Arequipa
( 2.335 meters) above sea level |
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Map of Arequipa |
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Noble and Volcanic
Peru’s ashlar (white stone) city with snow-capped mountains, volcanoes (e.g. Misti), deep canyons (e.g. Cotahuasi and Colca), renowned gastronomy, small coves and beaches.
A World Heritage Site as designated by UNESCO, the White City knows well how to maintain its Colonial heritage to the point that you can do your banking in old and gorgeous mansions. The downtown is particularly beautiful, with a heart of finished white volcanic stone called sillar that has been fashioned into arches, façades and cupolas. Its people are kind and enjoy good conversation and relish living under the watchful gaze of their guardian volcano, Mount Misti. An added bonus is the 340 days of brilliant sun as well as the exquisite main square, conquered by noisy pigeons, a demonstration of its people’s hospitality. The department of Arequipa is dominated by the Andean Mountains with the chain reaching the very lip of the continent at Atico, a coastline zone with beutiful beaches. In Chala, the closest coastal point to the department of Cusco, the Incas built citadels with stone in front of the sea.
As there are huge snowcapped mountains rising high into the sky, so are there deep wounds in the surface of the Earth. Canyons like Cotahuasi and Colca, that start out as fertile, terraced and pleasant valleys that later taper and plunge into dizzying canyons. These are some of the deepest places found on the planet, yet places where kind people live, the wind blows strongly and shrimp abound. The Lagunas de Mejía National Sanctuary is the only stopping point for over 2,000 kilometers for more than 70 species of migratory birds. The list is long, yet there is still a rather important footnote to Arequipa, and that is its famous and diversified cuisine, full of scents and concoctions that match its magnificent landscape and towering volcanoes.
Location: Nestling between the coast and the southern highlands of Peru, Arequipa is the land of great destinations with heights on snow-capped peaks such as Ampato (6,288 m), volcanoes like Chachani (6,075 m) and El Misti (5,825 m).
Extension: 63.345 km2.
Routes & length of stay
5 Days(Minimum recommended |
2 days: City of Arequipa. 2 days: Sites in the Arequipa countryside. 2 days: Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve. 1 day: Lagunas de Mejía National Sanctuary. 3 days: Colca Valley. 4 days: Valley of the Volcanoes. 4 days: Cotahuasi Valley. 2 days: Pisco brandy cellars route and Toro Muerto. 3 days: Mount Misti ascent. |
Other circuits:3 days: Desert and beach circuit: La Joya, Matarani, Mollendo (1 day), Mejía, Lagunas de Mejía National Sanctuary (1 day),Tambo Valley (1 day). |
What to buy?
Possibly the world capital of alpaca wool production, Arequipa is an excellent place to buy alpaca clothing. The articles are of good quality and cheaper than in Cusco or Lima, as most firms are established in Arequipa. All items from alpaca wool should be carefully washed by hand for preservation.
Jewelry. Many gold and silver jewelry is imported from Italy, and is therefore slightly more expensive than in some other countries for; However the reporducciones of the Inca jewelry as well as the pre-Hispanic, can be found in Gold Pesa, situated in the panoramic and Gold Fino mall in the galleries of the company, who have some very fine examples.
What to eat?
White City is enjoyed in the picanterías calls (traditional restaurants with wood stoves). A good table begins with rocoto relleno (hot pepper baked with chopped meat, spices, cheese, eggs and milk), bachelor of cheese (like beans but with corn or corn, olives and hot pepper minced), ocopa ( boiled potato slices with peanut butter, onions and biscuits) and greaves. Among the soups, preferred they are white broth (loin of lamb, potatoes, corn or corn, chickpea, potato and spices) and the pot (boiled beef, pork and chicken with vegetables and spices).
Wide fund, march marinade (pork tenderloin broth, chili, onions and chicha, served with bread), spicy (pork or beef, lamb or duck), locro (beef stew or lamb), the shrimp soup (shrimp sauteed red pepper and cooked with beans, milk, rice, corn or maize and potatoes) and Malaysian fried (skirt and golden boiled beef). For dessert, enjoy great esteem donuts (flour, eggs and milk soaked in sugar syrup), cheese ice cream (ice cream made from milk, cinnamon, coconut and spices), chocolates and toffees.
To drink good local beer, soft drinks or regional chicha (corn). As a digestive: the piteado tea (tea with anise) or Najar anise.
Typical dishes Arequipa
- The shrimp soup: This is a great demand for those visiting Arequipa plate. The shrimp soup is prepared with milk, eggs and oregano.
- Ocopa: It is prepared on the basis of a branch of marigold, yellow pepper, peanuts, vanilla cookies or bread, evaporated milk, cheese, garlic and condiments Serve with boiled potatoes, boiled egg and olives.
- Rocoto relleno: It is made from hot pepper, minced meat, chopped red onion, red crushed red pepper sauce, roasted or ground peanuts, eggs, cheese, milk is served with baked potato and sometimes mashed potatoes.
La Recoleta Convent – City tours
Visiting Hours : Monday – Saturday 9.00 am – 12.00 pm and 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Location : Jr. Recoleta 117. Arequipa 17th century Franciscan convent whose diverse architectural styles span from the Romantic to the neo-Gothic, owing...
Santo Domingo Church – tourism week
Visiting Hours : Monday – Friday 7.00 am – 10.30 am and 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm; Sat 7.00 am – 8.00 am and 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm; Sun 6.00 am – 1.00 pm. Free admission. Location :...
Santa Catalina Monastery – Arequipa tours
Visiting Hours : Mon – Sun 9.00 am – 5.00 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.00 am – 8.00 pm. High Season – 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Location : Santa Catalina street 301. Arequipa Built in 1580 and eventually...
The Society of Jesus – Cathedral tours
Visiting Hours : Church: Monday – Friday 9.10 am – 1.00 pm and 3.10 pm – 6.00 pm; Sat 11.30 am – 1.00 pm and 3.10 pm – 6.00 pm; Sun 9.10 am – 1.00 pm. Free admission. Location...
Arequipa Cathedral – Cathedral tours
Visiting Hours : Monday – Saturday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm. Location : Located to one side of the Plaza de Armas. Arequipa One of the first 17th century monuments in the City. It was built of «sillar» (a...
Petroglyphs of Dead Toro
Location: It is located in the valley of Majes uraca district with its capital Corire northwest of the beautiful city of Arequipa 163 Km. from Arequipa to 2 hours and 30 minutes by bus. For many, perhaps the richest...
The thermal baths of Yura
Location: It is located on the southwest of Peru. Located 30 kilometers from the center, in the district of Yura, located in the city of Arequipa. The tours around hot springs is a relatively new trend but it is...
Stone Forest Imata
Location: It is located in the province of Caylloma, Department of Arequipa. Imata is one of the most important towns is 142 km from the city of Arequipa, the road to Juliaca. On the old road to Puno, just...
Mejía Lagoons National Sanctuary
Location: It is located in the District of Dean Valdivia province of Islay, department of Arequipa, Peru. In the National Sanctuary Lagunas de Mejia you can find 141 bird species, of which 84 are residents of the Peruvian coast...
Colca Canyon
Location: It is located in the northeast of Arequipa region, Caylloma province, 165 kilometers from Arequipa and 40 km of Chivay main town and capital of the province of Caylloma. The highest point of the valley is the inactive...
Majes Valley
Location: It is located in the south-west of the country, located on the 200 and 800 meters above sea level, located 178 km. Arequipa city taking the Panamerican highway in the direction of Lima. Majes Valley is three hours...
Misti Volcano – tours Arequipa
Visiting Hours : Open Monday – Sunday. Location : The volcano slopes are 20 km to the north-east of Arequipa, (1 hour in a 4×4). Arequipa The Misti volcano, at 5,825 masl, is the city’s guardian. From its peak...
Sumbay Caves – Cave Art (Arequipa)
Visiting Hours : Any time during the day. Location : 97 km to the north of Arequipa along the Caylloma road (1 hour 45 minutes by bus). Arequipa Located within the National Reserve of Salinas and Aguada Blanca, they...
Founder’s Mansion, Socabaya (Arequipa)
Visiting Hours : Monday – Sunday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm. Location : 9 km from Arequipa (15 minutes by car). Arequipa One of the most significant and traditional stately homes or mansions in the region, built from «sillar»...
Yanahuara scenic viewpoint (Arequipa)
Visiting Hours : Any time during the day. Location : 2 km from the centre of Arequipa (6 minutes by car). Arequipa One of the most important churches in Arequipa, the Church of Saint John the Baptist, is located in this peaceful...
Sabandía (Arequipa) – Peru tours
Visiting Hours : El Molino (The Mill) can be visited Monday – Sunday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Location : 8 km to the south of Arequipa (20 minutes by car). Arequipa Traditional village surrounded by unique landscapes, broad...
Immaculate Conception – festivals
Arequipa Begins: 07-December Ends: 10-December On 8 December, after the procession, men dressed in women’s clothes approach women and kidnap them in a unique dance. It is a good time to visit the 16 baroque churches of the Colca Valley, its...
Feast of Santa Ursula – festivals
Arequipa Begins: 21-October Ends: 21-October A very popular and typical feast celebrated by residents. It is celebrated with the entrance of the “capo” herb, the burning of the “yareta”, fireworks, masses, and processions. In addition, there are bull fights with Spanish...
Anniversary of the City of Arequipa
Arequipa Begins: 01-August Ends: 31-August For this celebration, the International Fair of Arequipa (located on Mount Juli) is held, as well as artisanal exhibitions in Fundo El Fierro, the Festidanza dance festival, and the international contest that involves climbing Mount Misti...
Cotahuasi Anniversary – Peru festivals
Arequipa Begins: 04-May Ends: 04-May It is the most important traditional festival of the province. Bull fights and dance group competitions are held, and visits to different regional attractions are promoted.
Virgin of Chapi – Traditions Arequipa
Arequipa Begins: 01-May Ends: 01-May Pilgrimage that involves crossing the Arequipa Desert to worship the Virgin of Purification, or Virgin of Chapi. Pilgrims carry rocks of different sizes, forming the so-called apachetas, to symbolize the sins of the devout. At night,...
Carnival Celebrations in Camana – Peru
Arequipa Begins: 01-February Ends: 31-March The guachanacos (masked riders) roam the streets of the tow for 3 days before inviting people to celebrate carnival. On the main day of the festival, the «yunza» or «cortamonte» takes place, and people can also...
