Arequipa
Peru's White City — Santa Catalina Monastery + Colca Canyon condor spotting
Arequipa is Peru's "White City" — built from white volcanic sillar stone at 2,335m, surrounded by 3 volcanoes (El Misti, Chachani, Pichu Pichu). Santa Catalina Monastery city-within-a-city, Plaza de Armas, gateway to Colca Canyon (twice as deep as Grand Canyon + Andean condor viewing).
Arequipa highlights
Santa Catalina Monastery
City-within-a-city convent — colourful cobblestone streets, cells, cloisters. $12 entry — allow 2h.
Plaza de Armas + Basilica Cathedral
Arequipa's heart — volcanic white sillar buildings + cathedral. Free.
Museo Santuarios Andinos (Juanita mummy)
The world-famous Inca ice mummy — 500-year-old preserved girl found on Ampato volcano. $10 entry.
San Camilo Market
Central market — fresh juice, ceviche, chicha, quinoa.
Colca Canyon 2-day tour
Cruz del Condor viewpoint at sunrise for Andean condor watching. Overnight in Chivay or Yanque. From $80.
Sunset from Mirador Yanahuara
Volcanic-stone arcades + view of El Misti volcano.
Rocoto relleno + adobo dinner
Arequipa's regional specialties — spicy stuffed pepper + slow-cooked pork. Chicha Restaurant + Zig Zag famous.
Getting there
Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP) has direct flights from Lima (1h 30m), Cusco, La Paz. From airport: 15 min taxi.
Getting around
Walking (centre is compact). Uber + taxi cheap. Full-day tours for Colca Canyon.
April-November (dry, sunny). December-March has occasional rain.
$25-50 backpacker · $70-150 mid-range · $250+ luxury (Casa Andina Premium)
Airport transfer from Rodríguez Ballón International (AQP)
Getting out of Arequipa (AQP)
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