Tours in Arequipa

Arequipa, the White City, is Peru’s second most important city and one of the country’s most photographed destinations. Built with the white volcanic sillar quarried from the Misti volcano, its historic center declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 holds some of the most beautiful baroque buildings in South America.

160 kilometers from the city lies the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world (3,400 meters deep) and the best place on the planet to watch the Andean condor in free flight. The Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint is the region’s most visited spot, and rightly so: watching these giants of the air ride the thermal currents at dawn is an experience no traveler forgets.

With Machu Picchu Peru Tours, we offer tours in Arequipa from a half-day city tour to the classic Colca Canyon 2 day 1 night tour, the most popular for seeing the condors at dawn. Daily departures with certified local guides.

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Travel guide: Arequipa

Practical info to plan your visit

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Arequipa and the Colca Canyon is the dry season, from April to November. The weather is dry, sunny and clear-skied, ideal for views of Misti and the Colca. May to July are the months with the most visible condors at the Cruz del Cóndor.

The wet season (December-March) brings occasional rain to the canyon. The condors are still visible but in smaller numbers. Arequipa city has very little rain all year thanks to its high-altitude desert climate.

Getting around

Arequipa's historic center is compact and walkable, the Plaza de Armas, the Santa Catalina Monastery and La Compañía de Jesús are less than 15 minutes apart on foot. Taxis are cheap (S/. 5-15 within the city). For the Colca Canyon, the only practical option is the organized tour or a bus from the ground terminal (S/. 25-40), there is no direct public transport to the viewpoint. Machu Picchu Peru Tours includes transport in the tour price.

What to pack

Warm clothing: The Cruz del Cóndor is at 3,700 m and at 8am it can be very cold (0-8°C). Bring a fleece jacket, scarf and gloves even if you visit in summer.
SPF 50+ sunscreen: The altitude and the Andean sun are intense. Essential for the day in the canyon.
Layered clothing: Arequipa city is at 2,335 m. Temperatures range from 8°C (night) to 24°C (midday).
Comfortable footwear: For the city tour, comfortable street shoes are enough. For the canyon, trekking shoes.
Cash in soles: For restaurants, handicrafts in the canyon and tips. The ATMs in Arequipa's historic center are reliable.

Must-see places

Santa Catalina Monastery: A city within a city , 20,000 m² of baroque orange, blue and white alleys. Allow 2 hours for the visit.
Cruz del Cóndor: The canyon's most visited viewpoint between 8:30am and 11am. Watching Andean condors ride the thermals is hard to beat.
Arequipa Plaza de Armas: One of the most beautiful in Peru, framed by the Basilica Cathedral and La Compañía de Jesús in white volcanic sillar.
Sillar Route: Volcanic quarries 20 minutes away where local artisans carve white rock with centuries-old techniques.
Yanahuara: A historic neighborhood with 17th-century arches and panoramic views of the Misti volcano.

Tourism in Arequipa

Top attractions

Santa Catalina Convent
Arequipa Plaza de Armas
Cruz del Condor
Toro Muerto Petroglyphs
El Misti Volcano
Santa Teresa Monastery
Andean Sanctuaries Museum (Juanita Mummy)

Main activities

Colca Canyon tour
Condor watching at Cruz del Condor
Arequipa city tour (sillar)
Chivay hot springs
Colca descent trekking
Chili river rafting
Toro Muerto petroglyphs visit
Alpacas in Yanque

Climate in Arequipa

Arequipa is the City of Eternal Sun: a dry, sunny climate almost all year at 2335 m. The Colca Canyon (3600 m) has colder nights.

Dry season - April to November

8 to 24 C (sunny days, cold nights in the Colca)

Wet season - December to March

10 to 22 C (sporadic afternoon rains)

How to get to Arequipa?

From Lima

Bus: 16-18 hours (Cruz del Sur, Civa)
Plane: 1h 20min (LATAM)

From Cusco

Bus: 10-12 hours
Plane: No direct flight (Lima layover)

From Puno

Bus: 5-6 hours
Plane: No direct flight

Where to stay in Arequipa?

5★ Hotels

Historic Center - Casa Andina Premium Arequipa, Libertador
Colca - Colca Lodge, Las Casitas del Colca

3★ & 4★ Hotels

Arequipa Historic Center (near the plaza and Sta. Catalina)
Chivay - capital of the Colca Canyon

Where to eat in Arequipa?

Regional dishes

La Nueva Palomino (traditional Arequipa)
El Turko (Arequipa shawarma)
Hatunpa (native potatoes)

National dishes

Zig Zag Restaurant (meats on volcanic stones)
Chicha by Gaston Acurio

Festivities in Arequipa

Tourist events

Loncco Arequipeno Festival - August
Holy Week in Yanque (Colca) - Holy Week

Regional festivities

Virgen de Chapi Festival - May
Arequipa Festivities (anniversary) - August
Colca Carnival - February

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Arequipa

How much does the Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa cost?

The 1-day Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa costs from $45 USD per person (without an overnight). The 2-day 1-night tour in Chivay costs from $75 USD. The price includes transport, a bilingual guide and the Colca tourist ticket. Meals are not included (except on the full-service tour). Machu Picchu Peru Tours runs both formats with daily departures.

What time do you need to be at the Cruz del Cóndor to see the condors?

The condors take advantage of the canyon's thermal currents that form between 8:30am and 11am. You need to be at the Cruz del Cóndor before 8:30am. Tours from Arequipa leave between 3am and 4am to arrive in time. On days with low thermal activity (from clouds or strong wind) the condors can be hard to see.

How many days do I need in Arequipa?

With 2 days you get the essentials: one day for the city tour and the Santa Catalina Monastery, and one day for the Colca Canyon. With 3-4 days you can add the Sillar Route, the Arequipa countryside, a cooking class or the ascent of the Chachani volcano. Arequipa easily combines with Puno and Lake Titicaca via the Sun Route.

Can you go to the Colca Canyon without an organized tour?

Yes, there are public buses from the Arequipa terminal to Chivay (3h, S/.15). From Chivay you can take combis to the Cruz del Cóndor. However, organized tours leave earlier (guaranteeing you reach the condors), include a guide who explains the geology and wildlife, and offer photo stops along the way that are hard to find on your own.

Tips and guides for your trip to Arequipa

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Traveler Experiences

Hear from Those Who Have Experienced the Magic of Our Tours

4.9 out of 5 based on

+1200

reviews

See all reviews on TripAdvisor

Andrey S.

October 14, 2025

Punctuality, very attentive guide and perfect organization. From the hotel exit, transit by train, lunch schedule and guided tours.

Maria R.

October 12, 2025

A very enriching experience, a lot of history, although it rained that day, was a good for nothing our tour. Our guide was very attentive and professional.

Alejandra C.

October 12, 2025

The tour starts very early type 3-4 am, how good you can sleep on the way, we breakfast in a very good buffet and then depart for the mountain. Here the height is the problem, you can walk up but it requires a lot of condition, the good thing is that there are horses that you can pay and for 90 suns they leave you 15-20 minutes from the top. Wear layered clothes as you can warm up when climbing. We already walk down and the road is much easier. On horseback you go up in 40 minutes, you are on the mountain an hour to take pictures and the return is about 1 hour or so. In the end we still had lunch in the same very rich buffet!

Salvador M

September 19, 2025

I liked the Service and attention I received, plus the quality of the guide who touched us to know the sacred valley on the way to Machu Picchu was first class, with extensive knowledge of the Inca culture and with very good explanation, I highly recommend them.

Sarah E.

October 12, 2025

They were exceptional! Everything very organized, took care of all the details, we hired all the tours, lodging and transfer, we do not regret!

Veronica L.

October 12, 2025

Recommended 💯💯💯
What a beautiful place!!! Most of us went up there on mules. Important to clarify if the person weighs more than 110 kg he will not be able to carry it and will have to walk up . . . It is still very expensive, to have proper footwear

Andrey S.

October 14, 2025

Punctuality, very attentive guide and perfect organization. From the hotel exit, transit by train, lunch schedule and guided tours.

Maria R.

October 12, 2025

A very enriching experience, a lot of history, although it rained that day, was a good for nothing our tour. Our guide was very attentive and professional.

Alejandra C.

October 12, 2025

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Tours in Arequipa

The best tours in Arequipa

Colca Canyon Tour

Arequipa City Tour – Arequipa, Peru

Colca Canyon 2D/1N

Travel guide: Arequipa

Best time to visit

Getting around

What to pack

Must-see places

Tourism in Arequipa

Top attractions

Main activities

Climate in Arequipa

How to get to Arequipa?

From Lima

From Cusco

From Puno

Where to stay in Arequipa?

5★ Hotels

3★ & 4★ Hotels

Where to eat in Arequipa?

Regional dishes

National dishes

Festivities in Arequipa

Tourist events

Regional festivities

Frequently Asked Questions

Related articles

Lima to Cusco, Peru: How to Get There, Distance, Flights & Fares

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Mountain Hike in Peru: 12 Best Mountain Hiking Trails in the Andes

Hear from Those Who Have Experienced the Magic of Our Tours

Ready to explore Arequipa?