Nestling in the shadow of El Misti – a snow-capped volcano which towers above it – lies the city of Arequipa. Known as La Ciudad Blanca (‘the White City’) because of the local white volcanic rock, it is one of the jewels of Peru. Combining modern amenities with a laid-back lifestyle, stunning scenery and beautiful colonial archictecture, it is somewhere everyone should try and visit while on holiday in Peru. Read more…
If you visit Arequipa on a clear day you cannot help but notice the El Misti volcano (5830m) towering over the city. The two or three day climb to the top can be hard work due to the thin air but any relatively fit, acclimatized trekker should be able to do it without too many problems, it is certainly not a technically difficult climb. The El Misti climb, in fact, one of the easiest ascents of any mountain of this size in the world. There are great views from the top. Although El Misti is an active volcano it has only erupted four times in the last 500 years. Best to acclimatize at higher altitudes such as Cusco or Lake Titicaca before attempting this trek. In 1998 an expedition found 6 Inca mummies high on the mountain. Visit the Museo Santuarios Andinos in Arequipa for more information. Read more…
Most people who visit Arequipa take a tour out to the Cañon de Colca, one of the worlds deepest canyons formed by an enormous seismic fault between the Coropuna (6425m) and Ampato (6325m) volcanoes. (actually the worlds deepest canyon is the nearby Cotahuasi Canyon). The tour can be arranged on arrival in Arequipa at one of the several tour operators or travel agents around the Plaza. Many hotels can also arrange this activity. Although a tour can be fit into one day, it’s best to go for at least 2 days, staying the night at the village of Chivay (3633m) the first village on the edge of the canyon. Read more…
Public Transport within the city is by bus and minibus, covering specific routes, with fares less than one Sol. Taxi drivers usually work independently, so fares are reasonable, but they should be negotiated before you get in to the car. Read more…
The climate of Arequipa is one that is especially warm and rather dry, all through the year. Arequipa lies alongside the southernmost tip of Peru’s Desert Coast and enjoys plenty of sunny weather, with daytime temperatures rarely dipping much below 20°C / 68°F or thereabouts. Read more…