Arequipa is known as the White City because of the white porous volcanic rock (sillar) that was used to build most of its buildings. By air, this lovely city is 75 minutes south from Lima. Dominated by the snow-capped El Misti volcano.

Sparkling in the sun, Arequipa is called the 'White City' because of the sillar, the white volcanic stone which renders the style of a building both modern as well as Spanish colonial. Peru’s second largest city (pop. 635 000) is surrounded by towering mountains—including the 19 089-ft/5820-m volcano El Misti. The city itself is the home of the monastery of La Recoleta (museum and library) and several interesting churches, but its highlight is the Santa Catalina Convent. Built in the late 16th century (but closed to the public until 1970), the convent was once a self-contained community, a place where nuns could worship and live in total isolation. Walk through the well-preserved convent, soak up the peaceful atmosphere and discover the tiny secluded plazas and lovely courtyards within.

From Arequipa take a guided tour of Colca Canyon one of the deepest canyons in the world (11 500 ft/3 500 m). A journey to the canyon offers a view of extensive pre-Incan and Incan agricultural terracing, some of which is still farmed today. You might get the chance to see Andean condors at Cruz del Condor at the lookout point. For the more adventurous, follow the footsteps of the chasqui, the Incan foot messengers and trek the canyon

EATING AND DRINKING

As with Cuzco, the majority of Arequipa's eating establishments are centred around the Plaza de Armas, but unlike the former, these are not, by and large, the better of the city's eateries. Rather, the scenic square is mostly bordered by tacky theme restaurants on the eastern side, cheap cafes on the west.

Instead, the best of the bunch can be found running along Jerusalen, from the junction with Puente Grau to the north-east corner of the main square. A number of outstanding places, mostly on the western side of the street offer varied styles for fair prices - especially the neighbouring restaurants set back from the street between the junctions with Santa Maria and San Jose. Seafood and Italian respectively, they are seperated by a glass screen, allowing the nightly musician to play for both crowds.

Alternatively, Santa Catalina hosts a superb Creperie, with an extensive menu of varied and unusual toppings for only slightly above-average prices.

For cheaper, DIY eating, one can choose between a busy, lively (albeit slightly fragrant) market, three blocks south and three blocks east of the Plaza de Armas, or a small but useful Supermarket opposite the monastery on Santa Catalina.

GETTING THERE

Arequipa is connected by air to Lima, Tacna, Cuzco and Juliaca ( Puno). Flights leave reguarly and cost between USD 60 and USD 100, depending on the distance, carrier and time of booking, so shop around. The Plaza de Armas offers some cheaper travel agents. It might be advisable to take the bus to the higher laying cities because of the risk of altitude sickness.
Busses connect Arequipa to Lima (12-15 hours, USD25), Puno (10 hours). There are also international busses to Chile, Argentine and sometimes even further afield.

ATTRACTIONS

CONDOR CROSS
Usually, in such a deep valley, the rising winds are surprisingly strong which big condors take advantage of to soar into the sky easily.
Between Maca and Cabanaconde, where winds are even stronger, is the Cruz del Condor, an observation point, perfect for watching the condors while they fly majestically.

RAFTING ALONG THE COLCA-MAJES RIVER
From December to March, expert and trained rafters can go along the high and middle section of the river, explored by the 1979 Polish expeditions. It includes very difficult and isolated rapids, as the towns are far from the torrent. Although the low section may be ran over in rubber rafts, only expert people, trained in kayac rafting can do it in the canyon sections.

The name of the Colca river changes as it flows down to the Pacific ocean, Past the canyon; its name is Majes. Here, there are more chances for tourists to go in rubber rafts. The chances of finding shelters and access ways are better. Although its navigable section (Andamayo-Aplao river) does not have long rapids, the beauty of landscape and the clean river course allows enjoying the comfortable trip. The area is open year round to visitors.
 

ETHNIC RICHNESS
An ethnic group, bearer of ancient and still strong traditions, has dwelled the valley for more than 2,000 years. They are the Collaguas who arrived to the Colca valley from the high regions and seem to be descendants of the Aymaras because of their language and customs. Even under the Inca dominion, they kept themselves relatively Independent, and preserved their own traditions. It is sold that the supreme Inca Mayta Capac married a Collagua princess in order to formalize the conquest of the valley, and he built for her an elegant country house made of copper, near Sibayo.

PETROGLYPS
The early settlers of the valley left their own peculiar trace in petroglyphs such as Sumbay and Toro Muerto. Dancers with bizarre headdresses, different mammals, condors, and lines of unbreakable codes encompass the repertory of vast figures.

CHURCHES
There are almost 20 towns along the valley, which people preserve the ethnic richness of their past more than any other region of the country. The main ones are Chivay, Cabanaconde, Huambo, Maca, Achoma, Yunque, Larl and Coporaque, all very religious towns, whose Catholic faith also keeps alive pre-Columbian elements. Each town has its own church, bearer of its Hispanic and an example of architectural sobriety and purity based on the ashlar stone.

VALLEY OF THE VOLCANOES
Entering the -so called- 'Valley of the Volcanoes" of Andagua means going back several geological eras to witness some outstanding phenomena that only happen in two places In the world: the Canary Islands and In this Arequipa valley.

The Andagua river valley runs along the foothill of the great Coropuna volcano, the highest in Peru and the tenth highest in South America. Geothermal activity In this area has given birth to about 80 volcanoes, all of them extinct which give this area a moonlike aspect. Later, the Andagua river disappears in a 17 km (10.5 miles) stretch, running under the ground between the Chachas and the Mamacocho lagoons before flowing into the Colca. Andagua can be reached only by highway from the west.

HOT SPRINGS
Because of the volcanic nature of the region, there is hot springs in different areas of the valley. The main ones are Yunque, Chivay, Callalli, La Calera, Huancarama, Yura and Jesus. Furthermore, these hot springs are frequently related to 'puquiales", natural sources of cold, extremely pure and 100% potable water.

Spectacular airplane flights are available allowing a unique and extraordinary view of the main attractions of Colca, that can only be seen from the air. There are landing strips in Huambo (in the canyon), Orcopampa (near the Volcano Valley), Coporaque (the high part of the valley), Tiabaya, near Arequipa and also from the city airport.