‘The White City’ of Arequipa, Peru, Joins whl.travel

For the adventurous traveller in search of an ideal climate, picturesque scenery and historically interesting architecture, Arequipa, Peru, should figure prominently on any itinerary. Called La Ciudad Blanca or ‘the White City’, Arequipa is a distinctive ensemble of stunning buildings constructed out of sillar (white volcanic rock). It is located in the south of the country and surrounded by three towering snow-capped peaks. It is also a short trip from the two deepest canyons in the world: Colca Canyon and Cotahuasi Canyon.

Arequipa’s cathedral, one of the most stunning in all of Peru, might just be more charming at night than during the day. It's seen many earthquakes and fires over the years, but has been rebuilt and still stands strong.

Finding a temporary home in the plethora of Arequipa hotels – from budget hostels to lavish lodges – is no trouble at all. Most are also full of useful information about the sights to see in this fascinating city. Of course, an Arequipa tour is always the best foot forward, whether just a turn around the town itself on a panoramic bus tour or a glide through the countryside on two wheels to see how highland life has changed little from hundreds of years ago.

The new whl.travel local connection in Peru is Friendly Peru Travel, on whose behalf Mariel stated: “We are proud and excited to be a part of whl.travel and share with the world the richness of our people and culture. We are delighted to be a part of a global community that shares our interests and perspectives about promoting tourism as a sustainable activity for the various destinations. This opens our doors to a new market that few tourist service operators can access. Now whl.travel makes it possible through the support of local connections. Since inception, we have worked to support local operators by providing training and monitoring them. We also assist some municipalities of the Colca Valley in the design, planning and operation of new tourism products. This new partnership motivates us to continue working in the same way of thinking, confirming that we are on track toward sustainable tourism development.”

AREQUIPA HOTELS