Category Archives: Travel

Peru, Travel

Isla Blanca: Hidden Treasure of Chimbote

Off the coast of Chimbote, on the north central coast of Peru 420 kilometers (260 mi) north of Lima, lies Isla Blanca. Once a world renowned source of valuable guano for fertilizer, recently it’s become a favorite summer destination for locals and tourists. Via El Comercio Peru (Google translate and authors corrections for clarity.)

Every weekend, a part of the peaceful bay in the Ancashino Sea becomes the distraction for hundreds of locals and foreign tourists.

The reason? This area of the coast, rarely visited before, today is filled with vacationers in search of a treasure island called Blanca. This marvel flown by thousands of sea birds is northeast of Chimbote, in the province of Santa, exactly five kilometers away from the coast and about 20 minutes by boat from the nearest port.

To enjoy all this place, one must embark on the Chimbote Port Terminal or the private dock Gildemeister. The seasoned seamen advise that it is best to leave in the morning to enjoy the place all day long. Continue reading Isla Blanca: Hidden Treasure of Chimbote →

Peru, Travel

Peruvian & Bolivian Experts to Measure Lake Titicaca Depth

Lake Titicaca by volume is the largest lake in all of South America. At over 12,000 ft. high, it is considered the highest navigable body of water in the world.

Recently, it was decided to measure the depth, and take better measurements of the lake.

Via El Comercio Peru (Google translate & authors corrections for clarity.)

Experts from Peru and Bolivia will measure the depth of Lake Titicaca, located over 3,500 meters above sea level, to adopt measures aimed at the preservation of this natural resource shared by both nations.

The president of the Binational Autonomous Authority of Lake Titicaca (ALT), Alfredo Mamani, told reporters that the task, which has not been done for 40 years, will be entrusted to 17 experts.

In 1977, the study noted that the maximum depth of Lake Titicaca was 300 meters in an area which corresponds to the Peruvian sovereignty. “It could be that the depth of now is less or has moved,” said Mamani.

Measuring jobs require an investment of $500,000 and will be performed by the Hydrography Naval Navy of Peru (DHN) and the National Naval Hydrology Service of Bolivia (SNHN).

Peru, Travel

Machu Picchu Celebrates 35 Years as UNESCO Site

Machu Picchu celebrates its 35th anniversary as a World Heritage Site

Via El Comercio Peru (Google translate with authors corrections for clarity.)

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu was declared a Historical and Cultural Heritage Site by Unesco in 1981 and today celebrates the 35th anniversary of the event with the expectation of not becoming an endangered heritage, José Carlos Nieto, head of National Service of Protected Natural Areas (Sernanp) said in that historical and natural sanctuary.

Nieto said that in the last two years the situation among all the institutions collaborating in Machu Picchu “has changed a lot” because they have managed  “agreements and consensus” to prevent risks to the Inca citadel.

A Unesco mission will visit between 26 and 30 January, the region of Cuzco and Machu Picchu for a meeting. Nieto defined the meeting as “advisory” and observed that the world body had made this monument.

The head of the Sanctuary said that Unesco is not only a “watchdog but also help support the requirements” and hementioned the Master Plan approved in April 2015, which is in the application process.

Among the requirements made by UNESCO is implementing a design of urban planning that defines the boundaries of the modern town of Machu Picchu, and the parameters of the buildings, such as height and building characteristics.

A Long Celebration

In addition to the implementation of these plans to better preserve the site, the Peruvian authorities plan to celebrate the 35th anniversary as a World Heritage Site with a series of activities throughout the year including a photographic show, competitions, book presentations and symposia.

In July, the photo exhibition “35 years of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu” will open and present the book “Natural Machu Picchu” to show the “other unappreciated component” which is the diversity of the area and, according to Nieto, “It will give value to all the advances in environmental research” that have been done.

In August two competitions for students of Cuzco, related to the design and composition of an essay on the sanctuary, and in October a symposium on Cultural and Natural Research will be held in Machu Picchu will be promoted.

World Renowned Attraction
The historical and natural sanctuary of Machu Picchu has a total of 32,592 hectares where 4,187 species of fauna and flora like twelve ecological systems that allow the existence of this unique biodiversity is conserved.
The Inca ruins are Peru‘s main tourist destination, with an average of 2,500 visitors a day, so that in recent years the authorities have taken a series of measures to ease tourist traffic, such as opening evening hours to reduce the amount of people visiting the place during the first hour. (EFE)