Seven of the Best Day Trips From Arequipa

Using Arequipa as a base in southern Peru? Keep reading for our recommendations for the excursions and day trips from Arequipa!

Updated January 2025

The white city of Arequipa is sumptuously photogenic, and has enough attractions and insights into day-to-day life in Peru to keep every traveller occupied fora stay of at least two or three nights. Although already a popular and integral part of many Peru itineraries, we think it’s also a more attractive, less touristy, and slightly cheaper base than Cusco if you’re travelling a little slower or wanting to learn Spanish (although Cusco’s day trips are a little better).

Whether you’re in the city for a few days or longer, here’s seven of the best day trips and tours from Arequipa if you want to explore within and beyond the city limits during your stay. If you want to know more about things to do and where to stay in the city, then read our traveller’s guide to Arequipa next!

Conquer The Colca Canyon

One of Peru’s most important and breathtaking sights, the Colca Canyon is home to soaring Andean condors and a challenging multiday independent or guided trek into one of the world’s deepest canyons. We didn’t make it here during our first visit to Peru, which placed it right at the top of our to-do list when we came back.

An absolute must-do for all travellers.

Do it independently | This is the way we did it, and can highly recommend it as the very best way to experience the grandeur of the Colca Canyon. We’ve written a comprehensive guide to the trek, so suggest starting there.

Take a tour | There are a variety of different tours on offer that claim to offer the best experience of the Colca Canyon, and which one you choose will depend very much on fitness levels, time available and budget. After having spoken to a number of people who visited the canyon on a day trip, we would struggle to recommend this as an option. Instead, you’d be much better off opting for a two day/one night tour, such as this.

Of course, we appreciate that some of you reading this post are limited on time and so a one-day tour may be your only option. In this case, we recommend taking a look at this popular option.

Ruta del Sillar

Located just outside the city, the Ruta del Sillar is an essential part of Arequipa’s identity, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the region’s unique volcanic stone heritage.

Usually visited as part of a tour (it’s only in the last 10 years that this has become a popular day trip from Areqpuipa), the route takes you through several of the area’s iconic ashlar quarries, where the famous white stone – sillar – used in the city’s colonial architecture is mined.

The two main quarries along the Ruta del Sillar are Canteras de Sillar Añashuayco and Quebrada de Culebrillas. In Añashuayco, visitors can see the remnants of an ancient quarrying method, including stone-cutting tools, as well as the grand, white cliffs of sillar rock. The area also offers wonderful views of the surrounding volcanoes, including the towering El Misti.

Over at Quebrada de Culebrillas however, the main attractions are the detailed pre-Colombian petroglyphs carved into the rock.

Beyound the craftmanship – both modern and historical – what really sets the Ruta del Sillar apart is its surreal landscape, the dramatic contrast of the bright white rock agianst blue skies and the surrounding desert a bonafide photographers dream (we’re really gutted that we didn’t know about this place the last two times we’ve been in Arequipa).

If you’re lucky, you might even see local artisans at work, shaping the stone in much the same way it’s been done for generations.

Do it independently | While it is possible to visit the Rutas del Sillar independently, this comes with challenges. Public transport is limited, and getting to and from the quarries requires a mix of colectivos, taxis, or even walking. This can be time-consuming and inconvenient, especially when trying to visit multiple quarries like Quebrada de Culebrillas, which is 20 km away.

Similarly, organising your own transport is possible but can lead to difficulties, such as being stranded without easy access to taxis or Ubers.

The Ruta del Sillar is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, with entrance fees for each quarry set at S/5 ($1 USD).

Take a tour | Alternatively, joining a Ruta del Sillar tour is a much smoother option. Tours typically include roundtrip transport, a guide, and visits to both major quarries, plus a viewpoint for panoramic views of the surrounding volcanoes. Tours last around 4-5 hours are affordable – usually costing around 35 soles – and can easily be booked in Arequipa.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to book a tour in advance, this one has good reviews.

Rafting on the Chilli River

Located just 7 km out of Arequipa, the Chilli River (perhaps the best named river in South America!) provides a great value introduction to rafting, where you can experience and conquer class II, III and IV rapids It’s perfect option for beginner rafters and travellers looking for a bit of an adrenaline rush in Arequipa, all whilst accompanied by a professional rafting guide.

Note that the best time to do this activity is April to December – once rainy season begins, the river is closed to rafters for safety reasons.

Do it independently | Unsurprisingly, that’s not an option here. The Chilli River is just 20 minutes drive away from Arequipa centre but you are unable to raft without an organised tour and a professional guide.

Take a tour | This half day tour picks you up from your hotel and takes you to Gruta de la Virgen de Chapi for a thorough safety briefing before getting kitted up and into your raft. You spend nearly two hours on the water and can be as involved in the paddling as you wish.

Travel Tip // An excellent addition if you want to add more adrenaline to your day is to go rock climbing in the Valle de Chilina, not he banks of the River Chilli. Suitable for beginners as well as more seasoned climbers, the spot at Charcani is a great place to climb and see the scenery and also explore the surroundings of the Sanctuary of the Virgen de Chapi. This popular half-day tour includes three hours of climbing with a professional guide.

Visit Salinas Salt Lagoon

Hands up, who knew that Peru had its own salt flats? Nope, us neither. Which probably explains why Laguna de Salinas is so damn difficult to reach!

Located just under 40 miles from Arequipa, and stretching over more than 15,000 acres, Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve was officially established in back in 1979 and became a Ramsar site 24 years later.

Visitors during the rainy season will be treated to flocks of flamingoes, but all year round there are vicuña, alpacas and llamas – plus the hike around the lagoon is beautiful whatever the weather, with outstanding views towards the volcanoes of Ñuñu and Ubinas.

It’s unlikely to ever surpass its more famous counterpart over in Bolivia, but if you’re only visiting Peru on this particular South America adventure, it may well be worth adding into your itinerary.

Do it independently | Unlike much of Peru, this remains one destination that has not been commercialised, and as such, there is no physical way to make it there by public transport.

Take a tour | After a scenic early morning three-hour drive from Arequipa (with a couple of scenic stops), you’ll have some off-roading, a hike to the impressive Salinas Salt Lagoon, and plenty opportunities to spot the local wildlife – you also have the opportunity for a warming dip in the thermal pools (something that would be an utter delight if it’s a particularly chilly day!).

This is a popular tour to source in Arequipa, and you’ll see most agencies advertising it, but if you’re keen to book this activity in advance consider this highly rated option available on GetYourGuide.

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Hike Volcan El Misti

Standing proudly at 5,822 metres, El Misti is Arequipa’s most iconic volcano, its perfectly symmetrical cone visible from almost every corner of the city.

But this isn’t just a pretty backdrop – it’s also a magnet for adventurous travellers looking to conquer one of Peru’s most challenging hikes. Be warned however, trekking to the summit is no small feat, and and certainly not something that should be attempted by those with even average fitness or the unacclimatised; this is a demanding climb that requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and a fair bit of grit.

The journey to the top typically takes two days, with an overnight camp at high altitude before a pre-dawn push for the summit. The terrain is rugged, made up of loose volcanic ash and gravel that can feel like taking two steps forward and one step back (and we speak from experience of climbing many, many volcanoes!).

But the struggle is undeniably worth it.

As you reach the summit of the active volcano, you’re rewarded with sweeping views of Arequipa sprawling far below and the neighbouring volcanoes – Chachani and Pichu Pichu – rising majestically against the horizon. On clear days, you can even see as far as the Pacific Ocean.

If you’re up for the challenge, make sure to go with an experienced guide who can ensure your safety and help you navigate the demanding terrain. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that’s as gruelling as it is rewarding.

However, despite the arduous trek reaching the summit is absolutely worth it and you are rewarded with incredible views from the peak of this active volcano.

Do it independently | Due to the complexity of reaching the summit, this is absolutely not recommended and almost certainly not possible. As far as we know, it’s via a tour company only.

Take a tour | As mentioned above, the most common hike to undertake takes two days and one night (like this one), setting off around 8am and arriving back to Arequipa in the late afternoon the following day. Tours can be found advertised in tour agency windows across the city, but be sure to vet your company properly – the nature of the hike means you will need assurance that your agency has good equipment and competent guides.

We’d recommend taking a look at this blog post for more information.

Travel Tip // If you’d love to get a little closer to El Misti but just don’t have the fitness level (or inclination) to do a summit climb, consider this half-day tour to the basecamp, which can be reached following a moderately difficult hike of just 2.5 hours. This would particularly enjoyable in the dry season when the tour is timed with sunset for spectacular views (in the wet season they hike in the morning to avoid the worst of the weather).

The Peruvian Countryside

Some of you will be pleased to know that not every single day trip from Arequipa involves hiking for multiple days, high altitude, or hits of adrenalin!

The pretty agricultural town of Paucarpata with colourful buildings and terraced hills and the small village of Sabandia located within a stunning natural park (both less than 10 km from Arequipa) are becoming increasingly popular day trips and provide the opportunity for the curious traveller to experience a different side to the region and are a great example of Peru outside of the tourist hotspots. Both also offer stunning views of El Misti.

Do it independently | The close proximity to Arequipa means it’s really easy to reach both Paucarpata and Sabandia with public transport, just grab a colectivo or taxi from Plaza de Armas (maps) – your accommodation can help with this if needed.

Take a tour | If you prefer to get around a little more and thrive on gaining expert local knowledge on the places you visit, this half-day countryside tour includes visits to Sabandia alongside multiple scenic viewpoints of El Misti, stops at La Mansion del Fundador, an iconic mansion in the region, the Gustave Eiffel designed ‘Iron Bridge,’ and the Sabandia stone mill.

Climb Chacani Volcano

We told you Arequipa was full of volcanoes!

Tougher than the Misti volcano hike we mentioned earlier, the completion of a trek up to the top of the towering extinct Chacani Volcano (6070 metres) is one should be worn as a badge of honour. It’s seriously high, it’s seriously cold and it’s seriously draining; we have it on good authority that it will make you swear and pray for it to be over.

But, those views – those views make it all worth while.

It’s certainly possible for non-technical climbers to complete this trek, but you absolutely need to be fully acclimatised to the altitude and beyond prepared with proper hiking gear and good boots – a strong will just won´t be enough.

Do it independently | Yeah, this is another trek that needs a tour, sorry. This includes professional hikers who still must complete this arduous trek with a local guide.

Take a tour | Whilst the route remains the same, you will have the option to undertake this trek over one or two days. Whilst it’s certainly possible to complete with one day, this would involve leaving Arequipa in the night and hiking in the darkness and without a substantial break. Instead, we’d recommend a two day option, like this one.

Whichever tour company you pick, be sure that equipment provided is up to scratch for a night’s camping at significant altitude. Additionally, do note that most tour prices in Arequipa and online do not include the price of a porter in the upfront cost. Whilst not essential, many people opt to hire a porter to limit what they need to carry whilst trekking.

and if you want to know a little more arequipa…

In the past, when we’ve travelled on a little more of a budget, we’ve shunned city tours simply to keep costs down. Now we find that having a deeper understanding of a location from a local is hugely beneficial to appreciating the places we visit.

You can plan your stay in Arequipa with our guide for travellers – ‘13 Wonderful Things to do in Arequipa’ – filled with advice and inspiration.

If however you’re short on time, visiting only for a couple of days or looking to learn a little more about this beautiful city’s history, food or culture, there are an abundance of great tour options within (or super close to) the city.

· Take a Peruvian Cooking Class : Learn how to prepare classic Peruvian dishes such as the Lomo Saltado and Potatoe doug. Schedule this private class for lunch or dinner to suit your own plans while staying in Arequipa.

· Guided Food Tour in Arequipa City : Learn more about local food and Peruvian cuisine on this guided tour of the best hidden spots in Arequipa. Visit 4 different restaurants and sample 6 different cuisines, arrive with an empty stomach to prepare!

· Visit Monasterio de Santa Catalina, considered a masterpiece of colonial architecture and a photographer’s dream with its blue and red arches, it is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. Buy tickets on in advance here, on the door, or visit Santa Catalina as part of a private walking tour in Arequipa. 

· If you’ve just arrived in Arequipa and want to get to grips quickly, maybe take one of the free walking tours (tips encouraged, no booking necessary) which leave from the Plaza de Armas at 10am and 3pm. Or opt for a highly-rated private option like this one.

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