Nearly 200,000 people enjoy Inti Raymi ceremony in Cusco

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  Photo: ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

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15:44.

 Cusco, Jun. 24. About 200,000 people enjoy the spectacular staging of the Inti Raymi ceremony celebrated at three different venues in Cusco: Qoricancha Temple, Cusco’s Main Square and Sacsayhuaman Fortress, it was informed.

According to Oscar Alzamora, Director of the Municipal Company of Festivities in Cusco (Emufec), the ceremony brings almost 200,000 people together spread out over the three venues and main streets of downtown Cusco.

Inti Raymi activities started this morning at 9 a.m. at the Qoricancha Temple, where the Inca, whose role is played by Nivardo Carrillo, sang to the Sun God and asked him for prosperity.

Delegations representing each of the four suyos or regions of the Inca Empire, that is, Antisuyo (East), Contisuyo (West), Qollasuyo (South), Chinchaysuyo (North) joined the acting coming from their respective directions.

Stands were set up to house attendees within the perimeter of the Qoricancha’s terrace. The performance lasted almost an hour and then headed to Cusco’s Main Square, located just a block and a half away.

Once in there, Andean seers and priests proceeded to read Cusco’s future in coca leaves and predicted development and prosperity for the people.

Public order and calm was maintained thanks to the support of police officers, firefighters, health care workers, and municipal patrol guards among others.

The Inca is heading to the archaeological park of Sacsayhuaman, where a large number of people have been waiting to see the central ceremony.

The Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun was an Incan ceremony held in the capital of Tahuantinsuyo year after year at the end of the harvest period.

(END) PHS/JCR/MAO/RMB/MVB

Over 1.13 million tourists visited Peru in first 4 months of 2015

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09:00.

 Lima, Jun. 13. The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Magali Silva, informed that international tourist arrivals grew 8.4% to 1,13 million visitors in first fourth-month period of the year, compared to the same period last year.

She highlighted the rise in the number of Chilean arrivals to the country, which has reached 50,821 so far this year, up 16.4% against the previous year. This way, Chile has positioned as the main source market for tourists, accounting for 31.9% of total arrivals.

"We are seeing the fruits of the promotion campaign undertaken in main cities of Chile and the border region, which has reversed the negative trend from last year," he said.

 

The growth of Latin American tourist arrivals stood out in the first quarter with Ecuador (10.9%), Argentina (8.4%), Mexico (8.2%), Colombia (7.4%) and Brazil (3.7%) as the most prominent examples.

Germany and Spain results also excelled, since the number of international tourist arrivals to Peru from those countries increased by 6.9% and 6.4%, respectively.

Our main markets in Latin America, which accounted for 54.6% of total arrivals in the first four months of the year, maintained a significant growth led by Chile (16.4%).

 

As for Asia, South Korea posted a sustained growth of 59%, higher than the first quarter’s accumulated average. This market’s presence is maintained in major international events.

 

In Europe, Italy and the United Kingdom stood out as Peru’s main tourist markets with growth rates of 9.3% and 6.3%, respectively, followed by France, Germany and Spain, where the advertising campaign Peru Land of Hidden Treasures is being developed.

The US market accounted for 14% of total arrivals between January and April, and it is the second largest source market for tourists to Peru.

 

(END) JJN/JJN/RMB

Published: 13/06/2015

Peru: Manu National Park draws over 9,000 tourists a year

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  Photo: ANDINA/Percy Hurtado Santillán

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10:23.

 Lima, May. 22. More than 9,000 domestic and foreign tourists visit Manu National Park to enjoy its flora and fauna biodiversity in this 2 million hectare natural reserve located in Cusco and Madre de Dios regions.

John Flores Leiva, head of the park, explained that approximately 1,500 tourists come to the Amazon area of Manu river basin, while about 500 visitors are drawn to the Tres Cruces (Three Crosses) zone, located in the Andean part of the reserve.

However, he clarified the greatest flow of tourists is found in the buffer zone, offered by tour operators as Manu National Park or Biosphere Reserve, where about 7,000 visitors come each year.

The main reason of the mass flow into the buffer zone is the low prices and access easy access routes available for tourists.

“Entering Manu river takes three addition days. This is why operators sell different destinations and products such as Bosque Nublado (Cloud Forest), Alto Madre de Dios river basin and a route that runs to Puerto Maldonado through Colorado,” he said.

He said there is an airfield in Fitzcarrald district, in the indigenous community of Diamante. It has been out of service for several years and operators are not making the most of it on the Manu tour.

“The landing field used to easy the entry of tourists into Manu, but now the trip is made by land, mainly accessible from Cusco, and in small groups that take the Puerto Maldonado route through Colorado,” he continued.

The tourist package cost to visit Manu National Park for seven days is about US$2,000; however it varies depending on a series of factors.

Flores explained the price depends on the quality of service, number of days, type of package, operator, distance and tour duration. “Prices vary a lot”.

The National Service of Natural Protected Areas (Sernanp) has deployed 28 forest rangers in different points of the natural reserve, to increase surveillance in the area.

“Seven surveillance posts were created all along the areas where potential threats from agricultural activities have been identified,” he stated.

(END) LIT/MAO/RMB/MVB

Peru: Machu Picchu and Amazon River, favorite destinations for Chinese tourists

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  Photo: ANDINA/Difusión

19:49.

 Mazatlan (Mexico), May. 26. Cusco, Iquitos and Lima are the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists visiting the country.

Therefore, these are great-potential attractions in the Asian market, the representative of Beijing Sunny International Travel Agency, Zhang Ji, affirmed at the 2nd Pacific Alliance Tourism Business Macro Roundtable.

Cusco's most relevant tourist attraction is Machu Picchu. With regard to rainforest  Iquitos city, it is the Amazon river, said the Chinese participating at the international meeting that takes place in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Nearly 35% of the Chinese people carry out tourism-related activities, she affirmed.

Tourism data 

“The Chinese citizens who travel the most to South America are the ones, whose ages are over 50 because they have more time and resources to travel longer distances. Whereas, younger Chinese people prefer destinations inside their own country or Asia," Zhang stated.

Every time a Chinese tourist is interested in South American destinations, they tend to plan an itinerary including four countries: Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru, she indicated.

According to the expert, these trips "last approximately 23 days" and people "spend an average US$12,700."

"Machu Picchu is definitely one of the most appreciated destinations by the Chinese tourists," Zhang pointed out.

Tourism Business Macro Round Table 

The 2nd Pacific Alliance Tourism Business Macro Round Table gathers 70 outbound and 120 inbound-tour operators. 36 of them are Peruvian.

The 2nd Pacific Alliance Tourism Business Meeting concludes on Wednesday. It is held at Mazatlan's Convention Center.

Two Andean condors reintegrated to natural habit in Lima, Peru

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  Photo: ANDINA

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Lima, May. 14. After a year of medical care, Huascar and Atahualpa, two condors found poisoned in Peru, are back to flying in the Lima sky. This is the first time a condor returns to its natural habitat tagged with satellite trackers to study their behavior.

Both animals spread their wings on Tuesday, May 12 amid adequate height, wind speed and climate conditions of Lima highlands.

This occurred after they recovered from being poisoned following a severe intoxication. 

The two condors were strategically placed on a mountain in San Antonio de Chaclla district located in Huarochiri province. 

Their caretakers watched the release with excitement as they were looking forward to see the results of their efforts.

It should be noted the condor population has been decreasing sharply in Peru and other Andean nations. 

Watching them fly by themselves means they will be able to survive without human assistance, which explains why present researchers breathed in relief.

11:58.

 Lima, May. 14. After a year of medical care, Huascar and Atahualpa, two condors found poisoned in Peru, are back to flying in the Lima sky. This is the first time a condor returns to its natural habitat tagged with satellite trackers to study their behavior.

Both animals spread their wings on Tuesday, May 12 amid adequate height, wind speed and climate conditions of Lima highlands.

This occurred after they recovered from being poisoned following a severe intoxication. 

The two condors were strategically placed on a mountain in San Antonio de Chaclla district located in Huarochiri province. 

Their caretakers watched the release with excitement as they were looking forward to see the results of their efforts.

It should be noted the condor population has been decreasing sharply in Peru and other Andean nations. 

Watching them fly by themselves means they will be able to survive without human assistance, which explains why present researchers breathed in relief.

They expressed their satisfaction, since Peru has now two additional healthy specimens that can breed in their natural habitat.

The flight was of great significance for Peru and marks an important milestone, as this is the first time a condor is returned to its natural habitat with satellite trackers, which will be useful to gather remarkable information about their habits, space they fly through, feed management practices, and where they nest.

The release takes place within the framework of the National Conservation Plan for Andean Condors, passed a few days ago, which establishes different actions to preserve the species.

Locals will be trained and a condor population census will be conducted as part of this plan to prevent the Andean species from becoming extinct.

The solar-powered rechargeable devices attached to their wings will be operational for two years period, during which a detailed monitoring will be carried out.

The event gathered vets and condor experts from the US-based Peregrine Fund, researchers from Ecuador, and the Agriculture Ministry’s Serfor. 

(END) JCR/MAO/RMB/MVB

Peru: ICOM President highlights of Chan Chan touristic compound greatness

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  Photo: ANDINA/Difusión

19:32.

 Trujillo, May. 14. The President of ICOM (International Council of Museums), Hans-Martin Hinz, visited Chan Chan citadel located in Peru’s La Libertad region and defined the archaeological site architecture as “magnificent” by comparing it to the ancient Roman city of Pompeii (Italy).

"I have a great impression with regard to majesty of the this city [Chan Chan]. The impression is emotional and very strong regarding its structures and iconography. I've had the feeling of being in Pompeii," said Hinz.

During his tour around this Pre-Columbian citadel, the Chairman visited the walled compound called Xllangchican, where he emphasized the enthusiasm and commitment from schoolchildren, who participate in traditional activities such as the adobe-brick manufacturing.

Hans-Martin expressed being satisfied with the reed art- and the matte painting workshops, which promote art and values efforts undertaken by ancient Peruvians.

This activity draw the attention of the delegation composed of the President of ICOM in Peru, Luis Repetto Malaga; and Viviana Munguia, Coordinator at the Office for International Projects at the PUCP (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú).

Hans-Martin arrived in Trujillo to kick off the activities, which commemorate the International Museum Day, celebrated every May 18th since 1977. 

In the framework of this historic visit, the La Libertad Culture Decentralized Administration organized a special reception for the illustrious guests.

Many Peruvian flags welcomed the delegation at the Nikan Palace. At the the walled complex's main square, a Chimu figure was staged.

"This is a historic visit. We thank you for the deference by visiting Chan Chan. [...] We hope you have a pleasant visit," said Cesar Galvez, who serves as deputy director of the Culture Decentralized Administration at La Libertad.

ICOM Chairman and his delegation visited the Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna sites, as well.

Also, the city council recognized Mr. Hans Martin Hinz for his work in favor of museums, a "source for development."

It must be noted in 1986 UNESCO declared Chan Chan a World Heritage.

New lizard species found at Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

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  Photo: ANDINA/Difusión

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10:55.

 Lima, May. 08. A group of Peruvian and foreign scientists, with the support of the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp), discovered a new lizard species at the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Sernanp explained this new species, assigned to the genus Proctoporus, inhabits the Wet Puna ecoregion and a montane forest region at an elevation between 2,760–2,800 m.

The new species is distinguishable from all other species of Proctoporus by a unique combination of morphometric, scaling, and color pattern characteristics. Its proposed standard English name is Machu Picchu Andean Lizard.

The montane forest and Wet Puna ecosystems house a biological diversity characterized by its high degree of uniqueness and rarity. In addition, they are seriously threatened throughout their distribution range.

These ecosystems are developed inside the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu in two different settings: Wiñaywayna and Aobamba.

This discovery took place during the research project conducted by Luis Mamani and Juan Carlos Chaparro of the Museum of Natural History at Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco and by Noemi Goicochea of the National Museum of Natural Sciences of Spain, under the support of forest rangers in the protected area.