The Peruvian Highlands
Arequipa, Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca
In the south of Peru, the two mountain ranges of the Andes diverge, giving rise to the Peruvian highlands. This stunning region is home to, amongst other things, the ‘White City’ of Arequipa, the Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca on the border with Bolivia. Stunning destinations for a unique trip of Peru.
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The White City
Tucked away in the highlands of Peru lies the colonial city of Arequipa, with the majestic peak of the ‘El Misti’ volcano in the background. The city has a historic centre built almost entirely of white volcanic stone, which is where it gets its nickname.
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Santa Catalina Monastery
Built in 1580 in Arequipa, it served as a cloistered convent for nuns from the city’s most prominent families. The convent houses a magnificent and extremely valuable interior featuring unique colonial paintings from the Cuzco School, wood carvings, religious relics and many more reminders of daily life here hundreds of years ago.
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Colca Canyon
About a 4-hour drive from Arequipa lies the Colca River, which over the years has carved out a deep gorge on its way to the Pacific Ocean. The gorge is considered one of the deepest in the world. People in the valley still live according to ancient traditions, and there are lovely walks to enjoy in the natural surroundings.
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Condor spotting
The Colca Canyon is the natural habitat of one of the world’s largest birds: the condor. At Cruz del Condor, a viewpoint offering panoramic views across the valley, you can spot these magnificent birds at close quarters in the morning. A truly special experience!
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Colca Lodge
Fancy staying amidst the spectacular scenery of the Colca Canyon? We recommend the Colca Lodge. This lodge has 45 rooms featuring a sleek design combined with warm touches, creating a very cosy atmosphere. The wonderful spa is a real highlight. Enjoy a variety of treatments whilst looking out over the beautiful Colca Valley.
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Lake Titicaca
The beautiful Lake Titicaca lies on the border between Peru and Bolivia at almost 4,000 metres above sea level. The landscape here is truly magnificent! The clear blue lake is surrounded by some of the most imposing mountains in the entire Andes.
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Floating reed islands
Be sure to visit the Uros Indians. This authentic community lives in the traditional way on Lake Titicaca, having built artificial islands out of reeds on which they live.
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Hotel Titilaka
This is the ultimate location for an unforgettable experience on Lake Titicaca. The small-scale hotel, with just 18 luxury suites, is situated on a private island in the lake. All suites offer lake views and are fully equipped, even featuring underfloor heating for your comfort. The hotel’s spa and heated swimming pool round off the experience perfectly.
Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
Tucked away between the coast and the southern highlands, Arequipa lies at the foot of the El Misti volcano. Arequipa lies less than 2,500 metres above sea level, which means it enjoys a lovely spring-like climate all year round, with almost always sunny weather, never too hot, and a pleasant cool in the evening. Arequipa is the country’s second-largest city. However, you certainly wouldn’t think so when strolling through the narrow streets of its charming city centre.
The Colca Valley is about a 4-hour drive from Arequipa. The route to the valley takes you along the slopes of the Chachani volcano and through the Salinas Aguada Blanca National Reserve. Along the way, as well as grazing alpacas and viscachas, you’ll see an impressive mountain landscape with majestic peaks and very deep ravines. The Colca Valley is home to the archaeological heritage of the indigenous Collagua community, including mysterious cave paintings and caves that were used for storing grain. The Colca Valley is perfect for hikers and nature lovers. Villages and towns in the valley remain very traditional; you can stay in authentic accommodation here and discover the indigenous cuisine and local crafts within the communities. You can wander through small, colourful markets here, offering, amongst other things, carpets, embroidered skirts and blouses with colourful designs, tin items with embossed decoration, candles and wood carvings.
Lake Titicaca
The beautiful Lake Titicaca lies on the border between Peru and Bolivia at almost 4,000 metres above sea level. According to legend, the first Inca king was born on the Island of the Sun, an island situated in the Bolivian part of Lake Titicaca. On the islets in and around the shores of Lake Titicaca, you will find many small villages where the indigenous Quechua and Aymara people live in the traditional way. A boat trip allows you to visit islands such as Taquile and Amantani and get to know the locals. A good base for exploring this region is the colonial town of Puno, situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Fancy a trip of Peru?
Would you like to organise your own trip of Peru, including a visit to the Peruvian Highlands, and are you curious about the options? Then do have a look at the itineraries we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.