Arequipa Holiday

Quite possibly Peru’s most beautiful city, Arequipa – or the White City – is home to exquisite architecture and buildings carved from shimmering sillar (white volcanic rock). Resting in the foothills of the western Andes, the snow-tipped El Misti rises majestically above the city’s turrets and terraces. Arequipa holidays offer both city splendour and natural beauty – and all of it in spades.

Within the city walls, there’s plenty to soak in. The city centre – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – sparkles with beautiful colonial buildings, many centred on the breezy Plaza de Armas square. The spectacular sillar centrepiece, the Cathedral of Arequipa, stretches the entire length of the plaza; join a tour to learn about its history. A city within a city, spend time wandering the Monasterio de Santa Catalina, a sprawling convent of labyrinthine passages and rooms.

Roam away the days on your holiday to Arequipa

There are a number of premier museums in Arequipa. The Museo Santuarios Andinos is home to a famous attraction: Juanita, the Ice Maiden. A young Inca girl, sacrificed between 1450 and 1480 atop Mount Ampato as an offering to the Gods, now frozen and forever preserved.

Outside the city, a whole plethora of delights await. Surrounded by towering volcanoes, hiking, climbing and rafting opportunities are plentiful. Thermal hot springs, salt lakes and stretches of arid desert also frame the White City. Take a trip to the iconic Cañón del Colca, one of the world’s deepest, and watch out for the majestic Andean condor as it glides overhead. If you’re feeling daring, climb to the summit of El Misti on a gruelling two-day hike.

Adventure awaits on your holiday to Arequipa. Get in touch with our Destination Specialists to begin planning. In the meantime, why not see what the rest of Peru has to offer? Think cobbled Cuzco, pretty Puno or the spectacular Sacred Valley.