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Province of Arequipa - South American Destination

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Colca Valley<br />

151 km / 94 miles north <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arequipa</strong> (3 hours by car)<br />

The extreme northeastern section <strong>of</strong> the department <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arequipa</strong> is located here.<br />

The highest point is the inactive volcano Mount Ampato (6288 masl), and the<br />

lowest at the confluence <strong>of</strong> the rivers Colca and Andamayo (970 masl). The<br />

Colca valley is 100 km in length and occupies only part <strong>of</strong> the Colca river basin,<br />

comprising the districts <strong>of</strong> Callalli and Huambo.<br />

There are sixteen villages in this zone made up <strong>of</strong> descendents <strong>of</strong> the Collaguas<br />

and Cabanas tribes, inheritors <strong>of</strong> rich cultural traditions. The towns <strong>of</strong> Chivay<br />

and Cabanaconde are the most visited by tourists.<br />

In the latter, you can watch condors soar from the Cruz de Condor (Condor<br />

Crossing) Lookout. The Colca valley forms part <strong>of</strong> the <strong>South</strong> <strong>American</strong> tectonic<br />

plate and contains the active volcano Sabancaya, located on the volcanic<br />

mountain Hualca Hualca. This valley possesses a great diversity <strong>of</strong> flora and<br />

fauna. Among the most representative species are the condor, the kestrel, the<br />

peregrine falcon, and the Andean tinamou.<br />

Colca Canyon<br />

42 km / 26 miles west <strong>of</strong> the town <strong>of</strong> Chivay (1 hour by car)<br />

This is one <strong>of</strong> the deepest places on the planet, reaching a depth <strong>of</strong> 3400 meters<br />

/ 11.155 feet at the lowest point in the location <strong>of</strong> Canco. On the right side, it<br />

is flanked by the Chila Cordillera (Bomboya, Serpregrina, Mismi, Queshihua) and<br />

on the other by Mount Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya, and Ampato. You can see<br />

Mount Ubinas and beautiful Mount Coropuna in the distance.<br />

Imata Stone Forest<br />

150 km / 93 miles northeast <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arequipa</strong> on the Puno highway (2 hours by car)<br />

It is a complex <strong>of</strong> stone structures that have the appearance <strong>of</strong> a mysterious<br />

petrified forest. Erosion has shaped the stones, giving them a peculiar aspect.<br />

The place is easily accessible since it is located near the <strong>Arequipa</strong> – Juliaca<br />

highway.<br />

Ampato volcano<br />

173 km / 108 miles north <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arequipa</strong> (5 hours by 4x4 vehicle)<br />

At 6288 masl / 20.630 fasl, it is temporarily inactive and exhibits a perpetual<br />

snowcap at the height <strong>of</strong> 5000 meters / 16.404 feet. The foothills have scarce<br />

vegetation limited to bunch grass and hawthorn. At the top, from which you can<br />

see the Colca Canyon, explorers found the “Dama de Ampato”, the mummified<br />

remains <strong>of</strong> a girl from the time <strong>of</strong> the Incas.<br />

<strong>Province</strong> <strong>of</strong> Islay<br />

Lagunas de Mejia National Sanctuary<br />

Islay<br />

146 km / 91 miles southwest <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arequipa</strong> (2 hours<br />

and 10 minutes by car); 11 km / 7 miles south from the Mejia baths and 5 km /<br />

3 miles south <strong>of</strong> Mollendo<br />

It possesses an area <strong>of</strong> 691 hectares and includes different habitats comprising<br />

swamps, salt marshes, tortora reeds, hills, riverside estuaries, fields <strong>of</strong> salt<br />

grass, and sandy beaches. It is ideal for bird-watching, and 195 species have<br />

been registered: 75 are resident species (you can find them there all year long),<br />

6 are ocean residing species, and 80 are migratory ones that travel from places<br />

so diverse and distant as the Peruvian jungle and the Antarctic.<br />

<strong>Province</strong> <strong>of</strong> Castilla<br />

Castilla<br />

Toro Muerto Petroglyphs<br />

164 km / 102 miles northwest <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arequipa</strong> (2 hours and<br />

30 minutes)<br />

Leaving the Colca valley and passing through the Sihuas pampas is one way to get<br />

there. To arrive there directly from <strong>Arequipa</strong>, take the road to Lima and turn <strong>of</strong>f at<br />

Corire (District <strong>of</strong> Uraca) and drive for 6 km / 4 miles.<br />

The site consists <strong>of</strong> a group <strong>of</strong> carvings spread out over 5 km 2 / 2 miles 2 .The majority<br />

<strong>of</strong> them are representations <strong>of</strong> human beings, animals, and plants, as well as geometric<br />

designs that seem to have been carved with sharpened stones. The techniques used<br />

varied from striking, scratching, chipping, to hammering, and their age could begin<br />

around 1100 A.D.<br />

Andagua, Valley <strong>of</strong> the Volcanoes<br />

323 km / 201 miles northeast from <strong>Arequipa</strong> (9 hours by car)<br />

The Valley <strong>of</strong> the Volcanoes was the center <strong>of</strong> strenuous convulsions in the<br />

volcanic mountain chain 200.000 years ago. We can still see today an extensive<br />

layer <strong>of</strong> lava over which around eighty-six smaller inactive volcanoes have<br />

emerged. It reaches an altitude <strong>of</strong> 3546 masl / 11.634 fasl.<br />

<strong>Province</strong> <strong>of</strong> La Union<br />

Cotahuasi Valley and Canyon (Scenic Reserve <strong>of</strong><br />

the Cotahuasi Sub-basin)<br />

375 km / 233 miles northwest <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arequipa</strong> (9 hours by car / 12<br />

hours by public bus)<br />

Different altitudinal tiers have created the conditions for a large biological<br />

diversity with high indices <strong>of</strong> endemism in both the flora and fauna. The<br />

Cotahuasi Canyon includes twelve life zones and three ecological regions. It is<br />

considered the deepest in Peru (3535 m / 11.598 feet).<br />

<strong>Province</strong> <strong>of</strong> Caravelí<br />

Waca Gorge or Puerto Inca Archeological Site<br />

417 km / 259 miles northwest <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arequipa</strong> (6 hours<br />

and 30 minutes by car);<br />

Archeological complex known for its long period <strong>of</strong> human occupation since the<br />

remnants found there date from the pre-ceramic era to the fourteenth and<br />

fifteenth centuries, indicating an Inca presence. Some archeologists and<br />

historians think that from this site, one <strong>of</strong> the most important Inca trails started<br />

which crossed into the territory <strong>of</strong> Ayacucho and later reached Cusco.<br />

<strong>Province</strong> <strong>of</strong> Camaná<br />

La Unión<br />

Caravelí<br />

173 km / 568 miles southwest <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arequipa</strong> (2 hours and 30 minutes by car)<br />

The central territory <strong>of</strong> <strong>Arequipa</strong> is located here. During the pre-Hispanic era,<br />

cultures like the Nasca, Paracas, Waris, Collaguas, Chuquibambas, and Incas<br />

lived in this pleasant valley. In 1539, the city <strong>of</strong> Camaná was founded under the<br />

name <strong>of</strong> “Villa Hermosa de Camaná” (Beautiful Villa <strong>of</strong> Camaná).<br />

Beach circuit<br />

It is located 10 - 40 km. / 6 - 25 miles from the city <strong>of</strong> Camaná (5 to 20 minutes<br />

by car)<br />

The beautiful beaches stretching to the Pacific Ocean are the best part <strong>of</strong> this<br />

area. These include la Punta, Cerrillos, el Chorro, las Cuevas, Quilca, la Miel,<br />

Arantas, Honoratos, La Playuela, etc. Some <strong>of</strong> these beaches are <strong>of</strong>ten visited<br />

by adventure sports lovers and fishing fans.<br />

José María Quimper Archeological Museum – El Cardo<br />

Located in the District <strong>of</strong> El Cardo, 20 km / 12 miles from Camaná (20 minutes by car)<br />

There, you can see 10.000 years <strong>of</strong> history through the uncountable objects<br />

among which appear vestiges <strong>of</strong> the Nasca, Paracas, Wari, Chuquibamba,<br />

Collagua, and Inca cultures.<br />

Pucchun Lakes<br />

Enjoy watching a variety <strong>of</strong> wild bird species: ducks, antshrikes, moorehens,<br />

geese, flamingos, and more.<br />

Quilca<br />

33 km / 21 miles from the city <strong>of</strong> Camaná (30 minutes by car)<br />

It is the first southern Peruvian port, known for being the place where the hero<br />

<strong>of</strong> the War <strong>of</strong> the Pacific, Admiral Miguel Grau, defied the Chilean fleet<br />

commanded by Monitor Huáscar. It is ideal for underwater hunting and<br />

ecotourism.<br />

Inca Trails<br />

Roads used in pre-Hispanic times. Today, bicyclists, walkers, and equestrians<br />

use them.<br />

Inca Observatory<br />

Located on the right bank <strong>of</strong> the Camaná River at kilometer marker 826 <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Pan-<strong>American</strong> Highway <strong>South</strong>, you can enjoy nature and watch the waters flow<br />

into the Pacific Ocean.<br />

<strong>Arequipa</strong> has a large variety <strong>of</strong> dances and musical styles complemented by<br />

multicolored dance costumes.<br />

The most characteristic dance is the <strong>Arequipa</strong>n Carnaval, mainly done during the<br />

celebrations <strong>of</strong> Carnival and the anniversary <strong>of</strong> the founding <strong>of</strong> the city (15th<br />

August). Other typical music are the Yaraví, Quechua in origin, and the Pampeña,

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