Arequipa and its attractions

Arequipa is arguably one of the most important cities in the south of Peru and a particularly attractive destination for all visitors to the country. Its location between the surrounding volcanoes near the famous Colca Canyon makes it an ideal tourist base. You can reach the city well in different ways, so that several combinations with other destinations such as Puno or Nazca on Lake Titicaca or Cusco are possible.

Also, a direct arrival by air from Lima or other parts of Peru’s is possible. But not alone the city of white volcanic rock that comes from the area, with its Cathedral, the Viewpoint Yanahuara and the church “La Compañía” on an extensive city tour value. Just the impressive Monastery “Convento de Santa Catalina“, which is a “city in the city”, needs at least half a day of your stay.

Hot you get to Arequipa

By plane

• Arequipa International Airport, Alferez Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP Airport Code), with comfortable facilities, receives regular domestic flights from Lima, Cuzco, Juliaca (Puno) and Tacna, and some regular international flights from regional countries of South America such as Chile.
• There are different schedules from Lima to Arequipa (flights last approximately 55 minutes).

By bus

• There are three main routes to the city of Arequipa. Arequipa is connected to the Pan-American highway where you can get south from Lima.
• There are roads from Arequipa to Juliaca (Puno – Lake Titicaca) and the road from Cuzco to Arequipa.

By car

In general, travel on long distance routes and Pan American South is possible. Trips from Lima outside the cities of Peru often cause travelers headaches because the driving is absolutely unpredictable. Therefore, we recommend a defensive and extremely advanced driving style within large cities. Never trust your man’s direction indicator, it will certainly surprise you and continue to drive in the other direction.

From Lima, follow the Panamericana Sur for about 1020 km. This will take approximately 18 hours with some breaks, which you will need, since you usually only have to drive straight through the desert for a long stretch of the desert. During this trip, we recommend taking breaks in Ica, Paracas or Nasca. Connect these breaks on the road, for example and visit the Oasis of Huacachina, the Nasca Lines and the Maria Reiche Museum and / or the Inca Cemetery of Chauchilla.

A break during this long trip from Lima to the south of Peru can be Puerto Inka or Chala, where you can see less than what happens here to rest and then relax the next morning to go to rest. from Puerto Inka in about 7 hours to get to Arequipa.

Points of interest

Museum Santuario Andina

In addition to the many attractions, we can also recommend a visit to the Andean Sanctuary Museum, where the stories and mummies of three young girls sacrificed in an Inca ritual are told.

Molino de Sabandia

Built in 1785, it represents the typical architecture of the region from this period, in which the use of white sillar rock prevails. The building of the Mill of Sabandia itself is the most beautiful thanks to its solid supports and rustic balconies. It’s no coincidence that most of the wedding photos are made here in this mill, in the beautifully landscaped garden, and by the passing waterfall, which is truly picturesque. Every time we visit this beautifully landscaped mill, we always had to wait for photos as the professional photographers pose brides and grooms in different poses and also offer different costumes.

The gastronomic experience

In addition, we have packed the Arequipa’s sights in a gastronomically interesting framework and can thus give you not only the beautiful appearance of Arequipa but also a few gastronomic peculiarities on the way. Taste the wonderful diversity of Cocina Peruana and you will always remember new taste experiences.

Traditional dishes

Meals you have to taste

• Adobo Arequipeño
• Blanco de Lomos
• Chairo
• Chaque
• Chactado
• Chicharrón de Chancho
• Chupe de Camarones
• Cuy Chactado
• Costillar con Rocoto
• Escribano
• Estofado de Lengua
• Estofado de Res
• Habas
• Locro de Pecho
• Ocopa Arequipeña
• Pastel de Papa
• Patasca
• Pebre
• Picante de Cuy
• Rocoto Relleno
• Soltero de Queso
• Timpusca
• Trucha al Ajo
• Zarza de Patitas

Desserts

• Alfajores Arequipeños
• Mazamorra de Airampo
• Queso Helado
• Sango

Beverages

• Anis Najar
• Arequipeña
• Chicha de Guiñapo
• Kola Escocesa
• Pisco Acholado

Great views on the way to Chivay

From Arequipa our route takes us about three hours to the small village of Chivay near the Colca Canyon. You cross the various altitudes of this wonderful region on the trip. Also, you will always experience free-roaming alpacas, vicuñas and lamas in the Pampa de Arrieros. Then we reach the Patapampa Pass at an altitude of 4,910 m. With the view from the “Mirador de los Andes”, also called Mirador de los Volcanes, you will look at the different volcanoes around Arequipa. Among the most famous volcanoes you see on the way to Chivay include the volcano Chachani (6,075 m) and the volcano Misti (5,825 m).

The Colca Canyon

The Colca Valley is a popular hiking area and well worth seeing. The Colca Valley (also Colca Canñon or Valle del Colca) is a ravine near Chivay in Peru, about 97 kilometers north of Arequipa. Depending on whether it is from the highest mountain peak near the gorge to the Río Colca or from the edge of the gorge, it is 3,269 m or 1,200 m deep. The well-known Grand Canyon is (only) about 1,800 m deep. This makes the Cañón del Colca the second deepest canyon in the world. From a geological point of view, the Cañón del Colca is less than 100 million years old.

Rock paintings and caves, which once housed the so-called colcas (containers for the storage of grain), testify to the past of the Collagua culture; the original inhabitant of the region. The Colca Valley is especially known and loved by followers of trekking. You can also experience the largest Andean bird of prey here on the Cruz del Condor live during its flight rounds.