Perou Decouverte
Perou Decouverte
Arequipa, nicknamed the "White City" for its volcanic stone constructions, stands between the snow-capped peaks of the Andes and the depths of Colca Canyon. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, its historic center blends colonial architecture with indigenous influences.
Historical Monuments
Arequipa Cathedral
Santa Catalina Monastery
Museo Santuarios Andinos
Natural Landscapes
Colca Canyon
Misti Volcano
Fertile Valleys
Activities
Andean Trekking
Condor Watching
Traditional Village Visits
Southern Peru has about fifteen active volcanoes, several of which overlook Arequipa.
Among the most famous: Misti, the city's emblem, as well as Chachani and Sabancaya, still active today.
Good to know: Sabancaya volcano is one of South America's most monitored volcanoes due to its constant activity since the 1990s.
Museo Santuarios Andinos in Arequipa is famous for the Juanita mummy, discovered in the Andes as an Inca offering.
Less known, Sarita, another moving mummy, enriches this fascinating testimony about the region's ancestral rituals.
Note: The museum also exhibits funerary objects and textiles that have survived centuries thanks to the freezing climate of the Andean highlands.
"Arequipa, city of volcanic stone and traditions, where history and nature meet."
Nicknamed "La Ciudad Blanca" (The White City) because of its white sillar stone buildings, Arequipa is also called "Land of Volcanoes" due to its natural setting dominated by giants like Misti or Chachani. Located in southern Peru at 2,335 meters altitude, it's the capital of the region of the same name with nearly one million inhabitants.
Its temperate and dry climate offers pleasant temperatures between 10°C and 22°C, with a rainy season from December to March. The best time to visit is from April to November, when clear skies are ideal for hiking and exploring surrounding sites.
Economically, Arequipa relies on tourism, rich agriculture (avocados, quinoa) and alpaca wool production. For gastronomy, it's famous for specialties like rocoto relleno (stuffed pepper), chupe de camarones (shrimp soup) or the delicious queso helado, a traditional cinnamon ice cream.
Among its main attractions are Colca Canyon (one of the world's deepest), Misti Volcano, the city's emblem, and the spectacular Santa Catalina Monastery, a true colonial gem.
Before the Spanish arrival, Arequipa was inhabited by the Collaguas and Cabanas peoples, before being incorporated into the Inca Empire in the 15th century. Officially founded in 1540 by conquistador Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, the city developed thanks to its strategic position on the colonial route.
Its history has been marked by several devastating earthquakes, particularly in 1687, 1868 and 2001, which influenced its sillar stone architecture, renowned for its resistance. This uniqueness earned its historic center a UNESCO World Heritage designation in 2000, celebrating its unique colonial heritage.
Arequipa is a vibrant city where Andean traditions and Spanish influences blend.
Considered Peru's culinary capital, Arequipa is home to picanterías, traditional restaurants where you can taste spicy and flavorful dishes, a legacy of unique cultural blending.
Arequipa, the "White City" of Peru, offers a unique blend of colonial history, spectacular volcanic landscapes, and outdoor adventures, all dominated by its three impressive volcanoes: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. Discover our complete guide to activities, excursions, and must-see sites in Arequipa and the surrounding region.
The colonial heart of Arequipa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with its monuments made of volcanic sillar stone:
📍 Want to explore Arequipa's historic center?
Complete Arequipa city center guide →A true city within the city (20,000 m²) founded in 1579, with its colorful alleys, cloisters, and unique atmosphere. Discover the life of the nuns in this preserved space.
🏰 Ready to discover this colonial gem of Arequipa?
Practical info, prices, and tips →This museum houses the famous Juanita, an exceptionally preserved Inca mummy discovered in 1995 on Mount Ampato at 6,380m altitude.
🔍 Fascinated by the Inca mysteries of Arequipa?
Discover Juanita and Andean treasures →The iconic viewpoint of Arequipa, with its lava stone arches carved with poetic quotes, offering panoramic views of the White City and its three volcanoes.
🌄 Ready for the best view of Arequipa and its volcanoes?
Tips, access, and best times to visit →At 3,270 meters deep, Colca Canyon is one of the world's deepest canyons and one of the must-do excursions from Arequipa.
⛰️ Planning to visit Colca Canyon from Arequipa?
Everything about Colca: tours, tips, best time to visit →At 3,535 meters deep, Cotahuasi Canyon is the deepest canyon in the Americas, ideal for adventure lovers and pristine nature enthusiasts.
🌋 Ready for the ultimate adventure in Cotahuasi Canyon?
Complete 2025 guide: access, trekking, accommodation →The emblem of Arequipa (5,825m) offering a legendary climb with views over the entire region. Misti is an active but dormant volcano, accessible to experienced hikers.
🔥 Want to conquer Arequipa's Misti Volcano?
Prepare your climb: equipment, guides, safety →Eroded rock formations at 4,300m altitude, a unique lunar landscape created by wind and water erosion on volcanic deposits.
🪨 Ready for this surreal landscape near Arequipa?
Practical info: access, tours, best time to visit →Geological curiosity with strange shapes along the Colca route, formation of eroded volcanic stones that resemble a petrified army.
🗿 Want a geological break on the Colca road?
Visit tips, location, best time →Terraced waterfalls hidden in a remote canyon, an oasis of freshness amidst the arid landscapes of the Arequipa region.
💧 Want some refreshment in Arequipa's landscapes?
Detailed itinerary, difficulty, photos →Natural hot springs in Chivay (35-38°C), ideal for relaxing after the Colca Canyon excursion, rich in beneficial minerals.
♨️ Need relaxation after your Colca trek?
Info and prices, opening hours, services →Well-preserved pre-Inca village near Yanque in Colca Canyon, testimony to the agricultural engineering and architecture of pre-Columbian civilizations.
🏺 Passionate about Andean history near Arequipa?
Site guide: history, access, visit →Colonial-era mill (1785) still operational 8km from Arequipa, witness to traditional agricultural techniques of the region.
🌾 Curious about Arequipa's colonial traditions?
Practical info: hours, prices, how to get there →Unique Andean ecosystem between Arequipa and Colca, national reserve protecting exceptional high-altitude flora and fauna.
🦙 Want a nature experience near Arequipa?
Explore the reserve: tours, wildlife observation, photos →Course adapted to all levels (from May to November) through typical arid landscapes of the Arequipa region.
Immersion into local gastronomy, ranked among the best in the world, with typical Arequipa dishes.
Discovery of rural landscapes with volcano views, activity suitable for all levels.
Discovery of local productions in the Majes Valley or near Arequipa.
Exceptional clear nights thanks to the altitude and dry air of the Arequipa region.
Discovery of traditional Peruvian craft techniques in local workshops.
Flying over Arequipa's spectacular landscapes with exceptional aerial views.
Looking for the perfect souvenirs to bring back from your trip to Peru? Our comprehensive guide offers a selection of the best typical gifts, from local handicrafts to culinary specialties.
We've also thought about travelers who want to thank their host families or delight the children they met during their stay, with ideas tailored to each situation.
Discover our suggestions for authentic and responsible gifts
See all our gift ideas →Arequipa's cuisine, recognized as one of Peru's most varied, features intensely flavorful dishes and well-preserved culinary traditions.
Picanterías, traditional Arequipa restaurants, offer authentic culinary experiences in a friendly atmosphere. These establishments typically serve complete lunch menus following local tradition.
For immersion in local food culture, San Camilo Market features stalls where you can try typical dishes like chupe de camarones (creamy crayfish soup) or freshly squeezed fruit juices.
Arequipa offers various types of lodging for all budgets:
Several lodging options are available for exploring this natural area:
