Arequipa - the white city

The slightly more expensive seats have paid off. In any case, we both got some sleep and felt unexpectedly fresh after the 17-hour bus ride across the Andes. We arrive punctually at 9 a.m. Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru. Arequipa owes its nickname to its numerous white buildings made of volcanic sillar rock "Ciudad Blanca" (in German white city). At 2300 meters above sea level there is a pleasant climate of 23 degrees, which is quite welcome after the hot, humid days in the jungle.

Again the four of us with the two Americans squeezed into the taxi, we drive to the reserved hostel, which is in one of the many Colonial building lies. Then you can have breakfast straight away. Back at the hostel there is a shower and blog updates.

After we have briefly informed ourselves about the local sights, we start. We march towards the La Recoleta monastery. Once there, we are sobered to find that this Saturday afternoon is closed. So you go straight through that Yanahuara district towards the lookout point.

However, the pretty southern plaza full of palm trees is the lonely highlight of this tour. From the vantage point we overlook the City at the foot of the El Misti volcanoes (5822 m), Chachani (6057 m) and Picchu Picchu (5665 m), which tower high above the city, are unfortunately quite cloudy today. In a rather exclusive restaurant there will be a grandiose one Ceviche fed.

Then we explore the streets of the city center on foot, around the Plaza das Armas. We are looking for a restaurant with the obligatory Pisco sourbefore we go to bed soon.