The department of Arequipa is located in the south part
of Perú on the Western Andes.
Area
63 345 km2
Altitude
9 masl (Punta de Bombón) Lowest town. 4 525 masl (San
Antonio de Chuca) highest town.
Capital
Arequipa (2 335 masl)
Average annual temperature
20º C (24º C maximum and 5º C minimum). Rainy season:
December to March.
Access Routes
By land
Lima - Arequipa (1 003 km) about 14 h drive.
By air
Daily flights depart from Lima (about 1 h approximately)
and Cusco (about 30 minutes).
Historical Overview
The department of Arequipa has a great historic past
which goes back to ancient times (8 000 to 6 000 BC).
Testimonies of this history are its cave-paintings. The
first Spaniards settlers of what was to become Arequipa
were the Dominican Priests who built a chapel and later
a parish in what is now known as Barrio de San Lázaro.
Arequipa was founded on August 15th, 1 540, in the
valley of Chili, and was given the name of Villa Hermosa
de Nuestra Señora de Asunta or Asunción. In 1 541, a
short time after its foundation, it was given the status
of city.
When Potosí passed to the Viceroyship of Río de la
Plata, Arequipa was no longer a part of the route of the
silver that was sent to Spain, and was forced to face
severe economic consequences. The city re-emerged thanks
to its mines in Caylloma and the development of
agriculture. In 1 870, with the arrival of the railroad,
Arequipa became an important commercial center in the
southern part of Peru.
Arequipa, called the White City for its buildings of
white ashlar stone (a volcano stone), was an important
bastion against Spain during the Independence war in the
nineteenth century. During the twentieth century, many
important personages natural of this department have
stood out in the country’s political and cultural life.
Attractions in
the City
The Cathedral
Located in the Main Square. Phone: (054) 21-5701
Visits: Monday to Saturday 7:00-13:30 and 17:00-18:30,
Sunday 7:00-13:00.
The old cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1 844. It was
restored in 1 868 by Arequipa-native Lucas Poblete in
Neo-renaissance style with French influence, and it is
considered to be one of the biggest in South America.
La Compañía Church
Corner of calle General Morán and calle Alvarez Tomás.
Visits: Monday to Sunday: 8:00-12:00 and 16:00-19:00
The façade made with white ashlar stone (sillar), the
carved wood pulpit and the sacristy are remarkable. The
cloister of La Compañía has vaulted galleries and bell-shaped
arches with sculpted columns in pure Arequipa style.
La Merced Church
Corner of calle La Merced and calle Tristán. Phone:
(054) 28-2015.
Visits: during mass hours.
Baroque church and convent from the end of the
seventeenth century housing a valuable old library and a
collection of oil paintings.
San Agustín Church
Corner of calle San Agustín and calle Bolívar. Phone:
(054) 22-0066.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00.
Baroque façade with abundant decoration carved in ashlar
stone. Noteworthy is also its sacristy, a modern work of
mestizo art.
Santo Domingo Church
Corner of calle Santo Domingo and calle Rivero. Phone:
(054) 21-3511 / 21-3501.
Visits: Monday-Sunday 7:00-11:00 and 15:00-18:00.
A seventeenth century church displaying interesting
sculptures on the right side portico.
San Francisco Church
Calle Zela block 1. Phone: (054) 22-3048.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-10:00 and 17:00-19:00,
Sunday mornings only.
It houses a 20 000 book library, a vast collection of
paintings and a chapel that form part of this
interesting Colonial architectural complex of the
sixteenth century.
Monastery of Santa Catalina Calle Santa Catalina 301.
Visits: Monday to Saturday: 9:00-16:00.
Peru's most important and impressive religious
construction, founded in September 1 579 under the
patronage of Saint Catherine of Sienna. Its doors
remained closed to the world until 1 970. Spreading over
20 426 m2, it has preserved intact its sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries' design. Its narrow squares,
streets and gardens bearing Spanish names remind the
visitor of old Seville and Granada quarters.
Its two site museums exhibit important art works such as
relics, porcelain, religious objects, sculptures and oil
paintings from several schools.
San Lázaro Church
Av. Juan De la Torre, Barrio de San Lázaro.
A small chapel in San Lázaro Square, was the first
church to be built in Arequipa's oldest quarter.
La Recoleta Church
Jr. Recoleta 117. Phone: (054) 27-0966.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:30.
A Franciscan convent founded in 1 648, with cloisters
that are an example of Arequipa's colonial architecture.
It has a library with works from the sixteenth and
eighteenth centuries (25 000 volumes). There is also an
Amazonian Museum exhibiting objects from the missionary
activity in the jungle during this period.
Del Moral House Calle Moral 108, Cercado.
Visits: Monday to Friday 9:00-13:00 and 15:45-18:45.
Typical house of the seventeenth century with a
beautiful façade. Its interior has vaulted halls.
Tristán del Pozo House Calle San Francisco 108. Phone: (054) 21-2209.
Visits: Monday to Friday 9:00-13:00 and 15:45-18:45.
Currently this house belongs to Banco Continental. There
is a small numismatic museum and a site gallery. Both
its façade and inner patio are remarkable.
Casa de la Moneda Corner of calle Ugarte and calle Villalba.
Built in 1 798, its solid structure has preserved its
original features. During the nineteenth century it was
the seat of Arequipa's Mint House.
Goyeneche House Calle La Merced 201. Phone: (054) 21-2251.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-12:00 and 16:00-18:00.
Currently the local office of the Central Reserve Bank,
it dates from the eighteenth century. It is entirely
built with ashlar stone. A large and splendid mansion,
it is decorated with original colonial furniture.
Archaeological Museum of the University of San
Agustín Corner of Av. Alvarez Thomas and Av. Palacio Viejo.
Phone: (054) 28-8881.
Visits: Monday to Friday 9:00-14:00.
It has several sections, the most important being the
History and Anthropology Hall, housing remarkable
collections of pottery of varied styles belonging to the
many civilizations that flourished in the department.
Anthropological Museum of the University of Santa
María Calle Samuel Velarde 620, Umacollo. Phone: (054)
20-0345.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-17:30.
It houses a collection of prehistoric stone objects,
stone weapons and textiles.
Santuarios de Altura Museum Calle Santa Catalina 210, Cercado. Phone: (054)
22-2554.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 9:00-18:00, Sunday
9:00-17:00.
This building houses the Maiden of Ampato exhibition. It
is located in front of the Monastery of Santa Catalina
in Santa Catalina street.
Outskirts of the
City
Yanahuara
Located 2 km from downtown and about 8 minutes drive.
Both its church, built in 1 750, and a belvedere with
ashar arches overlooking the city, are remarkable.
Cayma
3 km from downtown and about 8 minutes drive.
It is called Arequipa's Balcony for its elevated
location overlooking the city. It features an eighteenth
century church.
Yura
Located 28 km from the city and about 46 minutes drive.
Famous for its hot springs at the foot of the dormant
Chachani volcano.
Socosani
Located 45 km and about 1 h drive from Arequipa.
Mineral-medicinal waters, bottled for consumption.
Huasacache
Located 20 km from the Main Square of the city of
Arequipa and about 20 minutes drive.
A village on the banks of the Socabaya river where an
eighteenth century colonial house, known as the Mansión
del Fundador, can be admired.
Sabandía
Located 9 km from the city of Arequipa and about 20
minutes drive.
Beautiful countryside landscapes at the foot of the
Chachani and Misti volcanoes. The eighteenth century
mill is worth a visit.
Jesús
Located 6 km from the city of Arequipa and about 12
minutes drive.
Hot springs specifically prescribed for kidney, liver
and skin diseases.
Tingo
Located 3 km from the city of Arequipa and about 8
minutes drive.
Very popular hot springs. There is a boulevard where
typical food is served.
Colca Valley
Located 148 km northeast of Arequipa and about 4 h
drive.
To follow this circuit travelers must head for the
northwestern part of Arequipa to Yura until reaching the
cove known as Mirador de los Cóndores (natural outlook).
From there it is possible to make out the snow-capped
summits of Ampato and Sabancaya. The descent continues
down to Chivay.
There is another route 160 km to the north, that takes
about 5 h drive. The journey is along the Charcani and
follows a winding road over the slope of the Chachani
volcano, rapidly descending to the magnificent Colca
Valley where the traveler will have the sight of a
beautiful landscape surrounded by terraces, snow-capped
mountains and villages founded in the sixteenth century.
It was in those days that Viceroy Toledo ordered to have
the dispersed descendants of the Collaguas brought
together in 14 communities. The villages have remained
as if suspended in time, preserving their original
characteristic features like the layout of their streets,
their richly decorated churches and their traditional
festivities.
The first town to visit is Chivay (142 km from Arequipa)
in which travelers can find lodging and food services.
Some 40 km further to the northwest is Cabanaconde, and
nearby, the Cruz del Cóndor observation point. The Colca
zone is very appropriate for adventure tourism and
travelers are recommended to stay more than one day to
enjoy the area.
Toro Muerto Petroglyphs
Located 165 km west of Arequipa and about 6 h drive. On
the way back from Colca Valley through Pampa de Siguas
or leaving directly from Arequipa, taking the route to
Lima and then a 7 km detour at Corire (district of Uraca),
the amazing Toro Muerto petroglyphs can be found.
Volcanic rocks lie over approximately 5 km2, most
probably the result of violent eruptions of the Coropuna
and Chachani volcanoes. The petroglyphs which are
dispersed over an area of 3 876 m long and 250 m wide,
depict animals and plants.
Caves of Sumbay - Paleolithic Art
Located behind the Misti volcano, 88 km from Arequipa
and about 1 h 45 minutes drive following the Cailloma
road. Sumbay is a typical high plateau setting at an
average 4 127 masl. The archaeological importance of
Sumbay lies in its caves which exhibit valuable
paintings from the Paleolithic era, representing human
figures, camelidae and pumas.
Andagua Volcano Valley
Located in the north of the Castilla province (Andagua)
377 km from Arequipa and about 5 h drive, its
spectacular beauty lies in the dozens of small dormant
volcanoes. Outstanding among these are the so called
Gemelos (identical twins), located 10 km from the city.
South of the town is the Andomarca volcano with a pre-Columbian
citadel at its foot.
Imata Stone Forest
Located 113 km and about 3 h 30 minutes drive from the
city of Arequipa. Rock formation consisting of a
singular series of natural stone columns to which the
erosion of the wind has given the form of a mysterious
petrified forest. This site of easy access is located
near the Arequipa - Juliaca railway. Access by land is
gained taking the road to Puno
Cotahuasi Valley and Canyon
Located in the province of La Unión, 379 km and about 12
h drive from the city of Arequipa, this is an Inter-Andean
valley with several attractions such as the Sipia Falls,
its hot springs, the privileged view of Coropuna and
Solimana Mounts and the Canyon's faults, considered
together with the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest on
earth. Its impressive landscape makes it ideal for
activities such as canoeing, trekking, photography,
mountain biking, etc.
Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve
Located 35 km in the northwest of Arequipa city about 1
h drive. It covers an area of 366 936 Ha and protects
the natural vegetation and wild life as well as
geological formation such as inactive volcanoes (Misti 5
821 masl, Chachani 6 075 masl and Pichu Pichu 5 440 masl).
Folkore
The region boasts a large variety of dances accompanied
by different costumes, the most important being probably
the Carnaval Arequipeño, a group dance that is present
during the week of carnival and the city's anniversary (August
15th); the Yaraví, of Quechua origin; the Pampeña, a
primitive huayno in which dancers dress on farmer
costumes.
The most genuine musical expression of Arequipa is the
Yaraví. Other popular expressions of Arequipa's musical
folklore include the Carnaval Arequipeño, the popular
Huayno and the Pampeña.
Handicrafts
Craftsmen manufacture repoussé leather items such as
belts, desk objects and furniture. With ashlar stone
they make lamps, pictures, ashtrays and decorative items.
Forged iron is used in the making of street lamps, gates,
lamps and decorative furniture. They also make copper
items.
Gastronomy
Arequipa's cuisine is one of the most varied in Peru.
Some of its most famous dishes include:
- Assorted Chupes conceived to be served each day of the
week, such as chupe de camarones (shrimp
chowder with milk, eggs and oregano). - Rocoto relleno (baked red hot chili
stuffed with minced meat, cheese, milk and potatoes). - Soltero (soft unripened cheese salad
with lima beans, onions, olives and red hot chili pepper).
- Adobo arequipeño (pork marinated with chicha
and species, cooked in a covered saucepan). - Ocopa (cooked potatoes, covered by a
sauce made of soft unripened cheese, lima beans, onions,
olives and red hot chili pepper). - Escribano (salad made of potatoes,
red hot chili pepper, vinegar, oil, tomatoes and parsley). - Pebre (soup based on lamb's meat,
beef and cured llama or lamb meat).
Festivities
Feast of the Virgin of Chapi (May)
Feast celebrated with pilgrimages to the sanctuaries and
displays of fireworks on the eve. Corpus Christi Festivity (June)
Feast celebrated with a mass and the Corpus Christi
procession departing from the city's Cathedral. Anniversary of the City of Arequipa (August)
Arequipa International Fair held in Cerro Juli
comprising a number of attractions and artistic and
recreational activities, including the Misti Ascent
International Competition and crafts exhibitions in
Fundo del Fierro. The central day (August 15th) includes a Friendship Parade, among other activities.
Feast of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception (December)
The celebration comprises a number of cultural
activities including the famous Witite dancers'
competition.
tourist information and assistance
Peru features a tourist information and assistance
service called iPerú where visitors can ask about
official tourist information on Peru, as well as
assistance if the tourist feels the service paid for was
not provided as advertised.
E-mail:
iperu@promperu.gob.pe
Lima Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez
Arrival lounge / main hall
Phone/fax: (01) 574-8000 / 574-6900
24-hour service
E-mail:
sptijch@indecopi.gob.pe
San Isidro
Jorge Basadre 610, Lima 27.
Phone: (01) 421-1583 / 421-1227 / 421-1627 / 421-1546.
Open: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00
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