17/06/2016
To celebrate the launch of British Airways’ London Gatwick to Lima route, a group of high calibre travel journalists were among the first to experience this new service with a nine-day adventure through Peru in partnership with Inkaterra and Audley Travel.
After a picturesque train journey meandering alongside the Vilcanota River, the group reached the Sacred Valley of the Incas at nightfall. As Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba slowly appeared in the distance, everybody exclaimed ‘wow’ in unison. The twinkling lights emanating from the buildings and the starry sky made the arrival at the hacienda nothing short of mystical.
After a good night’s sleep in the comfort of their own luxury casita, the journalists woke up to breath-taking views of the Urubamba mountain range. They then made their way to the hotel’s Dining Room, which is beautifully decorated with antique Peruvian tapestries and pre-Columbian masks, for a hearty breakfast of quinoa pancakes, fresh fruit and tamales.
The daring ones then went mountain biking across the Sacred Valley, making stops at Andean villages and archaeological sites. Those wanting to explore the surroundings of the hotel enjoyed a hike along the Challa Huasi trail.
In the afternoon, the group toured Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba’s eco-farm with an Inkaterra Explorer Guide and learned about the wide variety of fruit and vegetables grown on site – from purple and giant white Andean corn to quinoa and Wild Ayrampo (Andean berry). They also tried their hands at making Chicha de Jora, a traditional drink from the Andes.
At sunset, the group embarked on a twilight walk where they discovered ancient myths and gazed at the stars of the Southern Cross.
The following morning, it was time for the explorers to pack their bags and head to the vibrant colonial town of Cusco for their next adventure.
To be continued…
