Arequipa is beautiful city in southern Peru nicknamed the white city as most of its buildings are made out of white volcanic rock, though another theory is that as the initial settlers were all of direct European descent it’s name came from their skin colour. Situated at a height of 2,300m it is an ideal city to visit to help acclimatise before visiting Puno and Cusco both of which are higher in altitude. The city centre was named a world heritage site due to the quality and variety of its architecture.
The second largest city in Peru with a population of around a million it is home to the famous Ice Maiden Juanita whose remains were found on the nearby mountain of Ampato plus the intriguing Monastery of Santa Catalina . This beautiful city is also a gastronomical delight with many excellent restaurants amongst them the restaurant Zig Zag, Gaston Acurio’s Chicha as well as many more.
The nearby Colca Canyon is the 2nd deepest in the world and being doubly as deep dwarves the more famous Grand Canyon. This beautiful canyon is famous for the viewpoint Cruz del Condor from where Andean Condors can be seen nearly every day of the year. These magnificent birds rise early in the morning on thermals from their nests deep down in the canyon, rising past the viewpoint in and in many instances passing within 10 metres of people standing at the viewpoint.
Although many tours visit this as a one day trip leaving Arequipa at 4am and returning late in the evening we recommend spending some time in this beautiful canyon. The nearby Colca Lodge with its’ private hot springs and Spa is the perfect place to spend a couple of nights to ensure that you can really enjoy both the majesty of the Condors as well as the beauty of this magnificent Canyon.
