Arequipa City Tour 2027: One Day in the White City

Our Arequipa city tour takes you through the heart of the White City. Key sights include the historic Plaza de Armas, the impressive Arequipa Cathedral and the fascinating Santa Catalina Monastery. You will also enjoy panoramic views from the Yanahuara Viewpoint and learn about the Juanita mummy at the Santuarios Andinos Museum.

This Arequipa city tour is designed as a convenient one-day experience. It runs from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. approximately, about 3 and a half hours, which lets you explore Arequipa's main attractions without feeling rushed. It is a perfect option even if your time in the city is limited, and quite different from our longer, multi-day adventures such as the challenging Choquequirao Trek.

Yes, the Arequipa city tour is suitable for all ages and most fitness levels. The tour involves walking on city streets, some of them cobblestone, at a comfortable pace. However, please let us know beforehand if you have any mobility concerns so we can advise you. This tour is much less demanding than treks such as the Classic Inca Trail, which requires significant physical preparation.

For your Arequipa city tour, wear comfortable clothes and good walking shoes, as there is some walking involved. Arequipa also has strong Andean sun, so bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. A reusable water bottle is a good idea to stay hydrated, and do not forget your camera. For more packing advice for Andean travel, you might find our guide 10 Essential Tips for an Unforgettable Trip to Cusco helpful.

Almost all of them. The entrance fees to the museums and historical sites in the Arequipa city tour itinerary are included in the price, such as the Santuarios Andinos Museum, where the Juanita mummy is displayed. The exception is the Santa Catalina Monastery: its entrance is not included and is paid separately at the door, in soles.

Yes, a visit to the iconic Santa Catalina Monastery is a highlight of our Arequipa city tour. You will have time to explore its colorful streets and charming plazas and learn the history of this "city within a city". It is a unique experience that many visitors find unforgettable.

The Yanahuara Viewpoint, a key stop on your Arequipa city tour, offers panoramic views of Arequipa with El Misti volcano as a backdrop. Furthermore, it is known for its sillar arches inscribed with verses by poets from Arequipa. Therefore, it is a perfect spot for memorable photos.

Yes. Our Arequipa city tour includes a visit to the Santuarios Andinos Museum, where you will learn about the famous Juanita mummy, a remarkably well-preserved Inca offering discovered on Mount Ampato. The exhibition offers deep insights into Inca culture and its ancient rituals.

Your professional guide is essential to your Arequipa city tour. Specifically, they provide historical and cultural context for every site, share local anecdotes and answer your questions. Moreover, they make sure the tour runs smoothly. After this city-based exploration, you might be inspired for other guided adventures such as our Short Inca Trail.

Meals and drinks are not included in the Arequipa city tour. This gives you the flexibility to choose where to eat according to your tastes and budget. However, your guide can recommend good local places for lunch or a snack before or after the tour. You can also learn more about regional cuisine in our blog post Andean food: Authentic flavors not to be missed.

The Arequipa city tour can be enjoyed all year, as Arequipa generally has a sunny, mild climate. However, the dry season, usually from April to November, tends to bring the clearest skies, perfect for views of the surrounding volcanoes. Nevertheless, the city's history and culture are captivating in any season.

Photography for personal use is generally allowed at outdoor sites on the Arequipa city tour, such as the Plaza de Armas and the Yanahuara Viewpoint. However, some interior spaces, such as certain areas of the Santa Catalina Monastery or the Santuarios Andinos Museum (especially near the Juanita mummy), may have restrictions, such as no flash or no photography at all to protect the collections. Your guide will tell you the rules at each place.

Your safety is a top priority on our Arequipa city tour. You will be accompanied by one of our professional guides, who knows the city well. We recommend staying aware of your surroundings and keeping an eye on your belongings, as in any popular tourist destination. Furthermore, Arequipa is generally considered a safe city for tourists, and the areas on our itinerary are busy and well monitored.

Yes. During your Arequipa city tour, you will discover why Arequipa is known as the "Ciudad Blanca" or "White City". The name comes from sillar, a pale volcanic stone widely used in its colonial buildings. This local stone gives the city its luminous look and architectural character. Learning about it is key to appreciating Arequipa's charm, just as understanding the stonework is essential on an adventure such as the Classic Inca Trail.

This itinerary describes our standard shared Arequipa city tour, but we can often arrange private tours or adapt the tour to your group's interests, pace or schedule. For instance, you might want to spend more time at a particular site or add a place that is not on the standard itinerary. Please contact us with your requirements to discuss private options. We can also arrange private departures for many of our other adventures, including the demanding Choquequirao Trek.

For the parts of the Arequipa city tour that require travel between sites, such as the trip to the Yanahuara Viewpoint, we use comfortable tourist transportation. However, a large part of the tour, especially in the historic center, is done on foot, which lets you appreciate Arequipa's architecture and atmosphere up close.

Yes. If you are staying in a hotel or other accommodation in downtown Arequipa (the historic center), we can usually arrange a pick-up from your location to join the Arequipa city tour. Alternatively, we can give you clear directions to a central meeting point. Please send us your accommodation details when you book so we can coordinate the logistics.

Sillar is a defining feature of your Arequipa city tour. It is a white, porous volcanic rock that is relatively light and easy to carve, which allowed colonial artisans to create the elaborate mestizo Baroque details that decorate many of Arequipa's churches and mansions. Furthermore, its pearly white color gives the city its famous nickname, the "White City". If you appreciate unique stone construction, you might also enjoy the Inca techniques on display on our Short Inca Trail.

We always do our best to accommodate last-minute requests for the Arequipa city tour, but we generally recommend booking at least a few days in advance, especially in the peak season, usually from May to October. Booking ahead secures your spot and lets us make all the arrangements. However, feel free to check availability with us, even at short notice.

Arequipa sits at about 2,335 m (7,660 ft), much lower than Cusco or Puno. Most travelers feel fine, but we recommend taking it easy on your first day and drinking plenty of water.

Yes, on separate days. We suggest doing the city tour first to acclimatize, since the Colca Canyon full-day tour leaves Arequipa at 3:30 a.m. and climbs much higher.

Yes. The historic center of Arequipa was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000, largely for its sillar architecture, which you see throughout the tour.