Arequipa lies at 2400m altitude at the foot of El Misti volcano. It is an attractive city with many fine colonial buildings, the most famous of which is the Santa Catalina Monastery. This is a large convent built in Hispanic colonial style, its walls painted vivid colours throughout. It is actually a convent and it was only opened to the public in 1970. A visit to see Juanita in the Catholic Univeristy Museum is also recommended. Dr. Johan Reinhard discovered the well-preserved remains of Juanita, the “Ice Maiden,” on the nearby mountain of Ampato in 1993; other human sacrifices were also discovered on the same mountain.
For your first day in Arequipa you should take things relatively easy, as the altitude can affect some people. From this vibrant city you can take various excursions, such as to the famed Colca Canyon, or simply enjoy walking in the region or soaking up the atmosphere in the attractive main square.
Birders may want to take a 1½ hour drive towards the port town of Mollendo. The nearby reserve of Mejia Bird Sanctuary consists of 700 hectares of lakes separated from the Pacific by a narrow sandbar. There are about 180 species of birds (resident and migratory) found here.
For accommodation in Arequipa, see links to your left.
