 | Arequipa Off the Beaten Path | Tips 1 - 10 of 20 |  |
Popular Off the Beaten Path | Miscellaneous Off the Beaten Path Tips | All Tips (20) Arequipa is a great base for exploring one of Peru's most visited spots, the Colca Canyon. The canyon is a few hours away by car and much more by train, so some might decide to actually stay in one of the villages along the valley floor of the canyon. This isn't a bad idea, since I felt like our one day tour of the canyon was a bit rushed. We were picked up at our hotel at 3am in order to get there early enough in the morning to appreciate the light and to see the magnificent condors in flight along the edges of the canyon walls.
You can also arrange for a two day trip to the canyon from Arequipa, which would enable you to get a greater appreciation of the place. The canyon is said to be the deepest in the world, about twice as deep as the more famous Grand Canyon in the USA and has been inhabited by native people for over 2000 years. There are quite a few little villages in the valley mostly inhabited by Collagua people who are said to be descendants of the Aymaras. Leave a Comment
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This is an excursion recommendable to people who want to see the coastal desert of Peru from the comfortable seat of a car. After a 2 and a half hour drive through the various landscapes of the desert, you arrive at the edge of a deep and green valley, like an oasis fed with water all year long by the Rio Majes. The colour contrast between the desert and the valley is thrilling. Within the valley, at an altitude of only 500 m (1650 ft), climate is tropical. Here you’ll have the opportunity to taste the best “camarones” (crayfish) of Arequipa. You can also visit the archeological site of Toro Muerto, which shows up the highest concentration of pre-Colombian petroglyphs of South America Leave a Comment
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You can rent a car to make a one-day drive on the nearby altiplano. To the East, 2 hours away from Arequipa, is the Laguna Salinas, trapped between Misti, Ubinas and Pichu Pichu volcanoes. It is a National Park where you can observe many bird species as well as thousands of lamas and alpacas in a wonderful landscape.
North of Arequipa, behind Chachani volcano, the highlands are inhabited by a large population of wild vicuñas. From there, you can go back to Arequipa by the old road which passes between Misti and Chachani along the deep canyon of Rio Chili . Leave a Comment
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This volcano that looks down upon Arequipa is no longer active, but it offers the great interest of being one of the more-than-6000 m (20,000 ft) peaks easiest to climb in the world. For a relatively low price, a guide can take you to the top in 2 days. The car drives you to an altitude of nearly 5000 m (16,500 ft). There is no ice nor any technical difficulty. Only altitude can be a problem. It is recommended to be somewhat acclimatized before trying this ascent . Leave a Comment
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This quiet suburb of Arequipa is well worth the minimal effort it takes to get here. You will see parts of town you'd otherwise miss, enjoy great views of Arequipa and El Misti from its Mirador, and the main square is beautiful with a 500 year-old church and huge palm trees. And besides, one of the best restaurants in the area is out this way too! Leave a Comment
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This was a pretty church that we passed on our way to the market. I noticed an old woman trying in vain to cross the street and offered to take her across. She was a small dark-skinned woman and reminded me of my Nana who passed away some twenty years ago. I'd like to think someone would help her if she were still alive and in the same position. Leave a Comment
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on September 17, 2006
on December 8, 2004
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