Things to do in Arequipa
The unmissables
Most booked
2 Day Colca Canyon Trek from Arequipa: Condor Cross & Sangalle★ 4.80 (1,116) · 2d
Top rated
Arequipa: Chili River White Water Rafting with Pickup★ 4.95 (645) · 3h
Best value
Colca Canyon day tour: Andean condors and wildlife★ 4.61 (448) · 13h–14h
Recommended (7)
Buenos Aires: Night Sky Observatory & Planetarium Tour★ 4.84 (358) · 1hUS$ 30View ›
Colca Canyon Flights: 2-Day Condor Views & Thermal Baths★ 4.94 (312) · 2dUS$ 104View ›
Chili River rafting near Arequipa: Class II–III rapids with pickup★ 4.98 (285) · 3hUS$ 20View ›
Arequipa & Andes: Rock Climbing Day Trip by Chili River★ 4.96 (280) · 4hUS$ 49View ›
2-Day Colca Canyon Trek from Arequipa: Condors & Hot Springs★ 4.65 (260) · 2dUS$ 85View ›
Arequipa: Hands-On Peruvian Cooking Class & Two-Course Meal★ 4.80 (210) · 1h 40mUS$ 35View ›
Arequipa: Río Chili Rafting Class III & IV Rapids★ 4.94 (177) · 3hUS$ 19View ›Top rated (5)
Arequipa Food Tour: Market Tasting & Ancestral Cooking ClassYou’ll taste more than 14 flavors across Arequipa—from San Camilo Market fruits to hands-on ocopa making with locals. Learn about ancestral cooking methods, try dishes like alpaca and rocoto relleno, and end with queso helado while gazing at Misti volcano. Expect laughter, unexpected textures, and a real sense of place that lingers after you leave.
Chaqchao Chocolate Making Workshop: Bean-to-bar in ArequipaYou roast cacao beans, grind them by hand using a traditional stone mortar, brew the ancient Aztec chocolate drink, taste five different chocolates to spot the difference between commercial and artisan, and make your own chocolate bar with Andean grains to take home. The 2.5-hour class runs at 11am or 2:45pm and includes all equipment and ingredients; you just need to confirm your preferred time when you book.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand where chocolate actually comes from and leave with something you made yourself — the hands-on roasting and grinding is what makes the tasting part make sense, and the 2.5-hour length is what fits all of it into one morning or afternoon without rushing.
Arequipa: Historic Center Walking Tour & Pisco TastingYou walk Arequipa's colonial center from the Plaza de Armas through baroque churches and a working market, learning the city's earthquake history and architectural details along the way. The tour ends with a guided pisco tasting and local dessert sampling. It's a half-day experience that covers the main historic sites without requiring separate tickets or transport arrangements.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand Arequipa's colonial architecture and earthquake history without arranging separate guides, tickets, or transport between sites — the walking route connects everything, and the pisco tasting at the end gives you a reason to sit down and process what you've learned.
Arequipa: Salinas & Aguada Blanca Reserve with Volcanos & Hot SpringsYou start before dawn at a viewpoint overlooking three volcanos, eat breakfast in a mountain village, then spend the day in the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve watching vicuñas and flamingos among salt flats and water mirrors. A soak in natural hot springs rounds out the afternoon before your return to the city. Hotel pickup and a guide are included, so you don't arrange transport or worry about timing.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the three volcanos that frame Arequipa, cross a salt flat and soak in hot springs without arranging your own transport or worrying about altitude — the early start and breakfast stop are what make the full day possible at that elevation.
Colca Canyon Arequipa: Condor & Thermal Pools Full DayYou leave Arequipa at 3am and climb to Patapampa's 4,900-meter viewpoint before sunrise, then move through the Colca Valley stopping at traditional towns, pre-Inca terraces, and the Cruz del Cóndor to watch Andean condors soar above the canyon. Breakfast, lunch, and thermal spring entry are included, with a guide managing all timing and transport so you arrive back by evening without arranging logistics yourself.Is it for me?This tour works for travelers who want to see the Colca Canyon, condor viewpoint, and thermal pools in a single day without arranging transport, guides, or meals—the early 3am start and high altitude are what make all ten stops possible before evening return.
Lowest price (8)
Arequipa Historic Center Walking Tour: Small Group HistoryA small group walking tour through Arequipa's historic center led by a professional guide in English or Spanish, covering the Plaza de Armas, La Compañía Church, San Camilo Market, Mundo Alpaca and the old neighborhoods where the city began. The tour runs 2 to 3 hours on foot through the city center, with entrance fees included; you stay on the ground instead of riding through, so the details of the streets and buildings stay visible. A guide tip at the end supports the upkeep of the sites you visit.Is it for me?Book this if you want a walking introduction to Arequipa's architecture and history on your first day—the small group and slow pace let you absorb details, while the guide navigates entrances and routes so you focus on what you're seeing.
Arequipa Walking Tour: Historic Centre & Alpaca TextilesYou walk through Arequipa's downtown with a local guide, starting at Plaza de Armas and moving through the UNESCO-listed historic centre. You visit Mundo Alpaca to see how alpaca textiles are made with natural dyes, taste Peruvian chocolate and tea during a break, pass through the oldest colonial neighborhood, and finish on a rooftop watching the sunset over the city and volcanoes. Snacks are included, and the whole tour takes a half-day.Is it for me?Right for anyone spending an afternoon in Arequipa who wants to understand the city's history and culture without arranging transport or a separate guide—the walking pace and local knowledge handle both at once.
Colca Canyon: Full Day Tour with Breakfast & GuideYou’ll travel through remote Peruvian valleys on this Colca Canyon day trip from Arequipa, sharing breakfast with your group and watching Andean condors soar at Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. Expect early pickup, a local guide who knows every curve in the road, and glimpses of ancient terraces before heading back tired but a little changed by all that space.
Arequipa city tour with private guide and Yanahuara viewA private guided tour of Arequipa's historic center and the viewpoint neighborhood of Yanahuara, with optional airport transfer on the same day. Your guide speaks English or Spanish, drives you between stops, and adjusts the itinerary to your comfort — you set the starting time and can finish early if you need to. The tour covers Plaza de Armas, La Compañía Church, San Camilo Market, and the oldest streets of San Lázaro, plus a stop at Mundo Alpaca to see alpacas and vicuñas and watch traditional fiber techniques.Is it for me?The fixed itinerary is flexible — you set the start time and can skip stops or leave early without penalty, so the tour fits around your flight time or your energy level rather than the other way around.
Walking Tour Arequipa: Santa Catalina Monastery with GuideThis 3.5-hour walking tour of Arequipa includes hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, and entry to Santa Catalina Monastery—the world's largest monastery at 20,000 square meters with four neighborhoods that replicate the city's colonial layout. The tour passes through the historic center, Plaza de Armas, La Compañía Church, and includes a stop at Mundo Alpaca Arequipa to see alpacas, llamas and textile exhibits. A minimum of two people per booking is required.Is it for me?Book this if you're comfortable walking at 2,325 meters elevation; the steady pace covers colonial streets and the monastery over 3.5 hours with a guide who handles navigation and stops.
Salinas: Private Day Trip with Salt Flat Picnic & Volcano ViewsYou’ll share coffee with locals in Chiguata before climbing through ancient terraces to reach Salinas’ wild salt flats. Walk beside flamingos and lagoons at 4,300m, then settle into a picnic lunch surrounded by volcanoes—a moment you’ll feel more than see. Private guide, transportation, entrance fees, drinks, and vegetarian or vegan options are all included for a quietly unforgettable day.
Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour: Arequipa to Puno with Condor ViewYou’ll travel from Arequipa to Puno in just two days—soaking in hot springs near Chivay, spotting condors over Colca Canyon at sunrise, and meeting locals in Andean villages along the way. This tour is perfect if you want real experiences—not just photo stops—and an easy transfer straight to Lake Titicaca.
Private Colca Canyon Day Tour from Arequipa: Walk to Condor CrossYou’ll travel from Arequipa to Colca Canyon with a local guide, sharing an Andean breakfast in Chivay before gazing into the canyon at Antahuilque. Join a Pachamama ritual at Cruz del Cóndor, soak in volcanic hot springs near Maca, and sample local dishes for lunch — all with stories and laughter along the way.
