Travel Answers

Departamento de Arequipa

Some travel books say that the night bus from Nazca to Arequipa is not safe: both with the number of road accidents and robberies and assaults. Can you please give an advise on how big a probvlem it is this year. We plan our travel in July, and taking a night bus is reasonable in terms of our root: Lima - Nazca-Arequipa-Puno-Cusco-Lima, but may be we shoold reconsider.

We will be travelling to Peru from mid Dec '11 till mid Jan'12. Instead of going to the colca canyon we want to go to the Cotahuasi Canyon, we would much prefer to be a little more independent if possible. We would like to go to Sipia Waterfall and the thermal springs Is it possible to get a personal guide and if possible we would really like to spend a night at least, camping by the river. Any recommendations much appreciated.

Hi, i need to know if there are any domestics flights from arequipa straight to tacna, where i am planing on crossing the border to arica by taxi and there taking a bus or another flight to santiago. i read that there is such option, but i can't find any more informations concerning fares and dates of theses flights, and where i can buy the tickets and board... thanks!

Hi I am a professional photographer and I am documenting Semana Santa across the Americas and am looking for info on which location has the best and most photogenic opportunities for Holy Week. This year I shot in Antigua, Guatemala which was amazing and am looking for something as dynamic. Thank you for your insight. Julien

Hi! We plan a trip from Arequipa to Colca Canyon in mid September. We look for the fastest way to get there. Are there any flights / fast trains to get close to the canyon? Do you guys know any nice place we can stay overnight - the closest to the canyon possible? Because we are seniors and cannot walk long distances, do you have ideas what kind of trip/attraction in the canyon would be the best for us? Thank you for any helpful comment! Basia

My dilemma is: 2 or 3 days ? I don't have much time and I would know if 2 days could be a good compromise. Thanks!!!

Hi Everybody, we are planning a trip to Peru in June. Could anyone recommend a tour company or tour guide in Arequipa? We are looking for a three to four day trekking-tour to Colca Canyon and surrounding area. We are interested in a tour off the beaten tourist path. Thanks for answering! Kata

Are there any direct flights to La Paz Bolivia on a lesser known airline? Thanks

Does anyone have any idea how to get to Northern Chile by bus from Arequipa? Are there any fees entering the country etc? I can't seem to find any bus company that goes from Peru to Chile.

Does anyone have recommendations for reliable touring companies for kayaking/mountain biking in the Arequipa/Colca Canyon area that are not expensive? Thanks for the help. B. Jones

I fly into Arequipa around 4 pm on a Tuesday and need to catch a bus to Chivay. Would I need to wait until the following morning? Is there a way to reserve bus tickets? What are the bus lines? Thanks

Hi, I've read the forums on Arequipa and most, if not all, of the posts talk about hiking the canyons near Arequipa. I am taking my 12-yr old daughter with me and so, I am not thinking of hiking the canyons since I'm not sure how she'll handle the hike (and altitude). I also have history of getting altitude sickness so I dont want to risk getting sick when I have my daughter with me. That said, I still want to visit Arequipa ... is it still worth flying to Arequipa and staying there for about 2 days, just exploring the city ? will there be other things to do there ? Thanks Maria

Will be traveling to Peru in less than two weeks, and planning on doing the Machu Picchu hike, and then going to Puno/Lake Titicaca, and was wondering where to go after there. I've considered two stops--La Paz or Arequipa? What do you think will be a nice, big city, cultural experience after the hike and visiting the floating islands?

Hello everyone, We are planning a 2 day trip to the Colca Canyon at the end of May. Can anyone suggest an itinerary for a 2 day trip from Arequipa? I am not sure if we should stay 2 nights or one night. We like to do this with out a tour. is that possiblle. Any recommendations on hotels, food, sites would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Hi there! I was planning to travel from Lima straight to Puno but have been advised not to due to altitude sickness. If I fly to Arequipa and catch the bus to Puno, will this reduce this problem dramatically? If is Go2Peru the best website to book a bus in advance? Cheers x

I would like to get information on private tourist cabs as i will be in Peru in December and would like to go from Lima to Paracas and from Paracas to Nazca and from Nazca to Arrequipo.Any information and prices/ day would be helpful. Thankyou

Hí Everybody Im going to travell to Cotahuasi canyon in August. If somebody was there I asking some information about roads, viewing, accommodation etc. Thank tikotrad

What are the best tour groups that offer llama treking or horsebackriding in Colca / Catahuasi? At most, we would be spending a total of 7 days in Arequipa and the canyon-area. Also, if we can only do one of the two canyons, which is the better option and offers better landscapes for photo ops? We're planning on a summer trip. Thanks.

hi kool kats, new on this site, but finding it very useful. Ok, I'm heading down from Canada to Rio in several month. Will be staying around Ipanema Beach. Plan is to soak up some sun, hit he beach, rent a scooter and cruise the city, and ofcourse hit the night life. Look for Samba, Bossa Nova, and some Brazillian House. Anyone know any good spots? Would love to hear from anyone who's planning to go around the same time, maybe hook up : ) chow

My husband and me want to make a trekk in Colca - Arequipa. We have approx. 5 days. Who has experience?Is it difficult? We do need to take everything with us i.e. tent, meals,etc? we do need a guide or can we make it alone? It is dangerous? how mts are the highest pass? Every information ist wellcome thanks a lot! Mag

Anyone have any experience travelling from Lima to Arequipa on the bus in VIP class? Dave

Hi, I'm going to Arequip next week and I would like to do a trekking in Colca Cañon. Does somebody knows where or how I can book it? All suggestions are welcome!!! Hayde

before heading to puno, i decided to stay a week in arequipa and take some more spanish class. but it will only take 2 hours a day, any suggestion what else can be done in arequipa, other than reading a book or sipping a coffee in the cafe. anyone else will be here from may 27 to june 2?

We'll be departing La Paz and heading to Colca Canyon. Does anyone know if the shortest (or easiest) way to Colca Canyon is through Puno and Arequipa? We want to avoid back-tracking, but then again, you often arrange the easiest trips out of central locations like Arequipa. Thanks in advance!

Which tour operator is the best for a "real" trek (without the tourist traps) and which one should be avoided? Has anybody done it on horse? If yes, with which tour operator? Any "off the beaten track" advice for the Arequipa region? Thanks in advance... Amalka

Well, I believe the most famous Thing-to-do in Arequipa is the Colca Canion. BUT, ive read a plenty of posts talking how disspointing it was. Just read a couple of backpakers saiyng it was great. Im going there right now in april... So, I ask you. Is that the best option for someone who ill saty there for 2d/1night? Thanks in advance.

I'm flying in to Arequipa and then I need to get to La Paz. Does anyone know how long of a journey that trip is by bus? Are there any other ways to get to La PAz from Arequipa? thanks in advance

Hi - I am a single mature American woman - I would like to rent a house in Arequipa for the winter Dec - Jan - Feb but I am not finding any notices - It seems quite difficult - I would like something quiet and nice - up to 600 dollars a month would be great - thanks for any help! Jean

Hi all, my boyfriend may have just posted this question but is there anywhere we can buy a good digital camera in arequipa? even second hand ones? any camera salesman coming down from america who could sell us one? diumb question with a million to one chance, just thought i would ask! we have had ours stolen on the bus from pizco. careful everyone, we were tricked by someone pouring water on the floor to distract our attention, then he robbed us. its a crazy world and im very upset right now. thanks for any help you can give me. Jess x

Hello everyone. We had our camera's stolen today on the bus from Pisco to Ica. Is there anywhere that we can buy a decent camera (digital, not too expensive) in Arequipa? Please help. Thank you ps. fellow travellers beware of people distracting you on the bus and touching your bags. DON´T LET ANYONE TOUCH YOUR GEAR!!