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| Newsletter, February 2009 |
CAT DMC is very excited to offer something special for the month of May. |
Peru- Photo Expedition to Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu |
 Puno, Peru
40,000 Tourists to visit Puno for Virgen de la Candelaria Festival More than 40 thousand tourists will visit the southern Andean region of Puno this year to participate in the scheduled activities of the Virgen de la Candelaria Festival, the Regional Directorate of Foreign Trade and Tourism announced Saturday. Dircetur Porfirio Aguilar noted that most domestic tourists who visit Puno to venerate “Mamita Candelaria” come from the southern departments of Arequipa, Cusco, Tacna, Moquegua as well as from Lima. "Foreign visitors from Asia, USA and Europe also visit Puno to enjoy this colorful and spectacular festival, rich expression of traditional music, dance, and culture" Aguilar said. The city of Puno (3,287 masl), which lies on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, is the folklore capital of Peru and the site of the Virgen de la Candelaria Festival. The Virgen de la Candelaria Festival gathers more than 200 groups of musicians and dancers to celebrate the Mamacha Candelaria. The first nine days are dedicated to church decoration and organization of banquets and fireworks. On the main day, February 2, the virgin is led through the city in a striking procession that includes priests and altar boys, Christians and pagans, while musicians and dancers perform and dance along the route and throughout the city. The dance of the demons, or diablada, the main dance of the festival, was allegedly dreamed up by a group of miners trapped down a mine who, in their desperation, resigned their souls to the Virgen de la Candelaria. The dancers, blowing zampoña panpipes and clad in spectacular costumes and outlandish masks, make their offerings to the earth goddess Pachamama. The most impressive masks, for their terrifying aspect, are those of the deer fitted with long twisted horns similar to the Devil, and Jacancho, the god of minerals. During the farewell, or cacharpari, the dancers who fill the streets finally head to the cemetery to render homage to the dead. |
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina New luxury hotel in Recoleta Algodon Mansion is a splendid property that previously served as a private residence and has now been converted into a luxury hotel which will open its doors in April/May 2009. Located in the heart of Recoleta, the 6-story property was built in 1912 and is architecturally fashioned in French Classical design. It was restored to its original state and refurbished with modern amenities to operate as the exclusive luxury boutique hotel. Algodon Mansion will feature a dramatic 4-story interior waterfall that can be seen and enjoyed from virtually each of the 10 ultra-luxury suites. All of Algodon Mansion's suites decoration is inspired by French Classic design, as well as luxurious hand-carved stone adorning the baths. The dynamic restaurant, L'Argentine, will serve French-fusion & Argentine themed cuisine. The main floor lounge, Le Bar, will serve specialty international cocktails. The stately Algodon Mansion will also feature an ultramodern "walk-in" wine cellar, stocked with the finest Argentine and international vintages. Teak decks and loungers surround a rooftop swimmer's pool for summertime tanning with a small bar for afternoon soirées. And the rooftop rejuvenation sanctum, Le Spa, introduces Latin America to the prestigious SISLEY, an exclusive product-line used in every treatment. For further information: www.algodonmansion.com |
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 Machu Picchu, Peru Peru to launch campaign for Machu Picchu’s conservation as World Heritage Site The Peruvian government, through its Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), will launch a national campaign to maintain the distinction of Machu Picchu as a World Heritage Site, promoting its conservation and preservation. Machu Picchu was declared as World Heritage Site in 1983 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Peruvian minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Mercedes Aráoz, said that this initiative aims that all Peruvians who voted for Machu Picchu to be chosen as one of the new world’s seven wonders work with the same interest for its conservation. This week, a mission from UNESCO arrived in Cusco to monitor the conservation works at the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, requested by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The mission agreed in developing a permanent and constructive dialogue between the World Heritage Center, officials of the Peruvian government, regional and local governments as well as other entities, in order to work in an effective way for the improvement of the state of conservation of Cusco’s Historical Sanctuary. Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,430 meters (8,000 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometers (50 mi) northwest of Cuzco and through which the Urubamba River flows. |
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 Lima, Peru Huancayo Tourist train makes its first departure of the year ANDINA - The first departure of the year of Lima-Huancayo-Lima tourist train was successfully completed on January 23. Central Andean Railway (FCCA) has scheduled 19 departures for this year, and plans to increase its passenger traffic by 30 percent. In the first departure, the train departed the Desamparados Train Station located in the Historic Center of Lima at 07:00 hours (12:00 GMT) and arrived in Huancayo - capital of the department of Junin- at 20:00 hours on the same day. On its return, the train departed Huancayo Station on Sunday 25 at 18:00 hours, and arrived in Lima the next day at 08:00 hours approximately. In 2008, the train transported a total of 5,500 domestic and foreign tourists to Huancayo, and this year seeks to increase the number of passengers by 30 percent. The head of the Passenger Service Department, Lastenia Tagle, reported that between January and March, FCCA will offer special discounts (up to 20 percent off ticket prices) to companies, clubs or universities interested in taking this tour. Although this tourist train usually offers services that ensure a comfortable journey of 12 hours, Central Andean Railway has arranged better entertainment and accommodations on board for this year, and has included even more drinks at the bar. |
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 Paracas, Peru Libertador Paracas Hotel to reopen in September this year The new Libertador Paracas Resort & Spa, located on the edge of the Paracas National Reserve, will officially reopen in September this year as a 5 star resort, the hotel's general manager Jorge Melero announced. This project, which was to require an investment of 25-30 million dollars, will now involve a 40 million investment because of its comprehensive service package for tourists. "We have bought a yacht to tour the Ballestas Islands with our customers, as well as an aircraft to fly over Nazca lines and a bus to transport them to hiking areas," Melero told Andina news agency. The hotel will feature: a spa, 2 swimming pools, restaurant, bar, lounge bar with ocean views, private gardens and various activities for guests. Previously named Hotel Paracas, this hotel has been completely rebuilt after it was damaged by the August 15, 2007 earthquake. |
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 La Leona, Argentina La Leona Hotel deemed Historic La Leona restaurant and country hotel was recently declared a Historic Patrimony. For those who aren’t familiar, it’s the obligatory stop in the road from Calafate to Chalten on national route 40 by the La Leona River. The adobe-walled hotel, built over 100 years ago, houses four rooms, all of them with private bathroom. Today, it is a cozy place to spend the night and enjoy the most delicious Patagonian meals. You can also go for some rafting, horseback riding or fishing in this area. For further information: www.hoteldecampolaleona.com.ar |
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 Bariloche, Argentina Comfort by Nahuel Huapi Lake Elan Hotels has recently opened a new hotel in Bariloche, located by the Nahuel Huapi Lake. Elan Bariloche offers the guests lofts for two and four people, equipped with full kitchen, free Wi-Fi, private balcony with lake view and bathroom with jacuzzi. It also has a spa area with an in-out swimming pool and gym. For further information: www.elanpatagonia.com |
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| Headquarters Office Argentina |
| J.A Cabrera 4423/29 C1414BGE Buenos Aires, Argentina T: +54 11 4833 8400 F: +54 11 4833 8401 |