Arequipa in 5 Days / 4 Nights

Discover Yanahuara and its unforgettable views

We will explore its iconic portals and historic church, while learning about the fascinating history of the place. In addition, we will enjoy a spectacular view of the Misti volcano, perfect for taking unforgettable photos from the famous Portales de Yanahuara.

Carmen Alto Viewpoint: the beauty of volcanoes

We will continue on to the Carmen Alto viewpoint, where you can admire the district’s impressive terraces and a panoramic view of the three majestic volcanoes that surround Arequipa: El Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu.

Incalpaca Mini Zoo: meet the camelids

Next, we will visit the Incalpaca Mini Zoo, with free admission. Here you can see the four South American camelids: llama, alpaca, vicuña, and guanaco.

Casona Villa: Arequipa’s living history

Next, we will visit Casona Villa, an old colonial mansion converted into a museum. It houses valuable relics from Arequipa’s history. Admission is optional, but recommended for those who want to delve deeper into the city’s past.

Sabandía Mill and optional activities

We continue on to Molino de Sabandía, where a water mill is still in operation. Here you will also find another mini zoo and can enjoy optional activities such as:

• Horseback riding
• ATV ride
• Zipline

In this picturesque place, you will also have the opportunity to try typical Arequipa dishes.

Menelic Museum: meet the champion bull

Finally, we will visit the Menelic Museum, where you will meet Arequipa’s most famous bull, renowned for the many medals it has won. At the end of the tour, we will return to the city center, dropping you off near the Plaza de Armas so you can continue exploring on your own.

01 Night in Arequipa

This package includes one night’s accommodation in the city, ideal for resting and enjoying this experience even more.

Pick-up and departure to Colca Valley

We will provide a pick-up service from hotels located near the Plaza de Armas in Arequipa.

3:00 a.m.: Departure from Arequipa to the town of Chivay.

Breakfast in Chivay and visit to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint

Upon arrival in Chivay, we will enjoy a delicious breakfast. Then we will head to the famous Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint.

This viewpoint is one of the most visited spots in Colca Canyon, offering spectacular views of its deep walls, which reach more than 4,000 meters in depth.

Observation of the Andean Condor

In the early morning hours, Andean condors emerge from the canyon and glide on thermal currents. These majestic birds, with a wingspan of up to 3 meters, provide an unforgettable spectacle for visitors.

Panoramic views of the Colca Canyon

In addition to condor sightings, the viewpoint offers views of the canyon landscape, nearby mountains, and traditional villages. It is the perfect place to connect with nature and Andean wildlife.

Visit to the villages of Yanque and Maca

We will explore the colonial towns of Yanque and Maca, known for their architecture, history, and vibrant culture.

Yanque

Yanque is notable for its colonial church, San Juan Bautista, and its landscapes with pre-Inca agricultural terraces. Nearby are the Chacapi hot springs, ideal for relaxation.

Maca

In Maca, we will visit its picturesque church with colonial frescoes. This town is famous for its traditional dances and the warmth of its inhabitants.

Andean cultural experience

Both towns offer an authentic cultural experience, combining colonial heritage with Andean traditions that are still alive today.

Chacapi Hot Springs

After visiting the villages, we will head to the Chacapi hot springs. These waters, located in the district of Yanque, are renowned for their therapeutic properties and their natural setting surrounded by the Colca River.

Therapeutic properties

The waters have temperatures between 38°C and 45°C and contain beneficial minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, ideal for relieving muscle pain and improving circulation.

Tips for visiting

• Bring a bathing suit, towel and sandals.
• Drink water before and after bathing.
• Do not stay in the water for more than 20 minutes at a time.

Lunch at a traditional restaurant

After visiting the thermal baths, we will enjoy a typical lunch at a traditional local restaurant.

Volcano Viewpoint and return to Arequipa

On the way back, we will stop at the Mirador de los Volcanes viewpoint in Patapampa (4,900 meters above sea level), the highest point of the route, from where you can see much of the volcanic chain.

Toccra Wetlands and Salinas and Aguada Blanca Reserve

We will also pass through the Toccra Pampa wetlands, where we will see alpacas grazing freely. Then, we will skirt around the snow-capped Chachani mountain and cross the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, home to wild vicuñas.

Return to Arequipa

6:00 p.m.: We will arrive in the city of Arequipa and drop you off very close to the Plaza de Armas.

01 Night in Arequipa

This package includes an additional night’s accommodation in Arequipa, perfect for resting after a day full of adventures.

Pick up from hotels in Arequipa

06:00 a.m. – 06:30 a.m. We will pick you up from your hotels in the city center.

Visit to the Volcano Viewpoint in Chiguata

07:30 a.m. Our first stop will be at the Mirador de los Volcanes viewpoint in the district of Chiguata, which will take us approximately 45 minutes to reach. From there, we will be able to see our iconic volcanoes and take photos.

Main square and church of Chiguata

Afterwards, we will arrive at the town of Chiguata and visit the main square where the traditional Holy Spirit Church is located. Then we will enjoy a typical local breakfast.

Stop at Alto Simbral (4,200 meters above sea level)

We will continue on our way and, after approximately one hour, we will stop at Alto Simbral. There we will be able to observe plants typical of the area, such as Queñua, Yareta, Tola, among others.

Arrival at Laguna de Salinas

10:30 a.m. At the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, we will spend between 1 and 1.5 hours exploring the lagoon and its surroundings.

Andean wildlife sightings

During the visit, we will make stops to observe flamingos, parihuanas, and other Andean birds in their natural habitat. We will also see vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas grazing freely.

Water mirrors during the rainy season (January to March)

From January to March, the lagoon becomes a natural mirror reflecting the sky, ideal for spectacular photographs.

Salt extraction centers during the dry season (April to December)

During the dry season, we will visit the salt extraction centers, where the wells and salt form unique and photogenic landscapes.

Mini Volcano and Hot Springs of Lojen

Then we will continue on to the Mini Volcano and the Lojen Hot Springs, where we can enjoy a relaxing bath.

Lunch in Chiguata

Finally, we will return to Chiguata for lunch at a local restaurant before beginning the journey back to Arequipa.

Return to Arequipa

17:30 p.m. We will arrive in the city and drop you off near the Plaza de Armas.

01 Night in Arequipa

Pickup from hotels in downtown Arequipa

08:30 a.m. We will begin the tour by picking up passengers at the hotels in downtown Arequipa, guaranteeing a punctual and comfortable departure for everyone.

Sillar Route: History and Culture

09:00 a.m. We begin our journey along the Sillar Route, a route steeped in history and culture, where we will explore quarries and key areas in the extraction of sillar stone.

Añashuayco Quarry

Our first stop will be at the Añashuayco Quarry, approximately 45 minutes away. Currently in operation, the quarry workers here start early in the morning, extracting the stone that has been fundamental to the architecture of Arequipa.

In this impressive place, we can observe a vast canyon surrounded by cliffs (ignimbrite walls) that reach several meters in height, formed by the extraction of ashlar stone over the years.

We will tell you the fascinating story of ashlar, how it is made, and its importance in the construction of the city. In addition, in this quarry you can admire a mega carving representing the Church of the Society of Jesus, a work created by the stonemasons themselves.

Culebrillas Creek

Next, we will head to Quebrada de Culebrillas, located 30 minutes from the Añashuayco Quarry. Upon arrival, we will take a 20-minute walk through this small canyon, formed by the passage of water over centuries.

The walls of the canyon, which reach between 15 and 20 meters in height, rise as we advance along the route, creating an impressive landscape. At the end of the hike, we can admire petroglyphs created by the Wari culture more than a thousand years ago, a fascinating example of the region’s ancient history.

Observation of the Apachetas

During the tour, we will also have the opportunity to observe the Apachetas, stone formations placed one on top of the other, which represent a symbol of gratitude towards nature.

These structures are an Andean tradition, used as offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) in recognition for favors received.

Return to Arequipa

11:30 a.m. We will begin our return journey to the city of Arequipa.

Arrival and end of the tour

13:30 p.m. We will arrive in downtown Arequipa and drop you off near the Plaza de Armas.

Free afternoon

Enjoy the afternoon free to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

01 Night in Arequipa

Time for yourself

Enjoy the afternoon free to rest or explore the city at your own pace. It’s the ideal time to relax and take advantage of the opportunity to shop for souvenirs and last-minute gifts.