Walking City Tour + Santa Catalina Monastery

Description

We begin our tour heading to Arequipa’s Main Square, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Peru. Here, we’ll learn about the city’s colonial past and the significant events that shaped its history.

Next, we’ll visit the Church of the Society of Jesus, an impressive structure known for its intricately carved stone façade. We’ll also explore the adjacent Jesuit Cloisters, a stunning architectural complex made entirely of white volcanic stone, which houses centuries of local history. Inside, we’ll admire the Cupola of San Ignacio, a remarkable example of Catholic religious art.

We’ll continue on to visit one of Arequipa’s traditional tambos—historic inns that once hosted travelers and merchants along important trade routes.

Our next stop is the Tristán del Pozo Mansion, a beautifully preserved colonial house that now functions as a bank. Its striking architecture offers a glimpse into aristocratic life during the Spanish colonial era.

We’ll then walk to the charming San Francisco Square, just a few steps from the main square. This small plaza is framed by two historic churches and is filled with stories from different periods of Arequipa’s past.

We’ll also visit Mundo Alpaca, a private textile center where you can see alpacas and learn about their care, as well as how their luxurious wool is turned into fine garments.

The tour continues through the San Lázaro neighborhood, one of the city’s oldest and most photogenic areas, known for its narrow cobblestone streets and peaceful square.

We finish our experience at the Santa Catalina Monastery, one of Arequipa’s most iconic landmarks. With its vividly colored walls and unique architecture, it feels like stepping into a city within a city. Here, you’ll gain insight into the daily lives of the women who once lived secluded within its walls as part of a religious community.