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CITIES
AREQUIPA
- Arequipa
- Peaks in Arequipa
- The Colca Valley
- Santa Catalina: Where time has stopped
- Gastronomy
The Misti volcano may be dormant,
but Arequipa wakens every morning amidst a flurry of
activity. And although the summit of the volcano is
often wreathed by small clouds of smoke, the Arequipa
townsfolk proud of their land, do not fail to invite
visitors to stroll through the streets of white stone
and traditional squares. The lordly city of Arequipa
owes the characteristic hue of its houses and other
constructions to the white sillar stone a quarried in
the region.
Founded as the Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora
de Asunta (the Beautiful Villa of Our Lady of Asunta),
Arequipa was recognized as a city in 1541. Throughout
its history, Arequipa has also been the cradle of leading
thinkers and politicians. Today, the visitor can take
in the spectacular neo-Reanissance Cathedral, the impressive
Santa Catalina Convent and colonial mansions and museums,
all of which are reason enough to visit Arequipa. On
the outskirts of the city one can find many other attractions.
The Colca Valley is without a doubt the best-known both
in Peru and abroad. Just four hours northeast of the
city, the Colca boasts some of the most breath-taking
landscapes in Peru: superb terracing, snow-capped peaks,
dizzying canyons and towns dating back to the sixteenth
century. There are 14 villages that have been preserved
in the valley since those early colonial times, which
the Spaniards used to settle the ancient Collagua and
Cabana tribes, who had previously been scattered around
the region. The visitors to the Colca Valley will surely
be fascinated by the narrow streets and richly decorated
churches. The Colca is also a haven for adventure sports
fans.
Other sites include the ancient Toro
Muerto rock paintings, the Imata natural stone formations
and the Cotahuasi Canyon, believed to be the world’s
deepest. What truly unites the different parts of Arequipa
is without a doubt its exquisite cuisine. Visitors should
not fail to try the local rocoto relleno (stuffed hot
chili pepper), adobo (marinated roast beef) and the
spicy chupe stews, which are simply irresistible.
PEAKS IN
AREQUIPA
The department of Arequipa is synonymous
with volcanoes and snow-capped peaks, clear blue skies
and endless plains. The region lies on the western slopes
of the Andes, and is the jumping-off point for a series
of climbs of varying difficulty, which stand out for
their rare combination of beautiful landscapes, easy
access and their ancient cultural heritage.
The Misti volcano 5,825 meters (19106
feet) is the symbol of the city of Arequipa. The route
up to the top is more of a hike than a climb, and takes
two days up steep through the slopes. The most popular
of the ascents starts out from the city and continues
up to Tambo Inca and the base camp of Nido de Aguilas.
Hikers will reach the summit on the second day. Chachani
6,075 meters (19,926 feet), the other volcano overlooking
the city, can be climbed taking a spectacular trail
that climbs up from Pampa de Arrieros.
The Colca Valley also features several
imposing mountains which are popular amongst climbers
The Ampato 6,288 meters (20,624 feet) and Sabancaya
5,976 meters (19,601 feet) volcanos and Mount Hualca
Hualca 6,025 meters (19,762 feet) are some of the highest.
The Cotahuasi Valley features Mount
Coropuna 6,425 meters (21,074 feet), its most beautiful
peak, giving climbers superb views of the region. The
valley is reached from Lake Pallarcocha, just a two-day
drive from Arequipa.
THE COLCA
VALLEY
Located in the department of Arequipa,
the Colca Valley covers a series of beautiful trekking
circuits which have been recently discovered for adventure
tourism. The area features a network of practically
endless trails that wind through the mountains, linking
lovely colonial villages. The area is also studded with
beautiful lakes, bizarre stone formations formed by
wind erosion and unique flora and fauna such as Andean
condors, vicuñas, queñual forests and
clumps of yareta plants. The main attraction of the
area is without a doubt the chain of snow-capped volcanoes,
some of which are active. Mount Hualca Hualca 6,025
meters (19,762 feet), Sabancaya 5,976 meters (19,601
feet) and Ampato 6,288 meters (20,624 feet), among others.
Since immemorial time, the Colca has been home to the
Collagua and Cabana tribes, descendants of the Pucará
people of the southern highland plains and from the
Quechua people of Cuzco, who proved to be skillful hydraulic
engineers and master builders.
One of the most popular trekking
routes in the Colca is the trail that links the town
of Cabanaconde and Tapay in a circuit that takes two
to three days and gives hikers views of impressive landscapes,
Cabana towns such as Cosnihua and Malata, and many pre-Hispanic
ruins.
SANTA CATALINA:
WHERE TIME HAS STOPPED
 The
rustle of the long habits of the nuns seems to be impregnated
into the walls in Santa Catalina. The alleys that run
through the monastery - a city within a city - reveal
its past, trapped between the sillar stone blocks and
colonial oil paintings and between the high vaults and
granite plazas. Santa Catalina located in the center
of Arequipa covering an area of more than 29,426 square
meters, is the pride of its townspeople. It is a masterpiece
of colonial architecture, and houses some of the finest
example of Spanish American religious art.
The Private Monastery of Nuns of
the Order of Santa Catalina of Sena founded in 1580
under the rule of Viceroy Toledo, was opened to the
world nearly 400 years later, in 1970. Visitors have
been able to stroll through the streets and cloisters
since then that during colonial times were the refuge
of female nobility who had decided to shut themselves
away from the world and dedicate themselves entirely
to prayer. The Convent was decorated with valuable works
painted by the Quito and Cuzco Schools, including many
others signed by grand masters from Italy and Spain,
possibly because of their aristocratic background and
the wealth of their families, while special attention
was paid to the finishings of the buildings.
The main square, whose gates still
preserve the magic of their fine finishings and images
carved from wood, features a fountain brought from Spain
and crafted entirely from granite. The ochre and blue
colors of its streets and patios - named after Spanish
cities are decorated with bright flowers such as scarlet
geraniums.
Today, it takes an hour to tour
Santa Catalina just to discover centuries of tradition.
GASTRONOMY
Arequipa boasts some of the most
varied and suculent dishes to be found in Peru.
Chupe de camarones.
Shrimp chowder cooked with milk, eggs and oregano.
Rocoto relleno.
Rocoto chilli pepper stuffed with minced meat, cheese
and potato.
Soltero. Salad or
fresh cheese, beans, onion, olivers and rocoto chilli
pepper.
Adobo arequipeño.
Pork braised in maize beer and spices.
Ocopa. Boiled potato
covered in a fresh cheese and peanut sauce.
Escribano. Potato
salad.
Pebre. A hearty
soup of lamb, beef and dried jerky.
Sango. A desert
made form wheat, raisins, honey and milk.
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