The flight of the condor
Welcome to Arequipa – a charming city and the headquarters of Perú InsideOut! Knowing this particular area of Peru very well, we would delight in taking you on our Flight of the Condor tour! During your stay in “the White City”, as Arequipa is referred to, you will experience a new world of culinary delights, develop an appreciation for the colonial architecture of the city, discover various Andean traditions, and visit the main, local attraction – the Colca Canyon!
DAY 1. La Ciudad Blanca (The White City)
Your visit to Arequipa begins with a visit to the famous Santa Catalina Monastery, where you will appreciate the finest colonial architecture in town, followed by a visit to the surroundings to see a demonstration in a sillar quarry. Later a visit to the peculiar Alpaca museum to learn about the Alpaca camelid and its fine wool. The tour continues with a playful cuisine activity during which you will cook some delicious arequipeños traditional dishes. The tour concludes with a free wander around downtown Arequipa to enjoy its finest bars and restaurants.
Peru Classic Tour
The Peru Classic Tour brings you face-to-face with the ever-majestic Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Lake Titicaca (the highest navigable lake in the world), and the world-famous Nazca Lines. The natural beauty of the Ballestas Islands also awaits you, as does the Huacachina Oasis, and one of the deepest canyons in the world, the Colca Canyon! Traditional life as lived in small communities high in the Andes, and modern-day life as it’s lived in Lima, will delight and surprise you! They stand in stark contrast to one another.
DAY 5. La Ciudad Blanca (The White City)
On arrival in Arequipa, you can rest, sip some mate de coca and acclimatize to the 2,400 meters altitude (7874 feet). Later, you will take your first tour of the city with a visit of the Santa Catalina Monastery. In the evening, we suggest you enjoy Plaza de Armas, as well as the bars and many pretty restaurants that make Arequipa’s downtown one of the liveliest in Peru.
DAY 6. Arequipa traditions
The second day, a tour to Arequipa. Starts with a tour of the sillar quarries on the outskirts of the city. Here, a master craftsman will give you a demonstration of how the sillar is cut before it is used for construction. Next, visit to the Alpaca Museum downtown. You will observe how the alpaca yarn is traditionally woven and how this refined yarn is used by the locals. The day doesn’t end here and the tour to Arequipa continues with a cooking demonstration and tasting of some typical arequipeños dishes and you will be invited to display your cooking talent. In the afternoon, you are free to relax and walk around wonderful Arequipa!
Amazing Peru Tour
The Amazing Peru Tour uncovers the wonders and beauty of Peru. Our tour begins with a visit to the world-class Museo Larco Herrera in Lima (featuring treasures from ancient Peru), but quickly moves on to the always-mesmerizing Nazca Lines and the elegant colonial city of Arequipa – with the Andes sitting at its doorstep in the form of three nearby towering volcanoes. We also take in Saqsayhuaman, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Huayna Picchu, and the extraordinary Machu Picchu Sanctuary – all of which are incredible Inca sites. Your visit to Machu Picchu in particular, though, is guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Day 7. Welcome to Arequipa
“La Ciudad Blanca” or “The White City” as it is known due to its white volcanic stone buildings. Free morning to relax or visit the local Plaza de Armas to acclimatize yourself to the 2,400 meters altitude (7,874 feet). In the afternoon, don’t miss the Santa Catalina Monastery Tour. The Monastery is one of Peru’s most important religious monuments opened to the public only a few decades ago. Overnight stay in Arequipa.
DAY 8. A Taste of Traditional Arequipa
Discovering Arequipa begins after a delicious breakfast. A visit to the sillar quarries caves will leave you mesmerized by how this volcanic ash is cut to make bricks. Your next stop is a tour of the Alpaca Museum, one of the finest animal yarn in the world! The Arequipa tour ends with a cooking experience and you will be the chef! Overnight stay in Arequipa.
Peru Express Tour
In one tour, the Peru Express captures the essence of Andean customs and the many mysteries that surround Inca culture. Home to three nearby volcanoes (all approaching 20,000 feet in elevation), the refined colonial city of Arequipa will delight you – with its architecture, its food, and its climate! The Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca are just two of the highlights on the tour; we also explore the beautiful city of Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Peru Express Tour culminates, naturally, in a visit to magnificent Machu Picchu, where it is ever-so-easy to sense the many legends that surround Inca culture and to experience – firsthand – one of the new Seven Wonders of the World!
DAY 2. Travel to Arequipa: la Ciudad Blanca (The White City)
Early morning visit to the local sillar quarries to watch and enjoy an exhibition of volcanic ash stone. You will then visit the Alpaca Museum to see how one of the finest yarns in the world is produced. The day continues with a demonstration of some typical Arequipeños dishes and you will be at the centre of the cooking activities. Free afternoon and overnight stay in Arequipa.
