Explore the Scenic Landscape & History of the Countryside of Arequipa
Most travelers don’t have much time to spare in Arequipa, as they tend to treat the city merely as the gateway to Colca or Cotahuasi Canyon. If you’re also short on time, a city tour is an efficient way of seeing some of the city’s best sights quickly. For those with more time, they can provide a great overview of what the city has to offer, allowing you to decide what most interests you so that you can return to it later. Today, we’ll be talking about what you’ll see during one of these tours.
The first stop is city’s most famous lookout, Yanahuara, which was immortalized in a popular song. The quaint district of Yanahuara retains its colonial charm and its small plaza offers impressive views of the city and its most iconic volcano, El Misti. The view is framed by arches of white volcanic sillar which have been engraved with quotes of notable Arequipeño writers, philosophers, and leaders. It’s the perfect place to stop and enjoy one of Arequipa’s traditional treats, a rustic cinnamon-coconut ice cream known as queso helado. (The name means frozen cheese, but it was inspired by the treat’s appearance, not its ingredients.) Afterwards, you’ll be taken to another lookout, Carmen Alto, located in the large village of Paucarpata, from where you’ll be able to look over the scenic river valley with its patch-worked farmland and ancient agricultural terraces still in use today.
Because city tours only last half a day, at 
Sabandia Mill you’ll have a hard choice to make: you can either rent a horse and explore the landcape, or you can take a tour of the mill itself, which once served all of Arequipa. Most opt for the horse ride, but yours truly didn’t regret getting a private tour of the mill and seeing those stone wheels still moving with the water power provided by the river.
The next sight is also a historical one: the 16th-century Founder’s Mansion is a nice stop that shows you what home life was like for the Spaniards who first occupied Peru. It was originally owned by the founder of the city of Arequipa, Garcí Manuel de Carbajal. Although it passed many years in disrepair, it was carefully renovated in the ‘80s. Its architecture and original artwork and furnishings takes visitors back to colonial times. The mansion is open every day of the week from 9am to 5pm, with an admission price of 20 Peruvian soles. It’s located in a scenic area near the village of Huasacache, about 9km from Arequipa’s city center. You can reach it by taking a taxi (about 20 Peruvian soles roundtrip) or by taking one of the city bus tours that are sold in Arequipa’s main square. City tours don’t just pass the mansion, but stop for an actual tour.
Even the cheapest city tours make a stop for 
lunch at a nice picanteria, a local restaurant serving traditional local food. Don’t expect it to be included however, you’ll have the time and the option to order a meal but you need to cover the cost for yourself. Local shrimp is quite popular, so consider a chowder, chupe de camarón. The most famous dish from Arequipa is the spicy pork chop stew known as adobo, but it’s traditionally only served on Sunday. If you spend a Sunday in Arequipa and want to try adobo, but aren’t on a tour, then head to the main square of Yanahuara or of Cayma in the morning; several places serve it there.
If you’re interested in visiting any of the sights mentioned independently, or would like to arrange a tour, remember that you can always stop by reception at Pirwa Hostel in Arequipa for assistance- our friendly staff is always happy to help you make the best of your trip!