Cusco and the Sacred Valley

Arequipa

Arequipa, known as the “White City" due to the white sillar stone buildings in the city center, is the second largest city in Peru. It is a grand colonial town, with its beautiful Plaza de Armas, Santa Catalina Monastery, and colonial streets filled with antiques, fine restaurants, handicrafts, and some of the finest Alpaca clothing to be found in Peru.

Three active volcanoes loom impressively over the city and make a fantastic backdrop, with El Misti rising to 19,092 ft.

One of Arequipa's major attractions is the beautiful Santa Catalina Convent, considered “a small city within a city.” Also, certainly worth a visit is the Andean Sanctuaries Museum of the Santa Maria Catholic University (UCSM), which houses the Juanita Mummy, also known as the Lady of Ampato. This mummy is a young girl who was preserved in a frozen condition for 500 years at the peak of the snow-capped Ampato Volcano.

Surrounded by broad countryside and sweeping agricultural fields that offer magnificent views of the volcanoes, Arequipa makes for a wonderful visit during your time in Peru.

 

Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon, which is located just 100 miles (160 km) northwest of Arequipa, is one of the deepest canyons in the world, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.

The Colca Canyon is culturally rich, with many Andean communities calling the canyon home. Most of these local people still live traditionally in the valley and continue to cultivate the pre-Inca agricultural terraces. The largest town in the canyon is named Chivay, and this is a great place to relax while taking a dip in the La Calera hot springs.

The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) lives in the canyon, and can be seen in majestic flight from the lookout "Cruz del Condor," best visited in the early morning and late afternoon.

 

Take a look at some sample itineraries, or contact us to begin designing your own personalized itinerary.

 

Atractions & activities:

• City tours
• Colonial architecture & stunning Churches
• Tours & Trekking in the countryside
• Climbing El Misti & Chachani Volcanoes
• River Rafting
• The petroglyphs of Toro Muerto
• The Salinas & Aguada
• Blanca National Reserve