The Colca Canyon is a valley with fine natural scenery, numerous terraces dating from Pre-Columbian times, and a river located at a depth of 3.140 meters. Here you will find beautiful high-Andean landscapes, crossing a pass of 4.800 meters, where you can see beautiful views of the Valley of Volcanoes. Along the way visitors can enjoy beautiful natural scenery, as well as the fauna in the area, such as herds of vicuña (a camelid cousin of llamas and alpacas, who lives in the wild), various kinds of birds, in which highlights the giant hummingbird, eagles, geese and the majestic Andean Condor.
Arequipa Cathedral and Museum
One of the first 17th century monuments in the City. It was built of "sillar" (a volcanic stone) in the neoclassical style. It houses invaluable objects, like a church pulpit brought from Lille, France, and a 15-metre high monumental Belgian organ.
Visiting Hours : Temple: Monday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Museum: Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.
Location: Located to one side of the Plaza de Armas.
The Society of Jesus Church and Complex
Complex of buildings erected by the Jesuits for religious and residential purposes. The buildings form a monument that, according to many, exemplifies the most beautiful 17th century (1660) religious architecture. The temple dominates the centre of the complex. The interior of the temple houses more than sixty paintings of the Cuzco school, by artists such as Bernardo Bitti and Diego de la Puente.
Visiting Hours: Church: Monday - Friday 9.10 am - 1.00 pm and 3.10 pm - 6.00 pm; Sat 11.30 am - 1.00 pm and 3.10 pm - 6.00 pm; Sun 9.10 am - 1.00 pm. Free admission.
Location: Intersection of General Morán and Álvarez Thomas streets, Arequipa Plaza de Armas.
Santa Catalina Monastery
Built in 1580 and eventually expanded to include cloisters, plazas, streets, tiled roofs, and cobblestone paving, this walled citadel served as a totally enclosed convent for nuns from the city's most distinguished families. The town's interior houses valuable colonial paintings of the Cuzco School, carvings and figures, religious relics, and well-preserved physical settings typical of daily life more than four hundred years ago.
Visiting Hours: Mon - Sun 9.00 am - 5.00 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, night visits 5.00 pm - 8:00 pm.