Arequipa and Colca Canyon Tour

4D / 3N

The “White City”, the “City of Eternal Spring”, the “Legal Capital of Peru”, all are nicknames for Peru’s second most populous city, Arequipa. This city is rich with beauty, and its Plaza de Armas is said to be the most stunning in the country. Arequipa’s historical center is a UNESCO declared World Heritage Site. Closed for 391 years to the public, the Santa Catalina Convent is a city within the city, complete with streets, a central plaza, churches, and homes. The Jesuit Church of the Company of Jesus displays Spanish baroque architecture at its peak with detailed native carvings and decor. Colca Canyon is a unique and breathtaking experience worth the time and effort it takes to make the journey. Colca Canyon is reportedly the deepest canyon in the world. Carved by the Colca River, which originates in the high Andes, the Canyon offers breathtaking views of pre-Columbian agricultural terraces and wildlife. Visitors are drawn to the canyon primarily for a chance to see the Andean condors that soar in the morning hours on the rising thermal air and hunt for carrion.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arequipa Arrival

Welcoming reception, briefing and transfer to your hotel. After you have had time to rest, your visit will begin with a half-day tour of the city starting with the Santa Catalina Convent. The convent once housed as many as 450 residents, including nuns, servants and slaves. Due to a demand by the city to install electricity and running water, the convent was forced to open its doors to the public in 1970 in order to raise funds for the modern additions.

Your next stop will be the Plaza de Armas and the Jesuit Church of the Company of Jesus. Originally built in 1573, this church has been altered, if not demolished, by earthquakes again and again. Finally, your tour will conclude with a venture to the Cayma and Yanahuara districts for a breathtaking view of the Misti Volcano.

Overnight: Arequipa

Day 2: Arequipa / Colca Canyon

After breakfast you will set out on a journey to Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world and one of the most scenic. Your journey will take you through the foothills of the Chachani volcano where you can also view the Misti and Picchu Picchu Volcanoes. You will pass through the vicuña reservation of Pampa Cañahuas, where you can observe these rare and beautiful animals running free in their natural environment. You will stop for lunch before arriving at your hotel. You will have the afternoon free to enjoy the valley and optionally visit the thermal baths before dinner.

Meals:Breakfast, lunch
Overnight:Colca Canyon

Day 3: Colca Canyon / Arequipa

You will have an early breakfast in order to make the drive to the Condor Cross viewpoint in time to witness the morning flight of these majestic birds. The Andean Condor is a national symbol for Peru and the other Andean nations. Unfortunately, they are seriously endangered. From the vantage point of Condor Cross, you can also appreciate the depth and beauty of the canyon. After the amazing display of the Condor, you will visit the colonial churches in the towns of Maca and Yanque before enjoying lunch. After lunch, you will return to Arequipa.