The new National Geographic magazine has the mighty kingdom of the Inca and the magical Machu Picchu as its main story. It is on the newsstands now. Here is the link to the online information of the Inca with interactive maps, videos, 3-D computer-generated animation, photos and written articles about the Inca and Machu Picchu. Fascinating read!!! Enjoy!!

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/04/inca-empire/pringle-text

Fabulous Causa Recipe is on our website

Last week I participated in a Peruvian cooking class at the
Kitchen Table Cooking School in Denver with Patricia Belaire.
What a fun and tasty experience with the interesting
combinations of ingredients used in Peru. I came away with
new ideas and great recipes which I will share with you on
our website. Fabulous Causa Peruana and Seco de Cordero
and a final dessert of Alfajores Rellenos con Dulce de Leche
provided by the Kitchen Table Cooking School.

Peruvian cuisine is nothing like Mexican food. Almost
unknown until recently, Peruvian Cuisine is steadily
conquering the taste and interest of the best chefs worldwide.
The wild choice of fresh ingredients and the gentle blend of
immigrant traditions -such as Spanish, African, Chinese, or
Japanese- have created one of the World's most unique and
delicious cuisines. Go back in time through its millenary
cultures, smell the impressive biodiversity surrounding every
corner of the country, taste a bit of heaven with its huge and
world renowned gastronomy. Go beyond an ordinary tour to
Peru and indulge in your culinary interest. Attend classes with
chefs, trips to the markets, superb restaurants, wineries, and
fall in love with its people, their customs, arts and beliefs.

Hey, you orchid lovers Peru is home of 3000 orchid species.
The greatest diversity of species is found in the High Amazon
Jungle located between 500 and 3,600 m.a.s.l. Peru surpasses
the number of native species found in Colombia and Ecuador,
countries that are known because of their orchid variety. 

Orchids were highly prized by the Inca and pre-Inca cultures as
is described in ancient records. Check out our orchid page for
all the locations and genera pictures in each area. 

http://www.culturalexpeditions.com/orchids.html

Machu Picchu Sanctuary

The estimates for diversity within the sanctuary reach 200 species.
Among the species that can be found (take a walk in the crossroad
Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu) are Aa, Epidendrum, Masdevallia,
Maxillaria, Oncidium, Odontoglossum, Phagminpedium and the Sobralia.

Tambopata Candamo Reserved Zone

Orchids studies do not show significant diversity but do include some
interesting species of the genera Cataseum, Mormodes, Psychopsis
Only by request:

Huascaran National Park

The National Park has High Andean species that have been studied
recently. One of the most representative species is the Masdevalia
amabilis, which grows in rocky mountain slopes. Other genera

are: Aa, Altenasteinia, Epidendrum, Stelis and Trichocerus.

Land of Orchids (also Chachapoyas is possible, beautiful, but remote)

The watershed of the Mayo river (Department of San Martin) is known
as the land of orchids. There are great numbers such as Anguloa,
Brassia, Cataseum, Cattleya, Bollea, Coryanthes, Lycaste, Masdevallia

and many more. The most representative is the Cattleya, locally
known as "Golondrina".

Loreto and Ucayali (beautiful, but remote)

Amazon lowlands have not much diversity. The great attractions are the
species of the genus: Caryanthes, Gongora, Maxillaria, Mormodes
and Cataseum. 

Podocarpus Forests in Cajamarca

The high Amazon jungle is known for the podocarpus forests, the forest
with the highest number of orchids. Many are quite exotic varieties such
as the Masdevalia setacea, Masdevalia glandulosa and Lycaste

denninginia.

The Valley of Orchids (beautiful, not far away from Lima)

The Valley of Chanchamayo (Department of Junin) is a fantastic place
for orchid funds, although nowadays highly depredated. The zone
requires immediate protected area status.The Masdevallia can reach
up to 30cm. The Pschopsis sanderae, known as the royal butterfly,
is a rare endemic species. The majority of genera in Peru are
found in this valley.

A Peruvian Restaurant with Argentinean Flair

The Rincon Gaucho restaurant has obviously a lot of Argentinean flair with the red walls adorned with tango memorabilia, aged black and white photographs as well as colored ones of prize heifers. All this along with cow hides scattered on walls and floors. In the corner is a refrigerator full of meat and the large grill stocked and ready for the day’s orders. All the waiters at Rincon Gaucho wear matching blue pants, white shirts and blue neckerchiefs with leather belts. The owners plan to move to an area around Lima called Baranco. Baranco is an artsy type area full of folk art. So if you want to eat steak with a sea view make your way to Rincon Gaucho. 

On the terrace upstairs you can enjoy the view of the sea where you can order  provolone cheese and Argentinean empanadas. These empanadas are quite different from Peruvian ones in taste and texture, with more gravy than filling and a little messy to eat. I am a great fan of Peru’s empanadas so you would find it hard to win me over but these are delicious. If you have not tried Peruvian empanadas your really missing something.

The VI National Marinera Contest

There is no time when Peru's love for its official coastal dance is more spiritedly manifested than during The National Marinera Contest in Trujillo. For two weeks Local parades liven up the streets and several Marinera competitions are held in local stadiums and collseums in Trujillo.  This is the first year the contest will be considered a worldwide event after more than 100 contestants from different nationalities, from amateurs to national champions, signed up to compete.

When: Saturday, Jan. 15 through Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011

Where: Plaza de toros de Trujillo

El Niño Perdido Festival in Huancavelica

Huancavelica's El Niño Perdido (Lost Child) Festival is a four day celebration based on the story that one day Jesus got lost and a search party composed by a group of slaves from Chincha and their master looked for him until they found him in Huancavelica's  church of Santo Domingo and then they danced to celebrate finding him. This festival is most famous for the Danza de los negritos (dance by the black people) competition where locals dressed in bright costumes and black masks dance in the streets after a man dressed in a white mask cracks his whip to begin the festivity. There are also other dance shows, food fairs,

and rituals.

When: Saturday, Jan. 14 through Tuesday Jan 18, 2011

Where: Huancavelica

Free Admission

Cusco is a Great Destination for Family Trips.

However, it is time to start considering Cusco as an option
for a family vacation. The charm of Cusco that attracts adults
is also appealing to children. 

Cusco has many activities for kids. There are many
alternatives to have fun with your children in Cusco.

Just outside of Cusco there is an archaeological complex
called Sacsahuamán. There, you will find natural rock
formations that are used as slides in many different
sizes and shapes. You can also hire horses to go to the
Zona X to see mysterious caves. Have coffee in a place
filled with toys. In the city of Cusco there is a place called
Yanapay that has a children’s village made with money made
in the restaurant. Everywhere there are tiny tables and
chairs for the kids, as well as desserts, games and books.

Good cuisine for kids. While walking around Cusco, you will
come across a Bembos, which is located right across from
the Main Square. It offers children’s menus which include
surprises inside. In the town of San Blas, the Pacha Papa is
a cozy restaurant that serves pizza and has a big patio that
is always warmed by its stoves and ovens where all kinds
of delicious plates are cooked. Many times a harpist will
play while you eat.

The Sacred Valley is great for kids. The fresh air of
Urubamba Valley and its open spaces are wonderful for
children. The circular terraces of Moray are a great source
of fun for children where they can run around as much as
they please and climb up and down, all with a magnificent
view of the mountain range in the background. Nearby Moray,
only 20 minutes away by car, is Chinchero. There you can
participate in textile workshops, where the local women perform
interactive demonstrations of the process of spinning and dyeing
of the fabrics. Chinchero textiles are known for being the most
beautiful in the area and for maintaining their ancient techniques.
Check out our website
http://www.culturalexpeditions.com/history_peru_textiles.html

Another great place to bring kids are the salt mines of Maras
where kids will be fascinated by walking the slabs of natural salt.
For feeding your kids, Wallpa Wasi is a cozy countryside
restaurant that serves grilled chicken buffet-style and has a big

yard with trampolines and games for children. An additional
option is to spend the afternoon at Wayra, which is a countryside
center of the Sol y Luna hotel which offers different hands-on

experiences for the visitors of the valley, most of which are
dedicated exclusively to children. The concept of Wayra is to
teach young kids the art and culture of the place’s settlers
through ceramic and textile workshops. They also offer
horseback rides and mountain bicycle excursions of the valley.

Cerviche

Peru's Top 10 Restaurants, according to the

Summum's 2010 ranking.

Astrid & Gastón.

Summum's number three restaurant, by Peru's most

celebrated restaurateur-chef couple, Astrid Gutsche
and Gastón Acurio.

Malabar.

Perroquet.

Symposium.

Hervé.

A refined French restaurant.

Cala.

A seafood restaurant on the Pacific Ocean.

Fiesta.

A restaurant that serves up cuisine from Peru's
northern coast.

The birth of the infant Christ allowed early Peruvians to identify immediately with the festivity, which gave rise to artisan creativity, a sense of aesthetics and the religious devotion of Andean peoples. Andean Christmas began taking on characteristics of its own by adding elements from each region. The highlanders put together Nativity scenes in churches and homes, perform dances and plays, cook typical dishes and produce a wide range of handicrafts such as Nativity scenes in Huamanga stone, retablos featuring images related to Christmas and pottery or carved gourds called mates burilados decorated with Yuletide scenes. In most Andean communities, the festival continues until la Bajada de los Reyes (the arrival of the three wise men), January 6, when traditionally people exchange gifts.

The market of Santuranticuy in Cusco is a wonderful crafts market on the main Square of Cuzco. The Plaza comes alive on the morning of Christmas eve with crafts people selling their crafts. Artisans sell a large variety of sacred representations, woodcarvings, pottery and nativity scenes.

Galas, Laicas o Tusuq – December 24th – 28th

Province of Huancavelica

An ancient dance is still performed today which is a classical dance with a magical/religious ritual and represents characters such as the Pachamama (Earth Mother), Hananpacha (realm of the gods), and Ucupacha (underworld) as well as aspects of Andean popular life. The presentation takes place at the Church of San Francisco. 

Summer Solstice Celebration!

On December 21st the indigenous Andean peoples in Peru
celebrate the beginning of the summer solstice - summer
is here! Yes, it is summer in Peru and that means Christmas
is in the summer time. They celebrate in a traditional Andean
way, with a "Pago a la Tierra" (Giving Thanks to the Earth)

Pavo asado al estilo peruano / Roasted Turkey

Peruvian Style

by Chef Chef Felix Picasso

Ingredients:

1 turkey 26.4 lb.

0.22 lb. mash garlic

0.22 lb. cumin

0.66 lb. salt

0.22 lb. pepper

1 lt orange juice

0.25 lb. ají panka paste

0.25 lb. mustard

250 ml vegetable oil

Preparation:

Mix all the ingredients, to blend them and then to put this seasoning under the skin of

the turkey. To heat the oven for least one hour before rosting the turkey and following

instructions for cooking.

Low Phone Bills when in Peru

If you have a need to keep in contact with your business or for personal reasons while in Peru here is how you keep your phone bill low.

Have your regular American landline and mobile numbers forwarded to Skype. If you happen to be at your computer, you receive the calls, in Peru at absolutely no cost. If you leave your computer to enjoy yourself, or just unplug for a while, Skype will automatically re-forward your incoming calls to a prepaid Peruvian mobile phone — which costs $20.

In Peru you pay nothing to receive calls (in most countries outside of the United States, incoming calls do not count as billable minutes, only outgoing calls). You do have to pay Skype the long distance rate for calling a Peruvian cell phone from the United States. That runs $0.30 per minute. But, some of the time you would be happy to pay $0.30 per minute. Yet, for nonemergency calls, you simply tell the caller that you will call them back when you get back to your hotel or home — which costs nothing if done via Skype.

So, for:

$30 cost of Skype per year

$20 cost of disposable Peruvian prepaid mobile phone

$10-$50 Total costs of long distance for forwarded calls to Peru in a month you could live and work in Peru indefinitely.