AREQUIPA
Arequipa is Perus second largest city nicknamed the White City because of the volcanic rock ‘Sillar’ used ubiquitously in its construction. It has beautiful churches, monasteries and historic buildings. With a laid back feeling and plenty of things to do it is a city to stick on your list and you will probably end up staying longer than anticipated.
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getting there
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Arequipa is a big travel hub so getting there is quite easy. You can fly from Lima or Cusco both taking less than two hours, or you can get a bus.
From Lima | It takes around seventeen hours with various bus companies offering the journey. Prices with Cruz Del Sur start at 90 Soles (£19).
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From Cusco | It takes around 10 hours and prices start at 70 Soles (£15).
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With Peru Hop | We started at 10:30am from Huacachina, stopped at a pisco vineyard for a tour and pisco tasting before heading to Nazca, stopping at the viewing tower to see the Nazca Lines. We stopped for some dinner in Nazca Town then made our way to Arequipa, arriving at 5:30am the next day.
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To Stay
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Arequipa has plenty to offer in terms of accommodation. If you want to be amongst everything then stay close to Plaza De Armas. Jam packed with bars and restaurants and close to the shopping streets it maintains a great atmosphere throughout the day.
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The Flying Dog Hostel | We stayed at the Flying Dog Hostel for five nights in a private room with a shared bathroom. Breakfast was included and it had a lounge area with comfy sofas, a TV and also a pool table. The location was and great not too far from the main square. Price £15 per night.
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To do
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Of course we took a walking tour around the city but below are some of the other things Arequipa has to offer.
Go Deep | The Colca Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the world and one of Perus most visited attractions. It is one if the best places for you to see the Andean Condor up close as it flies through the valley. You can choose to trek it on your own or take a 1, 2 or 3 day tour. A 1 day tour starts at around £20, for a 2 days £49 and 3 £65.
Be a Chocolatier | Take a Chocolate Workshop at Chaqchao and enter a world of pure imagination. We thoroughly enjoyed this workshop and it lasts around 2 and a half hours. You will learn all about the history of cocoa and how to get from bean to bar, it’s very hands on. Over two hours you de-shell beans, roast, grind, to make an ancient chocolate drink called Xocolatl. You'll taste five different chocolate types and then do a taste test competition (winner gets a free beer). You then head downstairs and learn the art of tempering and start to create your own chocolates. When your chocolate is set you get a nice little pack of ten delicious homemade chocolates and whatever you can lick from the spoon.
Top Tip: If you book online it costs £20 but if you go in-store and book it is 70 soles (£15).
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Take a Cooking Class | Arequipa has some great food so why not try cooking it yourself with a cooking class. We went with Peruvian Cooking Experience where they have three menus for you to choose from, each with three courses. There is quite a bit of chopping and prepping involved and the cooking is done in two's but the food was delicious. The price was £20 each.
Shop at the Market | Whenever you get to a new town or city that has a big market always always go and check out the local produce, not to mention the exceptional people watching. Mercado San Camilo is amazing like all the others. Get a juice from the juice ladies and don't forget to ask for 'Yapa' or a free re-fill, it's expected. Try an Almuerzo (set lunch) and sample the local fruits.
See Jaunita | Visit Mummy Juanita at the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries. They have English speaking guides and entrance is 25 soles (£5.30) for foreign visitors. Mummy Juanita was a child sacrifice in a ceremony dedicated to the gods in the 1400s. She was discovered on Mount Ampato in 1995 following its eruption preserved by the freezing temperatures and taken to the museum where she is preserved on display.
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To Eat & Drink
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Pasta Canteen | For the freshest pasta head over to Pasta Canteen, it's small and cosy but the pasta is delicious and it's very reasonably priced. You can also create your own dish with a choice of sauce and toppings.
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Eco Brunch | For a tasty breakfast and amazing pancakes and Waffles head over to Eco Brunch. We came here a few times to sample the menu and were never disappointed. Portions are big and the service is great.
NEXT STOP
Huacachina is built around a Desert Oasis with an emerald green lagoon at its centre. Look up and you will see high sand dunes, high enough to obscure the moon on a clear night. A place of sandboarding, dune buggies and sunsets.