Planting trees at the Ampay National Sanctuary

In order to recover the logged areas of the Ampay National Sanctuary, in the region of Apurimac, the local community planted 35,800 native trees. With the help and advice of public institutions, locals have reforested the sanctuary with trees such as the aliso, chachacomo, and huaranguay, among others. This ecosystem provides environmental benefits to cities and towns nearby, such as water for irrigation, as well as drinking water; this may be the reason for the spring weather that is enjoyed in Abancay during the whole year.   

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampay_National_Sanctuary
http://wiki.sumaqperu.com/es/Santuario_Nacional_de_Ampay

Easter Week in Peru draw millions of tourists

Close to 2.5 million local and foreign tourists travel around Peru in Easter Week, in order to enjoy the many colorful destinations that celebrates Easter.  Most of them head to Ayacucho since this city features the most spectacular Easter celebrations in Latin America. There are tour packages for everybody’s liking and economy, which include the nearby archaeological site of the Wari Culture (A.D. 500). 

New tourist destinations in the South

The reconstruction of the areas affected by the August 2007 earthquake, which hit hard some parts of the regions of Ica, Huancavelica, and Lima, includes the development of new tourist destinations as well as the enhancement of the Paracas National Reserve. Among the new attractions is the valley of Canete – Nor Yauyos, with an important biological diversity and archaeological sites. The project looks forward to maintain harmony between the production activities and the environment and natural resources as well as benefit the local economy.

Congress approved the construction of a new railway

A new law that declares of public need and national interest the construction of the railway from northern Peru to eastern Brazil, will move forward this important project that benefits both countries. The new railway will connect Peruvian ports in the Pacific Ocean, with eastern Brazil, and from there to Brazilian ports in the Atlantic Ocean.

The estimate cost to build the Peruvian section, a 1,411km railway, is around 10.5 billion dollars, which will be covered by investments coming from the private sector; it could be ready in 5 years. Eventually, it will be connected to the current railway systems in Peru, the central and the south railways, which currently offer freight and tourism services.

http://www.bicusa.org/es/Article.10381.aspx

An award cocktail for guests in the 2008 APEC

The region of Callao, one of the hosts for the 2008 APEC it’s getting ready to receive visitors that will participate in this important economic Asia-Pacific event. Recently, a new drink made with the Peruvian liquor, pisco, “Pasion Chalaca” Chim Pum APEC, won a contest organized by the region of Callao among gastronomy students. Guests to the event will be greeted with this refreshing drink created by Renzo Pomelaya from Le Cordon Bleu Peru institute.

If you are lucky to have a bottle of the Peruvian liquor, pisco, you may want to try your barman skills at home and be one of the first to enjoy it, just follow this recipe:

INGREDIENTS:
1 ½ ounce of pisco (pisco made with quebranta grape recommended)
¾ ounce of watermelon liquor
¼ ounce of white vermouth
½ ounce of Cointreau
½ ounce lime syrup
3 Ice cubes (to cool up the mix)

METHOD: Shake in cocktail shaker and serve in a martini glass without the ice.
GARNISHMENT: Choose one or more: a piece of watermelon or an orange peel, mint leaf, aguaymanto and cinnamon.

Ancient Peruvian cultures in the History Channel

A new documentary about ancient civilizations produced by Lucas Film and the History Channel will include important cultures that flourished in Peru before the Incas. The shooting ended last February and it covered the regions of Ancash, Lambayeque, La Libertad, and Lima. Images from the temple of Chavin de Huantar, Huaca Rajada and the Museum of Sipan, the citadel of Chan Chan, and the Museum of Larco Herrera will be part of this documentary about the world’s first cultures. The History Channel will show this production in October 2008.

Visits to Cusco increased 20% in 2007

According to the latest statistics, the number of visitors to Cusco increased 20% compared to the year 2006; this figure may be the result of Machu Picchu been declared one of the 7 New Wonders of the World.

The arrivals may keep increasing this year since more and better hospitality services are available for all markets from backpackers to luxurious guests. A new train operator, Andean Railways, may start offering trips to Machu Picchu this year competing with the well-established Peru Rail. The same may soon happen with the helicopter service from Cusco to Machu Picchu. And the high season has been extended from April to December, which will help arranged and organized better the visits to these destinations.

Bryan Adams shot Machu Picchu

Bryan Adams began his 2008 tour in Lima, Peru. This was the first time Bryan Adams performed in Peru. In his 3 days visit, the Canadian musician spent time in Cusco and Machu Picchu in order to carry out his photographic activities, which he usually does when touring the world with his band.

Maca, the Incas' powerful root

Maca is a plant with a radish-like root that is cultivated in the central Andean region of Peru at around 4,200 meters (14,000 feet) above sea level. Andean Peruvians have used the maca root for thousands of years to increase stamina, libido, and fertility, in both men and women.

Nowadays, maca is been used to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause, chronic fatigue, depression, and stress. Athletes are using maca as an alternative to anabolic steroids for increasing strength, energy, and stamina. They use it with the peace of mind that maca does not contain harmful stimulants, and is not addictive. Maca root nourishes the body and helps to balance and regulate the hormone system function.

Every year, The Maca Festival, gathers scientists, producers, manufacturers, distributors, and consumers, from around the world in the central Andean region of Peru, maca’s birthplace, where visitors can attend workshops as well as observe product displays, and try product samples. The event features competitions between some of the participants; traditional exhibitions such as “El Pago a la Tierra” (Payment to Earth), colorful dances, and more.
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/maca.htm
http://www.ipnatural.com/
http://www.macasure.com/
http://dpa190.tripod.com/
http://200.48.60.195/espanol/Noticia.aspx?id=COixoSu9AQk=

Peru’s economy growth among the best in Latin America

According to a recent study made by the German institute, IFO, and the Foundation Getulio Vargas from Brazil, the Latin American countries leading with the best economic indexes conditions in the region are Peru, Uruguay and Costa Rica.

The research checks and anticipates the economic trends of the Latin American countries based on information provided quarterly by experts. It is applied simultaneously in all countries in the region, which permits a wide and efficient picture about the regional economic progress.

New discoveries in Sipan reveal more about its age

The new discoveries in the archaeological site of Huaca Rajada, Sipan, in northern Peru, add to the hypothesis that this cultural center dates back to the Middle Moche era, between the years 50 and 350 AD. This fact is currently been determined by the testing of archaeological objects found in the area, which most are from the Middle Moche era.

The Moche Culture, particularly the archaeological area of Sipan, became famous when the tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered intact and undisturbed in 1987. It is considered the most important tomb ever-uncovered in the western hemisphere. The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum displays most of the archaeological discoveries of the Moche Culture, including a replica of the tomb of the Lord of Sipan showing the jewels, ornaments, and other objects, found in the actual site.

http://foroterraeantiqvae.ning.com/profiles/blogs/descubren-una-tumba-mochica
http://paleoanthropo.blogspot.com/2009/11/joven-noble-hallado-en-huaca-rajada.html

The Westin Libertador Lima will be ready in 2010

The construction of the new Westin hotel in Peru, which will be the highest building in the country, began last February with a ceremony where the first-stone was placed on the site. The Westin Libertador Lima will be located in the heart of the financial district of San Isidro, and it will be aimed to the corporate travel market. The hotel will offer 14 meeting spaces and 311 guest rooms distributed in 30 floors as well as 4 underground parking lots with 727 vehicle spaces. Guests will enjoy a 1,340 square meters spa that includes an indoor pool and a gym. Two restaurants will serve the best in Peruvian and international cuisine.

Pisco Sour Day

Every year in the first Saturday of February, Peruvians celebrate their national cocktail, Pisco Sour. Many events are held during those days that gather prominent barmen/barwomen, and producers of pisco, the Peruvian brandy. Additionally, chefs offer their culinary art where pisco is one of the main ingredients. Peruvians and tourists enjoy Pisco Sour and Peru’s gourmet foods, surrounded by the sounds and colors of traditional music and dances around the country. In many cities, the Pisco Sour Day has grown to three days of joyful celebration, such as in the summer resorts south of Lima where the event includes Marinera Dances and Peruvian Paso Horse exhibitions.

If you are lucky to have a bottle of the Peruvian brandy, you may want to try making Pisco Sour at home, just follow this recipe:

INGREDIENTS:
4 ice cubes
2 oz. of Pisco
½ oz. of sugar syrup
¼ oz. of lime juice
1 egg white

METHOD: Shake in a cocktail shaker, and then serve in a cocktail glass without the ice.

GARNISHMENT: 2 drops of Angostura Aromatic Bitter.
NOTE: You may want to try a combination that will result in a dryer Pisco Sour by changing the amount of lime juice to ½ oz. and the syrup to ¼ oz.

http://www.elpiscoesdelperu.com/web/index.php?ver_opt=det_noticia&id=43
http://elcomercio.pe/noticia/406176/pisco-sour-ya-tiene-cancion
http://www.forosperu.net/showthread.php?t=2324

New archaeological attractions in Lambayeque

A new tourist route will be open shortly in northern Peru that features 2500 BC geoglyphs which are located on the hills of Lambayeque and may be part of the pre-Chavin period. The Mythic Owl stands out among the figures drawn on the ground, it is 65 meters long and 23 meters wide, and it was made of flat stones following a mosaic technique. Nine kilometers from the Mythic Owl, the Oyotun Eagle, 60 meters long and 50 meters wide, made with slab stones, is another geoglyph that according to the experts at the Bruning Museum of Lambayeque, represents divinities that were called on in search of protection. The natural rock figures on the surrounding hillsides add to the mystic of the area.

Some of the archaeological sites that can be visited in the northern coast of Peru include El Brujo, Huaca Rajada, and the citadel of Chan-Chan. New discoveries in the archaeological sites keep adding clues that help unravel the history of the ancient cultures that flourished in this part of the country.

http://skyscraperperu.com/lambayeque/308-geoglifos-en-lambayeque.html
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=982377

Peru will host the UN Tourism and Handicrafts Conference

Peru and the UN World Tourism Organization signed an agreement to organize the Third International Tourism and Handicrafts Conference in Lima, in September 24 – 26, 2008.

The secretary general of the UNWTO, Francesco Frangialli, was positive with the decision to organize this event in Peru and has point up the country’s tourism potential plus its many archaeological sites as well as its living culture. He added that Peru’s rich and quality handicraft makes it an important host for the craftsmen and craftswomen of the Americas that will attend the International Conference about Tourism and Handicraft.

New tourist sign system in Arequipa

A new tourist sign system will benefit visitors in Arequipa offering them a better service to find their way when visiting the city’s attractions. The areas considered in this project are the Historic Center (Downtown), rural areas known as the “campina Arequipena”, and traditional districts such as Quequena, Characato, and Yarabamba among others. As well, the Toro Muerto Petroglyphs site will have its roads and tourist services improve.