Meeting and introduction
Pickup from selected centrally located hotels or meeting at the confirmed point. Your guide will explain the route and practical recommendations.
15 min
Arequipa City Tour + Santa Catalina Monastery
Culture and history ★★★★★5.0
Discover the essence of Peru’s White City on a guided walk through its squares, churches and volcanic-stone architecture. Explore the historic center while learning how colonial history and local traditions shaped Arequipa’s identity.
The experience continues inside Santa Catalina Monastery, a 16th-century walled complex of lanes, cloisters, courtyards and former living quarters. It is an ideal introduction for first-time visitors who want meaningful historical context.
General information
Start: selected central hotel or agreed meeting point
End: Arequipa historic center
Duration: approximately 4 hours
Difficulty: easy; mainly a walking tour
Altitude: approximately 2,335 m / 7,661 ft
Service: shared
Group: subject to availability
Languages: Spanish and English, depending on departure
What to expect
Main Square and Cathedral
An interpretive walk around the main square, its sillar arcades and the Cathedral façade. Interior access depends on religious services.
40 min
Church of the Company and colonial streets
Observe Arequipa’s mestizo architecture and finely carved volcanic stone. Entry to religious buildings is possible only when open to visitors.
45 min
Santa Catalina Monastery
Guided exploration of the monastic citadel, including its cloisters, colorful lanes, courtyards, former homes and everyday spaces. Admission is paid separately at the official ticket office.
2 h
End of the tour
The tour ends in the historic center, where you may continue exploring independently.
20 min
What you should know
Recommended items
- Passport or identity document
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Water in a reusable bottle
- Light jacket for temperature changes
- Cash or card for tickets and personal expenses
Responsible visit
Santa Catalina is a historic monument and an active religious setting. Follow staff instructions, respect restricted areas and do not touch paintings, walls or heritage objects. Opening hours and admission fees may change without notice and will be reconfirmed before departure.
Before booking
This is a cultural walking tour. The visiting order may change because of traffic, religious celebrations, maintenance or site regulations.
Admission: the Santa Catalina Monastery ticket is paid separately.
Opening times: the visit is scheduled within the monastery’s current hours.
Mobility: expect cobbled lanes, steps and uneven surfaces.
Confirmation: your departure time and meeting point are sent before the tour.
Included
- Professional guide throughout the tour.
- Pickup from selected central hotels or meeting point.
- Pre-departure assistance and coordination.
- Guided visit of the historic center and Santa Catalina.
Not included
- Santa Catalina Monastery admission.
- Admission to other churches, museums or cloisters.
- Food and drinks.
- Transfers from outlying accommodation.
- Tips and personal expenses.
Location
Arequipa, Peru
Arequipa City Tour FAQs
Is Santa Catalina admission included?
No. The entrance ticket is purchased separately at the current official rate.
Is the entire tour on foot?
Most of the experience is a walking tour through the historic center. The exact start arrangement depends on your accommodation.
Can children join the tour?
Yes. Please consider the duration and bring water and comfortable footwear.
Do we enter the Cathedral and Church of the Company?
Interior access depends on worship schedules, events and each site’s opening status. When entry is not possible, the guide explains the monument from outside.
What happens if a monument is closed?
The guide will adjust the order or offer an alternative explanation within the historic center.
Reviews
5.0
70 reviews
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Rene is very passionate about the history of the places. He knows many histories of the places and the local culture.
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Hi! I'm Maribel from Argentina. What can I say about our amazing experience in Cusco! It was incredible! I traveled there in October to celebrate my birthday. Words can't describe the wonderful experience we had! Thank you, Lost in Peru, for providing everything we agreed upon, and much more! A company to hire without hesitation! We paid for our tour, including accommodation, all covered by the company. Congratulations and may you continue to grow! I will definitely contact you again to plan my return trip to Peru! See you soon! Greetings from Argentina! Sending you kisses! Maria, Melissa, Ana, and Maribel
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I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to have connected with such a wonderful company as Lost in Peru, with its amazing people. From the very first contact, over 3,000 km away, they arranged our entire stay, accommodations, transfers, guided tours, and much more, with remarkable kindness. And as if that weren't enough, they welcomed us and said goodbye with beautiful gifts. THANK YOU!! Highly recommended, without a doubt. Tupananchiskama
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Voy a recomendarlos siempre! Fue una experiencia maravillosa viajar a Perú con Lost in Perú. Estuvieron atentos todo momento, puntuales, en cada detalle y respondiendo todas las consultas...gracias por hacer de nuestro viaje, un viaje inolvidable...
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I highly recommend Lost in Peru!!! I want to thank everyone, especially Bertha and Alonso, for their attention during those 10 days of the tour!!! Also, thank you for the gift!!! I'm so happy to have visited Peru!!! Lost in Peru...thank you so much for everything!!! 🥰❤️🇦🇷
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