Arequipa City and Countryside Tour with Santa Catalina Monastery
Our Arequipa city tour reveals the White City, its sillar architecture, the Santa Catalina Monastery and the countryside viewpoints overlooking the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes.
The White City, carved in volcanic stone
Summary
Arequipa, known as the White City for its buildings made of sillar, a light-colored volcanic stone, preserves one of the most beautiful historic centers in Peru, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the morning, the Arequipa city tour explores the Main Square, the Cathedral, the cloisters of La Compañía and the Santa Catalina Monastery. It is a true city within the city, with streets, plazas and brightly colored cells that were home to cloistered nuns for centuries.
Then, in the afternoon, you visit the Arequipa countryside, with the Yanahuara and Carmen Alto viewpoints, the Founder’s Mansion and the Sabandía Mill, surrounded by terraces and overlooking the volcanoes that guard the city. You can complement it with the Sillar Route; also, Arequipa is the gateway to the Colca Canyon.
Highlights
Itinerary
09:00 - 09:30
Hotel pickup
We pick you up at your hotel in central Arequipa before the tour.
Your guide picks you up at your hotel. Then we begin the tour of Arequipa’s Historic Center.
09:30 - 10:30
Main Square and La Compañía
Sillar architecture in the heart of the city.
First, we explore the Main Square, with the Cathedral and its sillar arcades; then we visit the cloisters of La Compañía de Jesús, an outstanding example of mestizo Baroque.
10:30 - 12:30
Santa Catalina Monastery
A city within the city.
Later, we visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, founded in the 16th century, with its streets, plazas, cloisters and intensely colored cells that reveal the life of cloistered nuns.
12:30 - 14:00
Free time for lunch
A break to taste Arequipa's cuisine, especially its picanterías.
Then you have free time for lunch. Meanwhile, we recommend traditional picanterías where you can try rocoto relleno, shrimp chowder or adobo arequipeño.
14:00 - 15:00
Yanahuara and Carmen Alto viewpoints
Views of the city and the volcanoes.
We visit the Yanahuara viewpoint, with its sillar arches and views of El Misti volcano, as well as the Carmen Alto viewpoint, with pre-Hispanic terraces in the countryside.
15:00 - 16:30
Founder's Mansion and Sabandía Mill
Colonial mansion and stone mill in the countryside.
Then we tour the Founder’s Mansion, a colonial house on the banks of the Socabaya River, and the Sabandía Mill, built of volcanic stone in the middle of the countryside.
16:30 - 17:15
Return to your hotel
Transfer back to your hotel when the tour ends.
Finally, at the end of the tour we take you back to your hotel in central Arequipa.
Include
What does it include?
- Pickup from hotels in central Arequipa
- Tourist transportation for the countryside
- Professional guide in English or Spanish
- Entrance to the Santa Catalina Monastery
- Entrance to the Founder's Mansion and the Sabandía Mill
- Permanent assistance during the tour
What's not included?
- Lunch
- Drinks and snacks
- Tips for the guide
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Important information
What to bring
Comfortable layered clothing
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat
Water
Cash for lunch
Passport or identification document
Weather
Arequipa has a sunny, dry climate almost all year, with temperatures between 10 and 24 °C. Solar radiation is intense and nights are cool; however, rain may occur between January and March.
Best season
The tour operates all year. However, from April to November clear skies prevail, so they are ideal for seeing the volcanoes from the viewpoints.
Recommendations
Arequipa’s sun is very intense, even on cool days, so use sunscreen and stay hydrated. Also, Arequipa is at 2,325 meters, which makes it a good acclimatization stop before Colca or Puno.
Gallery
FAQ
How much time is spent at the Santa Catalina Monastery?
About two hours, which is enough time to explore its streets, cloisters and cells while the guide explains them.
What is sillar?
It is a white volcanic stone from the eruptions of nearby volcanoes, which was used to build most of Arequipa’s colonial buildings.
Can I do only the City Tour or only the Countryside?
Yes. The Arequipa city tour and the countryside tour can be done separately as half-day tours, so ask us when booking.
Which typical dishes do you recommend?
Rocoto relleno, shrimp chowder, adobo arequipeño, ocopa and queso helado are some of the most representative, especially in traditional picanterías.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. The Arequipa city tour is family-friendly, because the walks are short and on mostly flat ground.
Can I book this tour as a private service?
Yes. The tour is available as a group or private service, as well as with flexible schedules.
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