Let's travel to PERU

Peru among top 10 tourism countries in the world

2010-04-30T20:26:00.000-05:00

Peru has been included as one of the top 10 best countries in the world under five tourism categories including culture, art, natural beauty, and archeology, reported Friday Peru’s Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Martin Perez.

"There are different tourism categories including culture, art, natural beauty, archaeology, among others, and we rank among the top 10 countries in the world, no doubt this is a challenge," he said.

Peru ranks third worldwide in art and culture, and also occupies a leading position in natural beauty.

"We are among the best in the world under five separate categories," he emphasized.

Peru’s inclusion in the top 10 list was based on this year's Country Brand Index (CBI) survey, which is an in-depth study that explores the complexity, dynamics and benefits of how nations manifest as brands and identifies emerging trends in the worldwide travel and tourism industry.

The Peruvian Minister made these remarks after holding a meeting with the Peru-Spain Parliamentary Friendship League at the Congress.

Source: Andina

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Peru among world’s best countries to visit

2009-09-16T19:37:00.002-05:00

Adventurers about to volunteer abroad in Vietnam or take a gap year in Peru or Africa may be pleased to learn that they are among the world’s top countries to visit.
This is according to the readers of tourism magazine Wanderlust, who voted Namibia as the second best country in the world.
The Wanderlust Travel Awards 2009 also placed New Zealand as the world’s third greatest location, while Peru came sixth with 95 per cent of the vote.
Vietnam placed eight and Indonesia ninth, but the top spot was claimed by the land of geisha, pioneering technology and culinary delights – Japan.
Two great-value South-East Asian countries – Indonesia and Vietnam – also entered the top ten, while there was overwhelming support for Antarctica and the Galapagos – which aren’t countries," stated Wanderlust.Wanderlust is the UK's leading travel magazine for independent-minded and adventurous travellers looking for world class information and advice about where to go, what to visit and how to get there.

Source: Andina

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Amazon River ranks fifth in natural wonders contest

2009-08-19T20:46:00.002-05:00

The Amazon River/Rainforest ranks fifth according to the latest ranking of contest organizer, the New 7 Wonders Foundation.
Iguazu Falls, located in Argentina and Brazil, top the list of 28 Official Finalist Candidates competing to be one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, followed by the Great Barrier Reef (Australia and Papua New Guinea), Indonesia’s Komodo Island and Ha Long Bay.
The contest will end in mid-2011. Loreto regional government asked the support of all Peruvian citizens so the Amazon River can become one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
The Amazon Rainforest, also known as Amazonia, the Amazon jungle or the Amazon Basin, encompasses seven million square kilometers (1.7 billion acres), though the forest itself occupies some 5.5 million square kilometers (1.4 billion acres), located within nine nations.
The Amazon represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume, with a total flow greater than the top ten rivers worldwide combined. It accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total world river flow and has the biggest drainage basin on the planet. Not a single bridge crosses the Amazon.

Source: Andina

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Trujillo develops projects to promote tourism

2009-08-19T20:39:00.001-05:00

The northern Peruvian city of Trujillo is hosting a two-day forum called “Tourist Perspectives of the Historic City of Trujillo” in order to discuss and propose measures to boost local tourism industry.
The event, held August 20-21, is attended by several tourism experts who will look for ways to contribute with tourism promotion in this northern city.

Local tourism official Jorge Ruiz Barcellos said that they will discuss issues such as the conservation and promotion of ancient monuments, medium and long-term investment projects, museography, marketing and promotion of tourism to Trujillo, among other topics.

“The event aims to encourage all public and private sectors' representatives to promote Trujillo's tourism offer so as to attract more visitors”, he said.

Ruiz pointed out that over 200 people will participate in this event in coordination with Peruvian National Institute of Culture (INC), Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), Chamber of Commerce and Production of La Libertad, the Municipality of Trujillo and La Libertad Regional Government.

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Adventures by Disney launches Peru tours for next year

2009-08-19T20:33:00.002-05:00

Adventures by Disney will offer next year a number of travel tours that cycle from the Peruvian capital Lima to Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco and back to Lima, giving tourists the opportunity to explore a blend of cultures, history and natural beauty.
The tour's highlights include a visit to the Center for Traditional Textiles in Cusco, where master weavers demonstrate their intricate art, as well as how to spin and dye alpaca wool.
And a privately guided Machu Picchu tour, in which tourists will spend an afternoon exploring the fascinating ruins and stunning views of these magnificent structures surrounded by green peaks glazed by a soft mist.They will also have the chance to raft down the Urubamba River (Class I-II rapids), where experienced guides will describe the fascinating cultural and natural history as tourists glide along this scenic route.The tour will also take visitors through the ancient Incan path into the fascinating ruins of Moray and Maras in Cusco's Sacred Valley.

Source: Andina

Tours in Cusco / Hotels in Cusco

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Discovery Channel launches adventure tours to Peru

2009-08-06T18:08:00.003-05:00

Discovery Channel is launching a new brand of tours and trips called Discovery Adventures and Peru has been included in its hot destination list highlighting its Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu and the mighty Amazon River.
Tour prices range from 3,000 to 800 dollars per adult international airfares not included, and last from 15 to 5 days, while departures start in December this year. The 15-day trip called "Amazon and Inca Adventure" includes visits to Lima, Iquitos, Amazon Jungle, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Deluxe Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu. In its website, Discovery Adventures invites tourists to "explore the best of Peru, from the ancient Inca ruins of Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu to the natural wonders of the Amazon Jungle". "Take a boat tour of Taquile and Uros Islands and discover the fascinating culture of the people of Lake Titicaca. The prize adventure begins as you embark on a 4-day Inca Trail hike through incredible nature to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu", it added.The brand also offers trips to destinations including Mexico, Costa Rica, the Amazon, the Galapagos, India, Thailand, Cambodia, China, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Alaska and the U.S. Southwest. Itineraries will range from cruises and safaris to exploring the ancient civilizations of the Incas, the Egyptians and Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Associated Press reported.
Tour themes will tie in with places featured on Discovery Channel programs like Man V. Wild, Out of Egypt, Discovery Atlas, Dirty Jobs and Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein. Tourists will have opportunities to explore ruins and historic sites, as well as to do volunteer work in the destinations and experience local cultures.
Departures begin in December. The trips will run from three to 24 days and are being offered in partnership with the tour company G.A.P. Adventures.
Prices start at $2,000 per person, plus airfare, with the price covering lodging, breakfast and some other amenities. Groups will be small, just six to 15 people depending on the destination, with all trips suitable for families.

Source: Andina

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Cusco to become fashion capital of Latin America

2009-08-05T22:03:00.002-05:00

Cusco will become the fashion capital of Latin America when the “Cusco always fashion” show takes place in October featuring the best of young Peruvian designers' work, announced Wednesday the head of the Regional Directorate for Foreign Trade and Tourism (Dircetur), Victor Hugo Perez.
"One of the main objectives of this event is to turn Cusco into the design and fashion capital of Latin America, we aim to create a different and unusual tourist attraction," the tourism official explained to Andina news agency.

The idea is to mix pre-Columbian with contemporary designs, non-traditional, in order to promote the Peruvian style.

The organization is considering requesting the participation of at least ten well-known national designers with international experience, as well as different models interested in appearing on the catwalk along with other local models from Cusco.

Several fashion shows are expected to take place in different parts of the Imperial City.

However, the main event will be held in Koricancha, where the best designs will be exhibited

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Nearly 5,000 tourists visited Colca Valley during National Holidays

2009-08-04T20:54:00.002-05:00

A total of 4,726 tourists visited the Colca Valley in Arequipa during the long holiday weekend on the occasion of Peru's independence anniversary, the Head of Autonomous Authority of Colca (Autocolca) Jose Luis Talavera said Sunday.
Talavera pointed out that despite a decrease in tourist arrivals compared to 2008, this year's figure is important if we consider the global economic crisis and swine flu emergency.The Autocolca head said that the heavy snowfall in the area was another factor that negatively impacted the tourist industry, forcing authorities to close the road for several hours on July 27 and 28; "that is why many people had to cancel their trips," he explained.
Buses transporting tourists to Colca Valley had to wait along the road, allowing travelers to appreciate the scenic landscape with volcanoes and mountains completely covered with snow.
Regarding the arrival of tourists to Colca, Talavera said that Autocolca considers those visits registered from July 27 to 29, despite snowfall in this part of Arequipa.
He added that despite health and economic issues around the globe, Colca Valley registered a 11 percent increase in tourist arrivals from January to June 2009 versus the same period last year.

Source: Andina

Hotels in Arequipa / Hotels in Colca / Tours Arequipa + Colca

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Cusco ranked third in Best Latin American cities contest

2009-08-03T17:22:00.002-05:00

The city of Cusco in southeastern Peru got the third spot among cities from Central and South America in the contest “World’s best” organized by Travel+Leisure magazine, reported today Peru's Tourism and Export Promotion Board (PromPeru).
The first spot was occupied by Buenos Aires, Argentina and the second place by Oaxaca, Mexico.
Cusco was also voted the world's 16th most popular tourist destination.Popular destinations such as Barcelona, London and even Paris did not reach the global list of 20 top cities. Indian city Udiapur led this year's list, pushing 2008's winner Bangkok to the third place.
The magazine, which conducted its poll between January-March 2009, also ran a rating of the world's best hotels, top tour operators and top large-ship cruise lines. In the category of Central and South America’s best resorts, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel was ranked 4th after the Blancaneaux Lodge in San Ignacio (Belice), the Four Seasons Resort in Carmelo (Uruguay) and Explora Patagonia (Chile).
In the City Hotels category, the Monasterio Hotel in Cusco was also ranked 4th, after the Duhau-Park Hyatt Palace and the Alvear Palace Hotel, both in Argentina; followed by the Casa Santo Domingo Hotel in Antigua, Guatemala.A festive ceremony was held in New York honoring the winners.
In first half 2009, Peru appeared in many important American magazines and newspapers like Elite Traveler, Travel and Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, Bon Appetite, Gourmet, New York Times, among others.
Cusco is surrounded by formidable Inca buildings, palaces made with stones and amazing fortresses as it was the ancient capital of the vast Inca empire.

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Aranwa to invest US$36.5 million in five new hotels till 2013

2009-07-23T20:02:00.002-05:00

Over the next five years, Aranwa Hotels, Resorts & Spas will invest US$ 36.5 million in opening five new hotels in the southern Peruvian regions of Cusco, Arequipa, Puno and Ica, the company's operations vice president Gabriel Alvarez announced Thursday.
“The company aims to operate seven hotels in the next five years, all with a very marked health and spa concept which differs us from current market options,” he said.
Alvarez said that the company will build a five-star hotel in the city of Cusco, which will have 41 rooms and require an investment of eight million dollars.
Aranwa will also construct a four-star resort in the Block C of El Chaco – La Puntilla, Paracas (Ica), which would start operations in 2011.
In 2012, the hotel chain will focus on the remodeling and expansion of Casona Rickttes, located in the Andean city of Arequipa, where it will build its second five-star hotel with a nine-million-dollar investment.
Aranwa's 2012 plans also include the construction of a resort in the Coporaque town in Caylloma Province, near the Colca Valley. The 60-room project will require an investment of six million dollars.
The company's last project in this 2009-2013 period will be a 50-room resort in the Puno town of Juli, which will entail an investment of seven million dollars.
Aranwa Hotel Resort Spa is a hotel chain linked to Peruvian Tours Agency (PTA), a company belonging to Complejo Hospitalario San Pablo (CHSP).

Source: Andina

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Peru launches Lima-Huancayo rail route tourist guide

2009-07-23T15:09:00.001-05:00

Peruvian tourism officials have published the country's first rail route guide called “Lima-Huancayo Train: Adventure through the Andes,” in a bid to promote train trips through Rimac and Mantaro Valleys in central Peru.
The document describes the 332-km trip between Lima and Huancayo, departing from Desamparados Train Station in the Historic Center of Lima to the heart of Huancayo in Junin region.
The guide also features the most important tourist attractions located across Mantaro Valley and its four surrounding provinces: Huancayo, Concepcion, Chupaca and Jauja.It also includes rail, geographic, tourist, historic and/or mining aspects, highlighting the most popular tourist spots such as stations, bridges, zigzags, tunnels and high-Andean zones, among other attractions.
The guide is available both in Spanish and English and can be purchased on the Lima-Huancayo tourist train or ordered by phone.The guide, produced by Koki Zelaya Alva and Jose Parra Pinto, was sponsored by the Municipality of Santiago de Surco, Ferrocarril Central Andino S.A, Railroad Development Corporation and other local organizations.

Source: Andina

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Amazon River on New 7 Wonders of Nature top list

2009-07-21T09:42:00.003-05:00

The Amazon Rainforest/River has been included in the list of 28 official finalist candidates as the third phase of the New Seven Wonders of Nature online campaign is now underway.
Other natural wonders in this selection are Angel Falls, Bay of Fundy, Black Forest, Bu Tinah Shoals, Cliff of Moher, Dead Sea, El Yunque, Galapagos, Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeita Grotto, Jeju Island, Kilimanjaro, Komodo, Maldives, Masurian Lake District, Matterhorn/Cervino, Milford Sound, Mud Volcanoes, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Sundarbans, Table Mountain, Uluru, Vesuvius and Yushan.Competition organizers expect more than a billion people to participate in the online voting, which will continue into 2011, when the finalists by categories will be announced.A panel of experts chose the finalists among the 77 nominees that gained the most votes in an early round of polling. People had suggested 261 landmarks in countries all over the world.
The panel chaired by Federico Mayor, former chief of UNESCO, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, picked the finalists depending on geographical balance, diversity and the importance to human life.
The Amazon Rainforest, also known as Amazonia, the Amazon jungle or the Amazon Basin, encompasses seven million square kilometers (1.7 billion acres), though the forest itself occupies some 5.5 million square kilometers (1.4 billion acres), located within nine nations: Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana; Suriname and Venezuela.
The Amazon represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world.
The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume, with a total flow greater than the top ten rivers worldwide combined.
It accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total world river flow and has the biggest drainage basin on the planet. Not a single bridge crosses the Amazon.

Source Andina

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Peru requests Unesco to declare Qhapaq Ñan a World Cultural Heritage

2009-07-16T19:57:00.002-05:00

The final technical report aimed to include Qhapaq Ñan (Great Inca Road) on the list of Unesco World Heritage sites, will be submitted to Unesco in 2010, said the director of Peru’s National Institute of Culture (INC), Cecilia Bakula.
"The complete technical report would be submitted next year, so Unesco committee meeting can declare it World Heritage Site in 2011," said the owner.
Qhapaq Ñan constituted the principal north-south highway of the Inca Empire traveling 6000 km along the spine of the Andes. It allowed the Inca to control his Empire that covered a vast region stretching from the south of Colombia passing through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and northwest Argentina to reach Santiago de Chile.
According to Bakula, a meeting of National Committees has been held to consolidate the nominating process of Qhapaq Ñan as World Cultural Heritage and establish the guidelines of the technical report.
The event, scheduled for July 20-23, will be attended by representatives of Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina , Bolivia and Chile. Four stretches of road have been identified in Peru, as well as two other binational paths shared with Bolivia and Ecuador.Different organizations such as Unesco and IUCN have been working to protect this ancient route, in collaboration with the governments and communities of the 6 countries through which the Great Inca Road passes.
The objective of Unesco is to assist the countries that share this common heritage in a pioneering project: the preparation of a unique candidature to inscribe the Qhapaq Ñan as a World Heritage Site.

Source: Andina

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Peru offers wonderful destinations on National Holidays

2009-07-16T19:47:00.002-05:00

Peru is a mega-diverse country with wonderful destinations to meet the expectations of the most demanding tourist. So, don't waste your time, take your bags and choose among the several places you can enjoy in these National holidays.
Magic, sand, waves and relaxation summarize the feeling of the beaches located in the north department of Piura and Tumbes, north coast of Peru.
From the warm beaches of Zorritos (90 kms north from Mancora) to the surfer beaches of Lobitos (80 kms south of Mancora) you'll find beautiful beaches, perfect for swimming and relaxation, many with good tourist services.Incredible waves for surfing and good wind for kitesurfing and windsurfing, and amazing marine life, are perfect for those who practice diving and fishing.
Mancora and its surrounding beaches have changed little by little into the most attractive beach destination for tourists from all corners of the planet.You will find accommodations, ranging from 25 soles (8.3 dollars) to 150 soles (43.3 dollars) on the place.
Don't forget the gastronomy. Ceviche de Mero, perfect barrels, sun and cold beer are the words that we hear daily from Peruvian tourists (mostly from Lima) as well as foreigners who are impressed by the friendly and down-to-earth people of northern Peru.
Southern Peru In the south, Arequipa is one of the most visited places. Its historic center, built in volcanic sillar rock, represents an integration of European and native building techniques and characteristics, expressed in the admirable work of colonial masters and Criollo and Indian masons.
Air ticket prices from Lima to Arequipa range from 250 dollars to 308 dollars, but remember that prices may go up on these days. You can also experience the beauty of one of the deepest canyon in the world. The Colca Canyon and Valley, its gorgeus landscapes and beautiful flora and fauna will surround you.
Tours include visits to main sites in Arequipa city and Mummy Juanita museum. Cusco is a must for travellers. It offers an incredible array of attractions and activities, and it is very worthy of being the main tourist destination in Peru. The city is located in beautiful mountain scenery, and offers a wonderful combination of colonial Peru and the Inca heritage of the country. The nearby archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman, Pisac and Ollantaytambo are some of the most interesting in the country, and the fabled lost city of Machu Picchu is every bit as beautiful and mystical as the famed images suggests. The Cusco area is also home to one of the most famous hikes in the world: the Inca Trail. This walk through Inca settlements offers some stunning scenery, rising through the Andes before descending into the cloud forest and arriving, magically, at Machu Picchu.

Source: Andina

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Cusco among world's most popular tourist destinations

2009-07-15T19:00:00.001-05:00

The Andean city of Cusco in southeastern Peru was voted the world's 16th most popular tourist destination in a 2009 online poll conducted by Travel+Leisure magazine.
Popular destinations such as Barcelona, London and even Paris did not reach the list of 20 top cities. Indian city Udiapur led this year's list, pushing 2008's winner Bangkok to the third place.
"For the first time, Udaipur, India is named World’s Best City, displacing last year’s winner Bangkok, in Travel+Leisure’s fourteenth annual World’s Best Awards readers’ survey", said a press release.Cusco is surrounded by formidable Inca buildings, palaces made with stones and amazing fortresses as it was the ancient capital of the vast Inca empire.The magazine, which conducted its poll between January-March 2009, is also running a rating of the world's best hotels, top islands and top large-ship cruise lines. A festive ceremony will be held next week in New York honoring the winners.
Newcomers to the top spots in their respective categories include: Bushmans Kloof, Cedar Mountains, South Africa (Best Hotel Overall); Sixt (Best Car-Rental Agency); and Austin-Lehman Adventures (Best Tour Operator), among others.
Bali regains its title from 2007 as World’s Best Island (the Galápagos took the top spot in 2008). Inn at Manitou, Canada is the Best Inn in the U.S. and Canada; Inn at Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina is the highest-rated resort in America.

Source: Andina

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Colca Valley expects over 20,000 tourists in July

2009-07-14T14:14:00.005-05:00

Colca Valley, located in Caylloma province, Arequipa, expects over 20,000 tourists in July, specially during the holidays, reported the manager of the Colca Autonomous Authority (Autocolca), Jorge Luis Talavera.
Last year the Colca Valley received 19,350 visitors in July, and this number is expected to increase in 2009, despite the international economic crisis and the AH1N1 flu that affect the entire world.
Talavera said that these inconvenients have not affected, so far, the tourist inflow to the Colca Valley, on the contrary, tourism increased by 11% in the first semester regarding last year’s.The official also said that sanitarian measures have been taken to prevent the AH1N1 flu in case it the flu is detected in Caylloma.
Autocolca purchased masks for the personnel working at the Colca Valley, besides regularly holding meetings with tourist operators to assume the sanitarian measures as well.
Talavera also said that they have coordinated with health centers to check patients with the new influenza AH1N1, in case it is reported among tourists coming to the area.

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Hotel chains in Peru reduce rates to attract more tourists

2009-07-13T16:20:00.002-05:00

The president of Peru’s Hotels Society (SHP), Jose Koechlin, said Sunday that several five-star hotels throughout the country have been slashing their rates between 30% and 50% to attract more tourists. Koechlin explained that hotel owners have taken this measure in response to the global financial crisis impact on the country’s tourism sector.He said the reduction of hotel rates, which occurs during the peak months of the tourist season (July and August), aimed to lure more local and foreign tourists.
Koechlin noted this is the first time that major hotel chains have reduced their rates so much during peak seasons.
However, the SHP’s chairman added that despite this fact, Peru enjoys economic and social stability, as well as provides a diverse range of cultural, natural and historical attractions.“This allows Peru to grow tourist-wise since many more foreign tourists could come to Peru in preference to other countries, domestic tourism could also increase through innovative actions taken by the new Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister,” he said.

Source: Andina

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Mancora beach expects to receive over 5,000 tourists during National Holiday

2009-07-11T18:52:00.002-05:00

The magnificent beach of Mancora, located in Peru’s northern department of Piura, expects to receive over 5,000 domestic and foreign tourists during National Holiday, the Committee on Management and Tourism Development of Talara Beaches reported.
The Head of this organization, Harry Shuller, said that up to now hotel reservations amount to 60 percent for this season.
“Hotels have already reservations for these dates, but there are still more places because this year they opened new establishments, so they can receive more visitors,” he said.
He pointed out that they are receiving more Ecuadorian tourists this season, because Peru’s National Holiday coincides with Ecuadorian holiday period.
“We consider that we may receive over 5,000 tourists during National Holiday, however, we may receive more visitors, but we are cautious in our expectations due to AH1N1 flu,” he said.
In that sense, he emphasized that it is necessary that health authorities develop a huge information campaign on measures that must be taken to avoid contracting and spreading this disease.

Source: Andina

Hotels in Mancora / Packages to Mancora

Hoteles en Mancora / Paquetes a Mancora

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Titicaca, Amazonas & Colca among 77 nominees in N7W of Nature

2009-07-10T19:31:00.003-05:00

Lake Titicaca, Amazon Rainforest/River and Colca Canyon are listed among the top 77 nominees of the New Seven Wonders of Nature online campaign, based on worldwide voting for the 261 natural sites in the election’s second voting phase that ended July 7.
The New7Wonders Foundation reported that 11 South American nominees including the Peruvian ones are part of the list.
These are: Lake Titicaca (Bolivia and Peru), Laguna Colorada (Bolivia), Amazonas Rainforest (Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Surinam and Venezuela), Iguazú Falls (Argentina and Brazil), Kaieteur (Guyana) and Angel Falls (Venezuela).Atacama Desert (Chile), Chicamocha Canyon (Colombia), Colca Canyon (Peru), and Fernando Noronha (Brazil), complete the list of the South American natural wonder nominees.
The complete alphabetized list of the Top 77 is online at here.
Candidates in the campaign to choose the Official New7Wonders of Nature are clearly defined natural sites not created by nor significantly altered by humans for aesthetic reasons.
Following the established and recognized process used for the man-made Official New 7 Wonders of the World campaign, the New7Wonders Panel of Experts will now anonymously choose the 28 Official Finalists from the eligible nominees in the Top 77.
These will be announced in Zurich at the New7Wonders Foundation headquarters on July 21 at 12.07 GMT.The Panel of Experts will consider some criteria to make their selection, such as unique beauty of the nominated site, diversity and distribution across and among the different site categories, including landscapes, ice formations, islands, mountains, volcanoes, caves, rock formations, valleys, forests, national parks, nature reserves, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, seascapes.They will also consider ecological significance (both as eco-systems and/or in their significance for humans), historical legacy (relations that humans have or have had with the site), geo-location (even distribution of the 28 Official Finalists between continents and countries).

Source: Andina

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Over 800,000 tourists visited Peru so far this year

2009-07-10T19:27:00.002-05:00

More than 800,000 tourists, mainly from the United States, have visited Peru between January and July this year, reported the Peruvian General Directorate of Immigration and Naturalization (Digemin) after conducting a documentation review of visitors upon their arrival.

A total of 184.513 U.S. citizens chose Peru as tourist destination, followed by Ecuadorians (60.285), Argentineans (48.525), Chileans (46.634) and Peruvians (46.055) who return to reside or develop tourism activities in their home country.
The head of Digemin, Juan Alvarez Manrique, said "nobody can stop the development of the country, mainly in the tourism sector, as shown in the figures provided by the Office of Immigration Statistics."

According to Alvarez, the Immigration Office carefully checks the travel documents of visitors and inspectors become the best hosts, since they are the first point of interaction with foreign tourists in the country.

In recent months, he said, the Immigration Office organized training courses for inspectors on the detection of fraudulent documents, which helped to detect more than 12 cases, among local and foreign tourists, who tried to leave the country using someone else's passport.
The Jorge Chavez International Airport inspectors have improved their performance thanks to the acquisition of high-tech equipment capable of verifying the identity of individuals in minutes

Source: Andina

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Lambayeque's Huaca Chotuna-Chornancap museum to open next month

2009-07-10T19:07:00.003-05:00

The On-site Museum of Huaca Chotuna-Chornancap archaeological site in northern Peru is expected to open in about thirty days, announced Lambayeque's regional tourism authority Celso Sialer Tavara.
The Museum project is funded by the provincial municipality of Lambayeque, Construyendo Peru government program and Unidad Ejecutora Naylamp 111 archaeological project.
“The opening has been delayed because we need time to finish the museum pamphlet. In 30 days, we hope to open this museum for regional, national and international tourism,” Celso Sialer told Andina.“We have invested less than 200,000 soles in this project; but as we get more funds, we will be able to improve it,” he said.
The museum will display some 33 remains of human sacrifices, as well as ceramic objects discovered during recent excavations at the archeological complex of Huaca Chotuna-Chornancap.Sialer Tavara detailed that the museum was built on a 200 square meter area and its façade features a faithful replica of the Temple of the Frisos' façade, an ancient pre-Incan mural discovered in this area in 1940.

Source: Andina

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Cusco-Machu Picchu route among world's top 10 train rides

2009-07-10T19:01:00.003-05:00

PeruRail's train service between Cusco and Machu Picchu has been included in the list of "Top 10" most exciting and scenic train rides in the world released by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW).
PeruRail is a specialist train travel provider, running trains to Machu Picchu and beyond through some of the most beautiful parts of Peru. A choice of routes are available - between either historic Cusco or the Sacred Valley and the legendary Machu Picchu, or between Cusco and the marvelous Lake Titicaca.
SATW, the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, polled its members to come up with the world’s top 10 train rides, listed in order of votes and with comments from SATW writers, here they are:
The Rocky Mountaineer offers spectacular two-day journeys through the Canadian Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper.
The Glacier Express is the famous Swiss mountain railway from St. Moritz to Zermatt, a 7.5 hour railway journey that crosses 291 bridges and burrows through 91 tunnels.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad winds through rugged canyons in the remote wilderness of Colorado’s two-million-acre San Juan National Forest.
The Bernina Express from Chur, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, makes the highest rail crossing of the Alps, passing from icy glaciers to palm-shaded piazzas in just a few hours.
Peru Rail, Cusco to Machu Picchu carries passengers on a spectacular journey through the high Andes. There are three levels of service, from backpacker trains to Vistadome cars to the luxurious blue and gold Hiram Bingham train, named in honor of Hiram Bingham, the explorer who discovered the Inca citadel in 1911.
The train passes by lush green fields and colorful villages in the foothills of the Andes and climbs along the Urubamba River through a dramatic canyon before reaching Machu Picchu. "On the train from Cusco to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, it’s easy to feel you’re traveling into a mystery as you roll past secluded farms, squeeze between rugged mountains and, on my trip, become enveloped by low brooding dark clouds." Susan Farlow, freelance travel writer. The Coastal Classic Train on the Alaska Railroad winds through the wilderness between Anchorage and Seward.
The Royal Scotsman rolls through the ever-changing landscapes of sweeping glens, towering peaks and mirror-calm lochs as the train weaves through wild countryside and along virgin stretches of coast on two to seven night journeys in the Scottish highlands.
The Whistler Mountaineer in Canada is a three-hour ride along the magnificent coast of British Columbia, from Vancouver to Whistler, famous for its views of cities, old-growth forests, deep valleys, snowcapped peaks and seascapes.
Mexico’s El Chepe ventures into the imposing landscapes of the Sierra Tarahumara and into Mexico’s famed Copper Canyon, passing through 87 tunnels and crossing 37 bridges.
The Flam Railway is regarded as one of the highlights of the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour. The 20-km-long train journey from the mountain station of Myrdal down to Flam, beside a fjord, takes 55 minutes.
The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) is a non-profit professional association that works to promote responsible travel journalism and to provide professional support for its members, including travel journalists, photographers, editors, electronic media, film lecturers, television and film producers, and public relations representatives from the travel industry.
(END)INT/RMB

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Pre-hispanic wall discovered at Historical Center of Cusco

2009-07-10T18:21:00.003-05:00

A pre-Hispanic wall was discovered in the subsoil of the Historical Center while archaeological excavation works were being carried out, reported Friday Carlos Rosell Bocanegra, archaeologist at the Peruvian National Institute of Culture (INC) in Cusco.

The wall, built in green diorite stone, measures 80 cm. width, has 7-meter long in one archaeological excavation and an additional meter in the other excavation located 20 meter away, which is why people estimate the wall stretches over 100 meters across the street.

Specialists have not determined the period in which the wall was built yet; but according to its predominant characteristics, they believe it belongs to the Killke period or Early Inka, which will be ratified or rejected in the coming days.
“They will conduct a study of the ceramics found around the wall,” he added.

Triunfo Street comes out into Cusco Main Square. During the Inca period, it was the royal entrance to Antisuyo, one of four regions of Tahuantinsuyo.
Archaeological exploration works are being carried out as part of the improvement project in Triunfo Street by the Municipality of Cusco and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)

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Lake Titicaca and Amazon River top 7 Wonders of Nature contest

2009-07-07T12:24:00.004-05:00

Lake Titicaca and Amazon Rainforest/River top their respective groups in the New Seven Wonders of Nature contest, just one day away from the closure of the voting campaign.
Lake Titicaca continues to lead Group F (lakes, rivers and waterfalls) and the Amazon River and Rainforest took first place in Group E, (Forests, National Parks and Nature Reserves).
Likewise, the Colca Canyon, located in Arequipa, ranks second in Group D, which includes caves, rock formations and valleys.
On July 7, 2009 the voting campaign will end to choose the 28 finalists of the contest which will be announced on July 21st by the organizers after the verification of the votes. Lake Titicaca, whose nomination is promoted by Peruvian and Bolivian authorities, is still at the top of its group since May 19th and has become the main South American nominee.
Meanwhile, the Amazon River is supported by authorities from Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Suriname, Peru and Venezuela.

Source: Andina

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Arequipa received 390,000 tourists in January-June period

2009-07-05T21:27:00.002-05:00

So far this year, the Andean region of Arequipa has been visited by 390,000 domestic and foreign tourists, a similar figure compared to the same period last year, Arequipa's Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism reported.
From January to June this year, 300,000 Peruvian tourists arrived in the "White City", while the number of foreign visitors was 90,000.
The peak season in Arequipa began at the end of June and will last until September and October; that is why they expect that this figure can increase in the next months.
Last year, Arequipa received 640,000 domestic tourists and 180,000 foreign tourists.
Local authorities expected to surpass last year's figure by 20 percent, but the rate of growth has slowed due to the international financial crisis and AH1N1 flu.
Despite global problems, Arequipa expects to receive 200,000 foreign tourists, a 10 percent increase over 2008.

Source: Andina
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Arequipa Colca Valley attempts to become World Cultural Heritage

2009-07-01T21:53:00.004-05:00

The manager of the Colca Autonomous Authority (Autocolca), Jorge Luis Talavera, announced he will submit a dossier to the Unesco for Colca Valley’s nomination as World Natural Cultural Heritage.
Talavera said he will submit the document next year, through the appropriate national channels, in order that the Colca is included in that category after considering that it fulfills the necessary requirements.
He noted that the first step to request the declaration began a few months ago when Arequipa authorities signed a cooperation agreement to develop the territorial conditioning plan of the place.
The commitment was signed between representatives of the regional government of Arequipa, the provincial municipality of Caylloma, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and Autocolca.
"The territorial conditioning plan will be ready next year, immediately after we will submit the dossier to the Unesco through national channels," Talavera said.
He added that the territorial conditioning plan is an important document for the development of the valley, which will be implemented with support from regional and international entities.

Source: Andina

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Peru becomes one of top ten historical sites in the world

2009-07-01T21:49:00.002-05:00

The declaration of the Sacred City of Caral as World Cultural Heritage turns Peru into one of the world’s top ten most historical sites, reported today Peru's Export and Tourism Promotion Board (PromPeru).
"Peru shares this category with India, Egypt, China, Greece, Italy, France, among others, and is the only Latin American country on the list. This nation is a cultural power in the world," said Tourism Promotion director of PromPeru, Mara Seminario Marón.
Caral, located in the Limean province of Barranca, district of Supe, is included in the capital’s tourist circuit and the Historic Centre of Lima, declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1991.This designation recognizes the Sacred City of Caral as the oldest centre of civilization in the Americas, which flourished between 3000 and 1800 BC.The last time a Peruvian heritage was recognized as a world heritage site by Unesco was in 2000. It was the historical center of Arequipa.The others are: the city of Cusco (1983), the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (1983), Huascaran National Park (1985), Chavin archaeological site of (1985), Chan Chan archaeological site (1986), Manu National Park (1987), the historic center of Lima (1988, 1991), Abiseo River National Park (1990, 1992) and Lines of Nazca and Pampas of Jumana (1994).

Source: Andina

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International Gastronomic Fair expects to receive 200,000 people this year in Lima

2009-07-01T21:44:00.002-05:00

The Second International Gastronomic Fair of Lima named “Mistura”, to be held from September 24 to 27, expects to receive about 200,000 attendees during the four-day event, a 400 percent increase in visitors compared to the figures recorded in 2008, reported today the Peruvian Gastronomy Association (Apega).
According to Apega’s president, Gaston Acurio, the event will move from a 12,000 square meters area (San Martin Headquartes, located in the district of Miraflores) to a 100,000 square meters park space (Parque de la Exposicion), which will ensure a further development of the fair and attract more visitors.
"Last year, about 40,000 people attended the event, but at least 40,000 people stayed outside because there was no capacity. This year, a large attendance is expected and we hope to reach a record of 200,000 attendees, including 5,000 visitors from other countries, "he said.
This second edition will bring together the most important representatives of the Peruvian cuisine as well as renowned international chefs, which include six world-class chefs from Spain, France, Italy and United States, who have high expectations of this visit.
"Among the chefs confirmed to participate in the event are: Andoni Luis Aduriz (Spain) considered the fourth best chef in the world, as well as Joan Roca and the Italian Massimo Obtura," he said.

Source: Andina
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About 40,000 restaurants open monthly in Peru

2009-06-28T18:16:00.002-05:00

Some 40,000 restaurants of all kind, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, open monthly in Peru, especially in tourist areas, reported today Lima's Chamber of Commerce (CCL).
“One of the biggest factors that motivates people to invest in this area is the big peak of the Peruvian gastronomy and the recognition it has worldwide,” said the President of the Subcommittee of Gastronomy of the CCL, Nicolai Stakeeff.

He said that more and more restaurants open because there are more tourists that come to the country interested in tasting the Peruvian cousin, besides Peruvians that go more frequently to these restaurants to enjoy a good meal.

He said that the tourist regions where constantly new restaurants are opened are Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Puno, Lambayeque, La Libertad and Piura among others.

However, he said that from the total of restaurants opened month after month, almost a 50% close before the first 3 months, since there is no knowledge of what means the responsibility of offering a true food service.

He said that to open a luxury restaurant in Peru, an investment of around $500,000 is needed, and to open an average restaurant are needed $40,000 approximately.

Some luxury restaurants in Peru are Kala, La Casa Moreyra, La Rosa Náutica, Las Brujas del Cachiche and El Señorío de Sulco, among others.

In addition, some average restaurants are El Mordisco, Punto Azul, Rodrigo, Malabar, Bravo Restobar and any other restaurant that belongs to the Peruvian chef Gaston Acurio.

Source: Andina
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Peru wins award in Hong Kong tourism event

2009-06-28T18:13:00.000-05:00

Peru was voted the “Best Exploration Route” during Hong Kong's International Travel Expo (ITE) that was held on June 11-14 with the participation of more than 600 exhibitors from 50 countries of Africa, America, Europe, Asia and Middle East.
In a contest called “New Travel Routes 2009,” eight countries were voted the most romantic, charming, adorable, adventurous and mysterious routes among other categories.
The contest was held among readers of U magazine and attendees to this event, which was visited by 75,640 people.
Over 11,000 visitors were tourism professionals, travel agencies, transport companies, hotels and journalists.
Peru's Tourism and Export Promotion Board (PromPeru) attended this fair in order to promote Peruvian attractions among Asian consumers.
During this event, Hong Kong journalist Celia Cheng, who wrote the first tourist guide of Peru in Chinese language, contributed with the PromPeru campaign.
On this occasion, Cheng presented a photographic exhibition of Lake Titicaca and Cusco, and she was the main lecturer of a seminar called “Descubre Peru” (Discover Peru), in which she described her experiences in Peru.

Source: Andina

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Caral ancient city added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List

2009-06-28T18:09:00.002-05:00

Peru's Sacred City of Caral-Supe, the oldest centre of civilization in the Americas, was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee, chaired by María Jesús San Segundo, the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Spain to UNESCO.
The 5000-year-old 626-hectare archaeological site of The Sacred City of Caral-Supe is situated on a dry desert terrace overlooking the green valley of the Supe river.

It dates back to the Late Archaic Period of the Central Andes and is the oldest centre of civilization in the Americas. Exceptionally well-preserved, the site is impressive in terms of its design and the complexity of its architectural, especially its monumental stone and earthen platform mounts and sunken circular courts.

One of 18 urban settlements situated in the same area, Caral features complex and monumental architecture, including six large pyramidal structures. A quipu (the knot system used in Andean civilizations to record information) found on the site testifies to the development and complexity of Caral society.

The city’s plan and some of its components, including pyramidal structures and residence of the elite, show clear evidence of ceremonial functions, signifying a powerful religious ideology.

The Committee also added the historic centre of the town of Levoca to the Slovak World Heritage site of Spišský Hrad inscribed on the List in 1993. The extended site is to be known as Levoca, Spišský and the Associated Cultural Monument.

The extended site in Slovakia now features the addition of the historic town-centre of Levoca founded in the 13th and 14th centuries within fortifications. Most of the site has been preserved and it includes the 14th century church of St James with its ten alters of the 15th and 16th centuries, a remarkable collection of polychrome works in the Late Gothic style, including an 18.6 metre high alterpiece by completed around 1510 by Master Paul.

Source: Andina

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Tour package sales could reach additional US$ 17 million in next 12 months

2009-06-28T17:54:00.004-05:00

The National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur) said Sunday that tour package sales in Peru may increase by US$ 17 million in the next twelve months, thanks to promotional campaigns launched by tour operators at Peru Travel Mart 2009.
Canatur's chairman Fernando Puga said that from June 2009 to July 2010 there will a significant increase in the number of tour operators promoting Peru in overseas markets.
“Those who sold "Peru Destination" until the first half of 2009 generated a tourist flow of 5,518 people, totaling US$ 6’739,348. However, the new sellers may generate an additional flow of 7,800 people; which would bring US$ 10’186,800 more,” he told Andina.It should be noted that in 2008, more than 2 million tourists arrived to Peru, 14 percent more compared to 2007. Most visitors came from Chile and the United States.
According to estimates for 2009 made by Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), tourism to Peru may grow up to 4 percent.
In this regard, Puga added that Peru's most promoted tourist destinations are Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Iquitos, the Sacred Valley, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Nazca, Puno, Paracas, Cajamarca, Ica, Chiclayo, Amazonas and Trujillo.

Air tickets in Peru / Hotels in Peru

Source: Andina

Hollywood producer Ron Howard visits Machu Picchu

2009-06-26T10:09:00.005-05:00

Hollywood producer, director and actor Ron Howard arrived in Peru and visited Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, that has attracted many worldwide celebrities. Howard took the Hiram Bingham train at Ollantaytambo station as any other tourist, but some minutes later some passangers recognized him asking him to pose for some pictures with them. The 55-year-old famous director agreed and signed some autographs for his fans, reported Peru's newspaper El Comercio.

The American producer arrived in Machu Picchu around midday and started to visit the place accompanied with a local guide. The Hollywood director took notes and recorded everything the guide was saying.Howard is one of the most sought-after and highly regarded directors in the business. His films, including Splash, Cocoon and Apollo 13, have been some of the most memorable entertainment experiences of our era. He won the 2002 Best Director Oscar for A Beautiful Mind, which also won the 2002 Oscar as Best Picture. In the 1970s he became famous as Howard Cunningham's son and Arthur Fonzarelli's best friend, Richie Cunningham, on Happy Days (a role he played from 1974 to 1980).

Machu Picchu's popularity has rapidly risen sicne it was chosen one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Many celebrities such as The Police guitarist Andy Summers, have traveled to the Andean city of Cusco and visited the Inca citadel. The list of celebrities include Princess Beatrice, daughter of Prince Andrés and Sarah Ferguson, Olivia Newton John and Cameron Díaz. Multibillionaire Bill Gates also visited the Inca citadel and attended the Inti Raymi in Sacsayhuaman, and so did Hollywood actors Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson in December last year.

Source: Andina

Hotels in Cusco / Tours in Cusco / Tickets Lima - Cusco

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Thousands of people witness Inti Raymi in Cusco

2009-06-26T10:00:00.003-05:00

Thousands of tourists and local people attended the staging of the Inti Raimy or Festival of the Sun, whose first ceremony took place at the Santo Domingo Qoricancha Covent with the greeting to the Father Sun or Inti Tayta.

The Inti Raymi is considered as the most solemn and grandiose festivity of the Inca era.
The Inca, along with principal members of his court and the Huillac Uma (Main Priest), performed a ritual of greeting to the Inti Tayta (Father Sun) at the Qoricancha esplanade, where the rests of the famous Inca temple dedicated to the Sun are located.

Afterwards, the Inca, escorted by all his entourage, moved to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, where this festivity was originally performed and where the Cusco's Cathedral is located, this last one built on the temple dedicated to the god Wiracocha or universal god for the Andean culture.

That’s where the dubbed “Encuentro de los tiempos”( Encounter of the times) took place, act where the Inca talked with the major of the city and offered a speech to the people of Cusco and its authorities.

In these moments, the Inca accompanied by his Coya (queen), his royal entourage and his imperial army goes to the Archeological Park of Sacsayhuaman for the central ceremony of Inti Raymi.

The Inti Raymi ("Festival of the Sun") is a religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the god Inti (Sun). It also marked the winter solstice and a new year in the Andes of the Southern Hemisphere.

Source: Andina

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INC-Cusco authorities restore Ollantaytambo archaeological site

2009-06-22T11:35:00.003-05:00

Cusco's National Institute of Culture (INC) has completed a series of conservation and restoration works at the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo, located in the Urubamba province in Cusco, southeastern Peru. The project is part of measures being implemented by the State's public organization to honor the city of Cusco. Archaeologist Amelia Perez Trujillo explained that seven monuments, three squares, terraces and murals were restored during the project.

According to the Director of Conservation of Cultural Heritage Property, Antonio Silva Del Carpio, a total of 1’730,000 soles were invested in Q'ellorakay (Ollantaytambo), Maskabamba and Pinkulluna projects. Ollantaytambo is a town and an Inca archaeological site in southern Peru some 60 kilometers northwest of the city of Cusco.
It is located at an altitude of 2,792 meters above sea level in the district of Ollantaytambo, province of Urubamba, Cusco region.

Source: Andina

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Arequipa expects to welcome over 25,000 tourists in August 2009

2009-06-19T13:32:00.002-05:00

Arequipa prepares to welcome over 25,000 tourists in August, its anniversary month, when visitors will participate in different programmed activities, as well as know its tourist attractions, reported the regional government.
Rocio Cervantes, regional manager of Foreign Trade and Tourism, said that during the anniversary of the white city the tourist inflow increases on increasing interest of the visitors to participate in festivities.
Many cultural and artistic activities are programmed in that month, such as serenades, parades, parade floats, among others.
“Last year we received 25,000 tourists, this year we expect the number to increase, that is why we are working in coordination with other institutions linked to the sector,” she said.
Many tourist promotion plans are being developed in the coming months targeting local people, so they can know more about their province.

Source: Andina

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Accor opened four-star Novotel hotel in Lima

2009-06-18T13:22:00.005-05:00

French hotel chain Accor opened on Monday a four-star Novotel hotel in the Limean district of San Isidro, which construction required an investment of 18.5 million dollars, reported its general manager, Ana Lucia Kosceniewski.
It is worth mentioning that, in March, the company announced an investment of 15 million dollars for construction works, amount exceeded during the decorating and implementation process.
"The hotel was built in record time of 18 months and, due to its strategic location, it is expected to attract corporate customers, who pass through this area daily," she said.
This seven-storey hotel has 208 rooms including two suites (50 square meters), 71 twin bedrooms, 130 double bedrooms and five disabled bedrooms with 25 square meters each one.
It also has seven reception rooms with a total capacity for 490 people, located on first and second floors, since the hotel seeks to satisfy the strong demand of companies for spacious rooms equipped to conduct workshops, trainings and press conferences.
Other services include business center, children area, spa, gym, indoor pool, bar and restaurant.

Source:Andina

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Puno's natural & cultural wealth promoted on website

2009-06-17T14:53:00.008-05:00

The natural and cultural wealth of Puno in southeastern Peru are being promoted on a website dubbed "Puno, Exportable Offer," launched by the Foreign Ministry office in this region. The website and a CD-ROM, launched last Friday, will be distributed and promoted among all Peruvian embassies, consulates and trade offices in the world. Handicrafts, jewelry, trouts, historical tourism and quinoa are presented as Puno’s flagship products on this website.
Foreign Ministry official in Puno, Ricardo Barreda said the project began in December 2008 with a digital catalog of Puno's products and tourist attractions.
The Regional Executive Committee for Export (Cerx), the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Production of San Roman, Puno Regional Chamber of Tourism and Puno’s Destination Management Organization (OGD) contributed to this initiative.
The material features information of the region's most important productive sectors and includes an updated directory of companies with great export potential or which are already exporting their products and/or services.
The purpose of its publication is to promote the capacity and quality of Puno's exportable offer in new markets worldwide, as well as promote its investment potential.

Hotels in Puno

Tours in Puno: PUNO (Titikaka)

Source: Andina

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Ancient tomb found in Machu Picchu archaeological park

2009-06-17T12:44:00.003-05:00

Archaeologists at the National Institute of Culture (INC) have found a pre-Inca tomb in the Salapunku archaeological site, located inside the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park in Cusco, southeastern Peru.
Resident archaeologist Francisco Huaycaya Quispe said that these remains would belong to a woman from the Quillke culture, an indigenous which flourished before the Inca Empire.
According to the archaeologist, this hypothesis is based on the pottery and ruminant and poultry bones found at the site.
He mentined that this tomb has "interesting" features because it points towards a mountain called Wakaywillka, considered by the pre-Hispanic inhabitants the tutelary apu of the Vilcanota valley.
The discovery occurred in the sector III, located in a rocky area of the Salapunku archaeological site.
The archaeological site of Salapunku is at 2,631 meters above sea level in the foothills of the La Veronica mount and it occupies an area of 229.420 square meters.

Source: Andina

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