Itinerary
Day 1: MIRABUS CITY TOUR
We’ll begin our exploration aboard the Panoramic Bus. Our first stop will be in the Yanahuara district, where you can admire the intricately carved portals and its traditional church. We’ll then head to the Carmen Alto Lookout in the Cayma district, where you’ll have a panoramic view of the terraced fields. Afterward, we’ll move on to Incalpaca, where you’ll find a mini zoo with four South American camelids: the alpaca, vicuña, llama, and guanaco. We’ll continue to the Founder’s Mansion, a mansion that houses valuable historical relics. We’ll end at the Sabandia Mill, a mill that has been in operation for years, where you can enjoy activities such as horseback riding and ATV riding. At the end, we’ll drop you off near the historic center for your convenience.
Day 2: COLCA CANYON FULL DAY
We’ll start the day early with pickup from your hotel and embark on a three-hour drive to the town of Chivay, where we’ll enjoy a nutritious breakfast.
After breakfast, we’ll continue our journey to the Condor’s Cross (along the way, we’ll make several stops to take pictures of the Colca Valley).
Upon reaching the Condor’s Cross, you’ll be able to appreciate the depth of the canyon and the sight of condors soaring in flight.
After enjoying the scenery, we’ll return, making several stops along the way (Maca and Antahuilque, where we can see hundreds of agricultural terraces).
In Maca, we’ll visit the colonial church and the town square, where we can appreciate the local clothing.
Another stop is Yanque, where you can enjoy the volcanic hot springs (optional for 1 hour).
Upon arriving in Chivay, we’ll stop for lunch with typical local dishes.
After lunch, we will head toward Arequipa, making stops along the way.
We will stop at the Patapampa Andes viewpoint, the highest point of the trip,
where we can appreciate the area’s volcanoes.
We will then stop at the Wetlands of the Pampa Cañahuas National Reserve,
to appreciate the local flora and fauna.
Day 3: SILLAR ROUTE
We begin this adventure with a visit to the Yanahuara Viewpoint, from which you will have a sweeping, privileged view of the city of Arequipa. From its imposing height of over 2,300 meters above sea level, we will observe
the emblematic volcanoes: Misti, Pichupichu, and Chachani.
We will then depart for the Cerro Colorado District to immerse ourselves in the Añashuayco Quarries, a space where the harmony between the natural landscape and the living culture will provide you with an unparalleled experience.
We will explore the cutters’ area, where hand-carved wonders, such as impressive cliffs up to 30 meters high, facades, and colonial reliefs, will capture your attention. You will have the opportunity to visit artisan workshops, where stonemasons will guide you through the laborious art of sculpting ashlar.
During the tour of the Sillar Route, you will hear the stories and experiences of master stonemasons, known today as “cortadores.” You will appreciate how larger blocks are tumbled and witness the impressive work of sculpting small blocks of ashlar, using ancestral tools that have been passed down from generation to generation. In this area, you will have the opportunity to purchase handicrafts and souvenirs created with ashlar from the quarry.
Our next destination will be the Culebrillas quarry, a natural formation sculpted by water and wind erosion. Its name comes from the narrow rows of stones that give us a glimpse of a “virgin quarry,” an experience that evokes feelings of grandeur and mystery. In an area where paths converge, you’ll find cliffs with petroglyphs of various shapes, possibly influenced by Wari.
Details
Includes:
- Pickup from your hotel.
- Professional group guide (English or Spanish).
- Tourist transportation.
- 2 nights’ accommodation in Arequipa.
- Continental breakfast at the hotel on days 2 and 3.
Not Included:
- Food not mentioned in the program.
- Entrance fees.
- Tourist Ticket.
- Water.
- Tips.
Price
Group Price: USD 50.00.
Recommendations
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Bring a small backpack with water, snacks, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.
- Carry cash in soles.
- Be sure to bring your identification.
- Respect the surroundings and follow the guide’s instructions to preserve the beauty of the attraction.
