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Founder's Mansion (La Mansión del Fundador) Tours

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Founder's Mansion (La Mansión del Fundador) dates back to the 17th century, when the Spanish first colonized Peru. Characterized by white volcanic rock painted warm pastel colors, the grand building once belonged to the founder of Arequipa and now attracts visitors with its antique furniture, colonial-style decor, and artwork imbued with Inca symbolism.

The Basics
Due to the mansion’s location around 6 miles (10 kilometers) outside the Historic Center of Arequipa, Founder's Mansion attracts fewer crowds than some of the buildings in the Old Town. The mansion is a popular stop on Arequipa countryside tours, which nearly always include stops at the 18th-century Sabandia Mill (Molino de Sabandía) and the traditional agricultural district of Paucarpata. Opting for a guided tour means that you’ll be able to sit back and soak up the scenery of El Misti volcano rather than worrying about reading maps.

Things to Know Before You Go

Founder's Mansion plays an important role in Arequipa’s colonial history, making it a must-visit for history buffs.
Visitors must purchase an admission ticket to enter the mansion.
Founder's Mansion is accessible on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which allows you to create your own itinerary and spend as much time as you like at each stop.

How to Get There
Founder's Mansion is a 20-minute drive from the Historic Center of Arequipa, depending on traffic. Visitors can travel to the building in a private taxi or, for maximum convenience, as part of a countryside tour.

When to Get There
Founder’s Mansion is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Like most of Arequipa’s buildings, the mansion is made of sillar rock, which makes for a cool haven from the daytime heat; consider a midday visit.

The Mighty El Misti
As you explore the countryside of Arequipa, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of El Misti, the snow-capped volcano that’s responsible for the city’s sillar (white-rock) architecture. El Misti, however, isn’t just for admiring from afar: Hiking enthusiasts can summit the mountain on a 2-day hiking tour, which allows you to climb to 19,000 feet (5,800 meters).

Arequipa 04011, Peru

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6 Tours and Activities to Experience Founder's Mansion (La Mansión del Fundador)

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Bus City Tour Arequipa - Guided visit by bus

Arequipa, Peru's ‘White City’, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site well worth the visit. See all its top spots while riding in comfort onboard a panoramic bus driven and narrated by a bilingual guide (English & Spanish). Start in Plaza de Armas then take in the scenery offered by a series of viewpoints before making several stops to experience this ancient city on foot and learn some of its long and fascinating history.

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Small-Group Arequipa Countryside Tour Including La Mansion del Fundador -Mirabus

Get a sense for the rich history and stunning scenery near Arequipa during this 4-hour, small-group, excursion. Travel with a guide and no more than 15 other guests, discovering the stunning landscape of the Chilina Valley and the towering Misti volcano in the distance. You’ll tour the 18th-century stone mill of Sabandia and visit the La Mansion del Fundador, one of the most iconic mansions in the region, before ending your day at the ‘Iron Bridge,’ designed by famed architect Gustave Eiffel. Benefit from a guide and round-trip transport (including hotel pickup, but not hotel drop-off) too.

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Bustour through Arequipa 4 hours

Tour known as the mirabus or bustour, you can find the most beautiful architectural monuments and natural viewpoints that surround the white city. Our tour begins with the pick up of our clients at their respective hotels or in the city center, then we will drive with the whole group to the beautiful places of the city such as: -Yanahuara Mirador Church and Plaza -High Carmen viewpoint. Cost 5 soles per person. -Outlet Incalpaca and zoo. -Sachaca District. (we only observe from the second floor) -Tingo spa. (we only observe from the second floor) -With a landscaper. (We toured this beautiful place surrounded by green area) -Manager of the Founder. (An optional entry fee is paid) -Stone mill in Sabandia (An optional entrance fee is paid) -Paucarpata's sugar factory. We will observe a beautiful natural panorama of Arequipa and its volcanoes. The bus only stops at 5 points and in the others it is only observed during the journey in the same transport.

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CITY TOUR AREQUIPA 1/2 day

The service is provided by a panoramic bus and where we can visit the attractions in the City of Arequipa. Known as »White City of Arequipa, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; permanently accompanied by a bilingual guide on board (English, Spanish), with mandatory stops and guided tours of the most attractive places in the city of Arequipa. Our services are provided every day of the year in double hours, in comfortable fully equipped units.

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4 hours
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Arequipa Countryside, Sabandia Mill & Founder's Mansion

Enjoy the beautiful green valleys on the outskirts of the Arequipa city, looking beautiful landscapes, with mountains and volcanoes, surrounding it. Visit amazing wonders of Arequipa's architecture such as the Sabandía Mill and the Founder's Mansion, made of the main building material of the city: the ashlar.

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3 hours
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Price varies by group size

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6-day Tour Package To Arequipa

Come and explore the city of Arequipa, the sillar route, and the Colca Canyon with our Package Tour to Arequipa. Our tours are organized by professional guides, and you will have private and shared excursions. You will love the city, as well as its green fields and the monuments that are located outside the city, as well as visiting a museum with mummies. Visit the Colca Valley, and admire its canyon and the flight of the Condor. This complete tour will surprise you.

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