Arequipa Countryside and Colonial Mansions

8:30 am – Pick up at your hotel

Our tour guide and tour bus will pick you up at your hotel. During the initial journey, you’ll receive an introduction to the importance of rural life in the history and development of Arequipa, preparing you for an authentic experience in the heart of the Andean countryside.

9:00 am – Sabandía Mill: Where Time Stood Still

We arrive at the picturesque district of Sabandía, where one of Arequipa’s best-preserved colonial treasures awaits you:

• Living architecture of the 17th century: Admire the perfect symmetry of the mill, built entirely of ashlar, with its half-meter-thick walls that have withstood earthquakes and the passage of time.
• Original Mechanisms: See the enormous grinding stones, water wheels, and wooden gears that still work as they did in colonial times.
• Traditional Process: Learn how water from the Sabandía River is channeled to move the blades and grind the grain, following a system that hasn’t changed in 400 years.
• Andean Gardens: Stroll through the beautiful gardens surrounding the mill, with native flowers and ancient trees.
• Rural Panorama: Enjoy spectacular views of the valley, with the imposing Misti volcano presiding over the landscape.
• Local Interaction: Meet the families who have cared for this mill for generations and hear their stories about life in the Arequipa countryside.

10:00 am – Paucarpata Lookout: Terraces that Embrace the Sky

We head to Arequipa’s most impressive natural viewpoint, where the hand of man and nature created a joint masterpiece:

• Pre-Inca Terraces: See the fascinating agricultural terraces that the Incas built more than 500 years ago, still in use today.
• Ancestral irrigation system: Observe the water channels that run between the terraces, a demonstration of Andean hydraulic ingenuity.
• Traditional crops: Identify quinoa, corn, beans, and other crops that grow on these ancient terraces.
• 360-degree panorama: Enjoy unparalleled views of the valleys, volcanoes (Misti, Chachani, Pichu Pichu) and the city of Arequipa in the distance.
• Spectacular photography: Capture the perfect geometry of the terraces that look like stairs to heaven.
• Living Culture: Watch local farmers work the land using pre-Columbian techniques, keeping an ancient tradition alive.

11:00 am – Founder’s Mansion: Portal to the Colonial Past

We delve into one of the most important and best-preserved colonial mansions in southern Peru, where every corner tells the story of the conquistadors and the viceregal nobility:

• Exceptional colonial architecture: Explore the spacious courtyards with their elegant arcades, central fountains, and gardens designed according to the principles of Renaissance architecture.
• Noble Halls: Admire the carved wooden ceilings, murals depicting the conquest, and original 17th-century furniture.
• Private Chapel: Visit the family chapel with its baroque altar and religious images that have been venerated for more than 10 generations.
• Colonial Kitchen: Discover the enormous kitchen with its stove, period utensils, and the oven where viceregal banquets were prepared.
• Portrait Gallery: See portraits of the founders and their descendants, dressed in traditional colonial-era attire.
• Living History: Hear fascinating stories about the daily lives of the colonial nobility, their traditions, festivals, and family secrets.
• Panoramic views: From the mansion’s rooftops, enjoy privileged views of the valley and volcanoes

12:30 pm – Return to Arequipa

We return to the city with our hearts full of unforgettable experiences. Along the way, you’ll reflect on how Arequipa has managed to preserve its rural identity while modernizing, keeping alive the ties to its agricultural and colonial past.

Unique Experiences You Will Live

• Connection with the Earth
• Feel the texture of the ashlar carved by expert hands
• Walk along the same platforms that the Incas walked on
• Observe the complete water cycle from glaciers to fields
• Authentic Cultural Interaction
• Talk to the millers who preserve centuries-old trades
• Learn from farmers who maintain pre-Columbian techniques
• Listen to family legends that have been passed down from generation to generation