Arequipa is easily one of the most charming cities in all of Peru, home to gleaming-white historic buildings made from volcanic ash, sillar, grand religious monasteries, and a rich cultural scene - hosting the annual literary Hay Festival. One of the city's key attractions is Santa Teresa Monastery, a living-museum where cloistered nuns still reside to this day. Far less visited than nearby Santa Catalina Monastery, another major attraction and landmark in Arequipa, I had the opportunity to visit with one of Aracari's specialist guides, Franz Grupp, the Monastery's Director. Santa Teresa Monastery Arequipa Constructed in 1710, Santa Teresa Monastery is a smaller, lesser-known monastery compared to Santa Catalina, also in Arequipa. Santa Teresa hasn't been open as long; almost 300 years after its foundation, it first opened its treasures to the public in 2005. The Nuns of Santa Teresa Monastery Santa Teresa has appeal in both the fact it functions as a comprehensive Museum of Viceregal Art, as well as a living museum: 15 cloistered Carmelite nuns still live here. These nuns remain inside the convent and do not interact with the outside world - they cannot be seen by tourists, nor see them. If you time your visit for midday, as I did, you can press your head against the wall and hear the nuns shuffle about as they head to prayer and listen to their melodic chants. Santa Teresa's Director Franz Grupp The director of Santa Teresa, Franz Grupp, guided me around the monastery, talking me through the Viceregal art exhibited there. Franz is one of Aracari's specialist guides, a veritable cultural expert, art historian and curator, who gives unparalleled insight into this historic site. Franz has been involved in important restoration projects throughout Peru, and was part of the team that presented the historical center of Arequipa to UNESCO to be regarded as a designated Cultural Heritage City,
Arequipa is easily one of the most charming cities in all of Peru, home to gleaming-white historic buildings made from volcanic ash, sillar, grand religious monasteries, and a rich cultural scene – hosting the annual literary Hay Festival. One of the city’s key attractions is Santa Teresa Monastery, a living-museum where cloistered…
Peru is the food mecca of South America, proudly laying claim to a selection of the best restaurants in the world and the #1 restaurant in Latin America. Although the gastronomic publicity tends to focus on the capital, Lima, culinary adventures await the traveler wherever they go in this country. Each region has its own specialties and while you can find them elsewhere in the country there’s nothing like trying a dish in the place that gave birth to it. At Aracari, we have explored the vast culinary offerings in Arequipa to compile this list of our favorite restaurants. The Best Restaurants Arequipa Zig Zag The upscale European - Peruvian fusion menu at Zig Zag is rightfully popular with the main courses, desserts, and wine lists combining to provide an unforgettable experience. When you visit, check out the restaurant's staircase designed by French architect, Gustave Alexandre Eiffel. Chicha It’s tough to go wrong with a menu inspired by Peru’s most noted chef, Gaston Acurio. Featuring traditional favorites as well as new takes on Peruvian cuisine using fresh local ingredients, Chicha is a sure bet for fine dining in Arequipa. La Trattoria del Monasterio Nestled within the architectural complex of Santa Catalina Monastery, La Trattoria del Monasterio serves delicious Italian with Arequipeño influences and Andean ingredients in a great location. La Nueva Palomino This is considered by many locals to be the best of Arequipa’s picanterías. Although a little touristy and a bit loud on the weekends, this is the place to go for local flavor in both food and ambiance. Crepisimo A good option for families, or travelers who are looking for something simple and international, Crepisimo is from the same restaurant family as Zig Zag and offers sandwiches, salads, and both sweet and savory crepes. Contact us for more information on a culinary tour Peru! "Must-Try" Dishes
Peru is the food mecca of South America, proudly laying claim to a selection of the best restaurants in the world and the #1 restaurant in Latin America. Although the gastronomic publicity tends to focus on the capital, Lima, culinary adventures await the traveler wherever they go in this country. Each…
The highlight of a visit to Arequipa is the Santa Catalina Monastery, one of the most impressive colonial religious buildings in Peru. The large convent is a ‘city within a city,’ covering over 20,246 square meters (218,000 square feet) and preserving the characteristics of 16th and 18th centuries, with narrow twisting streets, tidy plazas, colorful courtyards, and simple living quarters with Spanish names like Córdova, Sevilla, and Toledo. The delicate pastel colors of the buildings contrast with bright flowers, period furnishings, and religious art making it the picture-perfect place to explore some of the history of Arequipa. Aracari can arrange a visit to Santa Catalina Monastery as a part of a private, tailormade trip Peru. The History of Santa Catalina Monastery Santa Catalina Monastery was built in 1579, but only opened to the public in 1970 after 400 years as a nunnery. Visitors to the cloister can see the spacious patios, the kitchen, and slave quarters of this convent, where entrance requirements were among the strictest in Peru. Prospective nuns had to prove Spanish origin and come up with a dowry of at least 1,000 gold pesos to join the order. About four dozen nuns still live in the northern corner of the complex, which once housed up to 500 women. Contact us for a tailormade trip to Peru including a visit to Santa Catalina Monastery! When the convent opened twenty years ago, its scandals came to light. Among them is the story of Sister Dominga, the 16-year-old who entered the convent when her betrothed left her for a rich widow. The religious life did not agree with this beautiful young woman, so she faked her own death to escape. Moreover, there was little heed paid to the nuns´ vows of poverty and silence behind closed doors in the early days. During its heyday, the sleeping cells were more like luxurious European
The highlight of a visit to Arequipa is the Santa Catalina Monastery, one of the most impressive colonial religious buildings in Peru. The large convent is a ‘city within a city,’ covering over 20,246 square meters (218,000 square feet) and preserving the characteristics of 16th and 18th centuries, with narrow…
The Colca Valley is dotted with charming villages where the locals preserve the ethnic richness of their past more than any other region of Peru. Among the people there is deep rooted tradition and cultural pride that manifests in everything they do from their daily tasks to their unique clothing and hats. One of the best ways to understand the culture and immerse yourself into the everyday life of the people is to partake in community based tourism Colca. Aracari can arrange an experience with a local family in the village of Coporaque as a part of a tailormade trip Peru, so that you can authentically learn about the Colca Valley beyond typical tourist stops. My Experience: Trying My Hand at Farming On a recent trip to the Colca Canyon and Valley, I had the opportunity to participate in the community based tourism project: Pumachiri. My colleague Caroline and I would be spending the morning with a few members of a Collagua family who live in the small town of Coporaque. We arrived at their home and were immediately welcomed with open arms and invited in for a cup of mate de coca, a tea that helps when traveling at altitude. We sat down and chatted with our host, Sebastian, before his wife and a few other members of the family arrived. Dressing Like a Local I was struck by the women's colorful clothing and decorative white hats. They explained to us that there are two pre-Inca ethnic tribes who inhabited the Colca Valley: the Collaguas and the Cabanas. To this day the two groups maintain traditions dating back past colonial times and are easily differentiated by their traditional clothes, particularly their hats. The Cabanas use embroidered felt hats, whereas the Collaguas wear bejeweled white straw hats. As a way to break the ice and the language barrier, the women offered to
The Colca Valley is dotted with charming villages where the locals preserve the ethnic richness of their past more than any other region of Peru. Among the people there is deep rooted tradition and cultural pride that manifests in everything they do from their daily tasks to their unique clothing and hats. One of…
The history rich Colca Valley is scattered with ancient ruins. One of these sites, Uyo Uyo, is an especially great place to explore the ancient cultures of the region and Peru. Reachable either on foot or horseback, a visit to Uyo Uyo ruins is the ideal way to acclimatize to the high altitude of the region, while absorbing some of its cultural significance. Uyo Uyo Ruins Sitting on the right bank above the Colca River is the archaeological site of Uyo Uyo. A pre-Inca village attributed to the Collagua culture of the region that was later occupied by the Incas, the town is thought to be the original capital of the Colca Valley. The building and structures of the site are a fascinating testament to the strong construction techniques and advanced architectural and agricultural strategies of the Collagua and Inca people. Visitors can explore the ruins, admiring some of the original houses, meeting places, and center of worship, that date back to the year 1200. Highlights of the Journey to Uyo Uyo Ruins A highlight of visiting Uyo Uyo is the journey to get there. Along the way, you can visit other interesting sites such as Sifon Bridge, Yanque, Cervantes Bridge, and local terraced farms. From Sifon Bridge, spot the Colca's, or ancient food storage units, that give the valley and canyon its name. In the small town of Yanque, admire the colonial church, and learn about Spanish influence on indigenous Andean culture and religion. At Cervantes Bridge, see how the architecturally pleasing stone bridge compliments the natural landscapes and nearby natural hot springs. And as you pass through local terraced farms, note the production of crops like potatoes, corn, string beans, and Andean super foods like quinoa and kiwicha. Contact us to arrange a luxury, tailormade trip to Colca! How to Get to Uyo Uyo Ruins: The Many Routes The route to Uyo
The history rich Colca Valley is scattered with ancient ruins. One of these sites, Uyo Uyo, is an especially great place to explore the ancient cultures of the region and Peru. Reachable either on foot or horseback, a visit to Uyo Uyo ruins is the ideal way to acclimatize to the high altitude of…
Described by former U.S. President Bill Clinton as “Woodstock of the mind,” the international Hay Festival is an illuminative gathering of thinkers from around the world. For the first time in 2015, and bi- annually moving forward, a Hay Festival sister celebration took place in Arequipa, Peru congregating some of the intellectual minds of South America. The most recent Hay Festival Arequipa was in November of 2017, and the next is due to take place in 2019. If you are interested in traveling to Peru for one of its many festivals, contact us. Hay Festival Arequipa The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts began as an annual literary festival held in the town of Hay-on-Wye in Wales. The modern iteration includes a number of performances and film previews, and a children’s festival that runs alongside the main event. Since its inception in 1988, it has expanded internationally, including festivals in Bangladesh, Kenya, Spain and now Peru. The Hay Festival Arequipa program features a number of South American authors, musical guests, and art exhibitions. We caught up with Cristina Fuentes de la Roche, Director of Hay Festival Americas, ahead of the 2015 edition, to learn more about the event. ARACARI: First, tell us a little about your background. What does your role as director entail? How did you get involved with the Hay Festival? CRISTINA FUENTES DE LA ROCHE: I am licensed in Business Sciences with Master’s degrees in Cultural Management and Literature. I have spent many years working in the cultural management sector, and have been working for the Hay Festival as a creator and director of the festivals in the Americas since 2004. We started with the Hay Festival in Cartagena de Indias [in Colombia] in 2006, followed by Mexico in 2010, and now we are starting in Arequipa, Peru. I am also the co-director of the
Described by former U.S. President Bill Clinton as “Woodstock of the mind,” the international Hay Festival is an illuminative gathering of thinkers from around the world. For the first time in 2015, and bi- annually moving forward, a Hay Festival sister celebration took place in Arequipa, Peru congregating some of the intellectual minds of South America….
