Arequipa...
The "White City"
At The Foot Of El Misti Volcano
Arequipa: Cathedral - © H. Plengue / PromPeru
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Villa Hermosa de Arequipa is Peru's second largest city and Capital of the Department of the same name.
An area firstly inhabited by the Collaguas (7600BC), then overtaken by the Incas (6300BC) and finally given its name by Garcí Manuel de Carvajal in 1540, a Spanish conqueror-founder- close to Francisco Pizarro.
Arequipa preserves one of the best architectural legacies of the colonial time in Peru - a fusion of European and Native art - best evidenced in its manorial houses, monasteries and convents.
In fact, the "White City", as often referred to for its glistening white buildings made of sillar (volcanic rock) and ashlar (petrified volcanic ash), has its Historical Center listed as a World Heritage Landmark by UNESCO since year 2000.
Let's visit the place through this short video (narrated in Spanish)...
- Santa Catalina Monastery
A city within a city, home of the Dominican nuns for centuries.
Its construction began in 1580 and new portions added throughout centuries. It was partially opened to public in 1970, when local authorities insisted that electricity and running water was to be installed in the monastery and money was needed to finance the work - Claustros de la Compañía
Built in 1660 as the architectural complex of the Old Society of Jesus Monastery - La Recoleta Convent
- Goyeneche Palace
- Casa del Moral
- Plaza de Armas
- Cathedral
And Museums like...
- Anthropological Museum of the Catholic University of Santa Maria
- Archaeological Museum of the National University of San Agustin
- Sanctuary Museum - Juanita Mummy's Collection
- City Museum
Santa Catalina Convent - © H. Plengue / PromPeru
More examples of this beautiful architecture from the Colonial past can be appreciated in surrounding towns like...
- Chivai
- Cavanaconde
- Maca
- Achoma
- Yunque
- Lari
- Coporaque
And of course, the whole Department of Arequipa is full of natural wonders that you would love to explore...
- Andagua Valley of the Volcanoes (with more tha 80 volcanoes without activity)
- Petroglyphs of Toro Muerto and Sumbay
- Cotahuasi Canyon
- Colca Canyon
- Laguna de Salinas
- El Misti Volcano
- Chachani Volcano
- Picchu Picchu Volcano
- Pampas de Cañihuas National Park
- Mollendo, Camana and Puerto Inca beaches
El Misti Volcano - © PromPeru
COLCA CANYON...
Where The Condor Flies
Colca Valley is located around 180 km. north of Arequipa (3+ hours driving), so your best bet in order to explore the area is to make base in the town of Chivai.
Its name comes from the profusion of "collcas" - deposits to store grain in pre-colonial times.
The landscape in the region is formed by "andenes"- terraces on the hills - a technique used profusely by the Incas for cultivation, supported by a complex system of artificial and natural irrigation.
But the most impressive sight is the Colca Canyon, formed by the erosion from the Colca River, with an extension of about 70km.
It was long considered to be the deepest known canyon in the world, but the Cotahuasi Canyon was found to be the deepest-3.354 meters- twice as big as the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA.
For sports and adventure lovers, Colca Canyon is ideal for hiking, trekking and whitewater rafting.
In fact, is one of the best places in the world for canoeing, with rapids of high speeds (gradient +V) in the upper part -Andagua (please check the International Scale of River Difficulty for more info).
Whitewater Rafting at Colca Canyon - © PromPeru
December to March is the best time of the year.
Mirador Cruz de Condor is the ideal place to watch the condor, the biggest bird on earth, with a wingspan of over 3 meters and weighting up to 12 kg.
Absolutely magnificent...
Arequipa will present you with an unforgettable travel experience while discovering this amazing South America...
How to Get There:
By Air:
Rodriguez Ballón Airport only attends domestic flights.
From Lima is about 55 minutes ride.
You could also flight from Juliaca-Puno, Cuzco and Tacna.
By Road:
From Lima, heading south along the Pan American Highway and Pacific coast.
Where to Stay:
Mansion Dorada: - 28 de Julio 505
Hostal La Plazuela: : - Plaza Juan Manuel Polar 105
Crismar Hotel: - Calle Moral 107
Samana Best Western Hotel: - Av. Ejercito 704
Hostels:
La Posada Real Youth Hostel: - Calle Mollendo 218 Urb. Cercado
Hospedaje El Caminante Class: - Santa Catalina, 207 A 2nd Floor
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