Peruline Newsletter

Dear friend of Peru,

Allthough the sky gets more and more misty, that doesn´t keep people from enjoying their fiestas in Lima. In the capital´s nightlife area Barranco you can hear typical sounds from nearly every door and often these traditional songs are accompanied by some brave singers. If you want to know more about typical music from Peru´s coastline, just have a look at our Top Topic.

Those who have chosen to travel to the highlands and enjoy nature, they might miss the capital´s nightlife, but nevertheless won´t miss some music: At the Lake Junín you will be welcomed by a concert of more than one million birds´ voices! Read more interesting features about Peru´s second largest lake in our "News from the regions".
Last but no least, we are glad to welcome a new member of the peruline-familiy: The Pastoruri Hotel in Huaraz.
Enjoy reading!

Yours
Sünje Fischer

OUR TOPICS:
Top Topic	DoubleTree El Pardo Hotel: Fam Trip to Paracas
Music at the Peruvian coast	From the Regions
At a glance	HIGHLANDS: Birds´ paradise at Lago de Junín
Deepest canyon of the world under national protection	Travel Notes
Soon Aerolíneas del Perú	A paradise in the rainforest: One weekend at the Sandoval Lake
New comissioner for Peru´s museums	Did you know, ...?
Our Partners	About us
Bird´s eye view over city of Huaraz: Our new partner Pastoruri Hotel
Trekperu offers new trekking tours to Machu Picchu
Hotel Laguna Seca: Cajamarca as touristic alternative in the North

TOP

TOP TOPIC

Music at the Peruvian coast

Everyone who already visited the nightlife of Lima, especially in the suburb of Barranco, sooner or later met with the musica criolla, the typical sounds of the Peruvian coast. The 31th of octobre in 1944 for the first time Peru celebrated its "dia de la cancion criolla", the day of its criolla music. Today, also beyond the frontiers of Peru this type of music is well-known, so let´s pay a bit more attention to the musica criolla, the sounds from the Peruvian coastline.

With its roots in folk dances, the musica criolla contains African and European elements and developed its specific character when in the middle of the eighteenth century the waltz and polka rhythm reached Peru. As a combination of both it was spreaded rapidly throughout the population.
Because of the similiarity with the musica criolla, Perus Afroperuvian musica negra sometimes is mentioned as subordinated to it, but particularly nowadays most of the artist performing musica negra try to bring it out as an independent style.

Unlike the often melancholic melodies from the Andes, the musica criolla has a lively rhythm, which it owes to the cajon (from Spanish. caja=box), a wooden box which is played with the hands while sitting on it. Sometimes this instrument still is assigned to Spanish Flamenco, but it is definitely a Peruvian invention. marinera

In the musica criolla , one or more singers are melodically accompanied by some guitars and sometimes also castanuelas or quartetas.
Most of all in a waltz, this irreducible instrumentation often is enough for giving the songs its distinctive caracter.
Furthermore musica criolla developed rapidly: uncountable variations and its opening towards other instruments garantee its colorful appearence.

The musica criolla is traditionally close to Peruvian dances, ahead of all to the marinera, which can be considered as Peru´s national dance. These sounds of the criollismo create the atmosphere of life at the coast, the Marinera is spread all over Peru. During this dance, the couple of dancers that pretends to flirt are accompanied by a brass band.

Due to the contribution of the radio in the thirties to the fifties, the musica criolla gained international reputation. Still its export is a main pillar of Peruvian music industry. Artists like Susana Baca, Eva Ayllón and Los Hermanos Zañartu are familiar names in the international music scene.

Deepest canyon of the world under national protection

The 19th of May the INRENA (Peruvian National Institute of Protection for Natural Resources) declared the Cotahuasi Canyon in the region La Unión, situated in the departement of Arequipa, as a "protected area". With a depth of 3.535 meters the Cotahuasi Canyon is said to be the deepest canyon in the world.
Due to its sports facilities, it´s not only considered as an important water reservoir, but also known as a touristically developed region. A part from lagunas and hot springs it offers an important cultural heritage from Peru´s prehispanic history.
To honor the Cotahuasi Canyon, which by 1988 already was declared as a touristically important region, a foto exhibition about the Canyon was presented in Lima.

Soon Aerolíneas del Perú

Spanish flight company Grupo Marsans, which also Aerolíneas Argentinas belongs to, invited to a press conference the 24th of May in Buenos Aires.
The company plans to step in the Peruvian flight market as well. As one of its main advantages, the new created company mentioned to approach directly to touristical destinations. Most of the other companies first fly to Lima. This new child of the Marsans group is supposed to be named “Aerolíneas del Perú” and, thus, doesn´t want to be restricted to tourism destinations, but also fly to less popular regions. Aerolíneas del Perú plans its boarding to Perus market between December 2005 and January 2006 and wants to start with the following destinations: Cusco, Cajamarca, Trujillo and Iquitos.

New comissioner for Peru´s museums

Until now, the Peruvian National Museum of Archaelogy, Anthropology and History was in charge of controlling Peru´s entire system of museums including 70 national museums. Now, the INC (National Institute of Culture) decided to divide responsabilities.
The new responsable for controlling the national system of museums, Giuliana Borea, pointed out the focus of her future work: Besides of restaurating the old Inca trail Qapaq Nan, Peru´s variety of museums will be extended. With the help of private companies she suggested a museum of arts or a museum of Peruvian cuisine.

TOP

Bird´s eye view over Huaraz - Our new partner Pastoruri Hotel

We are glad to welcome Pastoruri Hotel in Huaraz as a new member of our peruline- familiy and congratulate on its grand opening!

The nineteenth of march, Pastoruri Hotel in Huaraz opened its gates to provide accomodation in order to follow its devise: " A stay in great heights, service on its level". Under the patronage of the president of the region Ancash, the opening ceremony took place in the hotel´s own restaurant with an excellent panoramic view.

Hotel Pastoruri welcomes you with its 27 single and double rooms equipped with cable TV, security box and 24 hours hot water. Also a telephone for national and international calls is at your disposal. If you come in order to look for some kind of luxury, the hotel also offers a suite with jacuzzi. Comfort at a highest level is guaranteed! Those who travel with their own car will find a parking lot right next to the hotel.

huascaran

One thing you definitely shouldn´t miss during your stay at the Pastoruri Hotel is it´s panoramic view! On the hotel´s eighth floor you´ll find a nice terrace which makes it possible to get wonderful views not only of Huaraz city but also of the whole Callejon de Huaylas. One floor deeper you may have a delicious dish in the restaurant and you will still be accompanied by this beautiful view.
For those who love getting in form before starting to explore the Cordillera Blanca, a modern fitness room, located on the sixth floor, is at your disposal. And while practicing your mussels, you can also enjoy the beautiful landscape at your surroundingsl

Further services of this hotel in the center of Huaraz are free internet, fax, laundry service and a bar-cafeteria.

Trekperu offers new trekking tours to Machu Picchu

The classic Incatrail to Machu Picchu is often overbook or overrun. Therefore our partner Trekperu offers two alternative and very interesting trekking programs in the region.

Machu Picchu Tour:
This five-day trip is a perfect alternative for those unable to book the Inca Trail. The Vilcabamba area was the holdout for the crumbling Inca rebellion. The trail traverses the high Andean plateau, crossing passes as high as 4,750mt-15,585ft for an up-close view of the sacred Inca peak, Salcantay (6,280mt-20,598ft). The route then descends into the beautiful Aobamba valley with its tropical climate and vegetation. All along the way there are native Andean villages that time seems to have passed by. After a marvelous train ride, arrive at the spectacular citadel of Machu Picchu for a never to be forgotten guided-tour of this architectural marvel. Hidden under the dense foliage of a highland jungle, forgotten by the Incas themselves, Machu Picchu escaped the conquistadors and eluded treasure hunters until Hiram Bingham brought the "Lost City of the Incas" to the world's attention in 1911. The intricate stonework of these enigmatic ruins is one of the finest examples of Inca masonry. To this day, scholars are in disagreement as to its function and why it was eventually abandoned. Be that as it may, it remains the crown jewel of Inca architecture.

Huchuy Qósqo Tour:

This is a walk that traverses the high Andean plateau into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We pass through the Chinchero high mesa toward Lake Piuray. The views of the Urubamba and Vilcanota mountain ranges all along the way are nothing less than spectacular. We also visit the quarry where Inca masons extracted and finished stones for the site of Huchuy Q'osqo. Numerous examples of these finely crafted stones are still scattered around the area. The communities of weavers and farmers located along the lake shore are excellent examples of true Andean traditional living. A chance to meet these unique people, take part in their daily activities and have the opportunity to purchase some of their one-of-a-kind handicrafts is an experience never to be forgotten

Hotel Laguna Seca: Cajamarca as touristic alternative in the North

Our partner Laguna Seca offers together with a well known touroperator several programs through the Northern part of Peru.
The touristically less known region of Cajamarca in the North of Peru has a great diversity of touristic attractions, like the ancient Inca Trail Qhapaq Nan, the archaeological complex of Cumbemayo, the amazing gold museum of Kuntur

Wasi and last but not least its living culture, which provides unforgettable experiences in intercultural exchanges.
The high standard of touristic services is made posible by a good infrastructure in Cajamarca. The city welcomes its visitors with a large number of accomodation facilities, tourism agencies, restaurants and entertainment.

Besides, Cajamarca offers its visitors several hot springs, where already the Inca took his relaxing bath. Some springs are part of the facilities at the Hotel Laguna Seca, where you also can enjoy a great Spa area with massages, relaxing therapies, revitalizing treatments, all provided by professionally trained staff.

DoubleTree El Pardo Hotel: Fam Trip to Paracas

Accompanied by Silvia Mialhe, sales manager of our partner Doubletree El Pardo Hotel, a group of representatives of their main customers took part at a Fam Trip to the natural reservation of Paracas. A stop-over at Hacienda San José in Chincha was part of the program, as well as a visit to the "catacumbas". In Paracas the group took its time to visit the main attractions of the region, especially the Ballestas Islands with its great diversity of sea birds and sea lions.
In this way the DoubleTree El Pardo Hotel awards the loyalty of their customers and helps to promote Peru´s main attractions.

HIGHLANDS: Birds´paradise at Lago de Junín

When asked about Peru´s biggest lakes, nearly everone will mention the Lake Titicaca. Actually, the Lake Titicaca is the biggest and most famous one, yet it seems worth having a deeper look on the country´s second largest lake: With an extension of 53000 ha, the Lake Junin is situated in the north of the Junín department in the central Andes, reaching out to the neighbour department of Pasco, about 300 kilometers north-east of Lima.
Also known as Chinchaycocha its diversity of species in animals and plants is overwhelming for any animal lover. In this respect, it may be worth its own superlative. Located in the southern part of Junin national park, the Lago de Junín is home for a huge amount of birds. Among more than 36 species you can find the endangered Junin diver, Suto duck, Puna duck, Huachua, gulls or huacos, but also flamencos, zanavicos or blanquillo divers. All in all over one million of birds live at the borders of the Lake Junin!
Fortunately there is a community of people who want to protect the lake from sewages of surrounding rivers.
Junin Lake is also an important source of income for the population at its borders. People gain their everday-life by fishing famous Junin frogs and by cattle and sheep farming at an altitude of over 4000 meters.

A tour to this amazing though still less touristically explored lake can be combined with a visit at the city of Jauja, founded by Pizarro in the early days of colonial Peru.
The Lago de Junín can be reached by land starting from Lima and passing La Oroya.

A paradise in the rainforest: One weekend at the Sandoval Lake

I arrive at Puerto Maldonado at 33 degrees, the typical humid tropical climate and my guide Victor are already waiting for me.
By motor canoe we ride down the Madre de Dios river until we reach the trailhead to our lodge. We have to walk quite a while through the marvelous jungle vegetation, the again I board a canoe, this time we are paddled silently on a small canal through dense vegetation. Then- without prevention- we drift into an incredibly beautiful lake, the Lago Sandoval. It´s stunning ! The warm light of the early evening floats on its even surface, a glittering mirror with a frame of Aguajes, a species of palms, picturing the clouds above and the vegetation around.
But a slight bending interrupts this silence and Victor knows that it´ a black caiman emerging to the surface! A throuty cough then points our attention to the shore, where a huge bird is sitting, whose name derivates from its coughing all the time: it is simply "the asthmatic".
Un uncountable number of birds are cavorting near the bank, we find ice birds, parrots, snake birds. Sandoval Lake Lodge

After arriving at the Sandoval Lake Lodge I have a short break in my cozy bungalow, then we return to the lake. A sunset better than any picture postcard awaits me! Meanwhile, the rainforest is awaking with sounds of chirping, croaking, cawing, rustling and buzzing. The night gets dark quickly, but with the help of Victor´s flashlight we now can see the reflection in the eyes of black caimans.
We return to lodge where a delicious dinner waits for us, afterwards I fall asleep, tired and completely exhausted. In my dreams I still see those red camain eyes and also the tarantula I just met that evening...

Our pre-dawn excursion the next day leads us again to the lake, but as the sky is cloudy the animals have hidden. We set off to a walking tour through the virgin forest where I learn a lot about the medical use of rainforest plants - and I get to know a couple of howler monkeys, with a truly human behaviour. After repeted yawnings they leave us to have their siesta in the tree tops.

Before leaving this incredible place, on our third day we finally get to see Sandoval Lake´s all time favorites: a family of Giant Otters passes the lake looking for their breakfast, making weired sounds, which can be heard all around the area.
On my return to the Madre de Dios river and to Puerto Maldonado, I hear a sound from the tree tops: it´s the macaws croaking their goodbye to me. There is no doubt about it : I´ll be back soon to this paradise!

... that people of Iquitos eat nearly 14 000 t of fish a year, but only 500t of red meat?

.... that the highest golf course of the world is located in La Oroya (3726m) in Peru?

.... that Peru counts over 13000 different styles of music and archaelogical research proved that music is part of the Peruvian culture for 10000 years now?

peruline is a tourist information service about Peru. Many tourist enterprises support and finance our promotion and information job. Our main objective is to benefit the sponsor companies as well as the country itself.

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Our monthly newsletter informs you about the latest Peru news. The topics of this newsletter were chossen by Anika Bader.
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NEWSLETTER JUNE 2005