arequipa peru

The Santa Catalina monastery, erected in 1579, is located in the city center of Arequipa Peru. It was a cloister for Dominican nuns until the 18th century, and a religious community of women devotees still lives and practices there to this day. An onsite museum depicts the monastery through the centuries.

Colca Canyon, whose depth of 4,160 meters makes it one of the world’s deepest canyons, is known for its amazing views, rural Andean communities, and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Species such as the endangered Andean Condor, vizcacha (an Andean rabbit-like rodent), and vicuña, wild ancestor of the alpaca can all be seen in Colca Canyon, near Arequipa Peru.

Andean Condors can be viewed soaring on the thermal currents around the Colca Canyon. These birds have a wingspan of 10.5 feet, making them one of the world’s largest and heaviest birds. Their use of thermal currents for flight means they can fly up to 100 miles without flapping their wings even once!

The Peruvian dish known as rocoto relleno originated in Arequipa and is now popular all over Peru. It consists of rocotos, (similar to bell peppers, but hotter) stuffed with a filling (relleno) of peanuts, vegetables, raisins, meat, and cheese and can be enjoyed as a “walking snack’ while touring the White City.