Arequipa Travelers Recommend

Famous for its white-stone architecture, active volcanoes, and plunging canyon, Arequipa is a dream destination for history buffs and thrill seekers. Three days give you enough time to enjoy all of Arequipa’s main draws, which include its historic center and the Colca Canyon. Here’s how. 

Day 1: Discover the White City

Dedicate day one to the historic center of Arequipa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, characterized by the white-stone colonial architecture. Explore either on foot on a walking tour or visit via a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Must-sees include Plaza de Armas, Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, and the Monastery of St. Catherine (Monasterio de Santa Catalina), all of which are staples on sightseeing tours. 

Then, delve deeper into the city’s culture on a food tour—which typically includes multiple tastings and a market visit—or a countryside tour that takes you off the beaten path to more remote landmarks such as Founder’s Mansion (La Mansión del Fundador), Sabandía Mill (Molino de Sabandía), and Moral House (Casa de Moral), which houses a collection of maps, religious art, and Peruvian coins that dates back hundreds of years.

Day 2: Colca Canyon

No visit to Arequipa would be complete without a visit to Colca Canyon (Canon del Colca), which—at a depth of 13,650 feet (4,160 meters)—is one of the deepest canyons on the planet. Day trip options from Arequipa are plentiful, with nearly all including convenient round-trip transport and a Peruvian lunch. Tours give you the chance to hike to overlooks such as La Cruz del Condor, bike through the Colca Valley, or kayak or raft down the Colca River, while some include stops in the traditional town of Chivay, which serves as the gateway to the canyon and boasts shops that sell souvenirs made with alpaca fiber. 

Day 3: Adrenaline-Fueled Adventures

Devote day three to discovering why Arequipa is considered to adventure capital of Peru. The area is world-renowned for its white-water rafting, making a trip to the Chili or Majes rivers a must for thrill seekers; in the wet season, rapids can reach Class IV, and tours are recommended for visitors with some white-water experience. Another adventurous option is to climb or downhill bike at El Misti, which stands at 19,101 feet (5,821 meters) above sea level, or Chachani, the highest of the volcanoes near Arequipa. Neither are too technical, although both require some physical fitness due to challenging terrain and the high altitudes reached. 

For something less physically taxing, spend the afternoon browsing Arequipa’s museums, the highlight of which is the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries (Museo Santuarios Andinos). Here, you find the preserved mummy of the Ice Maiden, Juanita, a young Inca girl whose remains were discovered in 1995.

Not only does Arequipa boast a historic center recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s also considered the adventure capital of Peru. Two days in the White City gives you enough time to get your bearings in the Old Town and also venture farther afield to experience Colca Canyon (Cañón del Colca), one of Peru’s most impressive natural wonders. Here’s how. 

Day 1: Essential Arequipa

**Morning:**Devote your first morning to Arequipa’s main draw: its UNESCO-listed historic center, made largely of white volcanic sillar. Cobbled streets lend themselves well to walking tours, but if you’d rather cover more sights in less time, then opt for tour by minibus or hop-on hop-off bus. 

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon exploring farther afield. Escape the crowds of the Old Town on a countryside tour, which typically cover far-flung attractions such as Founder’s Mansion (La Mansión del Fundador), Sabandía Mill (Molino de Sabandía), and the Iron Bridge, designed by the architect responsible for the Eiffel Tower. 

**Evening:**Eat your fill of Peruvian classics this evening, during either a hands-on cooking class or a food tour. Tours typically reveal lesser-known dishes and showcase the historic center illuminated by night. 

Day 2: Discover Colca Canyon

**Morning:**Rise very early and dedicate day two to a Peruvian natural wonder: Colca Canyon. Travel three hours to the town of Chivay, gateway to the canyon; most tours include round-trip transport from Arequipa and breakfast in Chivay. Plunging down 13,650 feet (4,160 meters), Colca is one of the world’s deepest canyons—with a breadth of activities to match. If you’re looking for an adrenaline fix, choose to explore by hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking, or rafting. Alternatively, for something less intense, choose a tour that includes a visit to the Mirador de la Cruz de Cóndor vista point, from which you may observe giant Andean condors, among the world’s largest flying birds. 

**Afternoon:**Continue your canyon exploration after lunch, which is included with most tours. You may visit canyon villages to peruse crafts and sample local specialties, stop at nearby thermal baths, or even go ziplining before returning to Arequipa, stopping at scenic overlooks along the way.

**Evening:**Given that Colca Canyon tours from Arequipa typically last upwards of 12 hours, you may want to make it an early night. If you’ve got the time, though, opt to stay overnight in Chivay, gateway not only to Colca Canyon but also the floating villages of Puno. Several overnight tours include accommodation in Chivay, where shops sell high-quality alpaca souvenirs. 

Ringed by volcanoes and known for its white colonial architecture, Arequipa delivers when it comes to culture, nature, and history. With only one day in the White City, you can take in its top sights, learn about its rich history, and even squeeze in a Peruvian cooking class. Here’s how. 

Morning: Wander the White City

Devote the morning to getting your bearings in the historic center of Arequipa, which is made entirely out of a white volcanic rock known as sillar. The area’s cobbled streets lend themselves well to walking tours, but other sightseeing options include hop-on-hop-off-bus tours—which allow you to customize your itinerary—and bike tours. Whatever you choose, you’ll take in such highlights as the neoclassical Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa, which reigns over the bustling Plaza de Armas main square, and the Monastery of St. Catherine (Monasterio de Santa Catalina). 

Afternoon: Casas and Convents

Go farther afield this afternoon and explore the outskirts of Arequipa, where you’ll find several colonial landmarks and vista points that offer sweeping city views. In order to save yourself the stress of car rental and navigation, opt for a tour that comes with round-trip transfers; tours typically cover the 17th-century Founder’s Mansion (La Mansión del Fundador), the Sabandía Mill (Molino de Sabandía), and Moral House (Casa de Moral), which displays a collection of maps, religious art, and Peruvian coins that date back hundreds of years.

Evening: Cooking and Cocktails

No visit to Peru—the culinary capital of Latin America—would be complete without delving deeper into local cuisine, and a cooking class is a great way to do it. Choose between a private or group cooking class, or—if you’d rather focus less on cooking and more on eating—opt for a tour that reveals the history and culture of Arequipa through dishes and drinks from local restaurants.