Discover the Historic Center of Arequipa
Arequipa, known as the White City, is famous for its historic buildings made from sillar, a light-colored volcanic stone. On this half-day city tour, discover the city’s main square, colonial streets, religious architecture and viewpoints, while learning how Arequipa’s history and traditions have shaped life in southern Peru.
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Recommendations
- Faqs
- Pricing
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Take time to discover Arequipa’s historic center with a local guide. Walk around the Plaza de Armas, admire the Cathedral and its surrounding arcades, explore traditional streets built with sillar stone, and learn about the city’s religious and architectural heritage. The tour also includes a visit to Yanahuara viewpoint, where you can enjoy views of Arequipa and the surrounding volcanoes when weather conditions allow.
Highlights: Plaza de Armas, Arequipa Cathedral, sillar architecture and Yanahuara viewpointConsiderations: Entrance fees to selected attractions may be extra
Season: Entire year
Approx. altitude: 2,335 m / 7,661 ft
Itinerary at a Glance
- Day01
Arequipa - Plaza de Armas - Historic Center - Santa Catalina area - Yanahuara - Arequipa
Arequipa - Plaza de Armas - Historic Center - Santa Catalina area - Yanahuara - Arequipa
Arequipa City Tour Half Day
We pick you up from your hotel in Arequipa at approximately 9:00 a.m. and begin with a guided walk around the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the historic center. From here, admire the Cathedral and the surrounding arcades before continuing through traditional streets and visiting the exterior or selected interior areas of important colonial buildings. We then explore the Santa Catalina Monastery area, learning about the city’s religious history and the distinctive sillar architecture.
The tour continues to Yanahuara viewpoint, where you can enjoy views across Arequipa toward the surrounding volcanoes when weather conditions allow. After time for photographs and local recommendations, we return to the city center at approximately 1:00 p.m. The order of visits may change according to opening hours, traffic and local conditions.
We are transparent and provide the specific details of what is included and excluded in our tours. We know this is very important so that you know what exactly to bring and you don’t miss anything. We provide this information to ensure that you have an incredible experience during your tour.
WE INCLUDE
Our Team Provides
Pre-departure briefing
Once you book the tour with us, you will get a notification about the pre-departure briefing, where you will meet with your cultural guide and the tour group in our office the night before your City tour departure. During this briefing, you will receive important details of the tour.
Professional Cultural Guide
All our tour guides have a great reputation in customer service. Our guides share the history, architecture and everyday culture of Arequipa, helping you understand the city beyond its main landmarks. Your guide will lead the visit in English and provide context at each stop.
Entrance Fees
Once we receive your details and booking confirmation, we will coordinate any entrance tickets required for the attractions included in your selected itinerary. Entrance fees should be confirmed before booking.
Transportations
Private Transport
Transportation arrangements and hotel pick-up in Arequipa will be confirmed with your booking. Some sections of the historic center are best explored on foot.
Equipment
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Medical First Aid Kit
All our guides are very well trained in First aid. They received training courses every 6 months how to assist to someone who is in an emergency situation. Also, they are trained how to supply a balloon oxygen in the case if someone requires it.
WE NOT INCLUDED
Water bottle
Every customer need water during this tour, we will stop in a shop where you can purchase some water bottles and snacks
Travel Insurance
We recommend to buy a travel insurance before to leave your country in case something happen along your visit to Peru.
Tips for our team
Tips are not included. Tipping the team is customary on guided excursions in Peru, although we pay good salaries to our entire team, tips are welcome as a token of your appreciation for the team hard work.
We focus to make your trip an unforgettable experience and we want to provide all details which you need to know before to leave your country and start your life experience in Peru.
What you need to pack? Important- Passport
- Good daypack (the smaller, the better)
- Water storage: Water reservoir like Camelback is encouraged - but enough for at least 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable pants
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS:
Daypack can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. If it is larger try to bring it as lighter as possible.
- Sunhat
- Rain gear
- Fleece
- Camera
- Music (iPhone)
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
- Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs
- Snacks (Chocolate, energizing bars, caramels, etc.)
PREPARING FOR YOUR AREQUIPA CITY TOUR
Here are some useful answers to help you prepare for your half-day visit to Arequipa.
HOW LONG DOES THE AREQUIPA CITY TOUR LAST?
The tour lasts approximately four hours. The exact duration may vary depending on traffic, attraction opening hours and the time spent at each stop.
WHAT PLACES WILL WE VISIT?
The itinerary focuses on Arequipa’s historic center, including the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral area, traditional streets with sillar architecture, the Santa Catalina Monastery area and Yanahuara viewpoint. The exact stops depend on the selected program and opening hours.
IS THE SANTA CATALINA MONASTERY ENTRANCE INCLUDED?
Entrance arrangements can vary by tour option. Please confirm with our team whether the monastery entrance ticket is included or paid separately before booking.
IS THIS A WALKING TOUR?
Yes. The historic center is explored mainly on foot. Transportation may be used between the city center and viewpoints such as Yanahuara, depending on the confirmed itinerary.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for changing weather. Bring sun protection, a hat, sunglasses and a light jacket. Arequipa can feel sunny during the day, while mornings and evenings may be cooler.
IS THE TOUR SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES?
The city tour is generally an easy cultural excursion, but it involves walking on paved streets and uneven surfaces. Let us know in advance if anyone in your group has mobility requirements.
DO I NEED TO BOOK IN ADVANCE?
We recommend booking ahead so we can confirm your preferred date, guide and any entrance tickets required for the selected itinerary.
WHERE DOES THE TOUR START AND FINISH?
Hotel pick-up and drop-off arrangements in Arequipa depend on your accommodation location and the service confirmed at booking. Our team will provide the meeting details before the tour.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS?
The tour usually operates in different weather conditions. The route or time spent at outdoor viewpoints may be adjusted for safety and comfort.
From: USD 45.00 per person
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Feel free to reach us via email at perusolotravel@gmail.com or by calling us directly at +51 951 359 694
Monday - Friday:
09:00 to 18:00 Hrs.
Saturday:
09:00 to 13:00 Hrs.
Prolongacion Av. Grau L-8, Santiago - Cusco
Half Day
Arequipa City Tour
Arequipa City Tour Map and Photos
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
We offer the best service for all our customers and here is what makes us different than others.
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Small groups: Along our excursion group size is a capped at 12 people. This guarantees that you will enjoy every step of our excursion
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Local Tour guides: Our team consists of 100% local tour guides, who have expert knowledge in our ancient culture.
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Best Camping Equipment: We have the state-of-the-art hiking and camping equipment for our excursion. The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before and after every excursion.
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Best Travel team: We focus to create the best experience during our excursions. Our team that consists of tour guides, cooks, porters, horse drivers are handpicked. We train our team to offer you the best service. We take care of our team by providing them with good equipment and paying them fairly.
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Friendly Budget: We know friendly budget means affordable prices, good value, transparent costs, accessible options, and welcoming experiences without sacrificing quality or comfort overall.
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