A four-day conference highlighting orchid conservation and education will be held February 25 through 28, 2011, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Peru, home to the largest collection of indigenous orchids in their natural habitat in a single facility.

Scheduled for the height of the Peruvian orchid season, the conference sponsored by Inkaterra Hotels will gather together some of the world’s most influential orchidologists and orchid specialists, including Dr. Franco Pupulin, University of Costa Rica; Dr. Henry Oakeley, The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, London; Dr. Carlos Fighetti, former President of the American Orchid Society (AOS); Dr. Robert Pemberton, University of Florida; Benjamín Collantes, Peruvian orchidologist; Carmen Soto, Peruvian biologist at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel; Dr. Robert Dressler, North American taxonomist; Dr. Günter Gerlach, German taxonomist, and Dr. Eric Hágsater, Mexican taxonomist.

In addition to viewing Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel’s 60 to 70 orchid species in bloom, guests will also have the opportunity to take part in a special drawing workshop with celebrated orchid artist Angela Mirro.

And, yes, Road Trips Gardeners, the orchid lovers among you are invited to attend. Two packages from Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel and its sister hotel, El MaPi, include not only the conference but also a visit to the nearby Machu Picchu ruins. Details are online.

Inkaterra is a Peruvian organization that focuses on preserving and rescuing Peru’s geography, nature, customs and cultures and sharing them with the world.

(Photo shows indigenous orchids at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel)