DAY 1 LIMA – AREQUIPA
(Meal Plan: none)
Welcome to the white city of Arequipa. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and privately escorted to your hotel to settle in (domestic flight and early check-in are not included). Half day walking city tour of Arequipa. Because some of the old buildings are made of white volcanic material (sillar) Arequipa is also known as the ‘white city’. You will visit the extraordinary Santa Catalina Convent. This cloister, built in the 16th century, is a huge construction which once served as a town within itself housing 450 nuns. Traditionally, the oldest daughters of Arequipa’s aristocratic families entered the convent in their early teens and spent their lives there, cloistered away. The convent complex has been beautifully refurbished, bringing the past vividly alive once more.
DAY 2 AREQUIPA – COLCA
(Meal Plan: Breakfast)
In the early morning you will leave Arequipa and head towards Colca valley. On your
way you will pass Pampa de Arrieros, Pampa Cañahuas (where we find the Vicuna National Reserve of Aguada Blanca), Vizcachani and Tojra, a good place for spotting Andean birds. The majestic volcanoes Mismi (5,597 m/18,360 ft), Misti (5,825 m/19,110 ft), Chachani (6,075 m/19,930 ft) and the glaciers Ampato (6,288 m/20,630 ft), Sabancaya (5,976 m/19,606 ft) and Hualca Hualca (6,288 m/20,630 ft) provide picturesque panoramic views as you enter the Colca Valley.
After four hours on the road you will arrive in Chivay, the most important town in the Colca Valley, where you will make a short stop to explore the local market. Afterwards you will continue the journey to your hotel.
DAY 3 COLCA
(Meal Plan: Breakfast)
You will begin your day with an early morning drive to the observation point ‘Mirador del Condor’ – the perfect spot to look down 1,200 m (3,937 ft) into the canyon. It’s here that the legendary condor, the bird with the largest wingspan in the world, can be seen rising and circling on the morning thermals, silhouetted against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain scenery. Afterwards stop by at Maca and Yanque to visit its colonial churches. Your last stop is at the Mirador lookout point of Antahuilque, where terraces have the shape of an amphitheater. You may choose to go on a short afternoon trek (your guide will suggest the trail based on your fitness level and interests). You may also optionally request to go to the Uyu Uyu archeological site at an additional entry cost.
DAY 4 COLCA – AREQUIPA
(Meal Plan: Breafkast)
You will begin your journey back to Arequipa.
DAY 5 AREQUIPA
(MealPlan: Breakfast)
At proper time, you will be privately transferred to the airport for your upcoming destination.