Eco-Hotel Pensión Alemana

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• Jun

  15
  

  Involvement in Sustainable Community Development

  PENSION ALEMANA is strongly committed to its ENVIRONMENT POLICY STATEMENT which as-sures standards of environmentally, socially, culturally and economically sound practices within the hotel . These standards also oblige to an engagement in Sustainable Community Develop-ment within the San Blas neighborhood, where the hotel is located.

  During last decades San Blas, as an important part of the Cusco's historic center, has experi-mented a fast growth of tourism. This, together with the impacts of uncontrolled urban expan-sion, unsuitable consumer habits and the increase of motorized traffic have made effective environmental action together with a suitable human and economical development to very relevant issues . Another relevant issue to tackle, specially because it's one of the main pillars of the local tourism industry, is the conservation of Cusco's unique historic architecture and its cultural heritage. Unfortunately the challenges related to these issues are not yet faced as they should be, mainly because of a conventional and non updated focuses and also because of weaknesses within the city administration and the neighborhood organizations. Nevertheless there are important fortresses and potentials for a sustainable community and tourism development, but they are not enough recognized and taken advantage of. San Blas is calm and relaxing, compared to the very close core of historic Cusco and it is idyllic with beautiful views and many pedestrian streets. Also it's located next to the large green areas, beautiful landscapes and the precious and unique archeological sites of the "Saqsawaman" archeological park. Several indigenous rural communities , located within this park could interact with rural tourism and organic produce. Due to its commitment for a sustainable tourism and community development and due to the need for action, the owners of Pensión Alemana, are very active in existing local (San Blas) organizations , supporting and giving inputs towards all initiatives in Participatory Sustainable Community and Tourism Development. These organizations are: COMITÉ VECINAL K'ANTUPATA: organization of the of the K'antupata neighborhood section where the hotel is located (alternative waste management, greening and citizens safety) . JUNTA DE VECINOS DE SAN BLAS: neighbors organization of the whole of San Blas (urban und sub-urban development, heritage and culture, alternative traffic management, community food market, greening and parks, waste management and citizens safety).
  ASOCIACIÓN DE EMPRESAS DE HOSPEDAJE DE SAN BLAS: organization of hotels and hostels in San Blas (conservation of traditional architectural patters an heritage an environment, sustainable tourism, interaction with the San Blas community and defense of common interests).
  
  Two examples of achievements with Pension Alemana's participation in Sustainable Community Development.
  Waste management : During a now finished pilot phase (two years) most neighbors and hotels in the K'antupata area separated the domestic litter into 3 types (recyclable organics, recyclable non organics and unusable waste). Besides cleaner streets this has made possible the reduction of transportation need and cost, because 60 to 70 % of the weight of domestic litter is organic waste, which is transformed locally into compost. This experiences is the basis for a bigger project for San Blas, which probably could be enforced by the JUNTA DE VECINOS DE SAN BLAS and the CUSCO CITY ADMINISTRATION.
  Greening of public areas: the compost produced with organic waste benefits the greening of these areas. Until now, with community work and specially with Pensión Alemana's support, about 1500 square meters of public areas have been turned in to park like ornamental areas with more than 2000 beautiful native flowering bushes. These are beautiful, drought resistant and not very care exacting. Also this experience will be extended to other marginal and arid public areas in the neighborhood.
  ASOCIACIÓN DE EMPRESAS DE HOSPEDAJE DE SAN BLAS: organization of hotels and hostels in San Blas (conservation of traditional architectural patters an heritage an environment, sustainable tourism, interaction with the San Blas community and defense of common interests).
  
  By staying at PENSION ALEMANA you can be sure to support this involvement in SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. Also other kinds of support are welcome (please ask, how to get engaged).

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• Apr

  28
  

  Tipón: Marvel of Civil Engineering

  The Tipón complex is located in the Valle Sur (South Valley) of Cusco near Oropesa, 27 km from the city of Cusco. It contains fields, terraces and intact system of irrigation channels.

  The upper part of the complex is crossed by the Inca Trail along with an irrigation canal.
  It has probably been used as a laboratory for agricultural crops, in order to adapt them to the various microclimates that are in this complex and its different altitudes.
  Tipón is one of the most important archaeological sites to visit in the area.
  Apart from being an archaeological complex, this site is one of the largest creations  of terrace irrigation with an incredible distribution of the water ducts in the open air.
  The US Hydrologist Kenneth Wright has published a book on these hydraulic structures, in which this great creation of the Incas is titled by the Association of Civil Engineers of the United States (ASCE) as a "Marvel of Civil Engineering"

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• Apr

  25
  

  Pisac: Sacred Valley of the Incas

  Village located in the slops of the mountain Intihuatana (place where the sun is tied)

  Picturesque town located in the skirts of Intihuatana hill (place where the sun is tied). It has the best "andenería" system (platform system) achieved by the Inca in all the Andes. Near the town is located the "Parque Arqueológico de Pisac" (Archaeological Park of Písac), Inca archaeological locations, constructions in finely assembled refined stone, citadel, turrets, military fortresses, astronomical observatories, etc. Outstands the Inca cemetery, the biggest of America.
  Every Sunday is celebrated the Sunday feast, headed by the caciques or bosses of Ayllus carrying their "varáyoc" and typical suits, folkloric dance and mass in Quechua. Every Sunday is also carried out the "catu" that is the indigenous fair of exchange of agricultural products in which the exchange, alive custom of Inca character prevails.
  Every Thursday and Sunday is carried out in the Main Square a crafts fair, outstanding beautiful textile crafts, sweaters, ponchos, bags, etc. and the crafts made out of ceramic with reproductions of Inca archaeological pieces, the queros (ceremonial glasses), necklaces, etc. To this fair artisans and indigenous merchants of many towns go to be supplied and to trade their products.
  Písac is located at 32 km. (20 miles) from Cusco, 2,972 meters above sea level (9,751 feet).

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• Apr

  24
  

  Sacred Valley of the Incas: Yucay

  One of the main centers of agricultural production in the time of the Incas

  The beauty of its landscape, and the benign of the weather made of Yúcay the elected place for the Inca royalty resort, which is also attributed to be a place with mythological character and powers on the human spirit. The fertility of its lands transformed it into one of the main centers of agricultural production during the Inca time, big "andenerías" (platforms). Numerous Inca constructions exist, outstanding among those the Palace of the Inca Sayri Túpac, stone and adobe construction with decorations in its walls on high and low embossment.
  In the town a small place museum exists. It is located at 68 km. (42 miles) from Cusco, and 2,857 meters above sea level (9,373 feet).

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• Apr

  22
  

  Sacred Valley of the Incas: Urubamba

  Old Inca town, located at the foot of the majestic Chicón

  Another old Inca town, located in the fertile sacred valley, formerly an important agricultural production place of the Inca, and today a place with a beautiful countryside, with many fruit pantations.
  Urubamba is situated in the skirts of the majestic snowy mountain Chicón, with an easy ascent to achieve.
  Urubamba is also called the "Archaeological Capital of Peru", because of the many Inca archaeological locations that exist in the area; also called "The pearl of the Vilcanota river", for the incomparable landscapes that surround it, natural scenarios of an indescribable beauty. Indigenous communities of marked ancestral customs still exist here.
  Urubamba is also ideal scenery for the practice of numerous adventure sports, as canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and horse rides. From Urubamba, good penetration routes exist to undertake adventures in the rain forest areas of Cusco.
  The town is located at 72 km (45 miles) from Cusco, via Písac, and at 58 km (36 miles) by Chinchero; it is situated at 2,871 meters above sea level (9,419 feet)

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• Apr

  20
  

  Sacred Valley of the Incas: Ollantaytambo

  Beautiful village with Inca streets and walls in use, and a population with deep rooted ancestral customs

  The legend counts that Ollántay (the titan of the Andes) of plebeian origin, loved the princess Cusi Coyllor (cheerful star) the Inca king's daughter Pachacútec, who was in disagreement with this love. Pachacútec sent the princess to a house of Virgins; Ollántay tried to abduct her, without getting her, being able to escape. From the fortress that Ollántay controlled he rebelled against Pachacútec, and after bloody battles was defeated, but the generosity of Pachacútec forgave the life of Ollántay. The foundation of Ollantaytambo is attributed to Ollántay, and the military fortress that protected this area of the valley prevails strategically located between two mountains. Actually you can visit this fortress, and also the rich Inca archaeological locations, conformed by the temple to Inti (god sun), the icamisana, the spas of the Ñustas (princesses), the chullpas of Cachiccata, a group of terraces symmetrical and steep stairs in the slope of a hill.
  In the summit of the archaeological complex out stand six monoliths of enormous size, assembling with incredible precision, that have mysterious engravings of Inca iconography.
  The current town of Ollantaytambo, has many houses built on the bases of the old Inca town where natives of ingrained ancestral customs inhabit.
  The complexity and beauty of the Inca constructions and the contemporary town, the immense agricultural complex, great administrative and social center, religious and military, is considered by many scientists and historians like one of the most important alive museums in the world.
  Ollantaytambo is located at 97 km. (60 miles) from Cusco, 2,846 meters above sea level (9,337 feet). Train station to Machu Picchu.

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• Apr

  16
  

  History of one of the best hotels in Cuzco

  B&B-Hotel Pension Alemana has an almost 25 years history. Starting to operate in 1994 with 6 guest rooms, it was one of the first family guest houses or B&Bs in the picturesque neighborhood of San Blas. Since then it has turned in to one of the best Hotels in Cuzco, of its kind.  As you continue to read you will know a bit more about this history.

  The original house of the B&B-Hotel was build from 1980 to 1982 as family home. According to the strong rules for the conservation of historical heritage the houses was carefully designed and build in the Cuzco colonial style. In the first ten years, from 1983 to 1993, the house served as home for German families, tenets, belonging to development organizations with projects in Cuzco. So the locals named it "Casa Alemana" (German House).
  A Swiss lady, friend of the owners and tourism professional, started to manage in 1994 the house with 6 guest rooms as a "Pension" (German word for family guest house or B&B-Hotel). This is how the "Casa Aleman" becomes Hostal "Pension Alemana", as one of the first B&B-Hotels in Cusco's picturesque neighborhood of San Blas.
  In its first 10 years of operation the hostal gradually makes itself known for its family atmosphere, friendliness, comfort and its favorable location in the idyllic San Blas neighborhood, so close to the main tourist attractions of Cusco's historic city center. Also many tourist guidebooks and several web pages start to mention Hostal "Pension Alemana" as "a B&B with Swiss - German management and style".
  After 10 years with 6 rooms, in 2004 Hostal "Pension Alemana" finishes its first expansion with 6 additional rooms. At the same time the neighborhood of San Blas is embellished, enhancing its historic and idyllic pedestrian streets, offering ever more services with art shops, restaurants, cafes and small Hotels.
  Thus San Blas has become the most attractive and touristic one of the colonial neighborhoods around to the core center of historic Cuzco. In mid-2009 the B&B-Hotel's physical projection reaches its end, concluding the construction and equipping of the second expansion (with 11 more rooms and service areas). This expansion was done with many enviornamental  considerations and improvements.
   
  The whole sober and friendly architectonic assembly in Cusco colonial style is harmoniously grouped around a beautiful blooming central patio-garden and achieves many views over the historic center of Cusco. One of the many favorable guest reviews about the B&B-Hotel, published in the frequently visited web of TRIPADVISOR, expresses what Pension Alemana is for many of its guests:
  
  A perfect place to enjoy the tranquility or just to relax after visiting tourist attractions and doing physical activities (like the Inca Trail or being in the Rainforest). It's an oasis in lively and busy Cusco. Nowhere I felt better on my trip though South America. Heinzelfrau, Germany, January 31, 2010
  
  From on 2014 a complete professional interior redesign and many constructional improvements where started. This made it possible, that based on the strict official rules for 3 Star Hotels and specially based on the opening of the new breakfast room and cafeteria-restaurant Siete & Siete, Pension Alemana turned 2015 from a Guesthouse into a 3 Star Hotel. Today it's recognized as one of the best hotels in Cuzco of its kind.

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• Apr

  15
  

  Cusco, Capital of the Inca Empire

  Cusco is fascinating  destination where you can find history, nature, adventure, art, gastronomy, traditional customs and cosmopolitan life

  Cusco is Peru's main tourist destination and one of the most important ones in South America. It is also the capital of the region, which bears the same name. Cusco is an important trade and economic center in southern Peru, as well as a duty venue for arrivals and departures (The country's second biggest airport, bus station with international and domestic routes and point of departure of important rail roads). This historic city has a population of around half a million inhabitants. While Lima is the political and economic capital of Peru, Cusco is the historical one. The former capital of the Inca Empire is fascinating because it is a destination where you can find history, nature, adventure, art, gastronomy, traditions and cosmopolitan life
   The city radiates a special energy and a strong mythic spirit, due to a fascinating mix of historic heritage as well as the presence of still existing cultures, such as the Incas, the Spanish colonial, the Andean indigenous or the Mestizo one. Nevertheless Inca & Spanish colonial culture have left an incredible heritage of architecture and art, strongly present in the Historic Center and the area around the city. These cultures can be seen within an environment of cosmopolitan life where locals mix with the visitors and residents from all over the world. All these make Cusco a perfect place, with countless tourist attractions, and also a place to enjoy this unique and special environment. Because of the historic importance and its enormous amount of historic monuments, Cusco is often called the "Rome of America" - no wonder why. It was the capital of the Inca Empire from as early as the thirteenth century and since then it has been continuously inhabited. Also in Inca times Cusco was the most important city in South America for being the main cultural and religious center with a great flow of pilgrims from all over the empire. This empire covered an enormous area of 4,500 km (2,800 Miles) along the Andean mountains, a territory which included large parts of the present countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. The Inca empire embraced and integrated an enormous geographical, ecological, ethnical and cultural diversity.
   In 1534 took the Spanish founding of the city of Cusco place, locating the main square (Plaza de Armas) at the same place were it already had been in Inca times as “Huacaypata”, being it by then also the physical core point of the empire. From on the Spanish invasion began a process of cultural miscegenation, which until our days it expressed in an architectural mixture of Inca style and colonial baroque style, present throughout the historical center of the city. Examples of this are the: Casa Garcilaso, Casa Concha and the Admirals Palace, also churches such as the cathedral and the Compañía and the monasteries (Santa Catalina, Santo Domingo and La Merced) as well as the traditional neighborhoods such as the one of San Blas with its narrow cobbled streets, balconies, craft workshops, cozy hotels and cafés. In all these places can be seen stunning and lush testimonies of colonial art, expressed especially in the famous carvings and paintings from the Cusco School. The Spaniards constructed their buildings on Inca buildings because of their solidity and utility for their purposes. That is why within in colonial Cusco there are still many testimonies of buildings, squares and streets from the Inca times, which express an enormous significance of beauty and technological progress. Among them are important to mention the Plaza de Armas (Hucaypata), the streets Hatun Rumiyoq, Siete Culebras and Loreto as well as the Qoricancha temple. The Qoricancha temple was the most important sanctuary in Inca times. Nearby, in the immediate suburbs, can be seen other architectural testimonies, such as the enormous and singular Sacsayhuamán, Tambomachay and Qenco. These fascinating monuments where also important spiritual and ceremonial centers. In the historic city canter you can also find a number of selected museums, which show the life and art of pre-hispanic times as well as religious colonial art.
   In 1534 the Spanish refunded the City of Cusco, locating the main square (Plaza de Armas) at the same place were the “Huacaypata” had been. In Inca times this was regarded as the physical core of the empire and as such the center of the universe. Since the Spanish invasion a process of cultural miscegenation began , which we can see in an architectural mixture of the traditional Inca style and colonial baroque, present throughout the historical center of the city. Examples of this are: Casa Garcilaso, Casa Concha and the Admirals Palace, also churches such as the cathedral ,the Compañía and the monasteries (Santa Catalina, Santo Domingo and La Merced) as well as the traditional neighborhoods such as the one of San Blas with its narrow cobbled streets, balconies, craft workshops, cozy hotels and cafés. In all these places we can see stunning and lush testimonies of colonial art, expressed especially in the famous carvings and paintings from the Cusco School. The Spaniards constructed their buildings on top of the Inca buildings because of their solidity and utility for their purposes. That is why within colonial Cusco there are still many testimonies of buildings, squares and streets from the Inca times, which express an enormous significance of beauty and technological progress. The most important ones to mention are the Plaza de Armas (Huacaypata), the streets of Hatun Rumiyoq, Siete Culebras and Loreto as well as the Qoricancha temple. The Qoricancha temple was the most important sanctuary and religious site in Inca times. Nearby, just outside the city, we can find the enormous and breathtaking Sacsayhuamán, Tambomachay and Qenco. These fascinating monuments where also important spiritual and ceremonial centers. In the historic city centre there are a number of prestigious museums, which show the life and art of pre-hispanic times as well as religious colonial art.
   Cusco is home to numerous ceremonies and imperial festivals such as “Inti Raymi” also known as “the Sun Fest” which always takes place on June 24th on the esplanade of Sacsayhuaman. “Inti Raymi” as well as the catholic ceremonies like “Corpus Christi”, have a strong influence of the ancestral indigenous spirituality and are held throughout the year. This clearly shows that Cusco hasn’t lost its strong, spiritual and religious character, which it had in Inca times as the sacred center of the Empire. Of course, this ancient influence of pre-hispanic spirituality is reflected in today’s Catholic religious practices as well.
   For all the above reasons Cusco is a destination that requires to schedule enough time in order to discover, contemplate and enjoy this wonderful place. Spending a short afternoon in Cusco and only visit Machu Picchu (located just 4 hours from the city) would be like visiting Pompeii without having seen Rome.

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• Apr

  14
  

  Huayna Picchu-Cusco

  Imposing beauty and natural atracction within the Machu Picchu Archaeological Complex

  Huayna Picchu is located to the north of the Inca city of MACHU PICCHU. To climb the mountain Huayna Picchu, you must arrive at the checkpoint and enter Huayna Picchu and follow the road that starts a few steps from the Sacred Rock, is an area with very dense vegetation, this trail is very steep and quite Narrow and includes sections of steps, irregularly placed in granite stone, there are some steps that are carved in the rock. The ascent lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on the fitness of the person.
  The imposing beauty of this natural attraction makes it a must see for those who want an unforgettable memory of the citadel. The trail to this young mountain (Huayna Picchu)  is zigzag, its stairs are almost vertical with precipices and for people with dizziness ,access is a little difficult, so it is recommended to be careful, definitely  it’s  a challenge to reach the top of Huayna Picchu, but once arrived there at it is worth the effort because the view is breathtaking. Huayna Picchu has an altitude of 2,667 meters above sea level and its summit has an area of ​​2,000 m2.

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• Apr

  12
  

  Machu Picchu-Cusco

  Result of the great respect of the ancient Peruvians for the nature, this wonderful human creation integrates symbiotically to an incredible landscape.

  954/5000
  
  
  In the depths of the Andean mountains of Cusco there is a mysterious ruin called Machu Picchu, which for 400 years was abandoned on a cliff of mist submerged in the jungle. Rediscovered in 1911, it does not contain written or engraved records, nothing that can shed light on the history of this place. Since then for nearly a century, it has challenged endless records of visitors and scientists trying to understand its purpose.
  The archaeological zone is located on the left bank of the Vilcanota river, in the Kusi Chaka gorge, to the mouth of the Aobamba river. In the district of Machu Picchu, province of Urubamba, department of Cusco to 112.5 km. To the northeast of the city of Cusco in Peru.
  To get to the Inca city of Machu Picchu, you can opt for two routes: via Inca road or by rail to Aguas Calientes and from there by car or walking until you reach the mountain where the citadel is located.

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