By Jo Self

I was only lucky enough to spend a day in Arequipa, and with a bit of a tummy ache at that, but one day was enough to know I will definitely travel back to this unique ‘white city.’

Arequipa earned its nickname as many of the buildings are constructed from sillar, a white volcanic rock, which is easy to come by as it is bordered on one side by three very prominent volcanoes: Misti, Pichupichu and Chachani. These peaks give the city a spectacular view from just about anywhere, especially over the Rio Chile and in the direction of the volcanoes, and it had me daydreaming of living here one day. 

My guide pointed out that with all these volcanic peaks, there are temblores (tremors) every day. Most only ever register an undetectable 1.8 or so on the Richter scale, but not being accustomed to earthquakes of any magnitude, I may have to rethink my move.

Throughout our tour, we were taken to several plazas and cathedrals, all as beautiful as the next. What I really enjoyed on this particular tour was the opportunity to try licor de maca (which I have looked everywhere to buy but to no avail) as well as the trip through the local market, scanning the aisles of fresh fruits, potatoes, meats and seafood along with numerous other options. 

Unfortunately, as my carefree eating had caught up to me, I was unable to try the famous rocoto relleno, a spicy red pepper stuffed with meat and cream sauce; however, I was lucky enough to find my favorite sandwich from when I lived in Peru before, chopped peach and chicken. An unusual combination, but definitely delicious.

When our city tour was finished, we took the time to discover the Santa Catalina Monastery, an absolute jewel in the middle of this grand city. 

The monastery, a colonial masterpiece, has a small city enclosed within its cobalt and terracotta walls. As the second daughter of every noble family was traditionally sent to the convent, the monastery grew continuously as new houses were built for the young women who entered. The cobblestone passageways and plazas are filled with foliage and frescoes. You can’t help but want to stay awhile, meditate for a bit or just bask in the beauty and silence. Something the more modern cities of Peru rarely offer.

Recommendations:

- While planning your stay, be sure to check out this range of Arequipa hotels, operated by the same chain of Lake Titicaca hotels and many others throughout Peru.

- The Santa Catalina Monastery is not to be missed. You will be swept back in time and enjoy the simple elegance the area offers.

- Tempt your palate with the famous rocoto relleno, the most example of Arequipa’s famously spicy cuisine, or any of the other tasty dishes found at the many picanterias, the traditional Peruvian eating houses that are particularly well-established here.

- Juanita Mummy Museum (Museo Santuarios Andinos), houses the frozen mummy of Juanita and her artifacts. ‘Juanita,’ a young teenage girl that was sacrificed by the Incas to the mountain gods on Ampato Mountain is the most well-known mummy in the Andes due to her remarkable preservation. She is only on display for a short period during May, as she undergoes preservation and research the rest of the year; however, another young girl, Sarita, is on display in her place.