Arequipa Plaza de Armas and Cathedral at sunset on the Arequipa City Tour
HALF DAY WHITE CITY

Arequipa City Tour: The White City and Its Countryside

  • Half Day (4 hours)
  • Arequipa, Peru
  • From $20 USD ≈ S/ 69

Discover the White City, built from white volcanic sillar stone, with viewpoints facing El Misti and a countryside of farming terraces and colonial mills.

DURATION Half Day (4 hours)
MAX ALTITUDE 2,335 m (Arequipa)
DIFFICULTY Easy
GROUP SIZE Shared group
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Experience Overview

Arequipa, the White City, owes its nickname to sillar, the white volcanic stone used to build its churches and grand colonial mansions. Its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 and is watched over by three volcanoes: El Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. This Arequipa City Tour covers the best of the city and its countryside in a single afternoon.

Places you’ll visit

  • Yanahuara Viewpoint: sillar arches engraved with verses by local poets, perfectly framing El Misti volcano.
  • Carmen Alto Viewpoint: pre-Inca terraces that are still farmed today, with views of all three volcanoes.
  • Founder’s Mansion: a colonial estate linked to the city’s founder, Garcí Manuel de Carbajal.
  • Sabandía Mill: a 17th-century stone mill set in the countryside, where llamas and alpacas often graze.
  • Plaza de Armas and Cathedral: one of the most beautiful main squares in Peru, lined with sillar arcades.

Schedule and tips

  • Departure around 2:00 p.m., returning at 6:00 p.m. (4 hours).
  • Bring sunscreen and sunglasses: Arequipa enjoys sunshine almost all year round.
  • Round out your visit with the Santa Catalina Monastery, a walled citadel within the city (separate admission).
  • Try rocoto relleno (stuffed hot peppers), chupe de camarones (shrimp chowder) and queso helado, Arequipa’s signature dishes.

Signature Highlights

Explore Arequipa’s UNESCO World Heritage historic center.
Take in El Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu from scenic viewpoints.
Arequipa’s countryside and its pre-Inca farming terraces.
The Founder’s Mansion and Sabandía Mill.
Licensed tour guide and transportation included.
STEP BY STEP

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Each day has been carefully planned to optimize acclimatization and avoid peak tourist hours.

DAY 01

Yanahuara – Carmen Alto – Sabandía – Founder’s Mansion – Plaza de Armas

⛰ 2,335 m a.s.l. ⏱ Approx. 4 hours ⛺ Return to Arequipa

After picking you up at your hotel, we begin at the Yanahuara viewpoint and its sillar church. Next we head to the Carmen Alto viewpoint to admire the countryside terraces and the three volcanoes. We continue to Sabandía Mill and the Founder’s Mansion, and finish in the historic center with a walk around the Plaza de Armas and its surroundings.

FULL TRANSPARENCY

What's Included in the Expedition

✓

Included Luxury Services

  • Pickup from your hotel in downtown Arequipa.
  • Tourist transportation.
  • Licensed tour guide.
  • Drop-off in the city center.
✕

Not Included

  • Admission to the Founder’s Mansion, Sabandía Mill and Carmen Alto (payable in soles).
  • Santa Catalina Monastery.
  • Meals and tips.
WE ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions about Arequipa City Tour: The White City and Its Countryside

Is the Santa Catalina Monastery included?

No, but you can visit it on your own in the morning or add it as a private service.

Will I feel the altitude in Arequipa?

Arequipa sits at 2,335 m, a moderate altitude. It’s a great place to acclimatize before heading to the Colca Canyon or Puno.

What’s the best time of day for this tour?

The afternoon offers beautiful light at the viewpoints and pleasant temperatures.