Travel to Peru: Arequipa Tours

Why travel to Arequipa

Located beneath the towering gaze of snow-capped volcano Misti and within easy reach of the majestic Colca Canyon—one of the deepest canyons in the world—Peru’s second-most populous city is unlike any other, and arguably the most attractive in the country.

"When the moon separated from the earth, it left behind Arequipa." This local refrain refers to Arequipa´s unique pearly white colonial buildings made of sillar, a local volcanic stone. From the shimmering white Baroque churches, monasteries, and mansions, to the white, sandy, rolling hills surrounding the city, it is no wonder Arequipa is known as the White City.

Blessed with mild and sunny weather, Arequipa is home to beautiful palm-lined plazas, as well as countless well-preserved colonial-era buildings, and a regional cuisine that is venerated throughout the country. Don’t miss the chance to try Arequipa’s many celebrated dishes. Located on just about every street corner is a traditional picanteria, serving up local specialties such as rocoto relleno, chupe de camarones, and papa a la ocopa.

Surrounding the city are the rolling green hills of Arequipa´s countryside, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and is characterized by its Inca agricultural terraces, rich farmlands, and traditional country living.

Whether you are searching for awe-inspiring colonial constructions, Inca archaeology, towering volcanoes and dizzyingly-deep canyons, or simply epic landscapes and fine food, Arequipa is a treasure of unique Peruvian experiences.

What to do in Arequipa

Arequipa tour. Arequipa’s historic center, with its elegant avenues and charming alleyways, beckons the curious traveler to stop for a while and admire jewels dating back to the colonial period. Sites include the Basilica Cathedral and surrounding neighborhoods filled with well-preserved colonial houses.

Among the most notables are the 18th century casonas such as Casa del Moral, Casa Tristan del Pozo, and the Mansion del Fundador. Over 500 well-maintained colonial-era casonas and mansions exemplifying the trademark Peruvian mestizo style can be found within the city and surrounding suburbs. Most of the time, all that is needed to enter and admire the architecture is permission from the guard.

Aside from the numerous stunning churches that line the city streets, Arequipa is also home to the world renowned Santa Catalina Convent, a 65,615-square-foot walled city that now offers visitors a unique look into the reality of this religious place that used to be hidden from the public eye.

Allow yourself to be transported to another time when wealthy landowners’ daughters dedicated their lives to faith by exploring this “city within a city.” You will discover a maze of cobblestone plazuelas, picturesque water fountains, and colorful alleyways.

In its Museo de Santuarios Andinos, Arequipa also holds the frozen remains of Juanita, known as the Ice Maiden of Ampato; this perfectly preserved sacrificial victim, slain at the tender age of 12 as an appeasement to the gods over 500 years ago, was found on top of Mount Ampato in 1995.

Colca Canyon tour. The road north from Arequipa brings you to the staggering beauty of the Colca Canyon, thought to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.

Perched on the edge of the Canyon lies the unrivaled vantage point of the Cruz del Condor, where travelers can admire the majestic flight of the Andean Condors.

The Canyon also has habitable areas and you will see many pre-Colombian terrace fields that support the local population. Adventurous travelers can hike down into the canyon’s abyss and spend a peaceful night, lulled to sleep by the gentle burbling of the river and dazzled by the glimmer of a thousand fireflies.

Adventure tours. Finally, if adrenaline-pumping activities are more to your taste, experience the world-class extreme sporting opportunities offered in Arequipa, such as scaling volcanoes, running river rapids, and trekking through spectacular Andean terrain.

When to visit Arequipa

The dry season from June to September may be the best time to visit Arequipa. However, Arequipa enjoys over 300 days of sunny blue skies per year so you can visit and enjoy the many activities and sightseeing opportunities of the city and its surroundings all year long. Make sure to bring some warm clothes as the nights can be rather cold.

Every August 15th there is a city-wide party celebrating Arequipa´s founder, Garcí Manuel de Carbajal. It is a great time to see Arequipa and mingle with the locals.

Travel Testimonials

We found Peru to be a fascinating and interesting country, with diverse landscapes, from the coast to the high Andes, we found all of the guides extremely knowledgeable and genuinely interested in promoting their country.

Heather & Neil Goodley (United Kingdom) traveled to Arequipa in September 2010

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Other highlights include Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, both of which we absolutely loved. The horseback riding through the countryside in Arequipa with Anibal was so much fun and our tour guide in the Colca Canyon was fantastic.

Jennifer Higgins (Ontario, Canada) traveled to Arequipa in December 2009

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We enjoyed every place we visited, but especially Arequipa. It was an excellent place to begin adjusting the altitude before proceeding to Puno and Cusco. The city has exceptional charm and prices there are less than other cities. It was the best place to add an extra day to our itinerary to relax in the Plaza de Armas, try queso helado, see Juanita the ice mummy, feed the pigeons, and browse in the shops. Our trip coincided with the August 15th Founder’s Day festival and parade which we enjoyed very much.

The Runyon Family (Nevada, USA)

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Top Pick Arequipa Hotel

Casa Andina Private Collection Arequipa 5*

Calle Ugarte 403, Arequipa

This Casa Andina Private Collection hotel maintains the highest standards of service and quality, overseeing every delicate detail. Just 3 blocks from Arequipa's Main Square, this hotel is housed in a beautiful white sillar stone 17th century colonial mansion, formerly the Mint House and now a national historic monument. Two colonial-style courtyards are found at the heart of the building which also holds a small mint museum, a bar, and gourmet restaurant serving exquisite Novoandina cuisine.

Restaurant Room Service Internet Laundry Service Gift Shop

Casa Andina Private Collection Arequipa Photos & Info »

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Sonesta Posada del Inca Arequipa 4*

Portal de Flores 116, Arequipa

This Spanish colonial-style hotel is centrally located along the Main Square's arched passageways and next to the beautiful Cathedral. It is widely recognized as one of the best accommodations in Arequipa and arguably boasts the premier location in the city as it overlooks the plaza. It is just steps away from the city's main shopping and financial area. Equipped with the best modern amenities, this hotel provides a comfortable and luxurious atmosphere combined with excellent service. This ideal location allows easy access to Arequipa's main attractions, such as the fascinating Santa Catalina Convent, the Museum of La Dama de Ampato (Juanita the Mummy) and other exciting points of interest. Built out of the typical sillar stone that gave Arequipa its nickname as the "White City", this beautiful hotel meets any international standard and also features an excellent restaurant.

Restaurant Room Service Laundry Service Parking Internet Swimming Pool

Sonesta Posada del Inca Arequipa Photos & Info »

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Casa Andina Classic Arequipa 3*

Calle Jerusalén 603, Arequipa

Casa Andina Classic Arequipa is a charming hotel located in the heart of the historic center, and abounding with traditional architectural details. Built from the volcanic sillar stone typical of Arequipa's architecture, Casa Andina provides a comfortable setting for major events and conventions, paying special attention to travelers. All 105 guestrooms are warmly decorated, following the theme established throughout the hotel, of clean crisp whites and warm reddish hues. Deliciously soft down comforters bestow a luxurious touch onto each and every room.

Restaurant Room Service Internet Laundry Service Parking

Casa Andina Classic Arequipa Photos & Info »

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