AREQUIPA & SURROUNDINGS

Arequipa was founded was founded by the fourth Inca, Mayta Capac and later by the Spanish in 1540. The city is located at 2400 m above sea level and surrounded by Misti, Chachani and Pichupicchu volcanoes with over 5822 m high. Arequipa known as the White City because most of its houses and buildings are constructed of white ashlar stone and dating from the colonial era. Declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Cathedral: Built in 1621, where in its interior, there is the main altar, and the pulpit made of wood carved at the workshops of Buisine-rigot, in Lille, France. Arequipa also holds the Santa Catalina Monastery, a miniature city that housed the nuns Arequipa for over 400 years. Yanahuara: A traditional neighborhood located 2 km away from the city’s center, which is the look-out of the city, facing the Misti volcanoe. Church and cloisters of the Society of Jesus: The church was built between 1595 and 1698, and the cloisters are located next to the temple. The Museum Andean Sanctuaries – UCSM: Here are the remains of the mummy named Juanita, belonging to the Inca nobility, discovered in 1995 at Ampato snow mountain.

COLCA CANYON & CONDOR LOOK OUT

Colca Canyon with a maximum deep of 3,400 meters / 11,510 feet, located 165 km away from Arequipa 4 hours by car to the north of Arequipa and 40 km from Chivay village (3,660 meters/ 12,008 feet), passing on the way the pampas Cañahuas (National Reserve of Vicuñas). The canyon is formed by the Colca River and its length is covered in hundreds of pre-incan terraces and 14 villages rich in tradition, where lies archaeological remains left by the Collagua culture. Cave and stone forest of Sumbay: This area is located behind the Misti Volcano, 88 km away from the city of Arequipa following the road of Cailloma. The average altitude is 4,127 masl (13,536 feet) and the landscape is typically Puna. The archaeological importance of the place lies in its caves exhibiting valuable paintings from the Paleolithic era, with figures, of human beings, South American camelidae and pumas, among others. Condor Look Out (mirador del condor): Approximately 40 km from Chivay, the incomparable natural Mirador of the Condor may be found, from where one can watch the flight of the condor, the king of the area, while gazing at the Coropuna and Ampato volcanoes, in the distance. The surrounding landscape includes the Hualca-Hualca, Ampato and Sabancaya volcanoes to practice mountain cycling, trekking, mountain climbing and river rafting, among others.

COTAHUASI CANYON & VALLEY OF VOLCANOES

 

Located in an inter-andean valley with a deep of 3,535 m – 11,598 feet, where lies the villages of Cotahuasi (2,683 m / 8,803 feet), Pampamarca, whose inhabitants are experts in weaving artistic rugs of alpaca wool, sweaters and other items; and Callata, a prettiest town with its cemeteries perched on the mountainsides and known as the Tenajaja Cliffs. Also there are hot medicinal springs; waterfalls with a drop of 250 m / 492 feet; and spectacular landscapes with the snowcapped peaks of Coporuna and Solimana. Andahua Valley of the Volcanoes: Located to the north of the Province of Castilla, its unique beauty lies a various dozens of dormant volcanoes, the most outstanding as Los Gemelos located 10 km away from the village of Andahua. South of this town, there is the Andomarca volcano with a pre-incan citadel at its foot. Toro Muerto Petroglyphs: On the way to Lima, and the deflection point of 7 km opposite from Corire, the amazing Toro Muerto Petroglyphs can be found. These are petrocarvings depicting birds, mammals, reptiles, anthropomorphic and geometrical figures.

GENERAL INFORMATION OF AREQUIPA
AREQUIPA	ALTITUDE	2,400 m / 7,875 f
	WEATHER	Rainy season (december to march) Rainy days & cold nights Dry season (may to october) Sunny days & cold nights
	POPULATION	1, 000 000 Inhabitants
	ACCESS ROUTES	By plane, train & bus (Tourist & local transportation)
	HOTELS	In Arequipa & Colca valley (Guest houses in Colca valley)
	TOURS / EXCURSIONS	Private tour & Group tours (shared basis)
	CLASSIC TOURS / MAIN ATTRACTIONS	City tour Arequipa, Colonial buildings, Colca canyon & volcanoes
	TREKS & OTHERS	Trekking in Colca valley (2, 3 & 4 days). Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve