City Tour And Santa Catalina Monastery

Your adventure begins with a convenient pickup from your hotel situated in the historic center of Arequipa, setting the stage for an extraordinary excursion through one of the most stunning and touristic cities in Peru. This engaging tour offers flexibility, allowing the order of visits to change as needed.

Our first destination is the Plaza de Armas, renowned as one of the most beautiful squares in the nation. Adjacent to it stands the majestic Cathedral of Arequipa, originally constructed in the seventeenth century and meticulously rebuilt following numerous earthquakes. Here, you'll have the opportunity to explore the Cathedral and the Church Compañía de Jesús (1590), a quintessential example of local baroque architecture, housing an exceptional collection of paintings and murals.

Next, we will visit the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a genuine medieval cloister established in 1579, which remains in operation today. This intriguing convent, constructed from ashlar—the primary material in local architecture—spans an impressive 20,000 square meters.

The first resident was Maria de Guzman, who chose to reside there during the monastery's construction after the passing of her husband, Diego Hernandez de Mendoza. Today, cloistered nuns continue to inhabit this remarkable small citadel.

The tour proceeds to the breathtaking viewpoints of the Yanahuara and Carmen Alto districts, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and the majestic volcanoes encircling the city: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. This is undoubtedly a sight to behold.

You'll explore the district of Cayma, visiting the Plaza Mayor and the San Miguel Arcángel de Cayma Church, located directly opposite the square. Inside the church, you'll encounter an anonymous collection of paintings depicting the miracles of the Virgin.

After this enriching experience exploring Arequipa and Santa Catalina, we will return you safely to your hotel.