Arequipa
The white city and the Majestic Misti
Arequipa, Peru's second-largest city, was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2000. It is also known as 'the White City' because many of its churches and colonial mansions are built from the white ashlar volcanic stone. Three volcanoes rise above Arequipa, including the majestic Misti (5,821 masl - 19,092 ft) that can be seen from anywhere in the city.
One of the city's main attractions is the Santa Catalina Convent, considered 'a small city within a city', founded in 1580 for cloistered nuns and which opened to the public in 1970. There are also fine colonial homes such as the Casa del Moral and the Casa Goyeneche, which still feature Baroque-style ashlar carvings in their doorways. Another of the city's impressive attractions is the Lady of Ampato or the Juanita Mummy, the mummy of an Inca adolescent who was offered as a sacrifice to
the gods and which today can be seen at the Andean Sanctuaries Museum of the Santa Maria Catholic University (UCSM). The city is surrounded by broad countryside that includes the picturesque stone mill at Sabandia and the Yura hot springs.
Today, the city of Arequipa is a key trade hub for southern Peru, famous for its export quality textiles woven from alpaca and vicuña wool. It offers a delicious cuisine, and its excellent hotel infrastructure is appropriate for international events.
Altitude
Arequipa: 2,335 masl (7,659 ft)
How to Get There
- By air: from Lima (1 hour 25 minutes), from Cuzco (50 minutes), from Juliaca (30 minutes).
- Overland: South Pan-American Highway from Lima (15 hours approximately), from Nasca (9 hours), from Puno (4 hours), from Cuzco (8 hours).
Lodging
Up to five-star hotels.
Activities
City tours, visits to colonial homes and churches, tours of the countryside, trekking.
Tourist Services
Transport, restaurants and other tourist services available in the city of Arequipa.
Recommendations
Avoid over-exertion during the first hours after arrival.
Eat easily-digestible food and drink coca tea to ward off high-altitude sickness.
Nearby Attractions
Colca Valley and Canyon, Cotahuasi Canyon, the climb up to the Misti and Chachani volcanoes, the petroglyphs of Toro Muerto, the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve.
Minimum Length of Stay
Two days for tours in the city of Arequipa, another three days to explore the Colca Canyon. Exploring the Cotahuasi Canyon requires 6 days.
Season / Climate
Dry and temperate climate; afternoons and evenings are cool.
Festivals
- Festival of the Virgen de Chapi (May). Traditional pilgrimage to the Chapi shrine 90 km (56 miles) from the city of Arequipa.
- Anniversary of the city of Arequipa (August 15): The city stages an International Fair (at Cerro Juli), arts and crafts exhibitions at the Fundo del Fierro, the Festidanza dance festival, and the International Ascent of Misti Competition.
- Festival of Santa Ursula (October 21). A very popular festival among the local population and which is celebrated with the entrance of "Capos", with fireworks displays, Mass and processions.
Gastronomy
Arequipa boasts some of the most varied and succulent dishes to be found in Peru.
- Chupe de Camarones: sweetwater shrimp chowder cooked with milk, eggs and oregano.
- Rocoto Relleno: hot rocoto chili pepper stuffed with minced meat, cheese and potato.
- Soltero: salad of fresh cheese, beans, onion, olives and rocoto chili pepper.
- Adobo Arequipeño: pork braised in maize beer and spices.
- Ocopa: boiled potato covered in a fresh cheese and peanut sauce.
- Escribano: potato salad.
- Pebre: a hearty soup of lamb, beef and dried jerky.
- Sango: a dessert made from wheat, raisins, honey and milk.
Arts & Crafts
Arequipa craftsmen emboss leather to make belts, desk accessories and furniture; ashlar stone is used to make decorative items; while lamps, railings and furniture are made from wrought iron.
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