cable car system now makes Kuelap more easily accessible, the more intrepid traveler can choose to take the original route, a two-plus hour drive up a winding road followed by a kilometer of steady uphill hiking to arrive at the ruins. There is some concern about the cable car’s potential impact on the lives of the locals, and it is hoped that they will benefit in some way from the increased traffic to the area.

Waterfalls and Untouched Wilderness To Explore

Another Chachapoyas attraction is the Gocta waterfall, a hidden gem that rises to 771 meters and is said to be the third highest waterfall in the world.  Until 2006, its existence was practically unheard of. There is a fairly strenuous three-hour hike to get to the base of the lower falls, with views of spectacular peaks and valleys on the way. The area also boasts beautiful flora and fauna. Among the species you might be fortunate enough to spot nearby are Toucans, Andean Cocks-of-the-Rock, and maybe even the rare and endemic Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey!

15^th Century Mummies!

The sarcophagi of Karajia are a group of seven statues located about 48 km. northeast of Chachapoyas, which once housed curled-up mummies. They are decorated with yellow ochre and red paints and there are human skulls placed on top of the statues’ heads. In order to see them, you traverse a narrow path and look up to spot the statues towering far above. The sarcophagi have been radiocarbon dated back to the 15^th century.

Travel to Chachapoyas Before It’s Too Late

As of the time of this writing, Chachapoyas is still a little-visited destination as the cable car is still a new feature. As this may change in the near future, it behooves the traveler who prefers to avoid the crowds to get there while it’s still among the lesser-known treasures of Peru! Contact a Kuoda Travel Designer today to begin planning your private tour of Peru and visit to this ancient lost city. An off-the-beaten-path adventure awaits you.

When my family and I first arrived in Cusco, Peru with our children in 2003, the idea of vegetarianism was still rather sketchy to the restaurant staffs we had encountered during our Peru family trip.  For example, when we told our waitress that our then twelve-year-old daughter ate “nada con carne,” nothing with meat, a lot of the times they would happily nod and then bring us fried rice with cubes of chicken scattered among the vegetables. When we reiterated “Nothing with meat,” we would get that stared face of confusion. It turned out that carne is synonymous with beef to many folks here, and the servers thought my daughter did not eat BEEF, but that chicken would be just fine.

From this cultural interaction, we learned how to be more specific when talking about what we wanted in a restaurant. We needed to say, “por favor, nada con carne, pollo, chancho ni pescado, nada de animal muerto.” Please, no beef, chicken, pork or fish, nothing from a dead animal. This usually, though not always, worked.

Thankfully in Peru of today, things have changed drastically. From small markets, restaurants, and shops throughout Peru one can find all kind of local ingredients that cater to a vegetarian or even vegan diet.  However, the biggest change after all of these years has been the constant growing evolution of culture consciousness toward this alternative way of approaching life.

Where to Eat as a Vegetarian in Peru

Fortunately, the major tourist destinations in Peru have become more and more familiar with vegetarianism and veganism, and restaurants that cater to those who don’t eat animals and animal products have sprung up all over, especially in Cusco, Lima, and Iquitos. Not to mention, Kuoda has devised a unique list of characteristic vegetarian and vegan restaurants throughout Peru that one can enjoy during their custom Peru luxury tour. Below are a few examples of restaurants and local markets alike:

The Bioferia of Miraflores, Lima

In Lima, a weekend farmers and artisan food market, known as the Bioferia, takes place every Saturday and Sunday in the Surquillo/ Miraflores neighborhood. I have found this market to be as good as many farmers’ markets in the US. In addition to organic produce (everything at the Bioferia has to be certified organic), one can find goat cheese and butter, vegan snacks and desserts, milk and yogurt from “happy” cows, organic chocolate, and heritage Peruvian grains like quinoa, kiwicha and a large variety of potatoes.

Vegetarian Restaurants in Cusco That Are Worth Checking Out

In Cusco, there are now several restaurants that cater only to vegans and vegetarians, including Greens from the outstanding local chain of Cusco Restaurants and my local favorite, Green Point (completely vegan) happily located in the San Blas neighborhood and now in the Plaza San Francisco. Both locations offer breakfast, have a daily set menu, and an á la carte options and even sell a variety of other products that include nut butters, organic coconut oil, and all types of healthy smoothies and fruit juices as well, and not to mention a variety of integral breads.

The Open-Air Peruvian Markets

The open-air markets throughout Peru, like Cusco’s San Pedro Market, have always offered a plethora of exotic fruits and veggies: For fruits, there is the lúcuma, the cherimoya, the aguaymanto, and the camu camu, to name just a few.  As for vegetables, many of us are aware that the potato originated in Peru, but what may not be common knowledge is that there are over 3800 different varieties of this tuber, with a diversity of colors, textures and flavors just waiting to be sampled by the curious vegetarians or vegans alike.

Tip: All major cities and even towns have their local market or a major local market for that matter close to its main square.  For one to immerse and see how locals going about buying their ingredients and even for you to learn more about Peru`s grand diversity of products, it is highly recommended to check out these markets as a part of your custom Peru tour.

Helpful Phrases for Vegetarians and Vegans in Peru

Nowadays, vegetarians and vegans shouldn’t have too much trouble finding their way around during their personalized tour in Peru. Below is a list of some helpful phrases to use when you find yourself at a restaurant that does not cater strictly to vegetarians/vegans:

Yo soy vegano/a (I’m a vegan)

• Yo soy vegetariano/a (I’m a vegetarian)
• Por favor ¿Se han preparado este caldo con pollo? (Please, was this broth prepared with chicken?)
• Por favor, no puedo comer nada de carne, chancho, pollo, pescado, leche, ni huevo- nada que viene de un animal Please, I can’t eat anything with beef, pork, chicken, fish, milk, or eggs- nothing that comes from an animal..

Looking to travel to Peru and a bit worried about what to eat during your travels?  Reach out to a Kuoda Travel expert to get the 411 on what to expect when having a vegetarian or vegan diet.

In Cusco, the local government has come up with a variety of choices for visitors to purchase package deals to gain entrance to ruins and museums in and around the city and the Sacred Valley. As there are several options, it might be confusing to know which to choose. I’ll explain the options in this article so readers can make an informed choice and know what’s included on each ticket.

The Full Cusco Tourist Ticket

The first option and the most popular, is the full Cusco Tourist ticket, which allows entrance to 15 attractions in and near Cusco. The most expensive but also the most comprehensive option, it is good for 10 days and costs 130 Nuevo Soles as of 2016.

With this ticket you can visit Saqsayhuaman, Qenko, Pucapucara, Tambomachay, Museo Histórico Regional(Regional History Museum of Cusco), Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo (Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art of Cusco), Museo de Arte Popular(Museum of Popular Art Cusco), Museo de Sitio de Korikancha (Qorikancha Museum), Monumento de Pachacutec (Pachacutec Monument), Tipon, Pikillacta, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero & Moray. That’s a lot of entrances! It’s definitely the best deal if you end up seeing all of those sites but folks often don’t end up having the energy to visit everything.

However, one might consider it worth the price even if you don’t use all of the entrances, since the most popular sites of Saqsayhuaman, Pisac ruins and Ollantyatambo ruins are included and you can see them flexibly within the ten allotted days. Even if you don’t see all of the attractions, it still makes good economic sense to get the ticket and see what you can squeeze in without completely tiring yourself out. Of course, if you have the energy to do everything, by all means go ahead!

The Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket

There are also three other “circuits” you can purchase with less expensive tickets, but none of the options include all three attractions mentioned above (Pisac Ruins, Saqsayhuaman, and Ollantaytambo ruins)

Circuit 1

There is a Circuit 1 option that costs 70 Nuevo Soles and is good for one day, with which one can visit the sites of Saqsayhuaman, Qenko, Pucapucara and Tambomachay. These are all ruins located in and around Cusco, the most impressive of which is Saqsayhuaman. It’s a good idea to get this one if you only have one free day in Cusco and wish to see some great ruins, including the must-see Saqsayhuaman located just above Cusco.

Circuit 2

There’s also a Circuit 2, which is 70 Nuevo Soles and good for two days. It includes more of the cultural attractions: the Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Regional History, Museum of Popular Art, Museum at Korikancha, Pachacutec, Tipon, Piquillaqta, and a Native Music and Dance show at the Cusco Center of Native Art. Choose this option if you are mostly interested in historical art and native culture.

Circuit 3

Finally, Circuit 3 is a good choice if you want to only visit sites in and around the Sacred Valley. It is good for 2 days and priced at 70 soles, and includes Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray.

A Great Way to Visit Cusco’s Must-See Attractions

These are all great options for visiting the “must-see” sites around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. I hope you’ll also remember to set aside some leisure time to just relax, wander a bit, and soak up the amazing atmosphere of the high Andes and its amiable people.

Below is a brief description of the ruins that are included in the full ticket:

Saqsayhuaman: Extremely impressive site overlooking Cusco dating from 1100; huge interlocking stones weighing many tons each were used to create this fortress.

Qenko: smaller ruins near Cusco, including stone stairways, Inca seats, and rock walls carved in geometric patterns and puma designs.

Pucapucara: located on top of a hill with amazing views of the surrounding countryside, this was likely an outpost between Cusco and the Sacred Valley.

Tambomachay: a lovely sacred water site for ritual bathing with a three-tiered construction and an underground spring separated into two channels.

Tipon- an Inca ruin that includes wide agricultural terraces in perfect condition and water channels that still function today.

Pikillacta- located 20 km east of Cusco, in Quispicanchi province, inhabited by the Wari people between 550 and 1100 AD, this site was mainly used for ceremonies and feasting.

Pisac- an awesome Inca citadel high above Pisac village, located on a plateau in the shape of a triangle with a deep gorge on either side.

Ollantaytambo- a spectacular ruin with steep terraces; the site of a rare battle in which the Spanish actually lost.

Moray- another agricultural ruin with an impressive series of concentric terraces sunk into the earth; thought to have been used as an agricultural experiment site.

Looking to make the most of your visit to the “Imperial City” of Cusco? Contact Kuoda Travel to learn which option would be best for you during your custom luxury Peru tour.

Why Casa Andina Hotels is Peru’s Fastest-Growing Local Chain

Peru is increasingly becoming known for its fantastic hotels. The Casa Andina Hotel collection has helped to solidify the country’s reputation for offering some of the best hotels in South America. Casa Andina is Peruvian owned and operated, offering the consistent standards of a professional chain along with a distinct local flavor. Let’s take a closer look at this excellent chain and how to make their hotels part of your Peru family trip.

The first Casa Andina hotel was established in Miraflores, Lima in 2003. The company has grown rapidly since then, opening an average of 3.5 hotels annually. There are now 20 Casa Andina hotels located across Peru, five of which are found in the Cusco area.

Casa Andina Brands: One Chain, Three Different Styles

The hotel group is comprised of three separate brands: Classic, Select and Premium Collection. The newest option, Select, is marketed as a business hotel geared toward corporate travelers. The Classic brand offers comfortable accommodation in central locations, including some of the country’s top three and four star hotels.

Those planning luxury tours to Peru, however, should opt for the Private Collection. This brand offers spectacular hotels in some of Peru’s most fabulous locations. A particular favorite of ours is the Sacred Valley Casa Andina Private Collection. This hotel makes the most of its spectacular surroundings, accommodation is in fully-equipped chalets and the on-site restaurant is wonderful.

With Casa Andina, you can expect the efficient service of a chain and the personality of a boutique hotel. Any one of the Casa Andina properties promises an authentic and memorable experience.

Interested in Casa Andina hotels for your personalized trip to Peru? Contact us today and we’ll arrange to include this chain in your itinerary.