Arequipa is built of white volcanic stone, at about 2,300 metres, under three volcanoes. The city and its countryside make two half days or one full one, and the Colca Canyon is a long day of its own over the high Andes. Here is what each of our four involves.
The four, side by side
| Trip | Length | Leaves | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arequipa: Full-Day Private Tour of the City, Santa Catalina and the Countryside | 9h | 07:00 | from €180 |
| Arequipa: Private City Tour of the Plaza de Armas, Santa Catalina Monastery and Yanahuara | 4h | 07:00 | from €80 |
| Arequipa Countryside Private Tour: Yanahuara, Carmen Alto, Sabandía Mill and the Founder's Mansion | 4h | 07:00 | from €140 |
| Colca Canyon Private Day Trip from Arequipa | 11h | 07:00 | from €350 |
Prices are starting prices and depend on the size of your group.
How to choose
You have one day for Arequipa
The full day. Nine hours from 07:00: the viewpoints of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto early, when the volcanoes are clearest, Santa Catalina monastery, the Plaza de Armas and La Compañía, lunch in a picantería, then Sabandía mill and the Founder's Mansion.
You want the city in half a day
The city tour. Four hours, at 07:00 or 13:00: the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, Santa Catalina monastery, founded in 1579, with its streets and cells painted red and blue, the carved front of La Compañía, and El Misti framed in the arches of Yanahuara. Allow at least an hour and a half inside the monastery.
You want the volcanoes and the farmland
The countryside tour. Four hours, at 07:00 or 13:00: the viewpoints of Yanahuara and Carmen Alto, the colonial stone mill at Sabandía and the white Founder's Mansion, and we can end at a picantería for lunch. Clear mornings give the best view; cloud is more common from December to March.
You want the canyon and the condors
The Colca Canyon. Eleven hours: vicuñas on the plain of Pampa Cañahuas, the volcano viewpoint at Patapampa, at about 4,800 metres, the terraces around Chivay, the Cruz del Cóndor around midday, and a late lunch in Yanque. Group tours leave at about 3:00 to reach the condors in the morning; ours leaves at 07:00, and condors are never guaranteed. We can also leave you in the valley overnight.
Four things worth knowing before you book
Entrances are paid on the day
The price covers the private vehicle, the driver, fuel, tolls and parking. Entrances to Santa Catalina, the mill and the mansion, the Colca entrance ticket, the hot springs and lunch are paid on the day. Bring cash for Colca.
Colca comes after a few days here
The road to Colca climbs to about 4,800 metres. Spend a few days in Arequipa first and drink plenty of water. The sun is strong at this altitude, in the city too: bring sun cream and a hat.
Private costs less than you think for a group
A coach seat is cheap for one person and stops being cheap at four. Our prices are by group size, not per seat: up to four of you share one car at one price, and the price only steps up when you need a van. And you are not waiting for forty strangers at every stop.
You can change your mind
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up, refunded in full. If the date stops working, message us and we will do our best to move you to another day.
Start with one of these
Private day tour
Arequipa: Full-Day Private Tour of the City, Santa Catalina and the Countryside
Arequipa's centre, viewpoints and countryside, in one private day.
Private half-day tour
Arequipa: Private City Tour of the Plaza de Armas, Santa Catalina Monastery and Yanahuara
The Plaza de Armas, Santa Catalina and Yanahuara, in four private hours.
Private day tour from Arequipa
Colca Canyon Private Day Trip from Arequipa
The Colca Canyon and the Cruz del Cóndor, in a private day from Arequipa.