NEWS ARCHIVE 2005Back to our archives of 2006 - 2007 - most recent news
Toledo supports extending roads in Ollantaytambo Media reports that Toledo is willing to initiate the construction of a 42 km long way from Ollantaytambo to Abra Málaga (Sacred Valley). 98 Mio Soles shall be invested in order to extend connections and garantee transportation service. Furthermore risks of high losses due to blockades ought to be minimized. Earlier this month these had affected the toursim emensly and caused a loss of several million dollars. Eventually legal investigations against the "revolutionists"
of the blockades initiated by FERSIMAC are in course. They are accused
to have violated against the public connections, violated the peace
and to have insulted the state.
Airport taxes rise in January 2006 According to Lima Airport Partners, company in-charge of the administration of the International Airport Jorge Chavez in Lima, airporttaxes will rise in the beginning of January. Travellers will than be paying USD 6,05 in spite of the previous USD 5,00 for domestic flights and instead of the now charged USD 30,00 flight guests will be asked to pay USD 30,25 for international flights. The Peruvian Association for Travel Agencies and Toursim (APAVIT)
though claims the raise to be unjustified. This years low inflation
rate (1,3 %) and the stable Dollar exchange course make it unnecessary
to burden the toursit with increasing costs. Moreover airlines are
now planning on founding an initiative against the state as the
main profitor of the raise.
Northern beaches fully booked for New Year's Eve Media states that the hotels in the north of Peru on the beaches Tortugas (Áncash), Huanchaco (La Libertad), Pimentel (Lambayeque), Máncora and Órganos (Piura), Punta Sal and Zorritos (Tumbes) registered a 100% occupancy for the last day of the year. Carlos Canales, president of the national chamber of toursim in Peru (CANATUR) states that this is the result of the efforts put in increasing and improving the infrastructure this year and gives promising perspectives for the summer season in 2006.
Trek to Machu Picchu object of blockades again The negotiations about the concession for the trail to Machu Picchu
continues. According to media reports there will be new interfering
in Cusco. FERSIMAC manager Dante Quispe claims this to be necessary
in order to force their postulation but he also claims that the
tourist activities as well as their security will not be affected.
This though is contradictive to the last strike's figures counting
about 340,000 USD loss.
Connection to the Sanctuary safe again After having been blockaded by FERSIMSAC for 24 hours Perurail
announced to continue its service. They though reserve the right
to stop as soon as circumstances occur that might affect the security
of its employees or the tourists.
Further indefinite blockade of trains to Aguas Calientes Around 1700 tourists per day will be affected by the most recent
blockade of the rails between Cusco and Aguas Calientes. Daily losses
are estimated to amount up to 600,000 US Dollars and the damage
done to the image of Cusco and Peru will be inreparable.
Trains to Machu Picchu started operating again After 700 tourists being isolated in Aguas Calientes now the recently anounced 48 hour strike has ended, the trains between Aguas Calientes and Cusco are operating on normal schedule again. According to news reports the track though remains object to further strikes.
48 hours strike in Cusco affecting trains to Machu Picchu As recently announced, no trains will be operating
between Cusco and Machu Picchu for the next 48 hours due to the
current strike in Cusco. Travel agencies and tour operators are
now trying to rebook upcoming tours and find solutions for the 2500
tourists that are currently traveling between Cusco and Aguas Calientes.
Textile artwork of Taquile proclaimed Master piece of the Oral and Intangible Human Heritage Besides 42 other masterpieces, also the famous knitting men of
the Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca and their textile artwork were
proclaimed Masterpiece of the oral and intangible Human Heritage
by the UNESCO recently.
Aerocondor plans to resume overflights of Colca Canyon Already in the 1980ies overflights of the Colca Canyon had been offered and now the Peruvian airline Aerocondor is planning to resume touristic flights over the canyon as well as the Valley of the Volcanos. With airplanes of the type Cessna 208 Grand Caravan tourists will soon have the opportunitiy to enjoy spektacular views of the canyon and the near-by volcanos Misti, Ampato and Coropuna, departing from Arequipa. Flight service will cost approximately US$ 100 but so far Aerocondor did not confirm any specific starting date.
Traveling exhibition of Gold Museum touring German cities All those that have always wanted to see the incredible gold treasures
of pre-Columbian cultures of Peru but so far have not had the possibility
to visit the famous Gold Museum in Lima will now have the unique
opportunity to admire the wealth of various Peruvian cultures in
Germany.
Jaguar statue at the excavation site of Huaca Partida discovered The group of archaeologists under the Japanese archaeologist Koíchiro Shíbata recently proclaimed their progress in excavating the historical site of Huaca Partida situated close to the village Nepeña on the Northern coast of Peru. The archaeologists discovered a stonecarved figure measuring one meter in broadth which is simultaneous to those of the ceremonial center of Chavin de Huantar. The excellent conservation state of the relief - which is said to have been constructed between 800 and 700 BC - gives further material for researches on the Cupisniquean Culture (1800 BC to 500 AD) who once settled there as well as further comparison to the Chavín Culture (800-400 BC). Since the excavation started two years ago, 10 % of the in three steps constructed ceremonial center has been researched.
Former president Fujimori arrested in Chile In the morning of 7 November Peru's ex-president Alberto Fujimori who is wanted by the Peruvian government for curruption and violation of human rights has now been arrested in the Chilean capital. Previously he had lived in Japanese exile for 5 years but still nominated for presidential elections which will take place on 9 April 2006. The Peruvian Government last 60 days to formally request his extradition.
No to the regionalization in Peru - Clear results in referendum On Sunday 30 October 2005 citizens of 16 of Peru´s 25 departments
were asked to decide via referendum on the matter of the country´s
devolution and formation into macroregions. The participation was
sizable and the results clear. In 15 departments the citizens voted
with NO and only in the department Arequipa the majority voted in
favor for a macroregion including Arequipa - Puno - Tacna. Nevertheless
such a region will not be founded as the people of Puno and Tacna
voted against.
Peru celebrates day of " Musica Criolla" On 31 October Peru traditionally celebrates the Day of the Creole
Music. This celebration dates back to 1944 when former president
Manuel Prado declared the 31 October is to be honored to the Creole
culture, typical for the Peruvian coast, with interpretes such as
the contemporary percussionist Maria del Carmen Dongo and her group
Mano Madera or Susana Baca who won the Grammy Latino with her album
"Lamento negro" in 2002.
High airfairs due to rising price of crude oil Rising prices of oil and the resulting increase in prices of flight tickets made the demand for air travel in Peru drop by 30 % in the last days. Most of the Peruvian airlines had to adapt their airfairs to the international trend and increase prices by an average of US$ 10. According to APEA, the Peruvian Association of Air Carriers, the share of costs for fuel already amounts up to 60 % of the total costs of operating a flight. IATA, the International Air Transport Association calculated, that for every 1-Dollar-rise in raw oil, the world wide air travel industry has to assume additional costs of 1 billion US Dollars.
Mummy discovered in Huaca Pucllana It is nine years ago that scientists had found the skeletons of nine women when excavating the pyramid of Pucllana in Miraflores, Lima. Archaeologists now discovered the mummified leftovers of a person that probably belonged to the Wari culture. Furthermore three children's corpses of about two years of age were brought to daylight. They are assumed to have served as sacrifices. The headless object was wrapped up in six cotton tunicas and thus is thought to have been an important personality of high rank. Moreover the tomb contained corn, seeds, bags as well as pharmaceutical herbs. Scientists agree that the mummy has been decapitated after it had been burried. It is assumed that the inhabitants of the Ichma culture, descendants of the Limenian culture had opened the tomb in order to destroy all traces of the Wari culture.
Trains to Aguas Calientes operating again Already on Sunday morning the trains between Cusco and Aguas Calientes
continued operation after the landslide that blocked parts of the
tracks early last Thursday.
Visitors of Machu Picchu safe again after landslide A landslide caused by melting on Mount Veronica destroyed around 400 m of the rail tracks as well as a bridge between Cusco and Aguas Calientes and flooded the river Runtumayu in the night from Wednesday to Thursday. As a result Aguas Calientes and other communities around Machu Picchu were cut off from the outside world. Around 3000 tourists visiting Machu Picchu were caught in this area on Thursday before evacuation began. During the day, already 1500 people were brought in safety and also now the cleanup and evacuation efforts are going strong. Tourists can take the train from Aguas Calientes until kilometer 82, then get off the train and continue their journey to Cusco in busses. According to unconfirmed information, also the circulation in the other direction, from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, will be resumed in the same way already tomorrow. So, tourists can take the train from Cusco or the Sacred Valley until kilometer 82 and then go by train to Aguas Calientes. It is estimated that it will take at least 5 more days until the train is up and running as usually again. Here you will find an article (in Spanish) of the daily newspaper El Comercio also providing a map of the affected area.
New Inca site opens its doors The countdown approaches its end: Starting shot für the "recently" discovered Inca town Kusicancha. For three years digging down one meter scientists have been excavating the ruins in order to free another basis for research of the Inca culture. Kusicancha is situated in the heart of the historical center of Cusco and covers an area of 6110 sqm. Consisting of seven seperate fields, it is assumed to either have been large houses or a fortrage hosting about five to twenty families. According to historical records, this archaeological site once belonged to the emperor family Pachacútec. Last coordinations and preparations have been made so that David Ugarte Vega Centeno, director of the Instituto Nacional de Cultura of Cusco can contently be looking forward to open the doors to the public supposedly in mid October.
No spring in the Andes yet Already at the beginning of September nontypical snowfalls and
a cold snap had caused problems in the Southern Peruvian Andes.
This weekend, it seems, winter is coming back with frost again.
World Tourism Day on September 27 - Peru presents Tourism Satellite Account On the occasion of the World Tourism Day on September 27, the Peruvian
Ministry for Foreign Economy and Tourism, MINCETUR, will for the
first time present a Tourism Satellite Account for Peru. This account
facilitates measuring tourism and its significance in a country's
overall economy by comparing it with other sectors. Have a nice World Tourism Day!
On the traces of Maria Reiche- strong winds reveal twelve new figures It has not been for long that the Nazca lines that had been researched by Maria Reiche are part of the world cultural heritage. The region around Nazca reaches over 450 qm². That's not it though! Not very far away in the valley El Inginio very strong winds with 50 km/h speed contributed in discovering further lines. Eduardo Herrán Gómez, director of Investigaciones Aeroarquelógicas recognized them first and declared them to be part of the Paracas culture. In addition to human and zoological figures such as a huge serpentine there was a mummy with a skull. The finest amongst the twelve stone carvings measuring between 20 and 45 m probably is a creature that has the appearance of Siamese twins. These findings prove that the Paracas culture has settled further south than previously assumed. Nevertheless the discovery does not only bear possibilities of further research but according to the historian Josué Lancho Rojas also a challenge how to preserve the cultural heritage. Of course the lines shall be included as a tourist site and therefore again preservation, research and the curiosity of tourists compete. Despite all joy many questions are left open. What meaning did
these new discovered lines? Have these giant lines really been used
as a calendar? How are they releted to the well-known Nazca lines?
And are there more hidden lines yet to be discovered?
PromPerú investing in tourism promotion in Germany PromPerú, Peru's national tourism organisation will invest
US$ 320,000 into promoting Peru as a tourism destination on the
German market. With 43,077 visitors in 2004, Germany is the third
most important European country of origin of Peru travellers. German
guests stay an average of 20 days and spend US$ 892 within Peru.
New cabinet has to show its colors - political agenda for the next 11 months Alrady one week ago, Peruvian head of state Alejandro Toledo introduced
his new cabinet. New prime minister is Pedro Pable Kuczynski, former
treasury secretary and investment banker. New head of foreign ministry
is Oscar Martua. The nomination of his antecessor Fernando Olivera
caused the political crises that led to this political changes.
All in all, the Peruvian government now counts with 6 new faces.
Plane crashed near Pucallpa Tuesday the 23th of August a plane of the Peruvian airline Tans
crashed near the city of Pucallpa. Only 58 out of 98 passengers
survived this tragical catastrophe.
After prime mInister Ferreros resignation Peruvian President Toledo had to declare the government's resignation Thursday, the 11th of August, Peruvian prime minister Ferrero declared his resignation as a consequence of President Toledos appointment of Fernando Olivera as foerign minister. In general, Olivera is seen as few diplomatic and critizied for supporting three departments in which coca- plantation is legal, though the plant can be used as base of cocaine as well. Peruvian Housing and Constuction Minister Bruce also declared his resignation. In case of resignation of the prime minister, Peruvian constitution demands the cabinets resignation. "In a few days", Toledo now spoke out, "a completly new " cabinet will be named. Still in doubt is wether his party PP (Peru Posible) will keep its coalition with Oliveras Partz FIM (Frente Independiente Moralizador - Independent moralists front).
Peruvian Airline Aerocondor now also flies to Cusco and Cajamrca At a press conference the Peruvian Airlines Aerocóndor now
announced that it is going to amplify its program with the two new
destinations Cusco and Cajamrca. With its standard destinations
such as Arequipa, Iquitos, Tacna, Ayacucho and Andahuaylas it will
now be offering 7 destinations, aimed to rise from 8 % of the Peruvian
market up to 15 %. Thus, the airline does not want to disturb market
regulations with extremely cheap prices. Instead of lowering prices
it wants to establish a stable price level and a long-term position
on the market.
Speleologists investigation beneath Machu Picchu Since 2002 the caves beneath Machu Picchu have been investigated by the "Ukhupacha project". Ukhupacha is a Quechua word and belongs to the mystical religion of the Andean people and stands for the nether regions or the "world under the ground", which together with Kaipacha, the earth´s surface and Hanaqpacha, the sphere of the Gods formed the harmony of this old mystical universe. With a name that indicates lots of tradition then in 2002 the investigation of the caves started to explore functions and architecture of the caves and tunnels under Machu Picchu. Thereby since first findings, the speleologists were impressed by the high level of knowledge shown by the Inca and their great mastery of dominating these huge mountains.They also explained that there was a connection between nearly all logistical accesses to the Citadel, including the Inca trail and Qhapaq Ñan.
Cervantes' "Don Quijote" finally available translated into Quechua One if the masterpeices of European history of literature and by many seen as one of the most imprtant books of the seventeenth century now finally got translated into Quechua. On the initiative of Miguel de la Quadra, Spanish journalist and with financial support of Castrovierreyna minery, the adventures of Don Quijote and Sancho Pansa are to be read by over 5 000 000 Quechua -speakers in Peru and over 20 000 000 in all the Andean area. Certain expressions could not be translated though, due to logical aspects, windmill, for example is kept as the spanish term "molinos de viento". The edition of the first part of "Don Quijote", originally edited in 1605, will be introduced to the market in the international trade fair of books in Guadalajara in this years November.
Incatrail to Machu Picchu is already booked out until September 05 The famous trail of the old Inca culture and still impressioning hiking tour to Machu Picchu this year already is sold out until the end of September.Only few remaining places are still available on specified dates. Not long ago, Peruvian government decided to restrict the yearly number of visitors on a certain level, so that by now you have to book your trail at least one month before arriving. Now tour operators confirmed that, thus, they offer an alternative trek: This trail starts from Cusco and leads to Ollantaytamba, passing the Lares Valley. After a four day hike you then finally reach Machu Picchu by train. See the detailed program of Lares Valley Hike
On 24 of June every year`s celebration of Inti Raymi in Cusco starts The streets are already getting crowded in the city of Cusco and
something magical is floating in the air: Friday the 24 of june
every year´s celebration of Inti Raymi starts and a huge amount
of people is going to welcome it one day before on Plaza de Armas
in Cusco.
On June 2nd 2005, the Peruvian government presented
detailed plans to protect Perus most important tourist attraction
Machu Picchu. Already in 1998 discussion started how to protect
this impressing testimonial of the Inca culture from negative consequences
of tourism. Main points of critics were the pollution of the environment,
the partial unability of surrounding cities to deal with crowds
of visitors, the decline of the Inca trail and the bad economical
situation of the population in this area.
Soon AEROLINEAS DEL PERU Spanish flight company Grupo Mansans, which also Aerolíneas
Argentinas belongs to, invited to a press conference the 24th of
May in Buenos Aires.
Jorge Chavez Airport was named the Best of South America According to Passengers Survey undertook by Skytrax Research for World Airport Awards 2005, the International Airport Jorge Chavez has been named the Best South American Airport. In the ranking of the regional best airports the Guarulhos Airport, São Paulo came second and the Ezeiza Airport, Buenos Aires, came third.
Peruvians celebrate Corpus Christi 26 of may, 60 days after easter sunday Corpus Christi is celebrated
in Peru. The evening before the most important day 12 typical dishes are
prepared, for example:
Peru protects rainforest, WWF-award for the Peruvian president For the creation of a huge nature protection area near to the river “Rio Purús” at the south-east of the Amazonas-lowland the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) honoured the Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo with the award “gift of the earth”. The new nature reserve “Alto Purús” was already
in november 2005 related by law, but it was not noticed by the public. |
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