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After many fun-filled days in Lima, Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca, an overnight Peru Hop bus finally brought us to the White City, Arequipa. It is called the White City, because a lot of its buildings are constructed of volcanic white stone, which just adds so much charm to its architecture. Everyone we asked about this city said: “No matter how many days you want to stay there, you will undoubtedly add at least one more”. We finally understood what it meant when we experienced it for ourselves. And yes, the prophecy came true: we did end up adding an extra day!

Arequipa is perfect for just talking a stroll around the city and enjoying its beautiful colonial architecture and its cozy atmosphere. Here’s what you can do in and around the town:

Sit on a Bench at Plaza de Armas

This central city square common to most Peruvian cities, contains fountains and statues along with lovely landscaping. Just sit on one of the benches around the fountain, so you can chill and people watch! It is very relaxing and you won’t want to go home for hours…

Marvel at the Santa Catalina Monastery

The Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena is a monastery of nuns of the Dominican Second Order. The founder of the monastery was a rich widow, Maria de Guzman.

The buildings which make up the monastery are quite elaborate and beautiful. Besides the architecture, you can stroll through its art galleries and enjoy numerous paintings.

The admission fee is $12.50, but it is worth every penny.





Visit Mundo Alpaca and Learn about these Beautiful Animals

Something Jenia had been mentioning since our arrival in Arequipa, turned out to be one of the most popular attractions. This was a place called “Mundo Alpaca” (“Alpaca World”).

It happened to be basically a free walking tour where you first get to feed llamas and alpacas, which totally thrilled her! The guide gave us bunches of alfalfa grass and Jenia loved to feed these cute and kind animals. As we continued to walk through rooms with demonstrations and information in each area, we learned that these animals are derivative of the camel family and how their wool was grown and then sheared. The guide presented displays of the different types of wool of varying kinds and density. We learned that vicunas have wool that is the most expensive in the world. Vicunas are not tame, but wild, and the ceremony of catching them and getting their wool has become a Chaku ritual. A group of many people surround the animal and slowly move in until the animal can be safely held for the shearing process!

South American Camelids

Jenia is feeding an alpaca

Alpaca wool

Vicuna wool





Natural plant dyes used to color the wool

A Quechua woman making fabrics

There is a very nice shop on hand where you can purchase any of the items including wool, alpaca, and vicuna, but you are simply suggested to shop with no pressure whatsoever.

Buy Something Cool at Mercado San Camilo

We had heard that Arequipa has three major street markets and the most famous is called Mercado San Camilo. So we picked a day to wander again through the streets of this lovely town and lo and behold we came upon a bustling market, very busy and vibrant. There were many areas featuring fresh meats and fish of all kinds. As we went through the market bumping elbows and what-not, there were fruits and vegetables, cheeses and herbs… we even came across farm-fresh cow heads! Yum!

Various kinds of potatoes

Whole chickens