Peru Guide
Around Arequipa
The spectacular countryside around Arequipa rewards a few days' exploration, with some exciting and adventurous possibilities for trips from the city. Climbing El Misti is a demanding but rewarding trek, while the Inca ruins of Paucarpata at the foot of the volcano offer excellent scenery, great views and a fine place for a picnic. The attractive village of Chapi makes a good day-trip, while the Sumbay caves, just a few hours' drive from Arequipa on the road towards Caylloma, contain hundreds of unique pre-historic paintings.
Yet the greatest attraction is easily the Colca Canyon, some 200km to the north of Arequipa, second only to Machu Picchu, and developing fast as a trekking and canoeing destination (best in the dry season, May– Sept). Called the "Valley of Marvels" by the Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa, it is nearly twice the size of Arizona's Grand Canyon and one of the country's most extraordinary natural sights. Around 120km west of Arequipa, you can see the amazing petroglyphs of Toro Muerto and perhaps go on to hike amid the craters and cones of the Valley of the Volcanoes. A little further north is the Cotahuasi Canyon, which some people believe could usurp Colca's claim to being the deepest canyon in the world. Most people visit these sites on an organized trip with one of the tour companies in Arequipa. If you are prepared to put up with the extra hassle, you can visit many of the sites by much cheaper public transport.
Highlights
1 Cruz del Condor A breathtaking viewing point in Colca Canyon, offering sightings of up to a dozen condors sailing below, around and above.
2 La Calera Wallow, swim and relax in the fantastic and well renovated hot springs of La Calera, a short distance from Chivay at the head of the Colca Canyon.
3 Cotahuasi Canyon Not only one of the deepest canyons in the world, this is also one of the most remote places that can be reached relatively easily by bus in Peru.