Peru 4U

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Arequipa Peru tours

Arequipa Peru city/ area tour. 1 day.

First we take you to a nice view point just outside of Arequipa Peru where you observe the beautiful volcanoes, El Misti (5822m) Chachani (6075m) and Pichu Pichu (5571m) from close distance. Try also the papaya arequipeña juice here! On your way back to the city we visit Yanahuara with its nice square and colonial church. Back in the city you will visit the Jesuit church “La Compañía” with its wonderful polychrome cupola full with murals. On your way to the monastery of Santa Catalina you pass by the cathedral which was destroyed during the earthquake in 2001. Our guide will tell you interesting things about all the places of interest. You will wander back in time during your tour though the small streets of the monastery “Santa Catalina” . De Arequipa city tour also includes a visit to the Mueso Andino that houses the famous Incan mummy "Juanita", preserved for 500 years in the ice cap of Nevado Ampato.

Colca Canyon tour. 2 days.

Day 1:
You depart from Arequipa around 8 am with a small group of other tourists for a 6 hour trip to Chivay. First we go northwest passing volcano Chachani. The road continues through the “ Reserva National Salinas y Aguada Blanca” on a average altitude of 3860m. Maybe you spot vicuñas. They are often seen here. After 3 hours you make a small stop for a cup of coca tea. We continue our trip through the altiplano until we reach the highest point at 4800m! After a small stop we drive down to Chivay where you will stay for the night. In the afternoon you can take a bath in the hot water spring, visit the local market or go for a romantic hike in the surrounding area of Chivay.

Day 2:
You have to wake up very early in the morning because we take you to the edge of the Colca Canyon. After a small ride we arrive at “Cruz del Cóndor” from where you can observe the cóndor in his natural habitat. Sometimes you ask your self who is watching who. These cóndors come so close that you can watch them right in the eyes! Also the view over the canyon is magnificent and you see the river colca 1200m below you! On your way back to Arequipa we take it easy and let you enjoy the immenseness of the area. You will make a couple of small stops and a somewhat longer stop in Yangue, a little town with a attractive church that dates from the early 18th century. At 5 pm you will be back at your hotel.

Valley of Majes. Aplao. 1 day.

To enjoy the fascinating tour you have to be ready very early. We start at 5:00 am and leave Arequipa by public bus. At 08:00 am we arrive at Aplao and at 09:00 am we offer you the opportunity for a rafting adventure from Quiscay to Aplao (1.40 minutes approx.) Level 1,2 and 3. April - December. At about 11.00 am we visit " perfil de Jesucristo" (Cosos) Ubicated in the village of Cosos, north of Aplao. It is a rock formation that shows the face of Jesus Christ almost perfectly. You can also visit the Pisco "bodegas". At 12:30 pm a tastful lunch of shrimps ( the biggest ones of the country) will be served. At 01:30 pm we take a short rest in the hammocks of the garden of " Casa de Mauro". We go on at 02:30 am with a visit to the footprints of Dinosaurs (Querulpa) at the impressive Jurassic sanctuary in Querulpa, between Corire and Aplao. You can see approx. 68 footprints of a dinosaurs TYRANNOSAURUS REX. 15 meters large and 3 meters high. Next we visit "Toro Muerto" (Corire). Toro Muerto has aprox. 5000 petroglifes in an area of 5 km. They represent mythological and symbolical figures, from the Wari, Chuquibamba and Inca cultures.

Arequipa Reality tour. Half day.

Do you want to have a taste of how Peru really is? Take the Arequipa reality tour. See how tuff life can be in Peru. See how people are struggling to survive and get a taste of how the Peruvian society organizes itself to provide the basic needs for daily living..
We depart from Arequipa around 8.30 am with your group for a 3,5 hour trip around Arequipa and its outskirts. First we visit the local market. After the market we will head towards the place where sillar (volcanic stone) is extracted in a traditional way, to used it later for the construction of houses. On the way we inform you about political, social and economical reality of Peru and Arequipa. We continue to the shantytowns and give you insight in the way of life of the poor people of the area: visiting a wawawasi (child care centers for marginal families), a comedor popular (see how the mothers cook food for their family).
The tour is our way of showing you the hard working poor people of Peru and how creative they are in their struggle to survive. The tour reveals the social and economical reality of Arequipa Peru in a safe and secure way.
The tour is USD 20 per person. 35% is for the bus and the English speaking guide. 65% is for the comedors and the wawawasi's. Nothing for Peru4U and the local operator, except the priceless satisfaction of knowing to contribute to the standard of living of the poor and the homeless. A Win/Win tour for sure!