Blog | White City of Arequipa

Hello travelers!!!

Today we will be talking about trips to the white city of Arequipa, a top destination in southern Peru.

Looking for an experience full of adventure, adrenaline and unforgettable I invite you to READ this blog.

And we start!!!

Known as the White City of Arequipa, for its beautiful white walls of ashlar, at the foot of the imposing volcanoes Chachani, Misti and snow-capped Picchu.

A beautiful city of great history and richness within Peru, it presents a varied relief. It begins in the coastal desert and rises in the Andes, reaching great heights on the peaks of its snow-capped mountains and volcanoes.

Declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000, you can see temples and colonial mansions of mestizo baroque style.

It has an irresistible gastronomy that has flavors, smells, exquisites, where the finest and most delicious stews are combined to taste exquisite dishes, which impresses locals and strangers.

Within this destination you can practice several adventure sports, such as mountain biking, trekking and canoeing.

Appreciate the majestic flight of the condors, complement of the visit, where every traveler can rest his eyes and go back to the past.

Next I will introduce you to unmissable destinations in your next trip to the white city of Arequipa.

Table of Contents

The Plaza de Armas and the Historic Center

Gateway to the history, culture and idiosyncrasy of Arequipa.

You will learn about the most important events of the city, its urban characteristics and the rhythm of its social life.

Surrounded by important buildings of mestizo architecture, social, economic and tourist axis of the city, so it can be reached without difficulty from any point by public transport or walking.

Its colonial buildings built in white ashlar (volcanic stone) symbol that gives identity to the city and can be found in several neighborhoods, but especially abundant in the historic center.

It has museums such as the Andean Sanctuaries or the Viceroyalty Art and religious buildings such as the Cathedral or the Convent of Santa Catalina, are just some of the many places of interest that can be visited in the historic center of the city.

Viewpoint of Yanahuara

One of the most popular and symbolic tourist attractions in Arequipa, it offers a privileged view from its white arches that unite Misti, Pichu Pichu and Chachani, the emblematic volcanoes of Arequipa, in a single embrace.

Built in the 19th century in the neighborhood of the same name, it consists of several arches made of ashlar, abundant in the region. On its façade are recorded thoughts of some of the most illustrious characters of the city.
From its imposing height, more than 2,300 meters above sea level, you can see the entire city, with its jigsaw puzzle of cobblestone streets and colonial buildings.

It is one of the most photographed places by tourists visiting the ‘White City of Arequipa’.

Misti Volcano

It is the emblem and custodian of Arequipa.

Considered a symbol of the city, El Misti (Quechua for “lord of the white race”) is located in the valley of the Chili River.

Its crater is inactive and is located only 18 kilometers from the center of the city.

The main attraction of the volcano as a whole, with its almost perfect conical shape and the shades of snow on its summit, gives the city of Arequipa a unique scenic beauty in the world.

Salinas and Aguada Blanca

Created in August 1979 to protect essential habitats for vicuña populations, as well as tarucas and flamingos or parihuanas.

The reserve now also protects lagoons, wetlands and wetlands that are essential for the capture and regulation of the hydrological cycle of the Chili River basin.

The reserve has volcanoes, extensive grasslands, high Andean scrub, Polylepis forests, wetlands, lagoons and salt flats. In habitats of vicuñas, guanacos, tarucas, flamingos and a great variety of endemic and migratory birds.

The dominant ecosystems are high Andean grasslands. There are also freshwater lagoons and salt flats, wetlands, and high Andean wetlands.

The dry shrubs are located on the slopes and ravines while the Queñuales and Tolares are found more occasionally.

Tourist attraction where nature shows all its splendor with absorbing landscapes. Volcanoes, fauna, flora and water resources combine perfectly in an area of 366,936 hectares.

It offers visitors different activities such as biking, hiking, and authorized bird watching sites. For those who love adventure , it is possible to go mountain climbing in the volcanoes area.

The recommended season to enjoy this tourist site is between April and December due to the absence of rain.

Condor Cross

This viewpoint, the most famous of the Colca Canyon, offers incredible views of the place. But what is most striking is the flight of several condors in the area.

Natural spectacle considered the second most visited tourist attraction in Peru, only behind Machu Picchu.

Reaching the highlight of the visit to the Colca Canyon.

Its name comes from the incredible density of condor colonies that nest on the surrounding ledges. They approach the cliff during their flight and the presence of a huge cross at the Mirador.

The view of the 1200 m deep canyon, the river in the background, the surrounding peaks and volcanoes makes for an impressive observation.

Sillar Route

Major attraction of the region, for the great amount of sculptures, shields and pieces worked in ashlar.

One of the most visited points is the Sillar Rosado, a canyon that combines sand and rock and reflects a pink color.

Because of its narrow terrain, the experience of crossing it makes you feel like the character Indiana Jones.

The visit ends with a demonstration of cutting and carving of ashlar blocks by local sculptors.

For some it is the Petra of South America, it is two thousand meters long and has essential sites that you must visit in Arequipa to understand the architecture that characterizes the city.

Walking around you will find works of art sculpted on giant rocks: from petroglyphs and statues to the well-known door with engraved columns.

Accompanied by incredible natural views, from impressive gorges to friendly animals like the vizcacha will accompany your route of the sillar.