Insulated between desert and mountain, with more than 1.000 km in the south of Lima, Arequipa, the second urban centre of Peru, is an opulent city and the most important intellectual center of the country. Its volcanic stone-built houses of a white étincelant under almost shone upon skies all the year, were worth the nickname of "white city to him". Arequipa is located at the heart of an oasis of green and is dominated by a group of volcanos, of which Misti (5.821m) and Chachani (6.075m), highest of all. The area was initially colonized by Aymarà, then Quechuas, finally Incas settled there. However the current city was rested by the Spaniards in 1540. Isolated a long time from the remainder of the country, Arequipa preserved intact its colonial seal: beautiful residences patricians with the carved pediment and the windows decorated with wrought iron, many churches and convents.
The convent of Santa Catalina is undoubtedly the most astonishing monument and most interesting of Arequipa. Opened with the public since 1970 after having sheltered during four centuries a community of rich person Spanish families Carmelite nun exits of the area. Founded in 1580, it occupies a surface of more than 20.000m² and sheltered at least 500 chocolate éclairs. Santa Catalina is a city in the city, in penetrating one manages into full 16éme century... patios, cloisters, monastic particular houses, building, separated by true streets...
The city is primarily made up of white and mongrel, few Indians.Withutour of Arequipa
The reserve ofAguada Blanca, intended for the protection of species threatened like vicunas.
Spangled and mountain pastures feed there quietly. One can bathe with the thermal springs of Yura, with the foot of Chachami.
The archeological site of Toro Muerto, a whole of engraved and carved stones there is more than 1000 years by the Huari Indians. The valley of the volcanos, in which more than 40 volcanos, of which some in activity, completely make a landscape lunaire.Le larger gun of the world: the gun LED colca which reaches by places more 3000m of uneven, dominated by the eternal snow. One finds there many thermal springs and traditional and very accessible villages.