Things to see and do Region Of Arequipa

From its foundation in 1579 until its opening to the public in 1970, the monastery lived jealously closed in on itself; even today, it houses a few nuns who have taken their vows of total isolation. Wealthy families sent their daughters there, along with a solid dowry that would add to the monastery's coffers. The first nun was Doña María de Guzmán. Widow of Diego Hernández de Mendoza, young, rich, beautiful and childless, she gave up all her possessions to live as a recluse. On September 10, 1579, the deed of foundation of the Monastery was signed on four plots of land belonging to the city and Doña María de Guzmán was named "first inhabitant and prioress". On October 2, 1580, during a solemn mass, Doña María was recognized as the founder and formally took the habit. The women who entered were Creoles, mestizos or even daughters of Inca dignitaries. In 1964 the monastery received its first Spanish nuns. In 1582 the monastery was seriously damaged by an earthquake and the nuns themselves repaired their cells. There is even an aspirant to sainthood, Sister Ana de Los Angeles, whose canonization never came to fruition. Born in 1604, she entered the monastery at the age of 3 to complete her education and was taken out of it at the age of 10 or 11 to be married. But a vision made her return to the Monastery of her own free will. She was prioress for a period of 3 years during which austerity was de rigueur. She is credited with 68 predictions, most of them about the imminent death of one of the other sisters or the unexpected healing of another. When she died in 1686, she was not embalmed because her body had a pleasant smell and ten years later when she was dug up, her body had not suffered any damage. Miracle healings are attributed to her post-mortem.

A visit to the place gives an idea of what this monastic life could have been like: tiny rooms-cells, a private kitchen and a room for the maid (also cloistered), painted in ochre, brown and red tones. The Zocodober plaza with its fountain, the blue and orange hues of the cloisters surrounded by arcades with innocent frescoes, however, add a note of cheerfulness. With its 20,000 square metres, this religious fortress is absolutely unique.

The vaults house an archaeological museum with pieces from the Chimú and Nazca cultures.

A guided tour in French is recommended. In the morning, the light falls wonderfully.

A very beautiful and spacious square, with a nice central fountain, palm trees, the immaculate cathedral in the background and the volcanoes in the distance. Very pleasant to sit there in the sun and watch the time go by. You can also see many locals who take their quarters there. Many photographers (with a film camera!) will offer you to immortalize the moment in front of the fountain with the cathedral in the background.

Once night falls, the cathedral lights up and often musicians bring out their instruments to liven up the early evening.

The Compañía represents the most complete form of 16th-century architecture. It is in the mixed baroque style of the Arequipa school and, together with the Cathedral of Puno, is its finest achievement. The lateral façade of worked stone shows Santiago (Saint James) in a characteristic attitude of killer of Moors. Don't forget to visit the sublime Capilla de San Ignacio with its polychrome dome entirely covered with plant, animal and mineral motifs.

Dating from 1739, this double cloister, where a stone fountain murmurs, shows galleries supported by elaborate pillars where cherubs flutter. Today it houses a shopping centre with many shops specialising in alpaca clothing and art galleries. A few restaurants and cafes/bars have also set up shop. Great view from the first floor, where you can walk around and even have a drink on the terrace. At the end of the courtyard, a small chapel with a beautiful painted ceiling. Not to be missed!

You can take advantage of the "Chacapi" thermal waters, located 1 km below the village, and much less frequented than those of Chivay. On the spot, a covered swimming pool and another one in the open air. Correct and quite small. More rustic, the thermal baths of Puye, opposite, are located below, along the river with their small stone pools. The community administers it. The entrance fee is the same. We appreciate that there are far fewer people.

Entirely built (and rebuilt after earthquakes, the last of which, in June 2001, brought down one of its two bell towers) in sillar, a white volcanic stone, it displays its seventy columns, its three doors and its two lateral arches on a whole section of the plaza de Armas: the "facade" that one discovers is in fact only one of its sides. Inside, there are some interesting paintings and sculptures, a monumental altar made of Carrara marble, large organs made in Belgium and a pulpit carved in Lille by a certain Rigot.

This museum offers a lot of information on discoveries made in 1994 and 1995, including a mummy, Juanita, "the ice princess", discovered near Arequipa, on the summit of the Ampato volcano, by Johan Reinhardt. The mummy is now exposed in a refrigerated showcase. A 20-minute film on this discovery is shown. The collection is growing month by month and makes this museum, along with the Santa Catalina monastery, an essential part of the visit to the city. The guided tour is compulsory and free (available in French). Please allow for a tip.

These are the most famous baths, as they are the largest in the region. The five pools of thermal water, at 32 and 40 °C, are very pleasant to relax in and constitute the main interest of this village. You can get there on foot or by colectivo (local bus), leaving from Calle del General Moràn for S/ 1. Preferably, go in the morning to have a lot less people, as most of the travel agencies go there from 3 p.m. onwards once their excursion is over.

This museum is nestled in the Carmelite Monastery (still in operation, even if you don't see the sisters). Very beautiful sunny interior patio. Numerous works of art from the colonial period: sculptures, gold and silverware, murals, furniture, decorative objects. We also discover the church, which is still a place of worship (sometimes you can hear the angelus). An interesting place to know better a period often forgotten by Peruvian museums.

This complex includes the Franciscan church, the convent and the small temple of the Tercera Orden. The Franciscan church has been shaken more than once by the hiccups of the earth. Inspired by the late Romanesque style, with reminiscences of Mudejar (Andalusian Arabic style), it has a white stone and red brick façade. As for the Tercera Orden church, one enters this large chapel through a stone door, worked in the purest Arequipa tradition.

A few cuadras from the plaza de Armas, you can come here and stroll around. A bit old-fashioned, but it is the refuge of young Peruvian couples... and children with a playground open on weekends from 9am to 4pm. There is a small zoo and even an artificial lake where rowers enjoy in their boats. A pleasant green space in the city centre. During Holy Week, the festival of traditional dishes and desserts takes place here and you can taste all the local specialities, with bands playing for the occasion!

Located about twenty kilometers northwest of Chivay, Mount Mismi (5,597 m) is none other than the source of the largest river in the world, the Amazon! The Apacheta torrent that flows from Nevado Mismi will become great! It is considered to be the furthest source of the Amazon network from the mouth of the river, which flows into the Atlantic almost 6,800 km downstream, in Brazil. The small torrent soon joins the Apurímac river, which in turn joins the Ucayali and then the Marañón further north, to form the Amazon river.

The ascent of the Misti volcano (5,825 m) is the most practiced in the region. We reach the skirts of this volcano in 1h30 by car from Arequipa. The ascent (6h of ascent the^1st day and 4h the^2nd day) is rewarded by the fabulous panorama that the volcano reserves you..

The good agencies include transportation, food, tent, mattress and sleeping bag, jackets and pants, guide. Good boots, 6 liters of water per person, 1 large and 1 small bag are required.

The Misti by public transport, it is possible! You don't necessarily need to use a tour operator, but how do you go about it? You have to take a combi to Chiguata, to be dropped off at the foot of the volcano, at the crossroads. There, there is a large private property that closes the access to the volcano. Either we ask to open the door, or we prefer to go around by the downstream. We go up first the track frequented by 4X4 (count 2h to 2h30) then we follow the unique path. We walk 4 to 5 hours more to go to put the camp to 4600 m.

The following day, we put approximately 4h to reach the main summit. Count 1h more for the detour by the crater and its fumaroles. If there are still some snow on the track, the sticks or an ice axe can be very useful. Stay on the ridges on the way up, and for the descent, prefer the combes full of sand.

This itinerary is the ascent by the south ridge; interesting because from the camp, you can see a superb sunset. In the morning, it is simply magic to see the shadow of the volcano on the city!

You can try to climb Nevado Chachani (6,075 m). Considered as the easiest mountain to climb in Peru, this volcano of more than 6 000 m is still active. At 2 hours by 4X4 from Arequipa, we arrive at the base camp from where we start a walk of about 6 hours to the summit. Its ascent requires 2 days and 1 night in bivouac. Think of crampons which are necessary in case of snow.

Many agencies also offer downhill mountain biking from 4,800 meters to 2,500 meters, in 4 hours.

Besides the numerous natural thermal waters, this modern complex offers private whirlpools and swimming pools but the concrete side takes away a lot of charm from the whole and everything is not impeccable. We advise you to take advantage of the open-air springs in the different villages or hotels that have them.

Day 1 : departure from Cabanaconde, 4 to 5 hours of descent to Llahuar. Small camping Llahuar (Robert +51 956 271 333). And, next to it, the Balcones del Colca.

Day 2 : from Llahuar, 2h climb to Apacheta then 2h to Fure. Here, not many inhabitants, better to have a tent.
Day 3 : return trip to the Huaruro waterfall : 2h climb, 1h descent. Then from Fure, 2h of descent to the oasis.
Day 4 : return to Cabanaconde from the oasis of Sangalle. Very nice, but much more touristic (5 to 6h walk, leave early in the morning, it's hot and it goes up).

The first day: departure from the pampa of San Miguel, count 3 hours of descent until San Juan de Chuccho, then 30 minutes of climbing until Tapay.
The second day: leave in the morning, you will start with one hour of descent from Tapay to Malata by way of Cosñihua, then another 2 to 3 hours until the oasis. Note that you can also get to Malata by road, there are one or two combis that pass by each day. If you want to continue to Cabanaconde, don't leave after 2pm from the oasis to avoid walking in the night.

Miraflores, for bullfighting.