Photo by Lucas Klein on Unsplash
The 4-day plan, rearranged for 5 days: every place stays and a few more are added, and each day keeps to one part of town.
How much walking? On foot, about 0.3 to 1.7 kilometers a day, and 164.8 kilometers by car in all across 5 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 Jesuit church near the square with a richly carved stone facade that blends European forms with local shapes and plants. A short, rewarding visit.
Go when Morning, when the stone is cool.
Local tip Look at the carved doorway from across the street, then go inside. Check ahead on opening, since it is also a place of worship.
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 museum devoted to the Inca practice of offering young people on mountain tops, built around Juanita, a girl found frozen on a volcano in the 1990s. Take it respectfully, and check ahead on what is on show.
Go when Midday, as a quiet indoor hour.
Local tip The story is serious and told with care, so take it slowly. Check ahead on what is on show, since displays change.
An old stone mill beside a stream in green fields, a short ride from the city center. A quiet, shady stop and a gentle contrast to the stone of the old town.
Go when Afternoon, in the shade of the trees.
Local tip It sits in the countryside outside the city, so go by taxi or on a tour. A calm place to sit with water, and a gentle rest from the thin air.
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 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 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.
Pork stewed in chicha and spices, served with fresh bread. A hearty dish of the region, traditionally a weekend favorite.
Local tip It is rich, so eat it before an easy afternoon.
A colonial mansion of the eighteenth century in the old center, built around a courtyard with a carved stone doorway, now a house museum.
Go when Afternoon, as a cool indoor hour.
Local tip Look at the carved doorway and the courtyard first, then go in. Check ahead on opening, since it is a museum with its own hours.
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 creamy chowder of river shrimp, potatoes, corn, cheese and an egg, one of the city's classic soups.
Local tip It is filling, so share it and take your time.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
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 village on the canyon road, with a church and terraced slopes. A quiet stop on the way back and a last look at the valley before the long road home.
Go when Midday, on the way back.
Local tip A small stop, so linger for a few minutes. The road is rough in places and the walk is short, so take it easy at this height.
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.
A village in the valley with an old stone church and fields in terraces that climb the slopes, many of them centuries old. A short walk, not a long one, because you are high up now.
Go when Afternoon, for a slow walk.
Local tip Walk to the church and along the nearest terraces, then stop. The air is thin, so a short walk is plenty, and the light is lovely late in the day.
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.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A village on the canyon road, near the viewpoint, with small shops and a view of the terraces.
Go when Morning, on the road to the viewpoint.
Local tip A village on the canyon road with small shops and a view of the terraces. Buy water and a snack here, since there is little further along.
The canyon itself, one of the deepest in the world, with viewpoints along the road and terraces on its slopes.
Go when Morning, when the light enters the canyon.
Local tip The canyon is long and deep, with viewpoints along the road. Stay on the paths and behind any barrier, because the drops are steep, and check ahead on road conditions.
Local cheese, fresh bread and fruit, eaten by the road with the terraces in view.
Local tip Wash fruit before eating it, and carry water for the long drive.
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.
A village at the end of the canyon road, on the rim above the deepest part, where walking trails begin.
Go when Morning, before the heat builds.
Local tip Trails drop into the canyon from here and the climb back is hard at this height. Walk only with local advice, and check ahead on conditions.
It covers 5 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 0.3 to 1.7 kilometers a day, and 164.8 kilometers by car in all across 5 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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