Photo by Lucas Klein on Unsplash
The 4-day plan, rearranged for 2 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.
How much walking? On foot, about 1.4 kilometers a day, and 127.6 kilometers by car in all across 2 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
The main square of Arequipa, ringed by arcades of pale volcanic stone with the cathedral along one side and the volcano Misti beyond. Sit, drink water and let your body settle.
Go when Morning, with a slow start.
Local tip Sit on a bench under the arcades and look up at Misti. Arequipa is already high, so a gentle first hour is best.
A great basilica on the square, built of the same pale stone, with a long facade and a roomy interior. Quiet, cool and a good rest from the sun and the thin air.
Go when Midday, as a rest from the sun.
Local tip Look at the long facade from the square first, then go in. Check ahead on opening, and respect any service in progress.
A hot red pepper stuffed with spiced beef, cheese and nuts, baked and served with a slice of potato gratin. The city's best known dish.
Local tip It can be spicy, so ask for a milder one if you prefer.
A walled convent that is almost a small town, with painted cloisters, narrow lanes in blue and red, and gardens. Walk it slowly and give it a couple of hours.
Go when Afternoon, with a couple of unhurried hours.
Local tip The lanes are named like streets, and the blue ones are the most photographed. Wear shoes with grip, since the stone can be slippery, and check ahead on evening visits.
A neighborhood west of the center with a viewpoint of arches carved in volcanic stone, and the cone of Misti rising behind the city. The place for the end of the day, when the light turns gold.
Go when Evening, for the light on the volcano.
Local tip The arches frame the view of Misti. It is a short ride or a gentle walk from the center, and the church on the small plaza is worth a look.
A sweet, creamy frozen dessert of milk and cinnamon, called cheese ice cream though it has no cheese. A light end to the first day.
Local tip Share one, since a portion can be rich.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A viewpoint on the canyon edge, where Andean condors may glide past on the warming air in the morning. You may see none, so go for the drop and the silence, and be ready to wait.
Go when Morning, soon after sunrise.
Local tip Condors ride the warm air as it rises, so late morning is often quieter. Stay behind the barrier, keep your voice low and give it time. Dress warmly, since the edge is cold and windy.
The main town of the Colca valley, with a market, plain streets and the mountains close on every side. A base for the night and a good place to rest after the long road. Rest, drink water and go slowly.
Go when Midday, then rest.
Local tip You are much higher than in Arequipa now, so rest on arrival, drink water and eat lightly. Hot springs near town are a classic way to ease tired legs, so check ahead on them.
A warm vegetable and quinoa soup, then fresh trout from the highland streams with potatoes. Plain and light for high ground.
Local tip Eat lightly and avoid heavy meals at height.
Grilled alpaca, a lean meat of the Andes, with golden potatoes and a spoon of spicy sauce.
Local tip Ask for the sauce on the side, and drink muña tea afterward, a mint-like herb many locals use at height.
It covers 2 days in Arequipa, planned for mid June. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
On foot, about 1.4 kilometers a day, and 127.6 kilometers by car in all across 2 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated November 2026
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