Departamento de Arequipa Travel Forum

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!!

Do you know any good tour 4day-3night Cotahaushi Canyon trip/trek august 28-30, 2005? Please give tour operator contacts.

If anyone has done both Colca Cayon and Cotahaushi Canyon (Sipia waterfall), please advice which one more spectacular?

thanks.

Is there a direct bus from Puno to Chivay? How often do buses leave from Arequipa to Chivay? Hou much$$?! If I go to chivay bymyself, how can I go to Cruz del Condor in the morning of the following day? [ ] 's

Oops, almost forgot... how far is the Arequipa airport to downton?

Does anyone know if there are regular flights or if a flight can be arranged from Nazca to Arequipa? How much?

greetings... i'm meant to go to machu picchu and puerto maldonado in june. a friend of mine is saying a bit about safety and how unsafe it is... especially for a girl flying solo. i am not terribly worried about it but i am definitely interested in seeing what other people think. i think safety is always an issue where ever you go... although some places more than other. pls share your thoughts on this one.

We are moving to Arequipa for a few years, and I had some questions. Your help is much appreciated.

1. How safe is it for white North Americans?
2. Is the tap water bad to drink?
3. What are the hospital conditions?
4. Is there any danger as far as guerilla/terrorist groups...I know there used to be one in Peru.
5. Anything else I need to know beforehand?

thanks guys. Happy travels.

Hi!
We are two females coming to Arequipa somnetime in July. I have mostly seen 2 days trips to the canyon & I guess most do not take you in the canyon, mostly to the edge for the condor watching thing.
Are there agancies in Arequipa who can take us to the canyon via the usual (the hot spings etc...) but for a bit longer like 3 days or maybe 4, and maybe to explore the canyon a bit further?

We don't really want to do it indenpendently due to concern about our safety (2 women alone in middle of nowhere, no way) Any tips welcomed!
Tx
Adeline

My wife and I are going to Peru for 16 days (ground time). She has always wanted to go to Santiago, so I thought we could carve out 5 or 6 days to check it out. The problem is that I have found it is very expensive to fly from Peru to Santiago. I have cheaper alternatives, such as flying from Lima to Arequipa for $85 and then travel to Arica and fly to Santiago for $150, but given our short time, I was hoping there would be a cheaper quick alternative. My preference is to just spend all our time in Peru, but I thought I should check it out for her.

Thanks

hallo,

Coming directly from Europe to Arequipa I would like to know a place where I could aclimatise for a couple of days near Arequipa without going to Puno or Titicaca lake. Is Chivay and Cajon de Colca a good place. Has somebody already climbed volcan Chachani or Ubinas in December or January.
How is the weather at that period. I would like to have clear Skies.
Thx for answer

Hi

I am looking to travel to Arequipa at the end of this year. I was wanting to know if it is best to go with a tour and if so what companies could you recommend??? I hear there are buses running reasonably frequently from Arequipa to Chivay and on to the Cabanaconde. Has anyone gone without a tour company what was your experience? i have approximately 3 days to see the canyon.

Thanks Jo