Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city, sits on the edge of the Altiplano region at the foot of three impressive volcanoes. Nicknamed the “White City” because many of its buildings are made of white ‘sillar’ stones – including most of the buildings surrounding the impressive Plaza de Armas. Arequipa embodies a rich mix of the indigenous and Spanish colonial cultures – one of the reasons why it was declared a UNESCO Heritage site. Arequipa also has one of the most varied and flavored cuisine cultures in the country.
Additionally, Arequipa is a jumping off point for the impressive Colca Canyon, which sits about 3-4 hours north of town in the Altiplano Region. The Colca Valley is an area of astounding scenic beauty, with giant Andean terraces and a deep canyon that reach a depth of 4160 meters (one of the deepest in the world). Colca is also famous for its abundant wildlife, including llamas, alpacas, vicunas and the mighty Andean condor.
- Popular itineraries
- What to see?
- How long to visit?
- When to visit?
- How to get there?
- Additional details
Lima-Arequipa-Puno-Cusco – This 12 day adventure allows you to see most of southern Peru – it builds upon our Lima-Puno-Cusco tour by offering you the chance to explore beautiful Arequipa and see the stunning Colca Canyon.
Please inquire about visiting Arequipa and the Colca Canyon when you submit your booking information and we can provide you with all relevant details!
Before setting out on your journey to Machu Picchu via the Inka Trail, Salkantay Trek or train – make sure to spend a few days exploring historic Cusco and the surrounding Sacred Valley. Arequipa also have some of the most delicious and unique cuisine in all of Peru – make sure to visit Chicha or Zig Zag (be sure to try one of the fish or meat dishes cooked on Volcanic Stone). Here are some of the most popular sites in and around Arequipa
- Plaza de Armas (Main square)
- Cathedral
- Santa Catalina Monastery
- La Compañía Church
- Sabandia
- Wildlife and landscape between Arequipa and Colca Canyon
- Colca Canyon and the famous condor
- Many small villages and terraces along the route to Colca Canyon
Check out our pictures on Flickr:
We recommend spending at least 2 days in Arequipa – however you will be hard pressed to see everything in both Arequipa and Colca in this short time frame. Assuming you have enough time, 3-4 days is preferred, especially since there is so much to see on the road from Arequipa to the Colca Canyons. A 3-4 day visit would include a 2 day trip to the Colca Canyons (with 1-2 nights in neighboring Chivay) bookended on each side by a stay in Arequipa.
The weather in Arequipa is nearly perfect with approximately 360 days of sun each year (although the locals sometimes wish they had a few days off from the sun). So you can visit Arequipa year round and be assured of great weather.
Weather
The weather in Arequipa is warm and rather dry all year round. And since it lies alongside the southernmost tip of Peru’s Desert Coast, Arequipa enjoys plenty of sunny weather, with daytime temperatures rarely dipping much below 20°C / 68°F or thereabouts. However, by night, temperatures in Arequipa can drop sharply, particularly in June, July and August, when evening temperatures hover around 10°C / 50°F, and at times fall to 5 °C / 41°F.
Since the Colca Canyons are at higher elevations, you can expect the temperatures to be slightly colder – with nightime lows getting close to freezing, especially in the winter (June – August).
Arequipa is easily accessible via all three Peru airlines (LAN, StarPeru and Peruvian Airlines). Flights on LAN are more reliable, but often more expensive. StarPeru and Peruvian Airlines provide alternatives for those on a budget – but often have a stop over in Cusco. Additionally, you can also reach Arequipa via a 12 hour bus ride from Lima – which is the cheapest transportation option.
- Arequipa (2,380 metres or 7,810 ft) and the Colca Canyon (3,500 metres or 11,480 ft) are both at higher altitudes than most visitors are accustomed to – with the route between the two topping out at nearly 5,000 meters (16,400 ft). Thus we recommend consulting with your doctor about the best ways to combat altitude sickness – including getting a prescription for Acetazolamide. Other typical remedies for altitude sickness include drinking coca tea and/or chewing coca leaves (which is what the locals do) as well as spending one or two less-active days in Arequipa getting acclimated to the altitude before heading to the Colca Canyon.
- Because this area is at a high elevation, ultraviolet (UV) light is extremely strong. This means that you will burn much quicker in Arequipa than you would at home. So be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen plus a hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun.