DAY 1. ARRIVAL IN
AREQUIPA.
Arrival in the city of Arequipa and
transfer to the hotel located in the city center. Later, you will start the
walking tour in the neighborhood of San Lazaro, located just 5 blocks from
the Plaza de Armas of Arequipa. This colonial hood has small streets and
houses made of sillar, a volcanic stone used for constructions.
San Lazaro is an old district and you will admire its
beauty through its lovely streets, small squares and white walls. This are had
been occupied by pre Inca and Inca cultures and, during the Spanish
conquer and city’s foundation, the first houses were built here.
This district belongs to the Historic Center of
Arequipa, so it is considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The tour continues to Barrio del
Solar situated near the River Chili where you will walk along
beautiful streets with traditional and colonial buildings. You are going to
explore different areas known as Tambos, lodging centers where merchants came
to rest during the colonial era.
The first Tambo to visit will be Tambo El
Matadero, a building from the seventeenth century that was used to sacrifice
animals. Currently, there are about 30 families living in this place.
The walking tour in Arequipa continues to Tambo
La Cabezona, a colonial group of houses with a communal entrance dated from the
sixteenth century and the place where one of the first mills in the city
worked.
Enjoy a panoramic tour to Plaza de Armas, the
main meeting point of locals and where the Cathedral of Arequipa is
located. This beautiful square is surrounded by lovely portals and there is a
bronze fountain in the middle.
After a short walk we are going to reach
the Santa Catalina Monastery. This place was founded in 1579 and it has 20
thousand square meters distributed in cloisters, patios, squares, streets, bell
tower and church.
This is a beautiful place with a lot of history and
you will have time to take nice photos. Walk around the streets made of
ashlar and some parts with natural colored red walls. You will visit many
areas such as the Patio del Silencio, a place where the nuns met to pray
and read the Bible in silence.
Get impressed with this jewel of the city of
Arequipa, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Later, we are going to drop
you off at your hotel.
DAY 2. AREQUIPA /
COLCA CANYON.
This amazing adventure starts very early in the morning. We
will pick you up from your accommodation located in the city of Arequipa, and
then, we will go straight to the Valley of Colca, in a journey of
circa 3 hours. We are going to make a short stop to have breakfast at
Chivay.
We will continue the route towards the Condor’s
Cross (3,800 m.a.s.l.) to watch the one of the most amazing natural
wonders: the condor’s flying. Later, we are going to until reach the Pampas of
San Miguel (3,300 m.a.s.l.). From this point, the hike begins to the bottom of
the canyon, for along 4.6 miles (3 hours).
Upon arriving to the town of San Juan de Chuccho, we will
enjoy a well-deserved rest with lunch. Later, the trek continues through
the towns of Cosñirhua y Malata for 2.5 more miles (2.5 hours). We will
arrive to Sangalle (2,225 m), a spectacular oasis where we
will spend the night. Here, you can enjoy a bath in the pool, and having dinner
by night.
DAY 3. COLCA CANYON /
AREQUIPA.
Very early in the morning (5:00 AM), we will start the
hike of 2.5 miles ascending the canyon slope, for around 3 hours, admiring
the sunrise with incredible views, until we reach the town
of Cabanaconde (3,230 m).
After breakfast, our transport will take us to the town
of Chivay, making short stops to the viewpoint of Antahuilque, with
beautiful views to Andean terraces and the valley of Colca. Then, we will visit
the town of Maca, with a panoramic visit to its colonial church.
We are going to have time to visit the hot springs
of Yanque (optional*). This powerful hot water pools have healing
properties as well as relaxing effects. Then, we are going to enjoy a
tasty lunch (optional*) at Chivay.
During our way back to the city of Arequipa, we will have the
opportunity to pass near the National Reserve Pampa Cañahuas, home of
different types of camelids such as llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos.
Arriving in Arequipa, we will drop you off at your hotel.
DAY 4. AREQUIPA.
After
picking you up at the hotel located in the city center of Arequipa, we
will take the transportation to go to the meeting point to meet
our professional guides, in order to get a short brief about the correct
use of the equipment and start this fun adventure safely.
We
will depart towards the Valley of Chilina until we reach the small church of
Virgen de Chapi – Charcani Sanctuary located next to the River Chili. At
this point, our guides will give us security and rescue guidelines, before
start his amazing rafting experience.
We
will have an incredible experience on the river in a total journey of
circa 1 hour and a half, passing through class III and IV rapids.
The Rio
Chili is a white water river which starts in the Andes mountains
located in Arequipa and it ends in the Pacific Ocean. The river is the main
source of water for the White City.
The rafting
tour in Arequipa starts with a first section of class II, a perfect
one to practice rowing technique. Then, we will do an exciting section of
class III, until we reach the strongest rapids of class IV. In case you
don’t feel ready for this last part, you can get off the boat and take a short
walk, and then go back up and pass the last section, again of class III.
Upon
reaching the final point, you will have the opportunity to take a refreshing
bath in the river, surrounded by amazing nature. We will back to the city of
Arequipa to enjoy a snack, and later, we are going to get you back to your
hotel.
DAY 5. DEPARTURE OF
AREQUIPA.
At the agreed time, we are going to pick you up from the
hotel and take you to the airport or bus station.