Monasteries and mummies tour
Wander through the labyrinthine blue streets of the Santa Catalina convent – a city within a city – and pay a visit to Juanita, the mummified Inca ‘Ice Maiden’.
Arequipa is a charming place in itself, but two particular highlights make it one of Peru’s most rewarding cities. The main focal point of any visit is the magnificent Santa Catalina convent, a labyrinthine complex the size of a small town. It has its own network of alleys, picturesquely painted in shades of blue or terracotta and lined with bright geraniums, while its airy cloisters are a haven of tranquillity.
You’ll also want to visit the first-rate Santuarios Andinos museum where a small and modern collection of displays draw you into a fascinating if grisly aspect of local history. You’ll learn about human sacrifices that occurred on the high Andean peaks that look down over Arequipa, and about how the elements naturally mummified the unfortunate young victims in their mountain tombs. The museum’s pride and joy is 550-year-old ‘Ice Maiden’ Juanita, the best-preserved and most poignant of the mummies that were found in the surrounding area.
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Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
