Arequipa shows its natural diversity in its deep canyons such as Cotahuasi and Colca, this located in the famous Colca Valley, and it’s guarded by the famous Misti volcano. The Historic Center of Arequipa is a World Heritage Site for its impressive buildings such as the Cathedral Basilica, the Monastery of Santa Catalina, the Convento la Recoleta, among other examples of impressive architecture. Other tourist attractions that we can find in the ‘White City’ is the Mirador de Yanahuara, the Yura Thermal Baths, the Sumbay Caves, among others.
For 250 years, it welcomed girls from rich families who took up the habits and cloistered themselves with a small cut of servants. Santa Catalina had a thousand inmates. The complex has small streets and squares of Spanish style of the 16th century.
Cathedral
Located in the Plaza de Armas, it was built in 1656, but a fire (1844) and two earthquakes forced it to be rebuilt at the end of the 19th century. The interior is decorated with a large Sevillian bronze lamp, Carrara marble and a pulpit carved in France.
Climbing
You can practice mountaineering in the following mountains: Misti, Chanchani, Sabancaya, Ubinas, Mismi, Coropuna.
Rafting
In addition to the Colca River (only for rafting experts), Arequipa has the Majes River, a medium difficulty water course where tourists can practice this sport without any risk.
Colca Canyon
It is one of the deepest valleys on the planet, as can be attest by anyone who has seen it from the 'La Cruz del Cóndor' viewpoint, 60 km from Chivay. Canoeing in the Colca River.
Yanahuara city sigth
Located in a traditional Arequipa neighborhood, it has a pleasant square (in which the sillar arches stand out with inscriptions very suggestive of Arequipa poets) from where you can see the whole city.
Sabandía Mill
Village that exhibits as main attraction grain mill of Sabandía. It is a colonial building carefully reconstructed and now converted into a museum.
National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca
For the visitor, the reserve is full of attractions, including cave paintings, waterfalls, stone forests, Chachani volcano. There are also circuits for cycling and hiking, which allow to know expressions of living culture: chacus de vicuñas, tincachi and dances.
Rocoto relleno
Hot peppers pasted by water with salt and baked stuffed with minced meat, peanuts, raisins, hard-boiled eggs and olives.
Ocopa
Meal prepared on the basis of boiled white potatoes, seasoned with a cream of toasted chili pepper, huacatay, cheese, peanuts, cookies and milk.
Adobo Arequipeño
Meat boiled over low heat, previously macerated in vinegar and chicha and seasoned with chili and cumin. It is accompanied with popular bread or rice.
Data you should know if you travel
Weather
The region has a semi-arid and temperate climate. Maximum Temperature 24 ° C - Minimum Temp 9 ° C.
Best season
Sunny from September to December, partly cloudy from April to August, and rainy from January to March.
How to get?
Land route, Panamericana Sur highway Lima - Arequipa route 1,009 Km.
Airway, there are daily flights from Lima.
