Arequipa and the Colca Canyon - Highlights

By John Howison

• Cañón de Colca – single or multi-day trips can be made to the Cañón de Colca. If time permits the multi-day option is worthwhile as it allows visitors to see and explore the bottom depths of the canyon, as it is twice as deep as Arizona's Grand Canyon. The Colca Valley is also a prime location to see the massive Andean Condors soaring in their natural habitat.

• Momia Juanita – see one of the best preserved mummies in the world at the Museo Santuarios Andinos in downtown Arequipa. Discovered in 1995 by an American-Peruvian climbing team, Momia Juanita had been frozen for over 500 years after being sacrificed atop 6288 m Mt. Ampato.

• White-water rafting – experienced rafters can tackle the Río Colga while those new to rafting can splash down the Río Majes. The Río Colga offers visitors much bigger, faster water but both rivers offer stunning views of the surrounding Andes scenery.

• Summit a 6000 m peak – The Andes surrounding Arequipa have numerous 6000 m peaks including one of the easiest in the world in Chachani. With a base camp above 5000 m the Chachini's peak can be summated in 8 hours, giving those with relatively little mountaineering experience an opportunity to feel what it's like above 6000 m.

• Plaza de Armas – the Plaza de Armas in Arequipa is one of the largest and most striking in South America. Featuring many of the white sillar buildings that Arequipa is known for, no visit is complete without time spent exploring the Plaza and its rich colonial legacy.