AREQUIPA WHITE CITY
Arequipa is located in the mountains south west of Peru , amid one of the most extensive volcanic ranges in the world, known as the Valley fire. Surrounded by impressive volcanoes and majestic mountains its location is in the beautiful and hospitable Arequipa of White city. Founded under the beneath the beautiful cone of the volcano Misti August 15, 1540 by Manuel Garcia de Carvajal, this name comes from the Quechua word "Arequipai" that mean "yes, stay here" which together with its traditional streets, beautiful architecture and Warm weather invites visitors to spend some time resting and enjoying this city. The nickname of White City is due to buildings based on sillar stone that can be found in quarries around it. Its colonial architecture is an expression of religious inspiration and mixing styles as Baroque Italian and Plateresco Spanish with particular indigenous style. Monasteries and temples contrast with the countryside located around the city. In the department of Arequipa are the two deepest canyons in the world, the canyon of Cotahuasi and the Colca, dotted with numerous towns that house customs and stories dating from the pre Inca and Inca. It also has green valleys and coastline washed by the cold Pacific waters.

ATTRACTIVE
CHURCHES AND CONVENTS.

THE CATHEDRAL :
Is considered as one of the monuments of the early seventeenth century and built in SILLAR covered (volcanic stone) with brick Gothic vaults in the year 1621. It was destroyed by fire in 1844 and later rebuilt, was also seriously damaged in the earthquake of 2001 where their towers suffered considerable damage. In the interior you will see its amazing wood pulpit carving, its marble altar and the organ of Loret made in Belgium.

THE CHURCH OF THE COMPANY:
structure dating from 1650 and rebuilt by the Jesuit Diego Felipe; some highlights are its facade. The church has a interesting two-floor structure, very common in European churches. Inside you can find paintings of the Cuzco school and its sacristy known as the Sistine Chapel of Arequipa. It reflects, in all its structural and ornamental forms, the spirit and motives of the anonymous indigenous artists who created them.

SANTA CATALINA MONASTERY:
Opened in October 1580 with the aim of accommodating the daughters of the best families with religious vocation, remaining closed for any outsider until 1970. Resembles a miniature city, with streets and small squares; inside it full with paintings of the Cuzco school, Quito and arequipeña influenced by the addition of a small pre-Columbian museum.

RECOLETA CONVENT:
Franciscan convent founded in 1648 and opened to the public until 1978. It shows in its structure a romantic and classic style. Also on the inside it has rooms dedicated to religious art, the Amazon and pre-Columbian cultures, art gallery and library with over 20,000 volumes.

SANTO DOMINGO CHURCH AND CONVENT:
Designed by architect Don Juan Aldana in 1649, is characterized by its beautiful facade and its belfry rebuilt after the earthquake of 1958 and has beautiful ornamentation..

AREQUIPA AROUND
YANAHUARA VIEWPOINT:
10 minutes from downtown by car and consists of a series of SILLAR arches engraved with phrases of distinguished Arequipean people. From this place there is a beautiful wide panoramic view of the city of Arequipa.

SABANDIA MILLS:
Located in the village of the same name a distance of 9 km . from the city. It is part of a cosy countryside, nice climate and amazing scenery.

CHARACATO :
Arequipa District located 13 kilometers from the city whose population lives from the agriculture and livestock. Its streets retain the Spanish classical style and according to studies was a important pre-Inca settlement.

YURA :
Arequipa Valley located 30 kilometers from the city where you can appreciate the famous hot springs with healing properties and waterfalls.

COTAHUASI CANYON :
It is the world's deepest canyon, 3535 meters deep, located 12 hours from Arequipa city, its name means "house of depth" and has beautiful scenery, three different microclimates and diverse flora and fauna.

COLCA CANYON :
With a depth of 3200 meters and 5 hours from Arequipa it is a point constantly visited by tourists because it has a wide range of hotels and beautiful places to see and get to know. It is recommended to visit the town of Chivay , Maca and its hot springs , practice adventure sports and watch the flight of the condors.

ANDAGUA - VALLEY OF THE VOLCANOES :
Located 320 kilometers from Arequipa city, this region was the centre of volcanic upheaval that occurred thousands of years ago and because of which have sprung up to 36 small cone volcanoes now extinct. Resembles a landscape unlike anything on this earth!.

TORO MUERTO PETROGLYPHS :
Area formed in an area of 5 km2 and has a set of figures of men, animals and plants engraved into stone. It is located 164 km from the Arequipa city.

AMPATO VOLCANO :
five hours in a truck from Arequipa and 6822 meters above sea level, at the moment it is temporarily inactive, and from the top you can appreciate the Colca Canyon . In a cave near the glacier an important discovery was found some years ago, the Lady of Ampato, a girl in burial clothes very well preserved.

CHACHANI SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAIN :
Chachani snow-covered Mountain : It is considered one of the most difficult mountains to climb and its maximum height is 6075 meters above sea level. This volcano is also extinct and its peak can be seen from Arequipa and is considered by legends as one of the protectors of the city.

SUMBAY CAVES :
Located 987 km from the Arequipa city and inside it we can see more than 500 figures of rock art with a antiquity of 6000 to 8000 years or so.

MISTI VOLCANO :
At only 20 km from Arequipa , it is the most well known feature of this city. With a height of 5825 meters the view from its summit lets you see the city of Arequipa , the Chili River valley and the summit of the snowy Chachani and Pichu Pichu.

GENERAL
FESTIVITIES
The main festivity of Arequipa is the patron of the Virgin of Chapi, which brings together arequipeños and visitors from Bolivia , Chile and Argentina to worship the image. The shrine is located 45 km's from the city and the festivities combine an atmosphere of prayer and parties at the same time.

GASTRONOMY.
The Arequipa kitchen is one of the most varied and delicious in Peru . It has dishes that have the main ingredient of ground pepper which gives it a spicy flavour. Among the culinary delights of Arequipa we mention the Rocoto Relleno, Cuy Chactado, Ocopa and exquisite Adobo.

CLIMATE.
Mild climate throughout the year. Minimum temperature 10 ° Celsius and maximum 24 º. Rainy season between January and March being very moderate.

RECOMMENDATION.
The suggested time to visit is in August. At this time there are festivals for the anniversary of the city, but due to good weather in Arequipa , they can be visited throughout the year.

Normal tourist activities are available to enjoy in Arequipa, but be sure to check out the many options available for adventure tourism like trekking in the Cotahuasi Valley or the Valley of the volcanoes in addition to climb to the Misti volcano or snowy Chachani, canoeing and others in Canyon Colca.