Arequipa
Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru and with a population of just over 1 million people the most important city in the south. Most of the buildings are made out of a volcanic stone called sillar and therefor Arequipa is known as the white city. Most days of the year the weather is sunny which allow good views of the volcanoes which surround this city.
Within the city the Santa Catalina Convent is the main tourist attraction. For centuries it was a great mystery what happened behind the high walls and only since 1970 this place opened its doors to the general public.
Arequipa is the basis to do a two or three day excursion to the Colca Canyon. The five hour journey to this Canyon is very scenic, passing through remote villages where you can spot peasants in their traditional outfit and there are fine views of snowcapped volcanoes. The canyon itself is the place where there is a very good chance of spotting condors.
We suggest the following excursions in Arequipa
A CITY TOUR IN AREQUIPA
Duration: 3 hours
This tours leaves at 09.00 in the morning and 14.30 in the afternoon. You will visit in the Yanahuara suburb the main square, church and viewpoint. In the centre of Arequipa you visit the San Francisco square, the Santa Catalina convent , the plaza the Armas and the Church of Compania de Jesus.
A VISIT TO THE COLCA CANYON.
Duration: 02 DAYS /01 NIGHT
Too much travelling is involved to do this as a 1 day excursion therefor we selected several hotels for you to choose from to spend the night in the beautifull suroundings of the Colca Canyon
On day 1 you will be collected from your hotel at about 8.30 am to start our 5 hour journey to Chivay. On route we will stop several times to take pictures of the wild life. We might see vicuñas, viscachas, a great variaty of birds among them Flamengos. We go as high as 4850 meters above sea level and will be able to watch several vulcanos.
We arrive at the smalltown of Chivay at about 13.30 and you will be transfered to the hotel of your choice. The rest of the afternoon is free to go walking or visit the local hotsprings. In the evening there is the possibility to attend a folkshow (optional)
On day 2 we will have an early breakfast and leave the hotel at about 6.30 AM to drive for about 1.5 hours to Cruz del Condor. At this place we have got a good possibilitie to spot condors flying relatively low. We stay here for about an hour before returning to Chivay. On route we stop several times at view points and in some of the small villages we pass like Pincholle, Maca and Yanque. After lunch (optional) we return to Arequipa where we arrive at about 6.00 PM and take you to the hotel of your choice.
* It is also possible to continue to Puno from here. Please contact us for more information about this option.
