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Peru Arequipa and Colca Canyon

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When is the best time to visit Arequipa?

Arequipa can be visited throughout the year. It's climate is perfect for visitors, the sun shines everyday of the year and temperatures rarely exceed 23°C.

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What language is spoken in Arequipa?

The official language spoken in Peru is Spanish.

What currency do I need in Arequipa?

The official currency of Peru is the Peruvian Nuevo Sol. Notes in local currency or US dollars can be withdrawn from the many ATMs using a UK credit or debit card. Numerous money exchange offices exchange US dollar cash (few accept euros or sterling and the rate may be poor).

What is the time difference between Arequipa and the UK?

The time difference between the UK and Arequipa is GMT-5 hours.

Which other countries combine well with Arequipa?

Lake Titicaca, 224km (9-12 hours by road) from Arequipa via Colca Canyon or 40mins flight from Arequipa to Juliaca; Nazca Lines, 404 km (10 hours on the Pan American Highway); Cusco 320 km (12 hours by road, 1 hour by air from Arequipa).

How do you get to Arequipa?

Flights to Arequipa from Lima take one hour. The drive from Arequipa to Colca takes 4-6 hours.

What are the festivals, and cultural events in Arequipa?

Semana Santa, Easter. Inspired by the celebrations in Spain’s Seville, with huge nightly processions and the reading of Judas’ Will in Yanahuara on Easter Sunday.

May is the “Month of the crosses” with hilltop ceremonies.

Arequipa’s anniversary (14-15 Aug) is celebrated with music, dancing parades, pageants and a huge fireworks display and parade of floats in the Plaza de Armas.

If you still have questions, please contact us and one of our Travel Experts will be happy to help.

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  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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