What to Do in Arequipa, Peru’s Up-and-Coming Adventure Destination

Once overshadowed by Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Arequipa is set to become Peru’s next big adventure tourism destination.

Besides offering one of the world’s deepest canyons (it’s nearly twice the depth of the Grand Canyon at 11,000 feet) and a dazzling stretch of the Andes, the region is home to Peru’s second-largest city (also called Arequipa) and a number of interesting small towns where excursions of all shapes and sizes await.

As Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley try to stem overtourism, the region of Arequipa lies in wait, offering visitors outdoor adventures to rival those of the Inca Trail, ruins as old (if not quite as grand) as Machu Picchu and a number of unique cultural experiences. 

Here are some of the highlights of a trip to Arequipa that will impress clients, whether they’ve already visited Machu Picchu or not. 

Arequipa City

The city of Arequipa is known as the White City thanks to its striking white sandstone architecture. With romantic cobblestone streets, excellent local cuisine and a backdrop of towering volcanoes, Arequipa is a destination unto itself. It’s also an ideal home base for a number of adventurous day trips. 

Organize a multiday stay for clients in Arequipa so they can experience all the thrills the area has to offer. There’s white-water rafting in the Chili River with tour operator Cusipata Rafting Arequipa, summiting one of the volcanoes visible from the city or rock climbing with operator Sky Viajes, which takes tourists to scale the area’s high tropical mountains with excellent conditions. For clients seeking more accessible experiences, Apumayo Expediciones specializes in customized luxury adventure tours, taking guests through Colca Canyon and beyond.

Colca Canyon

Exploring one of the deepest canyons in the world is a highlight of any visit to Arequipa. Because Colca Canyon is located in a remote area a few hours outside the city, many tours only stop at the the main overlook, Mirador Cruz del Condor, where visitors can take pictures of the natural wonder and witness condors in flight. But booking clients a stay at Colca Trek Lodge, located just a 10-minute drive from the entrance to the canyon, allows for easier access, opening up a world of other experiences. 

Tour company Colca Trek, which is under the same ownership as the lodge, offers a number of outings in Colca Canyon, including day and multiday hiking tours and cycling excursions for different ability levels. Beginner cyclists can take a leisurely downhill pedal along a quiet road into the mouth of the canyon, while advanced mountain bikers can opt for more challenging, off-road routes. 

Bookend clients’ time in the canyon with a stay in the small town of Yanque, which provides a glimpse of authentic village life as well as the chance to visit the nearby Uyu Uyu pre-Incan ruins. While in Yanque, travelers can also explore the patchwork quilt of terraced hillsides that make up the Colca Valley by foot or horseback and relax in the public hot springs. Yanque offers some of the most comfortable accommodations around, including the luxurious Las Casitas, A Belmond Hotel and Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs, which has its own private hot springs. 

Majes Valley

A scenic four-hour drive from the Colca Valley (or two hours from Arequipa city) lies the Majes Valley, a verdant oasis in the middle of the coastal desert. One of the valley’s main attractions is the Archaeological Complex of  Toro Muerto petroglyph site, an impressive area above the valley where boulders etched with images dating back to the first century are scattered across the grounds. 

This area is worth an overnight — from the charming Posada Picardo, clients can hike through Toro Muerto and canoe or raft the Majes River. To offer some respite from outdoor activity, book travelers a tour of the valley’s award-winning pisco bodegas and a dinner that includes a feast of Majes River shrimp, the local specialty.  

The Coastline

Recent construction of a stretch of the Pan-American highway has made the Arequipa region’s 300-plus miles of rugged coastline more accessible, prompting slow development of beachside resorts. The serene town of Tanaka and its sandy beach is a favorite summer hangout among locals, but adventurous travelers may prefer the Quilca area, where eco-lodge Caleta San Jose welcomes visitors to the private cove.  

Though rustic in style, the lodge offers guests meals prepared with fresh seafood and unparalleled access to nearby activities such as hiking, scuba diving, sea kayaking and paddleboarding. Caleta San Jose also offers boat tours to seek out elusive seals and endangered birdlife in nearby coves. Because the lodge is located in a remote crater tucked into the coastline, there’s not much else around, but guests will enjoy the quiet — and the views.