Over 800,000 tourists visited Peru so far this year

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Useful links:
5 star hotels in Lima 4 star hotels in Lima 3 star hotels in Lima apart hotels in Lima Hotels in Arequipa Hotels in Chiclayo Hotels in Manu Hotels in Tacna Hotels in Abancay Hotels in Ayacucho Hotels in Cajamarca Hotels in Colan Hotels in Colca Hotels in Cusco Hotels in Huancayo Hotels in Huaraz Hotels in Ica Hotels in Iquitos Hotels in Machu Picchu Hotels in Mancora Hotels in Nazca Hotels in Paracas Hotels in Piura Hotels in Tambopata Hotels in Puno Hotels in Punta Sal Hotels in Tarapoto Hoteles en Cusco Hotels in Tarma Hotels in Tingo Maria Hotels in Trujillo Hotels in Tumbes Hotels in Urubamba air tickets tours in peru hotels in peru rent a car

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

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Useful links:
5 star hotels in Lima 4 star hotels in Lima 3 star hotels in Lima apart hotels in Lima Hotels in Arequipa Hotels in Chiclayo Hotels in Manu Hotels in Tacna Hotels in Abancay Hotels in Ayacucho Hotels in Cajamarca Hotels in Colan Hotels in Colca Hotels in Cusco Hotels in Huancayo Hotels in Huaraz Hotels in Ica Hotels in Iquitos Hotels in Machu Picchu Hotels in Mancora Hotels in Nazca Hotels in Paracas Hotels in Piura Hotels in Tambopata Hotels in Puno Hotels in Punta Sal Hotels in Tarapoto Hoteles en Cusco Hotels in Tarma Hotels in Tingo Maria Hotels in Trujillo Hotels in Tumbes Hotels in Urubamba air tickets tours in peru hotels in peru rent a car

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

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Useful links:
5 star hotels in Lima 4 star hotels in Lima 3 star hotels in Lima apart hotels in Lima Hotels in Arequipa Hotels in Chiclayo Hotels in Manu Hotels in Tacna Hotels in Abancay Hotels in Ayacucho Hotels in Cajamarca Hotels in Colan Hotels in Colca Hotels in Cusco Hotels in Huancayo Hotels in Huaraz Hotels in Ica Hotels in Iquitos Hotels in Machu Picchu Hotels in Mancora Hotels in Nazca Hotels in Paracas Hotels in Piura Hotels in Tambopata Hotels in Puno Hotels in Punta Sal Hotels in Tarapoto Hoteles en Cusco Hotels in Tarma Hotels in Tingo Maria Hotels in Trujillo Hotels in Tumbes Hotels in Urubamba air tickets tours in peru hotels in peru rent a car

Pre-hispanic wall discovered at Historical Center of Cusco

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)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Useful links:
5 star hotels in Lima 4 star hotels in Lima 3 star hotels in Lima apart hotels in Lima Hotels in Arequipa Hotels in Chiclayo Hotels in Manu Hotels in Tacna Hotels in Abancay Hotels in Ayacucho Hotels in Cajamarca Hotels in Colan Hotels in Colca Hotels in Cusco Hotels in Huancayo Hotels in Huaraz Hotels in Ica Hotels in Iquitos Hotels in Machu Picchu Hotels in Mancora Hotels in Nazca Hotels in Paracas Hotels in Piura Hotels in Tambopata Hotels in Puno Hotels in Punta Sal Hotels in Tarapoto Hoteles en Cusco Hotels in Tarma Hotels in Tingo Maria Hotels in Trujillo Hotels in Tumbes Hotels in Urubamba air tickets tours in peru hotels in peru rent a car

Lake Titicaca and Amazon River top 7 Wonders of Nature contest

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Useful links:
5 star hotels in Lima 4 star hotels in Lima 3 star hotels in Lima apart hotels in Lima Hotels in Arequipa Hotels in Chiclayo Hotels in Manu Hotels in Tacna Hotels in Abancay Hotels in Ayacucho Hotels in Cajamarca Hotels in Colan Hotels in Colca Hotels in Cusco Hotels in Huancayo Hotels in Huaraz Hotels in Ica Hotels in Iquitos Hotels in Machu Picchu Hotels in Mancora Hotels in Nazca Hotels in Paracas Hotels in Piura Hotels in Tambopata Hotels in Puno Hotels in Punta Sal Hotels in Tarapoto Hoteles en Cusco Hotels in Tarma Hotels in Tingo Maria Hotels in Trujillo Hotels in Tumbes Hotels in Urubamba air tickets tours in peru hotels in peru rent a car

Arequipa received 390,000 tourists in January-June period

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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Useful links:
5 star hotels in Lima 4 star hotels in Lima 3 star hotels in Lima apart hotels in Lima Hotels in Arequipa Hotels in Chiclayo Hotels in Manu Hotels in Tacna Hotels in Abancay Hotels in Ayacucho Hotels in Cajamarca Hotels in Colan Hotels in Colca Hotels in Cusco Hotels in Huancayo Hotels in Huaraz Hotels in Ica Hotels in Iquitos Hotels in Machu Picchu Hotels in Mancora Hotels in Nazca Hotels in Paracas Hotels in Piura Hotels in Tambopata Hotels in Puno Hotels in Punta Sal Hotels in Tarapoto Hoteles en Cusco Hotels in Tarma Hotels in Tingo Maria Hotels in Trujillo Hotels in Tumbes Hotels in Urubamba air tickets tours in peru hotels in peru rent a car

Arequipa Colca Valley attempts to become World Cultural Heritage

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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Useful links:
5 star hotels in Lima 4 star hotels in Lima 3 star hotels in Lima apart hotels in Lima Hotels in Arequipa Hotels in Chiclayo Hotels in Manu Hotels in Tacna Hotels in Abancay Hotels in Ayacucho Hotels in Cajamarca Hotels in Colan Hotels in Colca Hotels in Cusco Hotels in Huancayo Hotels in Huaraz Hotels in Ica Hotels in Iquitos Hotels in Machu Picchu Hotels in Mancora Hotels in Nazca Hotels in Paracas Hotels in Piura Hotels in Tambopata Hotels in Puno Hotels in Punta Sal Hotels in Tarapoto Hoteles en Cusco Hotels in Tarma Hotels in Tingo Maria Hotels in Trujillo Hotels in Tumbes Hotels in Urubamba air tickets tours in peru hotels in peru rent a car

Peru becomes one of top ten historical sites in the world

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


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Useful links:
5 star hotels in Lima 4 star hotels in Lima 3 star hotels in Lima apart hotels in Lima Hotels in Arequipa Hotels in Chiclayo Hotels in Manu Hotels in Tacna Hotels in Abancay Hotels in Ayacucho Hotels in Cajamarca Hotels in Colan Hotels in Colca Hotels in Cusco Hotels in Huancayo Hotels in Huaraz Hotels in Ica Hotels in Iquitos Hotels in Machu Picchu Hotels in Mancora Hotels in Nazca Hotels in Paracas Hotels in Piura Hotels in Tambopata Hotels in Puno Hotels in Punta Sal Hotels in Tarapoto Hoteles en Cusco Hotels in Tarma Hotels in Tingo Maria Hotels in Trujillo Hotels in Tumbes Hotels in Urubamba air tickets tours in peru hotels in peru rent a car

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

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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Useful links:
5 star hotels in Lima 4 star hotels in Lima 3 star hotels in Lima apart hotels in Lima Hotels in Arequipa Hotels in Chiclayo Hotels in Manu Hotels in Tacna Hotels in Abancay Hotels in Ayacucho Hotels in Cajamarca Hotels in Colan Hotels in Colca Hotels in Cusco Hotels in Huancayo Hotels in Huaraz Hotels in Ica Hotels in Iquitos Hotels in Machu Picchu Hotels in Mancora Hotels in Nazca Hotels in Paracas Hotels in Piura Hotels in Tambopata Hotels in Puno Hotels in Punta Sal Hotels in Tarapoto Hoteles en Cusco Hotels in Tarma Hotels in Tingo Maria Hotels in Trujillo Hotels in Tumbes Hotels in Urubamba air tickets tours in peru hotels in peru rent a car

About 40,000 restaurants open monthly in Peru

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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Useful links:
5 star hotels in Lima 4 star hotels in Lima 3 star hotels in Lima apart hotels in Lima Hotels in Arequipa Hotels in Chiclayo Hotels in Manu Hotels in Tacna Hotels in Abancay Hotels in Ayacucho Hotels in Cajamarca Hotels in Colan Hotels in Colca Hotels in Cusco Hotels in Huancayo Hotels in Huaraz Hotels in Ica Hotels in Iquitos Hotels in Machu Picchu Hotels in Mancora Hotels in Nazca Hotels in Paracas Hotels in Piura Hotels in Tambopata Hotels in Puno Hotels in Punta Sal Hotels in Tarapoto Hoteles en Cusco Hotels in Tarma Hotels in Tingo Maria Hotels in Trujillo Hotels in Tumbes Hotels in Urubamba air tickets tours in peru hotels in peru rent a car