AREQUIPA – WHITE CITY

Arequipa, known as the White City, is one of the most fascinating destinations in southern Peru. Its unique charm comes from its architecture built in sillar – a white volcanic stone –, its impressive Andean landscapes and its exceptional cultural and gastronomic richness. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city combines history, tradition and modernity in perfect harmony.

The heart of Arequipa is its majestic Historic Center, where the Plaza de Armas stands out, surrounded by elegant arches and dominated by the imposing Basilica Cathedral. A few steps away, the Santa Catalina Monastery, a true citadel within the city, invites you to walk its colorful passages and discover centuries of history.

The region also offers first-class natural experiences. The Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world, is the ideal setting to observe the flight of the condor and enjoy impressive landscapes, traditional towns and thermal baths. Likewise, the volcanoes Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu frame the city with their majesty, offering trekking routes for adventure lovers.

Arequipa also captivates with its gastronomy, recognized among the best in the country. Typical dishes such as rocoto relleno, shrimp chupe or Arequipian adobo are best enjoyed in its traditional picanterías.

Visiting Arequipa is living an experience where culture, nature, history and flavor converge. An essential destination for those seeking authenticity and beauty in every corner.

Plaza de Armas of Arequipa

The Plaza de Armas is the main tourist destination in the city of Arequipa, located in the heart of the city's Historic Center. Every day it attracts hundreds of visitors from different parts of the country and the world. In the center there is a bronze fountain with a sculpture of a little elf playing a trumpet (known as El Tuturutu). It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Santa Catalina Convent

This place dazzles not only for its colorful colonial architecture, but also for its secrets that have been hidden behind its walls for centuries.

It is considered a small city because its streets resemble Spanish cities. There are 6 streets in total: Córdoba, Málaga, Toledo, Granada, Sevilla and Burgos. Of course, there are other passages that connect the entire convent.

One of the main attractions is the volume attraction in terms of rigidity. Something to highlight about its structure is that it has space to store various plants and flowers.

You can observe about 400 paintings. It is essential to mention that the Santa Catalina Museum is considered one of the 7 best museums in Arequipa.

Sillar Quarries

The city of Arequipa is known for its sillar-based structures. This whitish rock was used by the Incas for sacred constructions and later by the Spanish to build houses and churches. Due to the use of sillar, Arequipa is known as the White City. A visit to the Sillar Route will allow you to discover how this material is processed and marvel at the beauty and peculiarity of the work.

Yanahuara Viewpoint

The Yanahuara viewpoint is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city of Arequipa. This sensational viewpoint offers impressive views of Arequipa from the white sillar arches that connect the iconic volcanoes of Arequipa Misti, Picchu Picchu and Chachani.

You can see that the facade of the observatory is inscribed with famous quotes from Arequipa and quotes from important thinkers from Arequipa. Nearby, various types of crafts are sold, as well as various tourist services such as restaurants, cafeterias and hotels.

Misti Volcano

The Misti volcano is located 17.5 km northeast of the city of Arequipa, it is located in the Salinas y Aguada Blanca Natural Reserve.

The main attraction is the entire volcano. With its almost perfect cone shape and snowy peaks, the city of Arequipa has exceptional scenic beauty in the world.

WHEN TO VISIT THE COLCA CANYON?

The temperatures are almost the same, so the Colca Valley can be visited throughout the year (5°C at night and up to 20°C during the day).

The best time for trekking is from April to November, when the climate is dry.

WHAT ATTRACTIONS CAN I VISIT?

1. Salinas y Agua Blanca Reserve:

The reserve is located 110 km east of the city of Arequipa, near the towns of Huito and Pucarillo. The area has small Andean forests and high Andean grasslands, with typical species being Yareta, Kenual and Tigre, used for fuel and grazing.

The area includes several volcanoes and snow-capped mountains such as Misti, Pichu Pichu, Chachani, Tacune and Ubinas, mountains and lagoons, including the Salinas lagoon.

2. Volcanoes Viewpoint

It is the highest point on that road, the Abra de Patapampa, at 4,910 meters above sea level.

It is called the Volcanoes Viewpoint because the viewpoint offers a great view of the Cordillera and the Andes, as well as the nearby volcanoes such as Ubinas, Misti, Chachani, Ampato, Sabancaya and Mismi.

3. Chivay: It is the main arrival point to the canyon and is the most visited by tourists, with many restaurants, hotels, etc. In addition, its viewpoint offers a beautiful panoramic view of the area. 3 km away are the thermal baths of La Calera, perfect for relaxing after a long day of travel.

4. Coporaque: Beautiful town with House of Culture in the main square, with museums and community craft sales, thermal baths of Sallihua.

5. Cabanaconde: Town of 3,000 inhabitants, a must-visit for hikers as it is the starting point for trekking in the Colca Valley, in addition you can reach the viewpoints of Cejana or Achachiwa in 20 minutes on foot.

Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint

The viewpoint is located in the district of Cabanaconde, at an altitude of 3,287 meters above sea level

The Condor Viewpoint is a must-see in the Colca Canyon. About 1,200 meters below runs the Colca River, in front of the Mismi volcano 5,547 meters high. Not only does it offer spectacular views of the canyon, but it also proves to be a strategic place to observe one of the largest birds in the world, the Andean condor (with a wingspan of 3.50 meters!)

6. Yanque: Located 7 km from Chivay, this town has one of the most beautiful main squares in the area (the church is also very beautiful!). Here, at 7 am most days, children with traditional costumes dance to the rhythm of typical music.