DAY TRIPS FROM AREQUIPA
Before we get into the details, let us share a few moments from our own day trips around Arequipa that made us fall in love with the region even more. Arequipa as a city is already beautiful, but the nature around Arequipa was for us at least just as impressive. Seeing the Huaca Huaca volcano during one of our day trips from Arequipa was unforgettable. The same goes for spotting flamingos on our Laguna de Salinas tour and watching the quarrying of the white volcanic stone on the Ruta del Sillar. These day trips also showed us why Arequipa is such a great starting point for exploring the region. Lets dive into the tours from Arequipa Peru.
Day Trips from Arequipa – Why This City is the Perfect Base
On the one hand, there is a lot to see and do in Arequipa itself, and on the other hand, with its central location, good infrastructure and stunning surroundings, Arequipa is the perfect base for exploring southern Peru. From here, we could easily reach some of the country’s most impressive sights in just a few hours, which is not much considering the size of Peru. The city offers plenty of tour options, reliable transportation and a comfortable climate, which made planning our excursions simple and stress free.
We’ve already written a very detailed blog article about Arequipa, the “Arequipa Travel Guide,” where we recommend restaurants, street food spots, sightseeing sights, and even introduce our hostel with an amazing rooftop. Be sure to check it out afterwards!
Day Trip 1: Colca Canyon – The World’s Deepest Canyon in a Day
Pickup Time: 3 am
Duration: 15 hours
Price: 38.50 USD (including breakfast & lunch)
Entrance to Colca Valley: 18.50 USD
Optional Hot Springs: 4.00 USD
Our Colca Canyon Tour: Booked on GetYourGuide and the company who offered this tour is BABY LAMA.
Visiting Arequipa and skipping Colca Canyon is like visiting Peru and missing Machu Picchu—it’s a must-do!
An Early Start and the First Views
We were picked up from our hostel around 3:00 am. After collecting more tourists, we began a three-hour drive to our first stop at 4,500 meters above sea level, offering a perfect viewpoint of the active Hualca Hualca Volcano.
Breakfast and Village Stops
After breakfast, we visited the village of Chivay, watched a traditional dance, and stopped in 2–3 more villages. In one village, we tried a “Colca Sour” cocktail made from pisco and cactus which is a unique regional drink.
The Colca Valley and Condors
Finally, we reached the Colca Valley. Prepare for amazing views.
The tour included a 30–40 minute hike to the highest point of the canyon at 3,800 meters (12,467 feet).
Here, we spotted condors flying close by, with wingspans up to 310 cm (10 feet 2 inches) and weighing up to 15 kg (33 pounds). Seeing these giant birds in their natural habitat was incredible.
Hot Springs and Lunch
Though the main hot springs were overcrowded, our guide directed us to a quieter alternative. Lunch was a generous buffet featuring trout, alpaca, ceviche, rocoto rellena, and more. For tours without meals, lunch can be purchased on-site for around 10.00 USD.
Final Stop and Downsides
As our final activity on the Colca Canyon tour, we made a stop on the way back to observe llamas in their natural habitat. It was a perfect day; however, despite the great experience, there were also a few things we didn’t like. Firstly, the tour was very long, partly due to stops in numerous small towns that all seemed quite similar. Secondly, while it’s nice to see traditional dances, if they’re only performed for tourists, it feels less authentic. Lastly, the treatment of alpacas must be mentioned. Seeing them wearing sunglasses or funny clothes isn’t pleasant. Unfortunately, many tourists support this behavior by taking photos with the alpacas, which is something to consider.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the colca canyon day trip it was the longest tour we’ve ever done, but it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re planning to continue your journey, there’s also the option to book onward transportation to Puno (Lake Titicaca) during the tour, saving you the hassle of a return trip from Arequipa.
Day Trip 2: Laguna de Salinas – Flamingos and Volcano Views
Pickup Time: 6 am
Duration: 7 hours
Tour Price: 24.00 USD
Entrance Fee: 2.50 USD
Breakfast (optional): 4.00 USD
For a shorter, wildlife and nature focused day trip from Arequipa, Laguna de Salinas is perfect. Flamingos, natural hot springs, and volcano views make this trip special.
Early Start, Jeep and Breakfast
The Laguna de Salinas tour starts quite early, but compared to the Colca Canyon tour, waking up by 5 am feels like sleeping in. We booked the tour through our hostel, unaware that it would be a jeep tour. This turned out to be a blessing, as we were much faster than the other tours in mini-vans or buses. The destination of the tour was Laguna de Salinas, a huge 20-kilometer-long and 12-kilometer-wide lake. After navigating a winding, poorly maintained serpentine road for nearly 2 hours, we enjoyed breakfast in a breathtaking location. Along the way, we spotted a huge bird.
Flamingos, Hot Springs, and Wildlife
Afterwards, we continued to the other side of Laguna de Salinas, where we saw flamingos and had the opportunity to jump in hot springs. Local children also showed us their fishing spot for a small fee. On the way back, we even spotted alpacas in the wild.
Would We Recommend It?
Would we recommend this 7-hour Laguna de Salinas tour? Absolutely! The unique aspect of this tour is that you can get very close to the Misti Volcano and even see the Baby Misti, making it for us a nice experience.
We’ve already done a comparable Laguna de Salinas Tour but much longer tour in Bolivia, the 3 Days / 2 Nights Salar de Uyuni tour with Howlanders. If you’re interested, feel free to check it out here. Many travelers travel from Lake Titicaca on the Peruvian side to Bolivia, making this a popular option.
Day Trip 3: Ruta del Sillar – Discover Arequipa’s White Volcanic Stone
Entrance Fee: $1.30 USD
Uber Ride: $15 USD round trip
Opening Hours: 08:00 am – 04:30 pm
This place might remind you of Petra in Jordan, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. While it’s not quite as large, the Ruta del Sillar is still an impressive spot in Arequipa. Here, local artists have been creating incredible stonework for decades.
History of the Ruta del Sillar
The Ruta del Sillar showcases the volcanic stone called sillar, which has been quarried around Arequipa for centuries. Local artisans have carved this white and pink stone into the beautiful buildings and monuments that give Arequipa its nickname, the White City. The stone was formed from ancient volcanic ash deposits and is known for being both light and strong, perfect for construction. Over decades, skilled workers have shaped the quarries into impressive sculptures and tunnels, turning the area into an open-air museum of stone craftsmanship.
Getting There and Costs
Is It Worth Visiting?
While we enjoyed visiting Ruta del Sillar, it is not a must see for everyone. It is a nice stop if you have time but not essential. After doing the Colca Canyon day trip and the Laguna de Salinas tour, this was for us a great extra visit that is easy to reach and affordable.
Final Thoughts on Day Trips from Arequipa
As we like to say in Germany, “You can sleep when you’re dead.” Waking up early for these day trips from Arequipa was totally worth it!
If you’re planning your itinerary, we highly recommend including at least one, if not all three, of these day trips from Arequipa. They show the best of southern Peru’s landscapes, wildlife, and local culture. For us, waking up early, hiking to the canyon’s viewpoint, spotting Flamingos, and seeing the local traditions made every day trip worth it.
Thanks For Reading
We truly hope that our 3 day trips from Arequipa suggestions gave you a clear insight into each tour, including prices and useful details. For more Peru travel tips, check out our full Peru Travel Guide.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We are always happy to help. We would also love to hear about your own experience in the comments below. If you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it to support our travel blog.
Vicky and Malte
