Private Tour: Colonial Arequipa Including Recoleta Convent and Casa del Moral

After pickup at your hotel in a private vehicle, your colonial tour of Arequipa begins in the district of St Lazarus, where Arequipa was founded in 1540. Walk around for a bit with your guide, who will tell you about the history of the city, and then hop back in your vehicle to cross the River Chilli by way of the Grau Bridge on your way to Carmen Alto viewpoint.

When you arrive at Carmen Alto, grab your camera and admire the wonderful views of the farming terraces and stunning volcanic landscape that surround the city. Then head into the Cayma district to visit the Church of the Candelaria Virgin, which dates back to the 17th century.

Next, visit the Recoleta Convent, also known as the Monasterio de la Recoleta and founded in 1648 by Franciscan friars. Explore the monastery with your guide, admiring its lovely courtyard and cloisters and visiting its well-known library, if you wish.

Continue south to the residential neighborhood of Vallecito to see the iron bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame), before making your way to some of the colonial homes back across the river, including the Casa del Moral and the Casa de Tristan del Pozo. Arequipa is famous for its colonial architecture, including its old homes, and these are two of the best in the city, particularly the Casa del Moral, built around 1730.

Tour the large home with your guide, taking in its baroque-mestizo architecture, colonial paintings and library. Don’t forget to snap a photo of its namesake – the two-centuries-old mulberry (mora) tree in the courtyard.

When your enlightening tour of the city’s beautiful historical sites comes to an end, you’ll be returned to your hotel.