Ubinas volcano
by christian99
More distant and less known than Misti, Ubinas offers the advantage of an easier and shorter climb (2-3 hours), which allows you to make the excursion in 1 day. The highest point is also lower (5400 m or17,800 ft). It is a spectacular volcano, with a large outer crater in which you can go down to discover the small inner crater, 250 m deep, with a permanent fumarolic activity. The road from Arequipa to the volcano passes by the Laguna Salinas, a large salt lagoon located at an altitude of 4300 m (14,200 ft) where a large number of birds as well as lama and alpaca herds gather .
Go to the Yanahuara mirador
by adelinemmc
This is not strictly a mirador but a large terrace off a plaza high up in a suburb of Arequipa. You get very good views of town, in particular the Convent of Santa Catalina, and fantastic views of El Misti.
Good place to take pictures, although sometimes you may have to struggle for a frame without an electric wire crossing the sky.
Have a look at the Iglesia de Cayma on the little plaza, on the left (with teh terrace behind you).
While you there, go through the little street on the right of the plaza until you reach a courtyard restaurant called El Mirador de la Boveda at the end on the right. You can sit on the wooden benches, sipping delicious fresh and cheap juices while admiring El Misti some more.
Take a collectivo to the mirador (headed Yanahuara Or Ugarte, I think, check when getting on the bus) and come back on foot in the slopping streets via via Bolognesi and its opulent streets.
Colca Canyon Tour
by gt4715b
Many people come to do this very popular tour of the Colca Canyon, with the highlight probably being watching the huge condors flying at Cruz del Condor. There are 1 day tours and 2 day/1night tours and longer tours. The 2 day / 1 night tour is a choice if you don't have much time to explore the area by yourself, which I would recommend if you have the time. The tour itself is pretty standard with tons of agencies in Arequipa offering the service. Choose a reputable agency. I used Colonial Tours, located 1/2 a block from the Plaza de Armas. Also reputable is Giardino Tours, which seems a bit more upscale(they run better minibuses, etc.).
The white city
by christian99
Arequipa is well known for its glistening white buildings made from sillar, a white volcanic rock, which gives the city its nickname 'La Ciudad Blanca' or 'The White City'.
Arequipa is Peru's second largest city and was founded in 1540. The site was chosen for its proximity to the coast, enabling settlers to trade the products of Cusco and the mines of Potosi (Bolivia) with Lima. The local cultivation of wheat, corn and grapes all contributed to the regions economic growth.
The city is surrounded by 3 volcanoes; El Misti, still active at 5822m, the higher and extinct Chachani 6075m and Pichu Pichu 5571m. The Incas highly respected these volcanoes since the melt water from their snow-capped peaks form the headwaters of the mighty Amazon River, thousands of kilometers away.
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Iglesia Santa Marta, Arequipa
Monasterio Santa Catalina
el puente q nos une a SnPedro
