Arequipa

The Plaza de Armas and the Santa Catalina Monastery, a walled citadel of colonial cloisters and cobblestone streets, anchor the UNESCO-listed old town. Two hours away, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons on earth, and the Cruz del Cóndor lookout is one of the most reliable places in South America to watch Andean condors ride the morning thermals.

Our Arequipa tours range from full-day and multi-day treks through Colca Canyon to shorter trips to the Salinas salt lake, Pillones waterfall, and the Sillar Route through Culebrillas Canyon, plus a historical center walking tour through the white city itself.

Altitude tip: Arequipa sits at 2,335 meters — noticeably lower than Cusco, but Colca Canyon’s rim climbs above 3,600 meters, so plan accordingly if you’re combining both.