In 1992 I went on a journey from Cusco to Brazil to see some friends. My first stop over was the Peruvian Amazonian jungle metropolis of Iquitos, once one of the wealthiest places in South America due to the rubber boom at the turn of the 19th century. Iquitos boasts a building constructed by Eiffel … Continue reading Pipi Vela, the Legendary Bard of the Amazon
Category: ASDblog
Andean Offering
Whenever our friend Don Luis Machaca from the remote Andean hamlet of Japu near Q’eros visits us in Cusco, we ask him to do an offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (tutelary spirits that inhabit the mountain peaks) on our behalf. Don Luis is a highly respected ritual specialist and the ceremonies we … Continue reading Andean Offering
Reuniting with our Godchildren from Lake Titicaca
A couple of months ago I led a a very nice couple from Colorado in a three week private tour that ended at Lake Titicaca – and what an adventure it was! We stayed at the Hotel Jose Antonio in the outskirts of Puno enjoying spectacular views over the lake and the Bay of Puno. … Continue reading Reuniting with our Godchildren from Lake Titicaca
Remembering Don Jesus Ccana Tito
Recently the Andean ritual specialist Don Jesus Ccana Tito from Ayllu Amaru near Pisac died aged 81. When I first arrived in Peru in 1987 I was on my ‘year abroad’ from Durham University in the UK where I had studied Spanish language and literature. I was supposed to hand in a dissertation on a … Continue reading Remembering Don Jesus Ccana Tito
A Mud Bath with my Viking Friends
It is was during the month of November that my ‘Viking friends’ as I like to fondly call them (they are from Northumbria, the northeast of England and quite possibly descendants of the vikings indeed), friends from my adolescent days in the UK very long ago, arrived for their holiday in Cusco. After seeing the … Continue reading A Mud Bath with my Viking Friends
Visiting our Godchildren in Puno
Recently I accompanied a small group of tourist as far as Puno and then stayed on in an Airbnb in order to visit our godchildren from Taquile Island and Hatuncolla on the Altiplano near Sillustani. At the beginning of the year, I had received some donation money to spend on worthy projects from a … Continue reading Visiting our Godchildren in Puno
Exploring Peru with my maths teacher
Last month we had a special visitor: my maths teacher from 45 years ago and his partner arrived in Lima and set out on a 24-day trip around Peru. We hadn’t seen each other for over 40 years so it was quite an emotional reunion! I was thrilled to organize and accompany this trip. As … Continue reading Exploring Peru with my maths teacher
Magical Manu Park
Recently I guided two of our guests on a five day trip to the rainforest of Manu and it was a very memorable experience. I spent many years of my life as a naturalist guide in the reserved zone of Manu Park and have a deep connection with the forest, so I was very happy to … Continue reading Magical Manu Park
Trip to Tambopata Reserve
At the end of last year, we went on an unforgettable trip of several days to the Tambopata Reserve, using a couple of the best eco Lodges in the area as our base. We were picked up at Puerto Maldonado and taken by private bus to the Tambopata river port at the native community of … Continue reading Trip to Tambopata Reserve
Andean Spirit Destinations – A new variety of unique luxury experiences
Andean Spirit Destinations is proud to announce that we now offer you a new selection of unconventional luxury experiences that can be added on as extras to your trips and only require a few hours or at most an extra day of your time. As part of our initiative to facilitate intercultural exchange and sustainable … Continue reading Andean Spirit Destinations – A new variety of unique luxury experiences