Introducing Arequipa & Canyon Country
The irresistibly sexy city of Arequipa, known as the White City, is surrounded by some of the wildest terrain in Peru. This is a land of active snowy volcanoes, high-altitude deserts, thermal hot springs, salt lakes and, last but not least, the world’s deepest canyons.
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Whether your heart desires to go trekking, mountain biking, river running (white-water rafing) or clambering up Andean peaks, Arequipa makes the perfect base camp. No other place in southern Peru delivers the best of both urban and outdoor life – you can slalom down from a sandy volcanic summit and still be back in your colonial mansion guesthouse in time for a dinner of spicy arequipeño food and all-night dancing in a sizzling-hot nightclub.
Peru’s second-largest city is often dismissed as an overland layover en route from Nazca to Lake Titicaca and Cuzco. True, it’s an invaluable intermediate stop for acclimatization to high altitudes. But don’t leave before exploring the city itself – at least to wander down the hidden passageways of the Monasterio de Santa Catalina and marvel at the icy Inca mummies in the Museo Santury.
Don’t miss exploring the spectacular landscape that surrounds the city either – not least, the famous Cañón del Colca, shadowed by snow-topped volcanoes, and possessing one of the best places to marvel at the flight of the Andean condor. More untrammeled roads, such as those in the Cañón del Cotahuasi, await adventurous souls, passing ancient ruins, waterfalls, hot springs and even dinosaur footprints. What more could you possibly ask for?
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Re: Photographer in Canyon Country
by geo_nerd 20 March 2011
IMO, your entire trips seems far more focused on 'seeing everything' than doing any particular destination photographic justice. You're…
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RE: Photographer in Canyon Country
by shelemm 19 March 2011
Are you planning to visit a slot canyon? Like Antelope? LA has tons of great potential for photographers, especially Venice Beach…
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RE: Photographer in Canyon Country
by carracar 19 March 2011
Try to time your drives mid day when the light is flat...Spend the 4th night in Kanab then drive up to Jacob Lake on the 89a...On to the…
See all Thorn Tree forum discussions for Arequipa & Canyon Country
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Arequipa & Canyon Country
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Our Top Picks For Arequipa & Canyon Country
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1 Museo Santury
Paying your respects to frozen Inca mummies in Arequipa’s Museo Santury
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2 Monasterio de Santa Catalina
Uncovering delightful hidden passageways in the mysterious Monasterio de Santa Catalina
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3 Feasting and partying
Feasting and partying till the break of dawn with fashionable arequipeños
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4 El Misti and Río Majes
Scaling the chilly volcanic summit of El Misti or getting thrills rafting the Río Majes
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5 Cañón del Colca and Cañón del Cotahuasi
Trekking to waterfalls, hot springs, rural villages and geological oddities in the world’s deepest canyons, the Cañón del Colca and Cañón del Cotahuasi
Our favourite Arequipa & Canyon Country Blogs (beta)
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The Colca Canyon – A Mission From Arequipa
Blog: Viva Latin America! - 26 June 2010
The Colca Canyon, the nearest major place to which is Arequipa, is all about seeing condors swooping around in the wild in some thoroughly beautiful scenery. But admittedly, Peru is full of thoroughly beautiful scenery, and you might not be a bird fan. All I’m saying is that if you’re kind of on the [...]
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Arequipa – The Things You Shouldn’t Miss
Blog: Viva Latin America! - 18 June 2010
As mentioned – several times, in fact – Arequipa is really rather lovely. You could be forgiven for just mooching around the city for days, eating really nice food in really nice restaurants, gazing at the buildings. But there are a few things that it’s rather famous for, and that you should definitely make [...]
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Flight of the Condors - Canyon del Colca
Blog: A Travel Diary from Mexico, Central and South America - 14 June 2010
Not only is Arequipa the most tranquil and pretty places in Peru, it is also close to a canyon more than twice as deep as the famous Grand Canyon in the United States, called Colca Canyon. That statistic alone makes you want to take a look. Coupled with this chance to see some natural wonder is the chance to do a bit of bird watching while you're there. There is an area called Cruz del Condor high up overlooking the canyon, a spot where condors like to hang out and where you can hang out to watch them.
