Luxury Travel to Arequipa & Colca Canyon
The Enchanting Land of
Historical Architecture & Volcanoes
With three snow-sprinkled volcanic peaks looming impressively over a bleached stone cityscape, Peru’s second-largest city supplies visual impact in spades. Its grand colonial buildings are made from gleaming white sillar stone, earning Arequipa its nickname, “White City.”
With its UNESCO-listed historic core and glorious volcanic vistas, Arequipa makes a wonderful stop-off during your private Peru tour. Wander the European-style streets and shop for antiques, handicrafts, and high-quality alpacagoods so deliciously soft they beg to be touched. Look for the Juanita Mummy – the body of a young Inca girl who was offered to the gods in the late 15th century at the Andean Sanctuaries Museum. Experience this enchanting land on your vacation to Peru.
Arequipa has also been a driving force in Peru’s culinary scene, and its picanterías (traditional restaurants) are known for their spicy stews (adobo), shrimp chowder (chupe de camarones) and stuffed bell peppers (rococo peppers). Culinary traditions are kept alive with picanterías cooking over a wood fire giving the city amazing aromas that may cause hunger as you walk around.
Upon arriving in Arequipa, it takes almost no time at all to recognize why it is considered one of Peru’s most hidden gems. An ancient city surrounded by three volcanoes; it is set apart by its white buildings created from sillar, a white stone formed during volcanic eruptions, unique to this Southern Peruvian region, thus being given the name “La Ciudad Blanca”, “The White City”.
The gargantuan Colca Canyon boasts some seriously impressive stats. At 0.6 miles in depth, it is twice as deep as its famous American counterpart, the Grand Canyon. Colca Canyon is also home to several Andean communities that continue to cultivate agricultural terraces that date back to pre-Inca times. Adventurers can embark on a canyon trek, before soothing tired muscles in the La Calera hot springs, which are just a short journey away from the largest canyon town of Chivay.
The lush region of Arequipa is marked by its ethereal hillsides and the famous Colca Canyon, which is the second-deepest canyon in the world. Keep an eye on the skies as you explore the canyon; the Andean condor, one of the largest birds of prey in the world, can occasionally be spotted soaring overhead. Up your chances of a condor sighting by heading to the Cruz del Condor lookout, where the black-feathered beast frequently makes an appearance.
When booking a luxury vacation to Peru, we’ll keep your travel goals in mind – whether you’re looking to experience the biodiversity of the Amazon, eat your way through Lima, or explore the Inca city of Machu Picchu – Peru has something for everyone and our travel designers are eager to craft the perfect trip for your luxury vacation to Peru.
Masters of farming, engineering geniuses, and creators of a religion that combined features of animism and nature worship…
Venture into the heart of the ancient Inca Empire as you challenge yourself to complete the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu…
As a country, Peru brims with romantic sentiment musically, gastronomically, and geographically. The Andes alone is an…
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Admire the Condors at Colca Canyon Gaze in wonder at the spectacular condors as they glide above head – the Andean Condor is the world’s largest bird and with wingspans that can be over 3 meters long. Though these beautiful creatures can be spotted all around the Andean region, Colca Canyon is the most notable place for viewing the legendary condors in their natural habitat. Read more
Chicha Owned by Peru’s most famous chef, Gastón Acurio, Chicha is said to serve the freshest traditional Peruvian-style foods with a modern twist. The menu changes seasonally to highlight the value of local and traditional foods including river prawns, alpaca burgers, and potatoes galore. The staff is guaranteed to always have smiles on their faces, creating a warm environment that you won’t want to miss. Read more
Cirqa - Relais & Châteaux Located in the heart of Arequipa, this former monastery is a UNESCO-protected site, meaning you’ll be lounging in a piece of preserved history. Tucked away enough to feel secluded, you will be able to truly enjoy the stories told through the architecture of this space. From the comfortable cavernous rooms to the rooftop terrace complete with countryside picanterias specially curated by their in-house chef, Maria Fé García. This highly awarded hotel is an experience that cannot be missed. Read more
Embark on a journey through Peru’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from the iconic Machu Picchu to the mysterious Nazca Lines. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history and the wonders of nature. Before we begin crafting your perfect custom Peruvian vacation, take a moment to explore some of Peru’s most beloved destinations for inspiration on what to include in your personalized Peru tour.
Just a one-hour drive from Cusco, shadowed beneath the emerald Andean peaks lies the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here, you’ll find peaceful villages.
New World Wonder Machu Picchu deservedly tops the agenda of most visitors to Peru. Set on a lofty plateau surrounded by the soaring and dipping Andean peaks.
During your visit to Chachapoyas, explore the nature, wildlife, and archaeological treasures of Peru’s less-traveled Northern Circuit.
Enjoy a dazzling beach vacation in Peru’s surf and sun mecca, with its reliable year-round sunshine, pristine coastline, stylish hotels, and burgeoning food scene.
Iquitos makes an excellent base from which to set off on luxury tours. Amazon luxury cruises are a popular option and most commonly depart from the port of Nauta.
Peru’s cultural capital, it was the base of the Moche and Chimú civilizations, cultures known for their gold, silver, pottery and architectural creations.
Peru’s folkloric capital meets the world’s highest navigable lake; if you travel to Peru, consider living the cultural experince in the islands around Lake Titicaca.
We welcome you to explore some of the cultural and indigenous treasures and unique wildlife found in the Tambopata National Reserve.
Ica is the starting point for many tours to Nazca and Paracas, and has its own attractions: for desert lovers, sandboarding and dune-buggying thrill seekers.
With its UNESCO-listed historic center and magnificent volcanic vistas, Arequipa and Colca Canyon is a wonderful stop on a customized Peru tour.
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