Arequipa & Canyon CountryBlogs we like

  1. Arequipa, the One City in Peru I Could Have Skipped

    Blog: Hole In The Donut - 21 March 2012

    I tried to like Arequipa. Really, I did. But try as I might, I just couldn’t get past the feeling of boredom in Peru‘s second largest city, despite the fact that the historic city center, known as the “White City” due to the many buildings constructed from a white volcanic rock known as sillar, is [...]

    Read the full post

  2. Condors of Colca Canyon Survive on a Wing and a Prayer

    Blog: Hole In The Donut - 17 March 2012

    “We probably will not see condors today,” our guide announced as we pulled up at the Mirador de los Volcanes. “In December and January they migrate to the coast of Peru to feed on dead sea lions.” The tour bus erupted with complaints. “Why weren’t we told this when we booked the tour? Seeing the [...]

    Read the full post

  3. 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 [...]

    Read the full post

  4. 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 [...]

    Read the full post

  5. 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.

    Read the full post

  6. Arequipa and kebabs!

    Blog: A Travel Diary from Mexico, Central and South America - 10 June 2010

    Back in Peru after a speedy and efficient journey north through Chile, we headed to our last 'new' destination of the journey. Our sojourn in Chile felt like sheer comfort and the small taster of the country left me wanting to return - albeit with a slightly healthier bank balance! Even the overnight bus from San Pedro de Atacama to Arica was enjoyable. It was clean, comfortable and they had someone behaving like an air steward, getting everyone blankets and pillows on request. All very civilised.

    Read the full post

  7. San Pedro de Atacama To Arequipa – Long, But Nice And Easy

    Blog: Viva Latin America! - 9 June 2010

    So easy that I don’t even know if a post is necessary, but it seems to be a very popular route so I suppose it’s a good idea to map it out in case anyone needs it. From San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, you can get a night bus to Arica, up near the border. [...]

    Read the full post

  8. Crazy/Beautiful

    Blog: Hecktic Travels - 21 February 2010

    "We are not 17 anymore", said one of our traveling companions, a few hours into our Colca Canyon trek. I had to agree, I was feeling pretty rough only being half way into our first day. The trek was definitely nowhere near as "easy" as they had sold it.

    Read the full post

  9. ¡Hola Peru!

    Blog: Hecktic Travels - 16 February 2010

    A question for you all... Would you spend an extra $800 for a direct flight...or endure 3 days of travel? $800...or 22 hours on an uncomfortable bus, trying to sleep while Barney Rubble snores in the back row, going without 3 meals because they are just that inedible, sitting right beside a boy who vomits all over his pants with about 6 hours yet to go? Oh, and had part of my backpack taken off, rummaged through, and then given back - apparently the robber saw nothing of interest.

    Read the full post

  10. The Colca Canyon

    Blog: Itinerant Londoner - 28 September 2009

    After nearly five months of traveling, I’ve got depressingly used to early starts for tours. But 3am was a new one for me, and waking up at that ungodly hour had me thinking that the Colca Canyon would have to be seriously special to justify it. Those fears were magnified by our first stop, at a [...]

    Read the full post

  11. Frog Juice and Fried Guinea Pig

    Blog: Itinerant Londoner - 21 September 2009

    So far on this trip I’ve eaten some strange things (grasshoppers in Oaxaca and ants in San Gil, Colombia), but I have to say the things I saw in Arequipa market have to take the biscuit. As in all Latin American markets I’ve been to, there are plenty of stalls selling freshly squeezed juices and delicious [...]

    Read the full post