Elite Traveler March-April 2018

71 elite traveler MAR/APR 2018

EDGE OF THE WORLD RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

The vast Arabian Desert has been the source of inspiration for mysterious tales for centuries and an intriguing destination for any traveler. The Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre provides VIP access to the wonders of the desert with a full-day adventure. A Cadillac Escalade takes you to the ancient city of Ad’Diriyah, home to a Unesco World Heritage site and once the seat of the Saudi royal family. Marvel at the 15th-century architecture and browse the colorful markets of Al Bujairi before the main event. Roughly 60 miles northwest of Riyadh lies Jebel Fihrayn —more commonly known as the ‘Edge of the World.’ An expert guide will show you the little-known scenic vistas and explain the geological formations, while chef Ahmed Fawzy will prepare a gourmet lunch of traditional Saudi cuisine just for you. Then, take to the skies in a microlight aircraft to see the immense sandstone cliffs and canyons beneath, before descending into a valley lined with acacia trees as the sun sinks beneath the horizon. Presidential Suite from $6,150 per night, day trip from $2,270 per group. Contact Tony Coveney, general manager, +966 211 5888, fourseasons.com

PACHAMAMA RITUALS MÁNCORA, PERU

Visiting Machu Picchu is becoming a rite of passage among intrepid travelers, but with that comes heavy crowds and strict visiting rules. Take the road less traveled and add a more obscure corner of Peru to your itinerary, as you detox and get acquainted with Pachamama (a nature goddess admired by the indigenous people of the Andes) and the mystical spirit of the land. At the northern Pacific shores of Máncora, Peru’s secret beach town, enjoy surf lessons and meditation on the coastline. Venture deep into the Amazon, where a shaman demonstrates the benefits of connecting with nature and becoming one with the rain forest, then learn the ancient Inca rituals of healing through the native coca leaf, which has played a part in its culture since the 13th century, and high-altitude breathing disciplines in the region’s Sacred Valley. As you hike through the valley toward the Machu Picchu ruins, shamanic purification rituals will be performed. End your spiritual journey with a dip in the thermal baths of the Colca Canyon. From $30,000 per person for 10 days. Contact Sarah Casewit, sales director, info@nayatraveler.com, +1 301 358 5096, nayatraveler.com