CUSTOMIZED AREQUIPA VACATION PACKAGES

WHY YOU HAVE TO VISIT AREQUIPA

Whether you are searching for awe inspiring colonial constructions, fascinating in-depth looks into Incan archaeology, towering volcanos and dizzingly deep canyons or simply epic landscape and fine food, Arequipa is a treasure trove of unique Peruvian experiences.

Arequipa’s attractive Historic Center, whose extravagant avenues and charming alleyways are a sight for sore eyes, beckons the weary traveler to stop and stay for a while; to admire the magnificence of its Basilica Cathedral and surrounding neighborhoods filled with breathtakingly well preserved seigniorial houses, most notably the 18th century casonas such as Casa del Moral, Casa Tristan del Pozo and the Mansion del Fundador.

Aside from the numerous stunning churches that line the city streets, Arequipa is also home to the world renowned Santa Catalina Convent – a 20,000 square meter walled city that now offers visitors a unique look into the reality of this religious sect, previously hidden from the public eye. Allow yourself to be transported to another time, when wealthy landowners’ daughters dedicated their lives to the faith, by exploring this “city within a city”; a maze of cobble stoned plazuelas, picturesque water fountains, and colorful alleyways lined with terracotta flower pots.

Don’t miss the chance to try Arequipa’s celebrated variety of mouthwatering regional cuisine. Located on just about every street corner is a traditional picanteria, serving up tantalizing specialties such as rocoto relleno, chupe de camarones, and papa a la ocopa.

Arequipa also claims fame to Juanita, or Ice Maiden of Ampato; a perfectly preserved sacrificial victim who was slain at the tender age of 12 as an appeasement to the gods, over 500 years ago. See Juanita and other human sacrifices in their frozen solid state at the Museo de Santuarios Andinos.

Just a few hours drive from the city center, the staggering Colca Canyon is carved dramatically into the landscape. Perched on the edge of the Canyon lies the unrivaled vantage point of the Cruz del Condor, from which to admire the majestic flight of the Condor. This is an inspiring site that attracts thousands of visitors a year. Crawl down the abyss of this canyon, twice the depth of the Grand Canyon, and spend the night being lulled to sleep by the gentle burbling of the river and dazzled by the glimmer of a thousand fireflies.

And finally, if adrenaline pumping activities are more to your taste, experience the world class extreme sports opportunities offered by Arequipa, such as scaling volcanoes, running river rapids, and trekking through spectacular Andean terrain.

DONT JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

We enjoyed every place we visited, but especially Arequipa. It was an excellent place to begin adjusting the altitude before proceeding to Puno and Cuzco. 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, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Arequipa was another bright spot in the trip. We loved that it was a private city tour. Gladys did a great job. She took us to the monastery, found us an excellent guide, and then provided a nice mixture of informative material and shopping experiences. She was very friendly and she knew a lot about her city. It was a really nice time. The hotel was exceptional too. During this time we also went to Colca Canyon. I loved seeing the condors in flight. Our guide, Edwin, did a great job of stopping along the way to point out the interesting things.
Rebecca, Missouri, USA

We had a wonderful trip in Peru. In Arequipa we had a "reality tour". We heard that there weren't many people who booked this tour, but we can highly recommend it!
Johan Blind, Netherlands

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