We will pick you up from your hotel located in Arequipa — please read the “Details and Notes” tab for more information.

Then, we will take you by vehicle or on foot (depending on your hotel’s location) to the San Lázaro neighbourhood.

Before the official foundation of Arequipa, San Lázaro already existed. It was here that the first Spanish settlers established themselves. Centuries have passed, but the neighbourhood still retains its heritage of narrow streets, sillar houses, and wrought iron railings.

Exploring San Lázaro and the alleys of Violín, Cristales, Desaguadero, Ripacha, Calienes, Combate Naval, Bayonetas, among others, is like stepping back to the origins of a city that has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2001.

Afterwards, we will walk to Mundo Alpaca.

This is the perfect place to distinguish the four types of Andean camelids: alpaca, llama, guanaco, and vicuña; after that, you will be able to interact with the alpacas and llamas.

Additionally, our professional guide will explain the entire process of obtaining the fibres, converting them into threads, and the different styles of traditional weaving.

Next, we will take you by vehicle to the Yanahuara viewpoint.

The Yanahuara Viewpoint (2300 m above sea level) is an ideal spot to enjoy a panoramic view of Arequipa and its volcanoes. It is undoubtedly the most famous viewpoint in the city, where you can take the classic photo of Arequipa.

It was built in 1972 using Sillar stone (white volcanic stone) and features ten symmetrical arches, each with a legend of literary verses carved in bas-relief.

Apart from viewing the splendour of Arequipa’s historic centre from this viewpoint, you will also be able to see the three most famous volcanoes:

• El Misti: The most imposing volcano in Arequipa, it has a perfect cone, and its summit is always covered with snow. It stands at an altitude of 5822 m a.s.l.
• El Pichu Pichu: Located to the right of Misti, it stands at 5644 m a.s.l.
• El Chachani: The highest of the three, it reaches 6057 m a.s.l.

We will take you by vehicle to the Santa Catalina Monastery viewpoint.

Since the late 16th century, its massive sillar walls have protected the faith of women who chose to draw closer to God and withdraw from the world. True to its origins, Santa Catalina still houses a group of cloistered nuns.

They occupy a restricted area. The other areas of the monastery, a “small” city of 20,000 square metres, are a treasure of architecture and religious art, with hundreds of colonial paintings in its art gallery.

Please note that the guided tour of this site will be led by a guide from the monastery, meaning there will be a change of guides specifically for this location. These are the monastery’s policies.

After finishing your visit to the monastery, we will continue on foot to the Main Square.

It is the historic heart of the city, a public space surrounded by colonial buildings with imposing architecture. It was built at the same time as the city, in 1540, when Garci Manuel de Carbajal founded the “Villa de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora del Valle Hermoso de Arequipa” (now simply known as the city of Arequipa).

Attractions surrounding this square:

• The Cathedral: Located in the northern part of the city, it was built with Sillar stone (volcanic stone) and has a semi-Renaissance style with Gothic influences.
• The Portals: Arches, also made of Sillar stone, surround the entire square. They are in a neo-Renaissance style.
• The Tuturutu Fountain: In the centre of the square stands a bronze fountain with a copper sculpture of a little goblin playing a trumpet. It was constructed in the 16th century. It is said that it once had wings, but they were lost over time. This sculpture is known as “Tuturutu.”

History, faith, architecture, and religious art in a house of God with walls of white sillar and altarpieces of gold leaf, which was completed in the second half of the 16th century, when Arequipa was beginning to flourish as a colonial city.

Now one of the main constructions in the Historic Centre and part of the monumental surroundings of the Main Square, the Church of the Society of Jesus is an exceptional example of the mestizo or Andean baroque style that characterises Arequipa.

Our guide will recommend good local restaurants located near the Main Square. If you prefer a specific restaurant, we can also take you there; just let us know in advance.

Afterwards, we will take you by vehicle to the Sabandía Mill.

It is located in the district of the same name in Arequipa, built in 1621 with Sillar stone by the master stonemason Francisco Flores. The mill was originally used for grinding grains and producing flour, harnessing the power of water from a nearby waterfall.

In 1973, the Central Mortgage Bank of Peru restored this mill due to its deterioration.

After the visit to the mill, you will have the option of taking a brief horseback ride around the area. If you prefer not to take part in this activity, there are also quad bike tours available. You can decide at the time of the visit.

Please note that both the horseback ride and the quad bike activity are subject to time availability.

Then, we will take you by vehicle to the Founder’s Mansion.

It is located 20 km from the Main Square of Arequipa and once belonged to Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, the founder of the city of Arequipa in 1540. It was built as a manor in the populated area of Huasacache, near the Socabaya River.

The mansion features elements of baroque architecture, with spaces such as gardens, arcades, rooms, and a chapel later built by the Jesuits.

Today, this place is a museum that displays relics from the colonial era, including furniture, velvet fabrics, sculptures, paintings, and more.

After the visit to this place, we will take you back to your hotel.

We will drop you off at your hotel in Arequipa.