Peru's majestic 'white city'
With its glowing white architecture, captivating Incan history and the mighty El Misti volcano looming on the Andean horizon, the Peruvian city of Arequipa is steeped in a mystical beauty that’s impossible to ignore. Nicknamed ‘The White City’ because of its use of white volcanic rock throughout the area, it was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An essential stop on any Peru luxury travel journey, highlights of Arequipa include the 15th century Santa Catalina convent, whose cobbled courtyards weave through vibrant blue and red painted walls, and its proximity to the Colca Canyon and the Peruvian Andes. The colonial architecture, including the intricately beautiful Plaza de Armas, gives it a distinct European style, yet its Incan history remains prevalent.
Explore the culture at the Andean Shrines Museum, where the vast collection of Incan relics includes the haunting Juanita mummy. You can also tour the home of writer and Nobel Prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa, or visit the Museo de la Catedral, which offers a glimpse into the inner workings of Arequipa’s majestic basilica.
Highlights
Take in the elegant white architecture, crafted from white volcanic rock
Explore the vibrantly beautiful Santa Catalina convent
Learn about the fascinating Inca customs and history
The perfect base for excursions to the Colca Canyon and Peruvian Andes
David Corvacho Puente
Senior Travel Designer
Every corner of Arequipa holds a unique charm, from the way the white buildings glow in the sunlight to the awe-inspiring sight of El Misti’s snow-capped peak on the horizon.
David Corvacho Puente
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury Accommodation in Arequipa
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip Inspiration
Discover more of Peru
Cusco
A charming, quaint city with an exceptionally rich and diverse history. Wander cobbled lanes, visit the imposing cathedral and sit back and relax on a terrace overlooking the bustling Plaza de Armas.
Discover moreColca Canyon
Deeper than the Grand Canyon and home to the mighty Andean Condor. The region is steeped in ancient culture and peppered with traditional villages.
Discover moreLake Titicaca
The world's highest navigable lake, where azure waters seem to touch the cloudless sky. Meet locals who live on reed islands and birdwatch as evening sets in, before retiring to your lakeside hotel.
Discover moreLima
Cosmopolitan Lima is the place to be for gourmet food, energetic markets, great hotels and captivating sightseeing. Pay a visit to the Larco Museum for an oasis of calm within charming, colourful gardens.
Discover moreLuxury train journeys in Peru
Peru’s fleet of stylish trains are the perfect way to explore the country; from Machu Picchu and Cusco, across to the vast waters of Lake Titicaca and then onto the high Andes for Arequipa and the Colca Canyon.
Discover moreMachu Picchu
Ancient Incan ruins, perched high in the cloud forest and only accessible by train or on foot. These impressive ruins give visitors a fascinating insight into the Incan Empire.
Discover moreNorthern Peru Amazon Cruises
Cruise down the rivers and waterways of the mighty Peruvian Amazon. Keep a lookout for pink dolphins and flocks of rawkus scarlet macaws.
Discover moreParacas and Nazca
Delve into the mystery of the Nazca lines before soaking up the natural wonders of the Ballestas Islands. Adventure on speed boat from Paracas and uncover Peru's answer to the Galapagos Islands.
Discover moreSouthern Peruvian Amazon
Home to the pristine Tambopata National Reserve, this is a wildlife lover's dream. Uncover nocturnal creatures on night time walks and visit tree top lookouts and canopy walkways.
Discover moreThe Inca Trail
A beautiful trail across the Andes ending at Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate, before the site has opened to the public and just as the sun rises. The mists clear and reveal the wondrous ancient ruins.
Discover moreMeet your Latin America team
When to visit
The best time to visit Peru is during the dry winter season of May to October, however due to the country’s varying altitude and climates, the weather can vary greatly between regions.
It’s best to pack lots of layers for Arequipa, as the city’s high altitude of 2,335 metres means that night time can be particularly cold, while day time temperatures can reach up to 24°C (75.2°F) all year round.
Dry Season
May–October
Rainy Season
November – April
Plan your trip to Arequipa
Whatever you want from your adventure in Arequipa, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
The moment we contacted Jacada and talked with the representative I knew this company was differential. We took time to work through the agenda, accommodations and expectations. Before the trip we were contacted about making dinner reservations as well as going over the itinerary to make sure we were all set. We were also given ideas on books to read…
Jacada helped us to plan ideal gateway to Peru and Bolivia and it was amazing. The planning was done on very professional level, with some small personal touches what made this trip memorable! Thank you Delfina, Melanie and the team!
James was wonderful! So helpful and courteous. I will definitely consider Jacada when we have future travel needs
We had several truly personalized and unforgettable experiences that were combined with extraordinary helpful and informative guides.
The trip was an amazing experience. The hotels, guides, excursions, transportation and restaurants were perfectly curated and arranged. Jacada handled every detail so that we could fully enjoy the trip and not worry about any of the logistics.
Plan with peace of mind
When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.
If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.