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Arequipa and Colca Canyon ToursDubbed the "white city" for its beautiful buildings made of a pearly volcanic rock, Arequipa nestles against the foot of the El Misti volcano. With its fine baroque churches and beautiful colonial buildings, Arequipa is said to have some of the best-preserved colonial architecture in Peru.
The spectacular terraced Colca Canyon, said to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, is a popular excursion from the city. The landscape in the Colca Canyon is remarkable for its Inca and pre-Inca terracing which goes on for many kilometers (the most extensive in Peru), along the valley there are several villages whose inhabitants are involved in agriculture and continue using the terraces today - life here has changed so little down through the centuries.
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Possibly the most fascinating colonial religious complex in the country, the Santa Catalina Convent is a miniature walled town in the middle of Arequipa. Founded in 1579, it was only opened to the public in 1970 after centuries of mystery. The convent housed about 450 nuns who lived there in total seclusion except for their female servants. It has preserved the characteristics of XVI and XVII centuries perfectly. Narrow plazas, streets and gardens have Spanish names,remeniscent of ancient quarters in Sevilla or Granada. It has site museums where artwork has been collected including porcelain relics, sacred ornaments, sculptures and canvases from different schools.
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DAY 1 | ARRIVAL IN AREQUIPA / CITY TOUR AND MONASTERY OF SANTA CATALINA
Upon arrival in Arequipa, you will be transferred to your hotel, while a guide will inform you about the attractions and services the city offers and will assist you with the check-in at your hotel. Start your journey in the main square, called 'Plaza de Armas'. Admire its elegant neo-Renaissance basilica cathedral and the sensational Convent of Santa Catalina, which for centuries was a 'forbidden city' in the heart of Arequipa, closed to prying eyes and the influence of the outside world. The convent was founded in the 16th century, and it was an almost self-sufficient town, made up of houses for nuns and their servants, cloisters, squares and narrow streets, kitchens and refectories, among others. The families of the nuns paid large sums of money for their daughters to be admitted, which increased the wealth and prestige of the place. Today, strolling through its colourful streets is like going back in time and allows you to understand colonial Peru. Continue until you reach the Church of the Company, perhaps the greatest masterpiece of Peruvian baroque, where you can analyze its fascinating facade. The sacristy is exceptionally beautiful, thanks to its dome and walls covered with murals that show tropical flora and fauna. The Jesuit seminary is well known for its beautiful main cloister. Finally, head to the neighborhoods of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Misti volcano, which rises above the city. In the end, you will be transferred to his hotel in Arequipa. *Church dress code: During the visit sleeveless and / or low-cut garments, shorts above the knee, and miniskirts are not permitted, otherwise their entrance will be denied.
DAY 2 | AREQUIPA - COLCA CANYON Charge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel before leaving the city via Yura, a district characterized by its rugged scenery, hills and cliffs. Then enter the Pampa Cañahuas Reserve, an extensive grassy plain where vicuñas (an Andean camelid and a national symbol) can be spotted. Head through Vizcachani and Pampas de Toccra up to the crater of the Chucura volcano. From there, continue one last leg of the way to reach the Mirador de los Andes at Patapampa, a stunning viewpoint 4,800 metres above sea level with impressive views of the volcanoes surrounding Arequipa. Lunch is served in the town of Chivay, and in the afternoon you can rest in the hotel.
DAY 3 | COLCA CANYON: CONDOR CROSS - AREQUIPA
After breakfast at the hotel, prepare for a day of high drama with a trip to the breathtaking Condor Cross lookout. Take a deep breath and appreciate the sheer vastness of the Colca Valley, which is one of the world's deepest canyons with a maximum depth of more than 4,160 metres – twice that of the Grand Canyon. The thrill of the experience is enhanced by the natural spectacle of huge condors flying over the canyon. Watch in awe as these graceful birds of prey glide over the canyon, patrolling it with military discipline. Descend to the valley floor to discover some of the rustic towns on the banks of the River Colca such as Chivay, Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma and Yanque, where quaint colonial churches are as much as part of the scenery as the peaks of the Andes. There are also stops at the lookouts of Antahuilque and Choquetico to admire majestic views of the valley. After lunch, return to Arequipa.
DAY 4 | AREQUIPA DEPARTURE During the morning you will be transferred to Arequipa’s airport for your departure flight.
2025 Price per person in US$: (child rates available)
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Why not add an extra day to visit the NATIONAL RESERVE OF SALINAS AND AGUADA BLANCA? You will be transferred from the hotel early in the morning on the way to the Salinas Lagoon, a saltwater lake located 75 km from the city. Behind the snow-capped Pichu-Picchu 2 hours and a half from Arequipa, at 4,300 meters (on a dirt road). Impressive beauty, with reflections of the snow-capped mountain, and beautiful view of the Misti and Chachani volcanoes. Wildlife, vicuñas and especially migratory and endemic birds, two types of flamingos. On the route, we will pass near the Pichu Picchu Mountain, a beautiful view of the Misti Volcano, herds of Llamas, and we will also cross Chiguata, a typical village with a lot of Pre Inca terraces, stone houses and there is also a great variety of Andean birds where you will have time for lunch and then return to Arequipa. INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
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