Arequipa & the Colca Canyon

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  Cathedral, Arequipa

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  Santa Catalina Monastery, Arequipa

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  Coca Tea, Colca

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  Road to Colca

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  Colca Valley

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  Local Lady with baby Alpaca, Chivay, Colca

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  Cathedral, Arequipa

The ‘White City’ is a fascinating city and a convenient base from which to visit the Colca Valley

Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city and characterised by the local white ‘sillar’ volcanic stone used in construction of its many colonial buildings – hence the name the ‘Ciudad Blanca’ (White City). The city is dramatically watched over by three volcanic peaks (El Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu) and has much of interest for the visitor.

Santa Catalina Monastery The Plaza de Armas is a good starting point: a large and spacious square with Arequipa’s famous cathedral taking up one whole side. The must-see attraction, though, is the Santa Catalina Monastery which dates from 1580 and is truly a city within a city with winding lanes, cloisters, ascetic lodgings and the impressive communal kitchen.

Arequipa is a great jumping-off point for the Colca Canyon. This area has some spectacular scenery and in parts is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. It is often possible to see condors circling in the thermal air currents here in the early morning as they hunt for prey. Other activities in Colca include hiking, horse riding and visits to local villages and thermal springs.

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