Arequipa Private City Tour: Santa Catalina Monastery & Yanahuara

Santa Catalina Monastery tour, explore historic ashlar stone architecture, unique volcanic heritage in Arequipa

A private half-day tour of Arequipa with a bilingual guide, starting at the Main Square and moving through the Cathedral, Santa Catalina Monastery (a 1579 religious citadel still in use), and the baroque Church of the Compañía before climbing to the districts of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto for panoramic views of the countryside. Hotel pickup and monastery admission are included; the tour runs three hours and suits families with children from age 5 onward.

Step-by-step itinerary

Arequipa city and monastery tour

• Start at Arequipa Main Square
• Visit the Cathedral
• Tour Santa Catalina Monastery
• Visit Church of the Compañia de Jesus
• Explore Yanahuara district and viewpoint
• Visit Carmen Alto district viewpoint
• Transfer back to hotel

The Experience

The route begins at Arequipa's Main Square, facing the 17th-century Cathedral. From there you move to Santa Catalina Monastery, a walled religious community built in 1579 that remains active today. The monastery's 20,000 square meters of cloisters and courtyards were constructed from ashlar—stone cut from the volcanoes surrounding the city—and the isolation of the compound despite its central location is one of the striking details a guide will point out as you walk through.

Next is the Church of the Compañía de Jesus, completed in 1590 after more than a century of construction. It's a World Heritage Site and a textbook example of local baroque architecture, with an exceptional collection of paintings and murals inside. The dress code for churches applies here: pants, long shorts or skirts covering the knees are required for entry.

The final stop takes you to Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, districts positioned 6 kilometers from central Arequipa where you get a panoramic view of the Chili river valley and the volcanoes that define the landscape. Yanahuara itself, declared "Villa Hermosa" (Beautiful Town) in 1870, has its own main square surrounded by churches and traditional shops. After the viewpoint, your guide brings you back to your hotel.

What’s included

• Admission to Santa Catalina Monastery.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional bilingual guide in Spanish and English for the full three hours.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by LimaTours

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so the pace and stops are yours alone rather than shared with other travelers—useful if you want to linger at the monastery or ask questions without keeping a group waiting. The bilingual guide speaks both Spanish and English, which matters if you're more comfortable in one language or want to move between them as the day unfolds.

Top questions

What is Santa Catalina Monastery like to walk through?

Santa Catalina Monastery is a 1579 religious citadel covering 20,000 square meters of cloisters, courtyards and living quarters, built from stone quarried from the volcanoes around Arequipa. It remains in active use and you'll move through the compound with your guide, seeing how the community is organized within its walls despite being located in the heart of the city.

Do I need to dress a certain way to enter the churches?

Yes. For both the Cathedral and the Church of the Compañía, you must wear pants, long shorts or skirts that cover the knees; otherwise entry will not be permitted.

What can I see from Yanahuara?

From Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, you get a panoramic view of the Chili river valley and the volcanoes that surround Arequipa. Yanahuara itself is one of the oldest districts in the city, with its own main square surrounded by churches and traditional shops.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. The tour includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel; you'll need to provide the hotel name when booking so the operator can coordinate the timing.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs three hours and covers the Main Square, Cathedral, Santa Catalina Monastery, the Church of the Compañía, and the viewpoints at Yanahuara and Carmen Alto.

Can I bring children?

Yes. Children are welcome from age 5 onward and must be accompanied by an adult. Infants can sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.