Arequipa

Arequipa's UNESCO-listed 'White City' is etched from sillar, the local white volcanic stone, sitting dramatically beneath the Misti volcano.

But its true heartbeat lies in its picanterías, traditional eateries serving spicy, slow-cooked dishes passed down through generations. From here, the deep Colca Canyon, twice the depth of the Grand Canyon, offers some of the most reliable condor sightings in the Andes.

Fly into:

• Rodríguez Ballón International Airport AQP
• Jorge Chávez International Airport LIM

Arequipa is best explored on foot within the city center. For longer distances, taxis and colectivos are plentiful and affordable. For Colca Canyon, guided tours or shared minivans are the practical options.

Picanterías come alive around noon, offering the freshest stews and rocoto relleno; linger over a chicha de jora and watch locals gather. Arequipa's afternoon siesta culture means some smaller shops close for a few hours before reopening in the late afternoon.

Best in Fall

Fall: mostly dry and sunny days around 20-25C, with cooler nights, especially at higher altitudes in the canyon.

• light layers for day, warm layers for night
• broken-in shoes for walking and hiking
• high-SPF sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat
• reusable water bottle for hydration at altitude
• sunglasses to protect from strong sun