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With almost 1 million habitants, the city of Arequipa, capital of the region of the same name, is the second biggest city of Peru.
Located 772 Km at the south of Lima and 2328 meters above sea level, Arequipa is also the second most visited city of the country after Cuzco.
Their beautiful baroque and neo gothic constructions in the off-white volcanic rock called "sillar", gave to Arequipa the nickname of "White City"
Evidence of pre-Inca settlement by indigenous peoples from the Titicaca Lake area leads some scholars to think the Aymara people first named the city, because in "Quechua" (inca´s language) Ari means ‘peak’ and quipa means ‘lying behind’ in Aymara; hence, Arequipa is ‘the place lying behind the peak’ (Misti Volcano).
Among the main attractions of the city are:
-The Colca Canyon
-The Andean Sanctuary Museum - location of the Ice Maiden or Ampato Lady
-Yanahuara viewer
-Santa Catalina Monastery
-Pampa Cañahuas
-Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve
The anniversary of the city’s founding every August 15 puts an exclamation point on that regionalist pride. During those days many fairs, fireworks and bullfights are schedule as part of the celebrations. For this reason, we strongly recommend to all the participants to book in advance their hotel or accommodation.
The expected temperature in August oscillates from 24 °C during the day, to 10°C at night.
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