Classic Arequipa

Arrival in Arequipa

DAY 1. Upon your arrival, we will meet you at the airport or bus terminal and provide a comfortable transfer to your accommodation in the city center. The remainder of the day is at your leisure, and you will spend the night at your hotel.

City Tour and Santa Catalina Convent

DAY 2. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. We will pick you up from your hotel in Arequipa’s historic center to begin a fascinating city tour through one of Peru’s most stunning and popular destinations. This comprehensive tour may vary in the order of visits, but each stop is a highlight.

Our journey starts at the Plaza de Armas, recognized as one of the most beautiful squares in Peru, next to the impressive 17th-century Arequipa Cathedral, fully reconstructed after multiple earthquakes. We will explore both the Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus (1590), a classic example of local baroque style, home to an exceptional collection of paintings and murals.

The Arequipa Cathedral, a true architectural treasure, was constructed in the 17th century using volcanic sillar stone and has been restored several times due to seismic activity.

We will then visit the remarkable Santa Catalina Monastery, an authentic medieval cloister founded in September of 1579 and still active today. Spanning 20,000 square meters, this enigmatic convent was built with sillar, the signature stone of Arequipa’s architecture.

Our tour continues to the districts of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Arequipa countryside and the surrounding volcanoes: El Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. There will be plenty of opportunities for photos.

You will also visit the main square of the Cayma district and the Church of San Miguel Arcángel de Cayma, noted for its collection of paintings by an anonymous artist that depict the miracles of the Virgin.

After this enriching experience exploring Arequipa and Santa Catalina, we will return you to your hotel.

The afternoon is at your disposal, with an overnight stay at the hotel.

Classic Colca Canyon in 2 Days

DAY 3. Our adventure commences in the morning as we depart from Arequipa for an exciting 160 km trip to the city of Chivay.

Our route takes us through the picturesque village of Yura, recognized for its historic streets and squares.

Continuing through Pampa de Arrieros and Pampa Cañahuas, we will enter the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve within the Colca Canyon, where you can spot graceful vicuñas roaming freely. Take in the stunning scenery and observe these majestic animals in their natural habitat.

We’ll pause in Patahuasi for a traditional coca tea, ideal for acclimatizing to the altitude. You’ll also have the chance to see beautiful birds, such as flamingos, during a brief stop at the Tocra wetlands. Our journey continues past the impressive crater of Chucura volcano, with a stop at a scenic viewpoint offering vistas of the surrounding volcanoes.

We’ll visit charming villages and take in spectacular volcano views, with a cultural immersion in the Colca Valley communities.

Upon arrival in Chivay, you'll have free time for lunch (optional), followed by check-in at your hotel for a brief rest.

Later, we’ll explore Chivay and its local market, delving into the Andean culture of the Colca Canyon. The day concludes with a relaxing visit to the La Calera hot springs.

Colca Canyon and Return to Arequipa

DAY 4. Enjoy an early breakfast before we head out to the renowned Cruz del Condor viewpoint. Here, you’ll witness the breathtaking depth of the Colca Canyon and, with luck, observe the majestic condors in flight.

These magnificent birds are among the world’s largest, and watching them soar above the canyon is an unforgettable experience.

On our way back to Chivay, we’ll stop at the traditional village of Pinchollo and the Antahuilque viewpoint, where you can admire ancient agricultural terraces constructed 1,500 years ago by the Collagua culture, predating the Incas.

We’ll continue to Maca, a quaint Andean village affected by an earthquake in November 1991, and Yanque, known for having the most beautiful church in the valley. We’ll return to Chivay for lunch (optional).

Finally, we will journey back to Arequipa and transfer you to your hotel, concluding this remarkable experience in the Colca Valley.

Sillar Route

DAY 5. After breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up to begin a unique tour: The Sillar Route.

We’ll travel to the Cerro Colorado district and reach the Añashuayco Quarries, located at the base of Chachani Volcano near the Chili River. This area is known for its captivating natural and cultural landscape. As we explore the master stonemasons’ zone, you’ll admire handcrafted facades and colonial carvings.

We’ll marvel at the Pink Sillar, an area of the quarry that shines with a vivid pink hue under the sunlight, the result of sillar mixed with sand and rocks.

You’ll visit artisan workshops to learn about traditional sillar craftsmanship and see artisans at work using ancestral tools. There will be an opportunity to purchase local crafts (optional).

The tour continues to the Culebrillas Quarry, where we will walk through a dramatic natural gorge sculpted by wind and water erosion.

Walking between these towering walls, you’ll see the Culebrillas petroglyphs, featuring animal shapes such as birds, felines, and snakes, reaching up to 30 meters in height. These ancient carvings are attributed to the Wari culture, which flourished between the 7th and 13th centuries AD.

Sillar stone has been essential in constructing Arequipa’s historic buildings, earning the city recognition as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

At the end of the tour, we’ll return to your hotel. The rest of the day is free, and you will overnight at the hotel.

Private Tour to the Countryside, Founder’s Mansion, Sabandía Mill

DAY 6. Today we will visit the Chilina Valley, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the colorful countryside from its excellent viewpoint, overlooking vast green fields and the Chili River.

Next, we’ll head to Paucarpata, famous for its terraced landscapes and viewpoints that offer spectacular vistas of the Arequipa countryside with the striking backdrop of the Misti volcano.

Our tour continues with a visit to the Founder’s Mansion, a classic sillar estate built in the 16th century by Arequipa’s founder, Garcí Manuel de Carbajal. Located 20 km from the Plaza de Armas near the Socabaya River, it retains its colonial charm and original decor.

The mansion has been home to many distinguished figures, including doctors, bishops, generals, and priests. Highlights include a small chapel, a beautiful main courtyard, and vibrant gardens. As you tour the house, you’ll see rooms decorated with European paintings, ceramics, and furnishings.

Just 9 km from the city lies the Sabandía Mill, an architectural treasure built of sillar in 1621 that remains operational today. Surrounded by expansive gardens with native trees and plants such as cacti and succulents.

The master stonemason Francisco Flores constructed this fascinating site, now one of Arequipa’s most significant historical landmarks.

Our tour concludes with a return to the city center and drop-off at your hotel. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring the city. Overnight at your hotel.

Departure from Arequipa

DAY 7. After breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and transfer you to the bus terminal or airport for your departure.