The Best Day Trips From Arequipa Peru

If you are not so keen on the multi-day trips, prefer day tours, or like to be your own tour guide, make your own itinerary, wander, get lost, be found, and enjoy everything along the way. Then look into these day trips within the Arequipa area.

1. La Mansion Del Fundador

Building, Museum

Visiting the “Mansion of the Founder” of Arequipa, will only take up a morning or an afternoon, but showcases some beautiful architecture, and a compact museum on the outskirts of the city. It’s dedicated to 16th century conquistador Don Garcí Manuel de Carbajal, who founded the city of Arequipa.

La Mansion Del Fundador, 561, Arequipa, Peru, +51 54 213 423

Arequipa building | © Ulli / Pixabay

2. Sabandia Mill

On the outskirts of the city, in the District of Sabandia, sits a gorgeous old mill that exemplifies the beautiful architecture common in this part of the world. The quaint surroundings are a great escape from the city, and are home to a fighting bull, vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, guinea pigs, roosters, and local birds.

Sabandia Mill, Molino, Arequipa, Peru

3. Colca Canyon

If you have done any research about Arequipa, you will already be versed in some information about the Colca Canyon, as it is the third most visited destination in Peru and almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Many trekkers will take days to explore as much of Colca Canyon as possible, but full day trips are available to get a taste of this breathtaking region. If you really want to explore on your own, you can bus or drive out to the neighbouring town of San Pedro and walk into the canyon yourself.

Colca Canyon, Chivay, Peru

Colca Canyon | © Tomak77 / Pixabay

5. El Misti

One of the first things you will notice in Arequipa is El Misti, the volcano that peers over the city. There are two- to three-day trips for the advanced that take you from the very bottom to the summit, or for those who aren’t looking to stay overnight you can do the full day sunrise trek that starts at midnight, or the half day trip that is more of a leisurely walk, allowing you to go slow and acclimatize gradually.

El Misti, Arequipa, Peru

An alpaca near the El Misti volcano, Arequipa, Peru | © LoggaWiggler / Pixabay

6. Salinas Salt Lagoon

An enjoyable two-and-a-half hour drive outside of Arequipa will have you in the Salinas Aguada National Reserve, where you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of the Arequipa province, and with some luck you will get a sighting of a flock of pink flamingos, some slow moving llamas and alpacas as well.

Laguna Salinas, Peru

7. Capua Waterfall

Do something on the road less travelled and visit the Catarata de Capua. Depending on your pace, an enjoyable, yet challenging four- to six-hour hike will carry you through gorgeous scenery with very few, if any other hikers, and climaxes at the 100-meter-high Capua Waterfall. Cool off under the waterfall, and heat back up in the hot springs on the return trip.

Catarata De Capua, Peru

Arequipa Beaches

Although not located in the state of Arequipa, you can make the couple hour jaunt by car or bus to visit the Peruvian coast in the neighbouring province of Islay. The town of Mollendo is a weekend getaway for many Arequipeños who want to enjoy some sun and sand. Don’t expect the Caribbean, but if you want to find some peace and quiet—and go home with a tan—visit here midweek when there are no crowds.

Islay Province, Peru

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.