Tour overview
Arequipa is known as the White City for its sillar, the white volcanic stone used to build its churches and mansions, and its Historic Center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this tour you explore the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Church of La Compañía. Then you step inside the Santa Catalina Monastery, a citadel of streets, plazas and red and blue painted cells where cloistered nuns have lived since 1579. You finish at the Yanahuara and Carmen Alto lookouts, with views of El Misti volcano and the Arequipa countryside. Magone Viajes takes care of your guide, transport and tickets.
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Best time to travel Year-round, with over 300 sunny days a year. From January to March there may be afternoon rain
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Maximum altitude About 2,400 m / 7,870 ft (Arequipa)
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Physical difficulty Easy (short walks downtown and inside the monastery)
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Minimum number of passengers 1 adult
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Maximum number of passengers 20 adults in shared service
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Booking lead time 1 to 2 days in advance
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Permits Santa Catalina Monastery entrance, price on request, plus cloisters or churches, depending on the program
Highlights
- Arequipa's essentials in half a day.
- Route: the Main Square, the Cathedral, La Compañía, Santa Catalina Monastery, Yanahuara and Carmen Alto.
- A guided tour of the Santa Catalina Monastery.
- UNESCO-listed colonial sillar architecture.
- Views of the Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu volcanoes.
- Price on request per person.
Itinerary
Hotel pickup
We pick you up from your hotel in central Arequipa at around 9:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m., depending on the departure.
Main Square and Cathedral
We stroll around the square, framed by sillar arcades, and visit the Cathedral, one of the largest in Peru.
Church and cloisters of La Compañía
We visit the Jesuit church, with its carved mestizo-style façade, and its cloisters, depending on the program.
Santa Catalina Monastery
With a guide, we explore this citadel of about 20,000 m² (215,000 sq ft), with streets named Toledo, Córdoba and Sevilla, the nuns' cells, the kitchen, the cloisters and the washing area.
Yanahuara lookout
We drive to this traditional neighborhood to see its sillar arches and El Misti volcano.
Carmen Alto lookout
We stop at this viewpoint over the countryside, with its terraces and volcano views. You can take photos with llamas and alpacas.
Return to your hotel
We drop you back at your hotel downtown at around 1:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.
Tips
- Wear sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, because Arequipa's sun is very strong.
- Bring a light jacket, since mornings and evenings are cool.
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking through the monastery.
- Carry cash in soles for small purchases and to try queso helado, Arequipa's traditional ice cream.
- If you love photography, the monastery looks its best in the afternoon light.
- Use this day to acclimatize if you're heading to Colca Canyon next.
What's included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel in central Arequipa.
- Tourist transport to Yanahuara and Carmen Alto.
- Magone Viajes guide.
- Santa Catalina Monastery entrance, if included in the program.
- Local monastery guide, if included in the program.
Not included
- Santa Catalina Monastery entrance, if not included.
- Cathedral and La Compañía cloisters entrance, if charged.
- Meals.
- Tips.
- Travel insurance.
- Any services not listed in this program.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the White City?
Because of sillar, the white volcanic stone used to build the historic center.
How long do you spend at the Santa Catalina Monastery?
About an hour and a half with a guide.
Do nuns still live in the monastery?
Yes. A small community still lives in a section closed to the public.
Will the altitude affect me?
Arequipa sits at about 2,400 m (7,870 ft), much lower than Cusco or Puno, so very few people have trouble.
Can I visit the monastery at night?
Yes, on some evenings it opens late, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ask Magone Viajes to add it as an option.
Is it suitable for kids and older travelers?
Yes. The walks are short and on flat ground.
