Video : Peru Travel Guide, Vacation on Arequipa, where to go

LOCATION, EXTENSION AND POPULATION

The department of Arequipa is located in the southeastern part of the country. To the north bordering Ica, Ayacucho and Apurimac, Moquegua to the south, east to Cuzco and Puno, on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Because it encompasses the coast and mountains, the weather is varied (intense heat in summer and low temperatures in winter).

It covers an area of 63.528 km ² and its population is around one million inhabitants.

Its capital is Arequipa, a city about 2.335 meters above sea level, with beautiful architecture, ashlar base, landscapes and countryside, and a dry climate with mild temperatures.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

The department of Arequipa has a history dating back to ancient times. It is estimated that the first inhabitants are from 6 thousand to 8 thousand years before Christ, during the Paleolithic Period. The evidence of its existence is near the region of Yarabamba in Pampa Colorada and Sumbay behind the Misti, where we will see rock paintings in caves.

When the Incas expanded their domains in these regions by the fifteenth century found two well-established ethnic groups in the Colca Valley region: the Callaguas and the Cabanas, who noted for its agriculture, which is evident so far with its platforms and system irrigation.

On August 15, 1540, under the command of Captain Manuel García Carbajal, the Spanish founded the "Villa Hermosa de Arequipa" a year later, King Charles V raised to the level of city and gives the coat of arms that remains until today.

The so-called "White City" by the white of its buildings constructed of blocks of stone (petrified volcanic ash) from the Chachani volcano, was an important bastion of the struggle for independence in the nineteenth century. Among the precursors are Vizcardo and Juan Pablo Guzman, author of the Letter to the Spanish Americans, Francisco Javier de Luna Pizarro, President of the First Constitutional Congress in 1822 and the poet Mariano Melgar, executed in Humachiri.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF THE CAPITAL

Monasterio de Santa Catalina. It is the most important and impressive religious monument in Peru. Founded in September of 1579 under the patronage of Saint Catherine of Siena and was closed to the world until 1970. It is the most important and impressive religious monument in Peru. Founded in September of 1579 under the patronage of Saint Catherine of Siena and was closed to the world until 1970.

Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and Town Hall, with beautiful architecture and surrounded by arches of chairs.

Church of the Company, founded by Jesuits in the seventeenth century.

Church and convent of La Merced.

Colonial architectural San Francisco, dating from the sixteenth century.

Franciscan Monastery of La Recoleta, founded in 1648.

Among the ancient and colonial mansions include the Casa Moral, "La Casa de Tristán del Pozo", iBerry House, "La Casa del Pastor" and "La Casa Goyeneche".

Yanahuara, 2 km from the city. Famous for its churches built anadaluz style.

Cayma, 3 kilometers from the capital. Known for its picanterías and where there is a beautiful church del siglo XVII. seventeenth century. From here we see a beautiful view of Arequipa.

Yura Thermal Baths, 30 km. Its waters come from inside the volcano Chachani. Also, near the city are medical sources and Socosani Jesus.

Sabandía, natural valley with the most crystalline waters in the region. There is a mill dating from the eighteenth century and still working.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT

Colca Canyon. Located in the province of Cailloma. It has a depth of 3 thousand 400 meters and is considered one of the largest in the world. To get there one must go behind the volcanoes Misti and Chachani well as Cañahuas Pampa, a vicuña reserve. Located in the province of Cailloma. It has a depth of 3 thousand 400 meters and is considered one of the largest in the world. To get there one must go behind the volcanoes Misti and Chachani well as Cañahuas Pampa, a vicuña reserve.

Majes Valley in the province of Castile. They are the petroglyphs of "Toro Muerto" with 5 thousand large stones representing geometric figures, flora and fauna.

Valley of the Volcanoes. It is 377 kilometers from Arequipa in Andahua. Has an incredible landscape formed by about 80 small volcanoes, which give the appearance of the moon surface.

National Sanctuary of Mejia Lagoons. Situated on the coast, 20 kilometers from Mollendo. Sanctuary of 690 acres of waters of different degrees of salinity, salt marshes, reed beds, salt marshes and grasslands. Can be up to 157 species of birds.

Sumbay Caves. At 88 kilometers from the capital. Despite the time, are kept inside valuable paintings of the Paleolithic era. Rocky walls represent human figures, llamas, pumas, etc.

Stone Forest Imata. Very original rock formation located in the road to Puno. Set of natural stone columns, giving the appearance of a mysterious, enchanted and petrified wood.

TYPICAL DISHES AND BEVERAGES

The food in Arequipa has achieved international fame. It has the greatest variety in relation to other departments of Peru and is characterized by its good flavor, seasoning and pepper; this makes places are called picanterías.

Its diversity can be summarized in soups that have been created for each day, which occur as a broth or suck.

Among the best known are the suck shrimp ocopa Arequipan Rocoto, pork adobo, single cheese, potato cake, spare ribs, fried guinea pig and rabbit chactado, and cauchi chaque. For dessert we recommend the cheese ice cream and drink, the chicha de Jora, beer and anise in the region.

TOURIST CALENDAR

January 6. Anniversary Mollendo. Celebration of the Descent of the Kings in Tiabaya..

February 2. Feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria in the district of Chivay.

February 3. Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria district and Characato Cayma. Caravelí is celebrated in the Virgen del Buen Paso last 4 days and festivals with cockfights, bullfights and parades.

Easter. Religious activities throughout the department, with processions and spiritual. Men and women dressed in mourning.

May 1. Pilgrimage to the sanctuary of the Virgen de Chapi, 45 kilometers from the capital. Pilgrims from all over the country and South America arrive to greet her mistress.

August 15. Civic and religious festivities that last a week with different artistic and cultural activities, cockfights, sports activities and fireworks and parades. Foreign artists. Castille is the Feast of Our Lady of the Assumption, with festivities, Corsican and competition among districts.

August 30. Santa Rosa. Religious festival typically celebrated in Caravelí with masses, processions and churches richly arranged with flowers and a variety of decorations. In Castile there popular folk festivals, contests and sports.

September 8. Great display of Folklore, especially in Aplao. The stewards do the impossible for visitors to feel comfortable.

November 1. All Saints Day. Families visit cemeteries, taking music and food with their dead.

November 9. Camana Jubilee Day. The whole city goes into the streets to dance, sing and enjoy.

December 8. Feast of the Immaculate in Chivay and Cayman.