Tours from Arequipa

City walking tours

A guided walk through the centre of Arequipa lasts a few hours and usually includes the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, the Santa Catalina monastery and a market or a picantería lunch. A good guide explains the use of volcanic stone and the history of the colonial elite. The city is easy to explore on your own, so the value of a tour is in the stories and in access to details you would pass.

Ask whether monastery entry is included and how many people are in the group, as the narrow corridors are crowded in busy periods.

If you prefer to go alone, a route through the things to do in Arequipa can be followed at your own pace. A common compromise is to take a guided walk on the first morning, to understand the layout, and then spend the rest of your stay wandering without a guide.

Countryside and mills

Half-day tours leave the city for the surrounding countryside, with stops at a colonial mill, a viewpoint, farmland terraces and a village or two. They are slower and rural, a break from the stone streets. Some include a visit to an alpaca or vicuña centre. These are useful if you have a spare afternoon, but not essential.

Quality varies widely between operators. Ask which stops are included, how long you spend at each and whether any entrance fees or shopping stops are part of the plan. A good countryside tour feels like a gentle introduction to the farming life around the city, not a series of craft shops.

Afternoons are warmer and the light is softer, so this suits travellers who spent the morning at the monastery and want something lighter. The food of the region is a good complement. See what to eat in Arequipa for dishes to try on the way.

Volcano climbs

Arequipa sits beneath three volcanoes, Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu, and climbing one is a popular challenge. Chachani is often described as technically undemanding but is very high and cold, with a long ascent. Misti is steeper and involves a camp or an overnight start. All need good fitness, proper boots and clothing and several days at altitude beforehand.

Do not combine a volcano climb with a rushed arrival from the coast. See acclimatisation for treks to understand why a few days at height matter. See altitude sickness for the warning signs that mean you should descend.

Ask the operator what equipment is provided, which route they take, how many climbers each guide supervises and what the plan is if someone feels unwell.

Colca Canyon and longer trips

The Colca Canyon is the major excursion from Arequipa, in one-day and two-day versions, with a third option to trek. See Colca Canyon tours for the details. Other longer trips include coastal valleys and the Cotahuasi Canyon, which are remote and need several days.

Always compare itineraries rather than headline prices, since cheaper tours often rush the viewpoints or use larger vehicles. If you are thinking of going alone, the comparison of a Colca tour or independent travel is worth reading. See Colca trek for the walking option.

Given the distances involved, these trips are best placed after you have spent a day or two in the city, adjusted to the altitude and seen the sights that need no vehicle.

Choosing an operator

Look for clear written itineraries, a registered company, an experienced guide and reviews that date from the last year. For climbs, ask about equipment, emergency plans and group size. Pay with a traceable method and keep your receipt. If someone approaches you in the plaza with an unusually cheap offer, check the details before paying.

The checklist for choosing a trekking agency works for climbing operators too, and for what to look out for around street sellers, see common scams. Insurance matters for high-altitude trips: see travel insurance and check that your policy covers the activity and the height you plan to reach.

Booking, timing and combining trips

Arequipa has plenty of agencies, so you can usually book a day or two ahead in most seasons. Climbs and longer trips are best arranged a few days in advance, to give the operator time to organise guides and equipment. In the busiest months, book earlier, and ask about cancellation terms in case weather forces a change.

A practical plan is two nights in the city, a two-day Colca trip, and a final night back in Arequipa before moving on. If you are heading to Puno afterwards, the road and rail options are covered in Arequipa to Puno, and some Colca tours continue straight to the lake, saving a day. To decide which trips need a guide, see guided or independent.