Introduction to Arequipa

“When the moon separated from the earth, it left behind Arequipa.” As this local refrain eloquently suggests, Arequipa dazzles the onlooker with its characteristic pearly white colonial buildings made of volcanic sillar 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.

A serene metropolis blessed by famously benign climate and eternal sunshine, Arequipa boasts the beauty of its palm tree lined plazas, countless lovingly preserved colonial era constructions, and a proudly presented regional cuisine that is venerated throughout the country. Not far from the historic center - declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 – are the rolling green hills of the campiña, a verdant expanse characterized by Incan agricultural terraces, rich farmlands and traditional country living.

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

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