Rediscover Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas"! Complete travel guide to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and other exciting parts of Peru with detailed information about the Inca civilization...
Welcome!Machu PicchuThe Sacred ValleyThe Inca CivilizationPeru & The AndesTravelling & ActivitiesResources
 

Arequipa and Surroundings

Location: Rediscover Machu Picchu > Peru & the Andes > Arequipa and Surroundings

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bookmark/share

 





 

Arequipa, "The White City"

  

Central Arequipa with the Cathedral and the Palms

Arequipa, the cathedral in the city center

 

 

The city of Arequipa is the capital of the Peruvian region with the identical name.

It has over 900.000 inhabitants and it's Peru's second largest city.

 

Arequipa is located on the edge of the geographical area called Altiplano. This zone stretches across southwestern Peru, western Bolivia, northern Chile and northwestern Argentina.

It is a high plateau with an average sea level height of 3.500 m.

 

Those who visit Arequipa mustn't miss seeing the El Misti volcano, which overlooks the city, the Spanish colonial era buildings and the colourful religious mini city.

Arequipa is one of Peru's most beautiful cities.

This guide will present you the main attractions and will give you advice on getting there!

 

Arequipa is not only the 2nd largest in the country, but also considered economically the 2nd most developed, thus the second most powerful economic hotspot of Peru. Close to 6 % of the country's GDP is produced here!

Arequipa is the 3rd most visited city (Lima and Cuzco precede it).

 

 

 

The Dry Desert Climate

 

Arequipa is an all-year-round destination, with average daily temperatures of 20°C (68°F) per year.

Though, temperatures can drop in June, July, August to around 10°C (50°F) in the evening already.

The weather of Arequipa i in general warm, dry, throughout the whole year.

 

 

 

Main Attractions of Arequipa

 

Nicknamed La Ciudad Blanca or The White City, Arequipa has several iconic white and other light-coloured buildings. Indeed, the feeling that you get is of "whiteness"...

It is a very beautiful Peruvian city with beautiful white churches, palaces, houses...

 

Arequipa has 468 years of history. Quite an old city. Rich colonial architecture, universities, museums, palaces...

The city is famous for its many churches and recognized UNESCO World Heritage wonders.

 

Many travelers pass through Arequipa when travelling from the Cuzco and Puno directions to Cuzco and Chile.
 

Interestingly Arequipa has no Inca ruins inside or anywhere near it. It is though, a place where you can admire the masterpieces of Spanish colonial architecture and the mix of mestizo and colonial culture.

Though, there were some Inca mummies found in the Misti Volcano area.

 

A "Red Street" in Arequipa

Arequipa's colourful streets...

 

 

Plaza de Armas (The Main Square)
 

It is surrounded by buildings constructed of sillar.

The Plaza de Armas has beautiful palms in its center, surrounded by roads and walkways.

 

The buildings around the Plaza de Armas contain dozens of arches, which at night are very nicely lit!
Imagine standing in a small park-like place in the middle of palm trees and with rows and rows of arches around you... a beautiful sight!

 

This area has a number of other attractions, which are worth presenting in details, separately.

 

The arches are an two levels, which makes them even more interesting. The complex they belong to is the Arequipa Cathedral.
 

The Cathedral

 

The Cathedral is a "must see"... On most photos of Arequipa you will see this white church. It is a white building with two towers that get narrower towards their top.

 

In the year 2001 a major (over 8.1 magnitude on the Richter scale) earthquake had occurred in southern Peru. Unfortunately one of the Cathedral's towers was literally demolished, while the other one was severely damaged.

Fortunately, they both have been restored since then!
 

Iglesia Y Claustro de la Compañia de Jesus

 

This complex is just a little bit southeast form the Plaza de Armas of Arequipa. Just cross the road diagonally and you will find it in the next block! It is that close... Just across the street!

 

The Santa Catalina Monastery

 

Considered the most important religious monument in Peru, it is also among Arequipa's most beautiful constructions.

It is a complex of buildings, internal streets.
 

It is like a tiny town with its own streets. Coloured walls...

Very very beautiful!

 

To find the Santa Catalina Monastery, you will have to walk 4-5 blocks.

 

The Colonial Houses

 

There are about 500 colonial houses and other old houses in Arequipa.

Notable and recommended seeing are: La Casa del Moral, La Casa de Tristán del Pozo, La Casa de Irriberry, La Casa del Pastor, El Palacio Goyeneche, La Mansión del Fundador.

 

 

 

Main Attractions in the Proximity of Arequipa

 

The main attractions in the proximity of the city are the 3 volcanoes.

 

El Misti Volcano

 

Iconic to this region around Arequipa and to the city as well...

A typical volcanic cone. Beautiful sight...

 

El Misti has a height of 5.822 m (19,101 ft) from sea level. It has a prominence of 1.785 m (5,856 ft).

The cone is often snow-capped...
 

El Misti is an active volcano!

The last eruption was in 1985.

 

Some take hikes to El Misti... It can be an interesting experience, but a dangerous one as well. Never go without at least one experienced hiker in your group.

Avoid getting to the top, where the crater is. The volcano is boiling constantly and sometimes it releases large amounts of hot gases. Hot or not, you might be in danger of not receiving oxygen up there.

 

The Gigantic El Misti Volcano

The El Misti Volcano... Fantastic view from above!

 

 

Chachani Volcano

 

Another volcano close to Arequipa.

This one is 6.095 m (19,997 ft) high. And a prominence of 1.963 m (6,440 ft).

Higher than El Misti, less popular than the latter and a less recognizable too, due to its irregular shape and multiple peaks.

 

Pichu Pichu Volcano

 

Pichu Picchu is 5.664 m (18,583 ft) high volcano with 7 peaks.

From the distance, the volcano looks rather like a mountain range. It is not a typical cone like the Misti, therefore, many people don't even know that the "mountain range" is actually a volcano...

 

The Incas used to bring sacrifices, offerings to this volcano.

 

Some companies organize guided tours to the peaks of Pichu Picchu Volcano. The ascent is dangerous and make sure that you are with well-equipped and trained personnel.

 

 

 

Getting to Arequipa

 

You can get in by plane, if you arrive to Rodríguez Ballón Airport. It is very close to the city and there are several domestic flights. Including some to Lima, Juliaca, Cuzco.

 

There are many buses to Arequipa. But the trips are long, even though there are very good roads connecting the city to other cities. Travelling time duration by bus are approximately: 18 hours from Lima, 9 hours from Cuzco, 6 hours from Puno, 12-14 hours from Pisco, 9 hours from Nazca and 8 hours from Tacna.

 

Trains: There are trains from Juliaca and Puno. This way, you can get from Machu Picchu and Cuzco to Arequipa through Puno or Juliaca.
 

    

 What is Inside Machu Picchu?

      

Machu Picchu AttractionsCheck out this thorough guide which will unveil the sectors, the buildings and the purpose for which they were built...

[Read more...]

    

 

 Machu Picchu's Construction

    

Machu Picchu's ConstructionThe Incas had excellent skills when they built this city 2.400 m above sea level from hard rocks without the use of mortar...

[Read more...]

  

 Machu Picchu Maps

    

Machu Picchu MapsAccess orientative maps and schemes, as well as scaled virtual interactive maps of Machu Picchu and the area...

[Read more...]

    

 The Discovery of Machu Picchu

    

Machu Picchu's DiscoveryThe story about how Machu Picchu was discovered and speculations about previous visitors to the ruins...

[Read more...]

  

 Hike on the Inca Trail!

     

Inca Trail Hiking, Adventure TripsTravelers who hike on the Inca Trail get to see archaeological sites and spectacular Andean views that others won't!

[Read more...]

  

 Cuzco & Nearby Destinations

     

Cuzco & Surrounding AttractionsCuzco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and the region around it has some wonderful attractions that you mustn't miss when visiting Peru...

Cuzco (Cusco)

Tambomachay

Sacsayhuamán

Q'enko

Puca Pucara

   

 The Sacred Valley of the Incas

     

The Sacred Valley of the IncasFantastic landscapes and Inca ruins characterize the Sacred Valley where the heart of the Inca Empire was...

Find out more about it!

Ollantaytambo

Moray

Písac

Chinchero

Yucay

Urubamba

Salinas

    

 Exciting Peruvian Destinations!

     

Recommended Destinations in PeruPlaces that you might want to visit when travelling to Peru. From Inca and pre-Inca ruins to boasting big cities and rural areas there is a lot to see!

Chachapoyas, Kuelap & Surroundings

Chiclayo & Surroundings

Cajamarca & Surroundings

Trujillo, Chan Chan & Surroundings

Lima & Surroundings

Peruvian Amazon

Arequipa & Surroundings

Colca Canyon

Ica, Pisco & Surroundings

Nazca Lines

Lake Titicaca & Surroundings

   

 Flights

     

Peru FlightsFor information about air travel possibilities to and from Peru and for flight ticket booking, please check this section...

[Read more...]

  

 Hotels

     

Peru, Cuzco, Machu Picchu Hotels

Presents recommended hotels near Machu Picchu and other parts of Peru. Helps you find a good place to stay...

[Read more...]

  

 Trains

     

Trains, Machu Picchu Train SchedulesMachu Picchu train schedules, railway travel possibilities are presented in deep details for your convenience...

[Read more...]

  

 Buses

     

Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu BusesBuses will take you where the planes and trains won't. Find out here about buses to Machu Picchu and the rest of Peru...

[Read more...]

    

 Tours/Trip Packages

     

Peru, Machu Picchu Tours/Trip PackagesRecommended tour operators and trip package-selling agents are listed here. Pick your trip package or tour with our help!...

[Read more...]

 

 Trip Planning

     

Trip Planning

If you are willing to travel to Machu Picchu, then you must plan everything from packing to getting there...

[Read more...]

 

 Place Finder Tool

     

Place Finder Tool

Looking for a place in Peru? Use this handy tool to find it on the map and even get its GPS coordinates!...

[Read more...]

     

 Live Weather & Climate Info

     

Live Weather Report & Climate InformationDetailed climate information and live weather report for multiple Peruvian locations...

[Read more...]

 

 Advertise on this Site!

     

Advertise with Featured Listings

Buy featured listings on relevant pages to target your clients efficiently and boost your business!

[Read more...]

   

 Photo Gallery

     

Photo GalleryFine quality photos of Machu Picchu and the rest of Peru. See the people and the beautiful places...

[Read more...]

   

 Video Gallery

     

Video GalleryCollection of carefully selected videos relevant to Peru, Machu Picchu, the Incas and related subjects.

[Read more...]

 

     
Website Information

About This Site

Why Choose Us?

Link to Us!

Contact Us


Policies

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Content Policy

Disclaimer


Additional Services

Advertising

Downloads

Partners, Friends, Contributors...

Contribute!

Partners, Friends, Contributors

 

Thank you for choosing Rediscover Machu Picchu, the most popular and complete portal dedicated to Machu Picchu, the Incas and Peru travel opportunities!

 

We have been serving our visitors since 2006 and have received lots of encouraging, stimulating messages, reason why we have extended our services and have improved our site in order to better help you, regardless whether you are a backpacker traveler, an adventure travel-seeker, an Inca fan, archaeologist, professional photographer or even business traveler...

 

With us, you will be able to learn about Machu Picchu and the Incas, gather information about Peru, as well as plan your trip, easily choose and book for travel services.

 

We welcome you and encourage you to return to us frequently!

And, if you are planning to travel to Peru, we wish you a trip of a lifetime!

 

In case you have any questions, suggestions, ideas, remarks and business proposals, then don't hesitate to contact us!