Arequipa: insider tips for your Peru trip
- Climate: Due to its high altitude, Arequipa is known for strong sunshine during the day (around 22°C year-round) and cool nights (around 6°C). Rain is limited to January, February, and March, during Peru’s rainy season.
- Transport: From Nazca, Arequipa can be reached by bus (Cruz del Sur or Oltursa) in 10–11 hours. You can also fly directly from Lima with LATAM or Avianca. Despegar is a convenient platform to quickly find the best flights. From Arequipa, you can continue your journey by bus to Puno or fly directly to Cusco.
- Tours: Our top recommendations include a one-day visit to Arequipa city, featuring the Santa Catalina Monastery and the Cathedral. Afterward, you can book a one-day tour or a two-day trek through the Colca Canyon. Note: the two-day trek may seem moderate at first, but you descend and climb thousands of meters within the canyon, so prepare for two challenging days.
- Hotels: We love staying at the colonial Casa de Avila, with its beautiful, spacious courtyard. You can even join Peruvian cooking workshops here. Another favorite is La Hosteria, an oasis of calm with small balconies and terraces adjoining the rooms.
- Restaurants: We prefer local cuisine, so we head to a picantería. La Nueva Palomino, just outside the city, is a cozy and delicious option.
- Length of stay: We recommend 2–3 nights in Arequipa. This allows time to explore the charming city and book a one- or two-day Colca Canyon tour.
Trails
You want to visit Machu Picchu, but how do you get there? The Incas once had only one option: walking the ancient Trail. Today, you can still follow in their footsteps. And did you know there are even more routes leading to Machu Picchu?
Tours & Day Trips
Besides the Inca Trail and a visit to Machu Picchu, you can enjoy a variety of great day trips from Cusco.
