Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
YANAHUARA
The peaceful neighborhood of Yanahuara makes a diverting excursion from the Arequipa city center. It's within
walking distance: go west on Av Puente Grau over the Puente Grau (Grau Bridge) and continue on Av Ejército for
half a dozen blocks. Turn right on Av Lima and walk five blocks to a small plaza, where you'll find the
Iglesia San
Juan Bautista
(admission free)
, which dates from 1750. It housed the highly venerated Virgen de Chapi after the
2001 earthquake brought her church tumbling down about her ears. The popular Fiesta de la Virgen de Chapi is held
on May 1. At the side of the plaza there's a
mirador
(lookout) with excellent views of Arequipa and El Misti.
Head back along Av Jerusalén, parallel to Av Lima, and just before reaching Av Ejército you'll see the well-
known restaurant Sol de Mayo (
Click here
), where you can stop for a tasty lunch of typical
arequipeño
food. The
round-trip walk should take around two hours, but there are also
combis
(minibuses) to Yanahuara from along Av
Puente Grau (and returning from Yanahuara's plaza to the city) every few minutes to speed you along (S1, 10
minutes).
Activities
Arequipa is the centerpoint for a raft of nebulous sights and activities dotted around the
high country to the north and east of the city. Trekking, mountaineering and river running
are the big three activities, but there are plenty more.
Trekking & Mountaineering
INFORMATION
The spectacular canyons around Arequipa offer many excellent hiking options. Trekking
agencies can arrange off-the-beaten-track routes to suit your timeline and fitness level.
Trekking solo in the well-traveled Cañón del Colca area is popular and easy, but, if
you're nervous about hiking without guides or want to tackle more untrammeled routes,
there are dozens of tour companies based in Arequipa that can arrange guided treks.
Superb mountains for climbing surround Arequipa. Adequate acclimatization for this
area is essential and it's best to have spent some time in Cuzco or Puno immediately be-
fore a high-altitude expedition. Cold temperatures, which sometimes drop to -29°C at the
highest camps, necessitate very warm clothing.
The Association of Mountain Guides of Peru warns that many guides are uncertified
and untrained, so climbers are advised to go well informed about medical and wilderness-
survival issues. Most agencies sell climbs as packages that include transport, so prices
vary widely depending on the size of the group and the mountain, but the current cost for
a guide alone is around US$70 per day.
