Arequipa.- known as the White City for its beautiful white walls made of sillar, a volcanic stone, rests at the foot of the imposing volcanoes Chachani, Misti, and the snow-capped Pichu Pichu. The city center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, features colonial-era churches and mansions in the mestizo Baroque style, as well as the Santa Catalina Monastery.
Where is Arequipa located?
Location: South of Lima
Capital: City of Arequipa
Distance: 1,191 km from Lima
Altitude: 2,335 meters above sea level
Population: 1,140,810 inhabitants
Climate: The city of Arequipa has a semi-arid and temperate climate, with an average maximum temperature of 21.7°C (71.0°F) and a minimum of 6.9°C (44.4°F). The rainy season is from January to March.
How do I get to Arequipa?
By Land: Lima-Arequipa: 1003 km via the Pan-American Highway South (18 hours by bus).
By Air: Daily flights from the cities of Lima (1 hour), Cusco (30 minutes), Juliaca (30 minutes), and Tacna (30 minutes) to the city of Arequipa.
Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport. Av. Aviación s/n, Zamácola
What activities can I do?
Colca Valley Tours
151 km north of the city of Arequipa (3 hours by car).
Located in the northeastern corner of the Arequipa Region. The highest point is the dormant volcano Ampato (6,288 m) and the lowest is the confluence of the Colca and Andamayo rivers (970 m). The Colca Valley stretches for 100 km and occupies only a section of the Colca River basin, between the districts of Callalli and Huambo. There are 16 villages inhabited by descendants of the Collagua and Cabana ethnic groups, heirs to a rich cultural tradition. The towns of Chivay and Cabanaconde are the most visited by tourists.
Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint
A few minutes from Cabanaconde, this viewpoint offers the opportunity to observe condors in flight, beautiful and tranquil. This area boasts a great diversity of flora and fauna. Among the most representative animal species are the Andean condor, the kestrel, the peregrine falcon, and the Canary Island partridge.
Colca Canyon Hike
42 km west of Chivay (1 hour by car)
It is one of the deepest canyons on the planet, reaching 3,400 meters at its deepest point in the town of Canco. To its right bank are the Chila mountain range (Bomboya, Serpregina, Mismi, Queshihua), and to the left are Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato.
Misti Volcano Climb
(3 hours by 4×4 vehicle).
At 5,822 meters, 2 days for climb, it is temporarily inactive and has a permanent snow cover some times, To climb this volcano no technical preparation is needed since it is a stratovolcano made up of ash and lava.
Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve
Approximately 35 km northwest of the city of Arequipa (1 hour 30 minutes by bus).
Its area is almost 367 hectares. It encompasses territory in the provinces of Arequipa and Caylloma (Arequipa Region) and General Sánchez Cerro (Moquegua Region). It was created to conserve important flora and fauna associations, protect natural environments that were undergoing destruction and deterioration, and protect the vicuña through a repopulation program. Within the reserve are the volcanoes Misti (5,825 m), Chachani (6,075 m), and Pichu Pichu (5,664 m), where adventure sports and climbing are practiced. It is also home to 169 animal species, 24 of which are mammals, and 138 species of birds (including diving ducks, eagles, and kestrels).
Hiking in the Cotahuasi Valley and Canyon
375 km northwest of the city of Arequipa (9 hours by bus). (by car and 12 hours by bus).
The Cotahuasi Canyon encompasses twelve life zones and three ecological regions. It is considered the deepest canyon in Peru (3,535 meters). On the route from Arequipa to Cotahuasi, you can see the Coropuna volcano (6,425 meters), whose summit is considered the highest in the Arequipa Region and the third highest in Peru.
Where to Sleep?
There is accommodation for all budgets, from US$12 per person per night to US$20 to US$40 per couple per night in more central locations. Generally, all accommodations are located in the same city. These are indicative prices and are not valid for peak season.