Using Arequipa as a base in southern Peru? Keep reading for our recommendations for the excursions and day trips from Arequipa!
Updated January 2024
The white city of Arequipa is sumptuously photogenic, and has enough attractions and insights into day-to-day life in Peru to keep every traveller occupied for a stay of at least two or three nights. Although already a popular and integral part of many Peru itineraries, we think it’s also a more attractive, less touristy, and slightly cheaper base than Cusco if you’re travelling a little slower or wanting to learn Spanish (although Cusco’s day trips are a little better).
Whether you’re in the city for a few days or longer, here’s seven of the best day trips and tours from Arequipa if you want to explore within and beyond the city limits during your stay. If you want to know more about things to do and where to stay in the city, then read our traveller’s guide to Arequipa next!
The Best Arequipa Day Trips
Conquer The Colca Canyon
One of Peru’s most important and breathtaking sights, the Colca Canyon is home to soaring Andean condors and a challenging multiday independent or guided trek into one of the world’s deepest canyons. We didn’t make it here during our first visit to Peru, which placed it right at the top of our to-do list when we came back.
An absolute must-do for all travellers.
Do it independently | This is the way we did it, and can highly recommend it as the very best way to experience the grandeur of the Colca Canyon. We’ve written a comprehensive guide to the trek, so suggest starting there.
Take a tour | There are a variety of different tours on offer that claim to offer the best experience of the Colca Canyon, and which one you choose will depend very much on fitness levels, time available and budget. After having spoken to a number of people who visited the canyon on a day trip, we would struggle to recommend this as an option. Instead, you’d be much better off opting for a two day/one night tour, such as this.
Of course, we appreciate that some of you reading this post are limited on time and so a one-day tour may be your only option. In this case, we recommend taking a look at this popular option.
Rafting on the Chilli River
Located just 7 km out of Arequipa, the Chilli River (perhaps the best named river in South America!) provides a great value introduction to rafting, where you can experience and conquer class II, III and IV rapids It’s perfect option for beginner rafters and travellers looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush in Arequipa, all whilst accompanied by a professional rafting guide.
Note that the best time to do this activity is April to December - once rainy season begins, the river is closed to rafters for safety reasons.
Do it independently | Unsurprisingly, that’s not an option here. The Chilli River is just 20 minutes drive away from Arequipa centre but you are unable to raft without an organised tour and a professional guide.
Take a tour | This half day tour picks you up from your hotel and takes you to Gruta de la Virgen de Chapi for a thorough safety briefing before getting kitted up and into your raft. You spend nearly two hours on the water and can be as involved in the paddling as you wish.
Travel Tip // An excellent addition if you want to add more adrenaline to your day is to go rock climbing in the Valle de Chilina, not he banks of the River Chilli. Suitable for beginners as well as more seasoned climbers, the spot at Charcani is a great place to climb and see the scenery and also explore the surroundings of the Sanctuary of the Virgen de Chapi. This popular half-day tour includes three hours of climbing with a professional guide.
Visit Salinas Salt Lagoon
Hands up, who knew that Peru had its own salt flats? Nope, us neither. Which probably explains why Laguna de Salinas is so damn difficult to reach!
Located just under 40 miles from Arequipa, and stretching over more than 15,000 acres, Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve was officially established in back in 1979 and became a Ramsar site 24 years later.
Visitors during the rainy season will be treated to flocks of flamingoes, but all year round there are vicuña, alpacas and llamas - plus the hike around the lagoon is beautiful whatever the weather, with outstanding views towards the volcanoes of Ñuñu and Ubinas.
It’s unlikely to ever surpass its more famous counterpart over in Bolivia, but if you’re only visiting Peru on this particular South America adventure, it may well be worth adding into your itinerary.
Do it independently | Unlike much of Peru, this remains one destination that has not been commercialised, and as such, there is no physical way to make it there by public transport.
Take a tour | After a scenic early morning three-hour drive from Arequipa, you’ll have some off-roading, a hike to the impressive Salinas Salt Lagoon, and plenty opportunities to spot the local wildlife. This is a popular tour to source in Arequipa (see a typical tour and itinerary here) but if you’re keen to book this activity in advance consider this highly rated option available on Viator.
Read Next | The Best Things To Do In Arequipa
Hike Volcan El Misti
Arequipa is surrounded by volcanoes, and they are a true sight to behold. Its most famous and visible one - El Misti - stands at 5,822 metres, and hiking to the summit is a popular trip for the more adventurous traveller. Be warned however, this is not an easy trek, and certainly not something that should be attempted by those with even average fitness or the unacclimatised.
However, despite the arduous trek reaching the summit is absolutely worth it and you are rewarded with incredible views from the peak of this active volcano.
Do it independently | Due to the complexity of reaching the summit, this is absolutely not recommended and almost certainly not possible. As far as we know, it’s via a tour company only.
Take a tour | The most common hike to undertake takes two days and one night (like this one), setting off around 8 a.m. and arriving back to Arequipa in the late afternoon the following day. Tours can be found advertised in tour agency windows across the city, but be sure to vet your company properly. As we mention above, this hike is not without its challenges and you will need assurance that your agency has good equipment and competent guides.
We’d recommend taking a look at this blog post for more information.
Travel Tip // If you’d love to get a little closer to El Misti but just don’t have the fitness level (or inclination) to do a summit climb, consider this half-day tour to the basecamp, which can be reached following a moderately difficult hike of just 2.5 hours.
The Peruvian Countryside
Some of you will be pleased to know that not every single day trip from Arequipa involves hiking for multiple days, high altitude, or hits of adrenalin!
The pretty agricultural town of Paucarpata with colourful buildings and terraced hills and the small village of Sabandia located within a stunning natural park (both less than 10 km from Arequipa) are becoming increasingly popular day trips and provide the opportunity for the curious traveller to experience a different side to the region and are a great example of Peru outside of the tourist hotspots. Both also offer stunning views of El Misti.
Do it independently | The close proximity to Arequipa mean it’s really easy to reach both Paucarpata and Sabandia with public transport - just grab a colectivo or taxi from Arequipa, departing from the nearby Plaza de Armas (maps) your hotel can help with this if needed.
Take a tour | If you prefer to get around a little more and thrive on gaining expert local knowledge on the places you visit, this half-day countryside tour includes visits to Sabandia alongside multiple scenic viewpoints of El Misti, stops at La Mansion del Fundador, an iconic mansion in the region, the Gustave Eiffel designed ‘Iron Bridge,’ and the Sabandia stone mill.
Climb The Chacani Volcano
We told you Arequipa was full of volcanoes!
Tougher than the Misti volcano hike we mentioned earlier, the completion of a trek up to the top of the towering extinct Chacani Volcano (6070 metres) is one should be worn as a badge of honour. It’s seriously high, it’s seriously cold and it’s seriously draining; we have it on good authority that it will make you swear and pray for it to be over. But, those views - those views make it all worth while.
It’s certainly possible for non-technical climbers to complete this trek, but you absolutely need to be fully acclimatised to the altitude and beyond prepared with proper hiking gear and good boots - a strong will just won´t be enough.
Do it independently | Yeah, this is another trek that needs a tour, sorry. This includes professional hikers who still must complete this arduous trek with a local guide.
Take a tour | Whilst the route remains the same, you will have the option to undertake this trek over one or two days. Whilst it’s certainly possible to complete with one day, this would involve leaving Arequipa in the night and hiking in the darkness and without a substantial break. Instead, we’d recommend a two day option, like this one.
Whichever tour company you pick, be sure that equipment provided is up to scratch for a night’s camping at significant altitude. Additionally, do note that most tour prices in Arequipa and online do not include the price of a porter in the upfront cost. Whilst not essential, many people opt to hire a porter to limit what they need to carry whilst trekking.
and if you want to know a little more arequipa…
In the past, when we’ve travelled on a little more of a budget, we’ve shunned city tours simply to keep costs down. Now we find that having a deeper understanding of a location from a local is hugely beneficial to appreciating the places we visit.
You can plan your stay in Arequipa with our guide for travellers - ‘13 Wonderful Things to do in Arequipa’ - filled with advice and inspiration.
If however you’re short on time, visiting only for a couple of days or looking to learn a little more about this beautiful city’s history, food or culture, there are an abundance of great tour options within (or super close to) the city.
Take a Peruvian Cooking Class : Learn how to prepare classic Peruvian dishes such as the Lomo Saltado and Potatoe doug. Schedule this private class for lunch or dinner to suit your own plans while staying in Arequipa. Find out more here.
Guided Food Tour in Arequipa City : Learn more about local food and Peruvian cuisine on this guided tour of the best hidden spots in Arequipa. Visit 4 different restaurants and sample 6 different cuisines, arrive with an empty stomach to prepare! Find out more here.
Visit Monasterio de Santa Catalina, considered a masterpiece of colonial architecture and a photographer’s dream with its blue and red arches, it is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. Buy tickets on in advance here, on the door, or visit Santa Catalina as part of a private walking tour in Arequipa.
If you've just arrived in Arequipa and want to get to grips quickly, maybe take one of the free walking tours (tips encouraged, no booking necessary) which leave from the Plaza de Armas at 10 a.m and 3 p.m. Or opt for a highly-rated private option like this one.
WHERE TO NEXT?
We’ve written a lot to help travellers like us have the best adventure in Peru. If you’re still planning for Arequipa or looking further ahead, then why not check out:
13 Wonderful Things to Do in Arequipa
How To Hike The Colca Canyon Without A Guide
How to Get From Arequipa to the Colca Canyon
13 Wonderful Things to Do in Cusco
Everything You Need To Know Before Hiking the Inca Trail
Cycling Between The Desert and The Sea in Paracas
