Arequipa

Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city and a bustling commercial town, is located in a valley at 2.360m above sea level, at the foothills of the active Misti, one of the three volcanoes which surround the city. Founded by the Spaniards as early as 1540, the city is built with white volcanic stone, has beautiful colonial achitecture and a dry and temperate climate year round.
See Map

Practical Information for Arequipa

Arequipa and The Colca Canyon are two destinations that are generally visited together. It is however possible to visit Arequipa and not visit the Colca. Time constraints or difficulty with altitude could be two reasons not to visit the Colca, but we encourage you to do so. Please go to the Colca page for more information. Arequipa is the perfect first stop in a Peru trip, as it provides gradual acclimatisation to altitude. You can fly from Lima: 1 hour flight. You can drive from Lima via Nazca. This is also a popular approach.

Time in Arequipa is generally spent visiting Santa Catalina Convent, its lovely Main Square, the Jesuit Church of La Compania and the Museum displaying Inca mummies. One day is generally enough to visit the City. From Arequipa you can continue your trip through Southern Peru, there are flights here to Cuzco and Juliaca. Alternatively, you can drive to the Colca and on to Puno, in the Lake Titicaca Area.

Our most highly recommended Arequipa hotels: