Things to do in Arequipa

Arequipa is a city in the south of Peru located on the banks of the River Chili and at the foot of the majestic volcano El Misti (5822 meters). Founded in 1540, it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and it is known as "La Ciudad Blanca" due to the color of the historic center’s main buildings. The center of the city is the Plaza de Armas with its seventeenth century cathedral, while other interesting religious monuments are the Santa Catalina Monastery and the Church of San Francisco. Arequipa is also the starting point of many tours and excursions toward the famous and picturesque Colca Canyon.