The Most Epic Hikes To Take In Arequipa Peru

Arequipa is renowned for its stunning Plaza de Armas, but did you also know that is has some of the best hiking in all of Peru? From trekking up volcanoes to hiking in some of the world’s deepest canyons, Arequipa is sure to have something that you’ve never done before. Here is our guide to the most epic hikes that you can find in Arequipa.

Colca Canyon

The most well known and most frequented hike in the south of Peru is without a doubt Colca Canyon. The hike itself brings thousands of people to Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city, each year, venturing into the giant canyon. It is the second deepest canyon in the world and supports the Americas’ largest bird, the Andean condor. You’ll have options to do one, two and even more days in the Canyon if you wish. It is popular to book with travel agencies but you can also just as easily plan the trip yourself if you have some time to spare and want to explore the entire canyon without a time constraint.

Country side

Laguna de Salinas

It may get overshadowed by the other hikes in Arequipa, but it really shouldn’t be. The rainy season brings hundreds of birds to the area (including flamingos) and during the dry season the flats are completely dried up, creating an equally beautiful scene. You can take the bus that passes through the area and drops you off near the flats. The buses run everyday from Arequipa.

City tour

Not exactly a hike in the classic sense, but after you’ve walked all of Arequipa’s Plaza de Armas it’ll feel like it. You can find free walking tours that’ll take you around the city and give you historical context, offered in both English and Spanish. Marvel at the famed white city and its unique beauty.

El Misti

For any adventurer, seeing the El Misti tower over the city of Arequipa brings one thing to mind: how do I hike that! Well, it turns out that you can and you can even have guides take you on a trek to the top. You’ll begin at 3 am and head to the base of the mountain after a long off-roading trip. From there you begin your ascent to base camp. The next day you’ll arrive at the top, 5,822 meters (19,101 feet) above sea level, and have sweeping views of the entire Arequipa area. There are many companies that offer two-day hikes to the top with equipment and meals included, that costs anywhere from US$70–$100 (€57-€82) per person.

Chachani Volcano

At about 6,000 meters (19,685 ft) above sea level you’d think it’d be a pretty diffcult hike. In fact, Chachani is one of the easiest hikes in the world for its remarkable height. The height doesn’t require any special equipment and can be done in two, three or four day treks. Once at the top, you’ll get unrivaled views of the entire area and striking views of Arequipa.

Cotahuasi Canyon

The sights of this remarkable canyon are sure to amaze and there are also some of the best rapids in Peru that run right through Cotahuasi. Whether you decide on Colca or Cotahuasi, you’re in for a treat.

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.