The 7 Absolute Best Tours In Arequipa! (2023)

Flights and Footsteps contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Want to do the best tours in Arequipa? We’ll tell you all about them!

Quick Rundown On Arequipa

Arequipa is considered by many including myself to be the most beautiful city in Peru. The buildings, parks, and views of the volcanoes will be among the prettiest you’ll see on your Peru adventure.

It’s located in the Southern part of Peru and is the capital of the Arequipa Region. Many of its buildings were constructed using white volcanic stone from the surrounding volcanoes, earning the city the nickname “The White City”.

Arequipa is the gateway to natural attractions such as Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, where visitors can see huge Andean condors soaring overhead.

The Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve is another popular destination where visitors can see wild vicuñas, llamas, and flamingos.

We’ll tell you about some tours you can take to both of these and more!

The 7 Absolute Best Tours In Arequipa

1. Colca Canyon 2-Day/1-Night

This tour is our top pick due to Colca Canyon being the main attraction that people want to see when visiting Arequipa. Colca Canyon is what everyone asks about and this tour is our recommended way to see it.

There are longer tours and shorter tours, but we feel that this one is perfect in length and in experience.

Like any of the Colca Canyon experiences, you’ll wake up early! Pick-ups start as early as 3:00 a.m., depending on where in Arequipa you’re staying. But don’t worry, you’ll have time to catch up on sleep during the bus ride of more than 3 hours.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all included on day 1, along with breakfast on day 2 when you wake up in the canyon.

This trek will get you some great views of the famous Andean condors that call Colca Canyon their home. This can be a tough hike, especially going back up the canyon on day 2, so be ready!

2. Peruvian Cooking & Pisco Sour Class With Visit To Market

There is a lot of culture to be found in Arequipa. This tour helps you experience that!

The tour starts with a visit to the local market to see Peruvian life in motion. These markets are the lifeblood of local culture. You can find authentic foods and goods brought by local farmers and artisans.

After your market visit, you’ll be taught how to prepare some traditional Peruvian food and drinks. The traditional menu starts with Causa which is two layers of mashed potatoes stuffed with chicken (usually) and avocado or other ingredients.

The main course is Peru’s famous Lomo Saltado, a stir fry with marinated beef, tomatoes, and onions served with rice and french fries. Peruvian food often doubles up on starch, with many dishes being served with rice and potatoes.

The desserts will vary depending on the season and the tastes of the group. And since it’s a class food and drinks are included (along with transport to and from the market)!

3. Chaqchao Chocolate Making Workshop

During this workshop, you’ll learn how to make chocolate “from bean to bar”. Your guide/host will teach you about the art and history of chocolate making dating all the way back to Aztec cultures.

Then you’ll learn how to roast, grind, and process the cocoa beans and create your very own chocolate bar. You’ll also learn to prepare a traditional chocolatey drink originating in Mexico called cacahuatil.

In addition to preparing your own chocolate bar from scratch, you’ll also try a variety of gourmet chocolates made and prepared for you by professional and traditional chocolate makers. Yum!

4. Arequipa City Tour (w/Food & Drinks)

This is a premium walking tour to see and learn about the city of Arequipa. Sometimes walking tours are available for free, but this one includes snacks and drinks which we love!

It’s also a bit longer and more in-depth than normal free walking tours. The tour kicks off at Mundo Alpaca, a complex where they raise llamas and alpacas.

You’ll get to see some up close while learning about their importance and history in Peru. The guide will also teach you about the different types of fur and the stages of using that fur to make clothing and other goods.

After Mundo Alpaca, you’ll be shown the San Lazaro district, then the Historical district, where the guides will teach you about the city and show you some of the prettiest buildings and views. This is the best walking tour we’ve been on anywhere!

5. Monasterio de Santa Catalina

This is not a tour, but rather an admission ticket to enter the Monastery. For an experience like this, we find an unguided tour to be the way to go. Monasterio de Santa Catalina is a sprawling complex in the historic center of Arequipa.

Be aware that there is a dress code to enter the Monastery. The rule states “No shorts or sleeveless tops. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.”

It is considered a place of worship, so we find that a guided tour with constant talking doesn’t do justice to the site.

Rather, we recommend purchasing this ticket and making your way through the Monastery at your own pace. Go slow, read the signs quietly, and have respect for a site that is an important historical, architectural, and religious site.

6. Chili River Rafting

If you’re looking for a little adventure during your stay in Arequipa, this is the tour you’re looking for!

Located a quick 20 minutes from Arequipa’s city center is a section of the Chili River where you can experience white water rafting on intermediate rapids of level II and level III.

The tour covers a 3.1 mile (5 km) section of the Chili River. You’ll raft through the rapids and see the beautiful scenery of the Chilina Valley. The tour’s price includes transport, the guide, and all of the necessary equipment.

There will be a photographer along for the ride taking pictures they’ll try to sell you at the end of the tour, so be ready for that.

7. Sillar Route

On this tour in Arequipa, you’ll see why the city is nicknamed “The White City”. A short drive from the city center, you’ll walk through halls of white volcanic stone and see sculptures carved out of the stone.

You’ll get a chance to observe workers as they extract and carve large pieces of the stone. The tour is an easy and accessible walk for travelers of all ages.

The small $11 price tag covers the transportation to and from the site along with the guide to teach you about the stone and its importance to the city along the way (they’ll also take pictures for you!)

There will be a small $3 fee to enter the site when you arrive that is not included in the price of the tour. This tour is the cheapest and easiest of all of our recommendations for tours in Arequipa.

Arequipa FAQs

I had a lot of questions about Arequipa when I was planning my trip to Peru. You probably do too. Luckily, I already went and I can try to answer these for you right now!

How Many Days In Arequipa?

This is always one of the first questions I have about any city that I visit, so let’s talk about this one first.

How many days you spend in Arequipa will depend on whether or not you do the Colca Canyon experience, and how many nights you choose for it.

I recommend spending at least 3 days and 2 nights in Arequipa itself (not including the Colca Canyon trek). Whether you want to do a same-day, overnight, or two-night Colca Canyon experience, add that on.

This will give you enough time to explore the city and choose a couple of our recommended tours before moving on to your next destination.

It’s worth noting that of all the cities in Peru, architecturally and in terms of general beauty as you walk the streets, Arequipa was my favorite, so don’t skimp on time there.

How Many Days In Colca Canyon?

Speaking of Colca Canyon, how many days/nights should you spend on this experience? Well, the tour we recommended, our top pick and the king of tours in Arequipa is an overnight tour, so that’s what we recommend.

If you’re really outdoorsy and want to get your trek on, add another night on. There’s certainly no downside to that if you have the time and want to spend an extra night outdoors.

I do not recommend doing the same-day/full-day experience. It’s easier in terms of hiking, as you won’t go as far into the canyon. But the day is simply too long. The canyon is 3+ hours away. The full-day experience is more than 13 hours. Brutal!

Is Arequipa Safe?

I can tell you that I felt completely safe in Arequipa. I was there alone and walked further away from the main areas than I would normally recommend. There were times when I sensed that maybe I’d gone too far, but I never felt like I was in any danger.

Arequipa is a beautiful city and you’ll want to walk around and explore it. As always, use an abundance of caution and common sense. Don’t do anything or go anywhere that makes you uncomfortable.

Peru is a generally safe travel destination for tourists, families, and solo travelers, especially if you follow our advice on staying safe while traveling in Peru.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to check travel advisories before you go and while you’re there.

Where Are the Best Volcano Views In Arequipa?

Between doing all these tours in Arequipa, you’ll want to get some good views of the volcanoes that surround the city.

Yanahuara Scenic Overlook (Mirador de Yanahuara) will provide you with a great view of Misti Volcano. It’s located on a raised hill where stone archways will give you a great setting for photographing the volcano.

Back in the Plaza de Armas, most of the restaurants and cafes that surround the square have balconies with great views. On the west side of Plaza de Armas, Waya Lookout Terraza provides the best view I was able to find! They’ve also got a great menu and cool atmosphere for an afternoon refresher and a bite to eat.

Where To Stay In Arequipa?

When you’re between our recommended tours in Arequipa and looking for a place to stay, I recommend staying close to the historic center and the Plaza de Armas.

I’ve gathered three recommendations for you based on what type of hotel or hostel you’re looking for in Arequipa. All three are located close to the historic district for your convenience.

How To Get Around Arequipa?

If you’re staying in the historical center, most of what you’ll want to do will be within walking distance. If not, transport is included in all the tours we have recommended.

These tours all pick you up either at your hotel or near the city center around Plaza de Armas.

Renting a car is always an option if you want the freedom of having your own transport.

Taxis are a safe option in Arequipa also. Make sure you agree on a price before you enter the cab. And always counteroffer the first price you hear. Don’t be a victim of “tourist pricing”.

Summing Up The 7 Absolute Best Tours In Arequipa

I appreciate you riding along with me through all these tours in Arequipa. Different travelers have different tastes when it comes to tours, so I wanted to include a bit of everything.

Whether you’re looking for a trek, a cultural experience like cooking or chocolate making, or a nonstop adventure, Arequipa has it for you, and I’ve included the best tour for all of these different tastes.

Have fun out there!

Bonus: Our Other Favorite Peru Destination: Huacachina!

While you’re traveling around Peru, don’t skip out on stopping in Huacachina. Check out our posts on this exciting destination!