Having lived the past 15 years in southern California, I nevertheless still have a strong connection with my native country of Peru, which has pushed me to get involved in the tourism industry so that I can share with others Peru’s fascinating attractions. Every year I organize a trip to my hometown, Arequipa. During my last visit I put together a four-day itinerary sure to please travelers coming from the US, Canada, Australia, or Europe. This itinerary includes outdoor activities, archaeological and historical sites, good local food, and a visit to one of my favorite places in Peru, the Colca Canyon.

This four-day journey started with an early buffet-style breakfast at the Katari Hotel, located in the main square of Arequipa. I chose this boutique-style hotel for my stay due to its mid-range prices and its great location. (Staying in a safe area in downtown or nearby areas is a plus.) After breakfast, I visited the colonial sites of “La Mansion del Fundador” and “El Molino de Sabandía,” where I experienced the mysteries of their ancient rooms and took in the history revealed in their antique artifacts. These colonial sites are an important part of Arequipa’s history and are located on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by local farms. Afterwards I stopped at “La Tradición Arequipeña” to enjoy some local dishes such as “Rocoto Relleno” (stuffed local chili pepper), “Pastel de Papa” (potato cake), and “Cauche de Queso” (cheese and potato soup) with a local “Chicha de Jora” (purple corn beverage).

Right after lunch I headed back downtown to visit the “Museo Santuarios Andinos,” where I viewed well-preserved Incan mummies, and then I walked to the Monastery of Santa Catalina, where I spent a couple hours touring this enigmatic colonial citadel where nuns lived enclosed from the moment they entered it. Once this visit ended, I went for a walk to the marketplace known as “El Fundo del Fierro,” located next to the San Francisco Church, to look for the work of local handcrafters. My day ended at Chicha by Gastón Acurio, where I enjoyed a delicious regional meal that included an “Ocopa” (local famous sauce with potatoes and egg), “Adobo” (traditional stew made with “chicha” (corn beverage) and pork), and “Queso Helado” (a local dessert).

My second day started with an outdoor activity in the Chilina Valley. I was picked up at 8:00am by my good friend Kike Rondon to raft the Chili River, which crosses the city. The adventure in the river lasted an hour and a half. (From mid-April to mid-December this river offers a safe experience, and travelers do not need to have rafting experience.) By 11:00am I was wandering around the quaint town of Yanahuara, where, with its narrow streets and white-walled antique buildings, time seems to have stood still. For lunch I walked to the traditional restaurant known as “La Nueva Palomino Picanteria,” where I enjoyed a “Picanteada,” which consists of three local stews exquisitely served.

After lunch I headed toward the downtown area of Arequipa by crossing the Grau Bridge, made of “sillares,” a whitish volcanic stone used to build much of the city. Reaching downtown, I wandered around this World Heritage Site by visiting the Cathedral and its museum, the Jesuit Church and its cloisters, and “La Casa del Moral.” As the sun started to set, I went to my hotel’s restaurant to enjoy a cup of coffee and dessert with the view of the main square, the Cathedral, and the three volcanoes surrounding the city. This day ended with dinner at Salamanto, where Chef Paul Perea has created a unique menu based on local ingredients and a great selection of wines.

For my visit to Colca, I decided to rent a truck so I could have flexibility. I left my hotel at 6:30am to avoid traffic and by 8:30am I was observing vicuñas (camelids from the llama family) at “Pampa Cañahuas.” After only 45 minutes, I was at the “Sumbay Caves,” wondering how it was possible that thousands of years ago early Peruvians managed to survive in this hostile environment, carving in the walls their hunting survival activities. By midday, I was checking in at the Colca Lodge, located in the Andean town of Yanque. After a light lunch and a short rest to recover from the high elevation, I went for a hike to the Uyo Uyo Inca site. This is the better preserved Inca site in the region of Arequipa, with several Andean terraces to walk around. I went back right before sunset to enjoy the natural hot springs of the lodge, which are located next to the Colca River.

The last day of this journey started with an early visit to the Yanque main square, where, every day, local kids perform a traditional dance known as “Wititi.” This adventure continued with a visit to the Condor Cross, where the largest flying birds in the world offer a magnificent spectacle as they soar between the walls of one of the deepest canyons in the world. Once the condors were out of sight, I started heading back to Arequipa. On my way, I stopped in the Andean towns of Maca and Chivay, where there are a few options to enjoy lunch. On the ride back, there were plenty of opportunities to observe llamas, alpacas, endemic birds, and several volcanoes.