The department of Arequipa is one of various terrains. It begins in the coastal desert and then climbs the Andes, reaching great altitude at the snow covered peaks and at its volcanoes.
Arequipa, known as the White City for its beautiful white walls of ‘sillar’, a volcanic stone, lies at the feet of the mighty volcanos of Mount Chachani, Mount Misti, and the snow covered peak of Mount Pichu Pichu. The downtown of the city, placed on the World Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO, features Mixed Baroque churches and mansions from the Colonial Period like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios, and plazas. Sabandía, Tiabaya, and Tingo, located among the large fields, are must see places, and the irresistible Arequipa cuisine is the perfect complement to the visit.
You will be picked up at your hotel and will start out at Carmen Alto Lookout to have a panoramic view of Chilina Valley and to Yanahuara Lookout that was built in the nineteenth century and is composed of a series of ‘sillar’ stone arches where the words of famous Arequipa citizens have been engraved. This spot is a wonderful view point of the city and Mount Misti volcano. Continue to Barrio de San Lázaro or Saint Lazarus neighborhood. This neighborhood of alleys, narrow passageways, small plazas, and large homes is the most representative of old Arequipa. This place was established by Dominican priests in 1538, who built a sanctuary to evangelize the natives of the area and prepare the land to found a new Spanish city. The small bridge that connects the Church of San Lázaro and its small plaza with the rest of the quarter is worth a visit.
You will be picked up at your hotel and will start out at Carmen Alto Lookout to have a panoramic view of Chilina Valley and to Yanahuara Lookout that was built in the nineteenth century and is composed of a series of ‘sillar’ stone arches where the words of famous Arequipa citizens have been engraved. This spot is a wonderful view point of the city and Mount Misti volcano. Continue to Barrio de San Lázaro or Saint Lazarus neighborhood.This neighborhood of alleys, narrow passageways, small plazas, and large homes is the most representative of old Arequipa. This place was established by Dominican priests in 1538, who built a sanctuary to evangelize the natives of the area and prepare the land to found a new Spanish city. The small bridge that connects the Church of San Lázaro and its small plaza with the rest of the quarter is worth a visit Then the Main Square.
We will visit the village of Cayma is known as the “Balcony of Arequipa” for its advantageous location that allows the entire city to be seen. Its central plaza houses the church of San Miguel Arcángel (Saint Michael the Archangel), built in 1730 and considered an architectural jewel because of its mixed façade. In the rectory annex, the “Comedor de Bolívar” (Bolivar’s dining room) is preserved where, according to legend, the Liberators used to have lunch during their stay in the town.
We will have a guided visit to the Main Square and the Cathedral of Arequipa City. It is considered one of the first seventeenth Q1century religious monuments of the city. It is built of ‘sillar’ (white volcanic stone) with a brick base. Destroyed by fire in 1844, it was rebuilt in 1868 by the Arequipa architect Lucas Poblete. He used a neoclassical style and placed the entrances of church on the flanking naves. In 2001, the building was struck hard by an earthquake, which seriously damaged its towers.
After picking you up at your hotel, we will start out at the Main Square and the Cathedral of Arequipa City. It is considered one of the first seventeenth century religious monuments of the city. It is built of ‘sillar’ (white volcanic stone) with a brick base. Destroyed by fire in 1844, it was rebuilt in 1868 by the Arequipa architect Lucas Poblete. He used a neoclassical style and placed the entrances of church on the flanking naves. In 2001, the building was struck hard by an earthquake, which seriously damaged its towers.
Pick up from your hotel. On the Arequipa outskirts you will find captivating villages with stepped terraces dating from pre-Inca times that are still used today from the districts of Paucarpata and Sabandia.
At Museo Santuarios Andinos de la Universidad Católica de Santa María (Catholic University of Saint Mary) is exhibited “La Dama de Ampato” or the Lady of Ampato, an Inca mummy from the time of the Incas of twelve to fourteen year-old girl found at the top of the Ampato volcano (6,288 meters above sea level or 20,630 feet), by the climber Miguel Zárate, the archeologist José Chávez, and the anthropologist Johan Reinhard on September 8, 1995.
We will visit one of the most important spots in Arequipa City and will know the history of this important monument. Its architectonic style is mainly colonial, but of a ‘mestizo’ nature. Different from other colonial heritages in this part of Latin America, in Santa Catalina specially, the fusion of Spanish and native elements can be observed to the point of generating it own creativity.
