New Touristic Circuit Announced in Arequipa
Arequipa's regional government has announced a 10 million sol investment in a new touristic circuit through the city center, which aims to promote occasionally overlooked sights such as the Fundo el Fierro, La Recoleta Convent, and Puente Grau. The project will involve underground cabling, signage, a new visitor's center, and newly pedestrian-only streets.
Published on 30-07-2013, por Inca World
Arequipa's architectural beauty and singularity, as well as its proximity to geological wonders such as the Valley of Volcanoes and the world's deepest canyons (Colca Canyon and Cotahuasi Canyon) have caused its popularity to rise among travelers. Regardless, the city has not invested as much in their tourism-related infrastructure as other destination cities such as Cusco and Lima.
Yesterday, Arequipa's regional government took steps to remedy this, announcing the creation of a new touristic circuit in the historic center of Arequipa. Plan Copesco, a national institution charged with developing touristic infrastructure in Peru, will provide 9 out of the 10 million Peruvian soles necessary to undertake the public works projects envisioned for the new circuit. According to Foreign Trade and Tourism official Alfredo Venero La Torre, these include underground cabling, signage, a new visitor's center, and the conversion of some streets into pedestrian-only thoroughfares.
Attractions Included in the New Circuit
The new circuit will begin in the Fundo el Fierro, historically a women's prison but today more often seen housing artisan's booths. As part of the new plan, the site will receive a new visitor's center and museum.
The route will then continue on to Arequipa's Plaza de Armas, famed for its buildings of volcanic sillar (used in the area since pre-Incan times) from the colonial period, with intricately carved facades often described as mestizo-baroque.
The Plaza contains some of the city's most popular attractions, including the enormous neoclassical Cathedral, which cover's an entire side of the plaza, and the 16th century palace known as the Founder's Mansion.
However, as the goal of the new touristic circuit is to highlight overlooked areas around the Historic Center which deserve to be visited thanks to their architectural and natural beauty and their cultural and historic significance, it will then continue along to less-visited attractions along the scenic streets of Puente Bolognesi, Beaterio, and La Recoleta.
One of those attractions is La Recoleta Convent, about a 10 minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. Founded in the 1600s as a Franciscan Convent, it was only recently opened to the public in 1978, when it began to function as a museum. It boasts various cloisters, pre-Columbian, Amazonian, and religious collections of art and other artifacts.
Continuing on, one arrives at Grau Bridge, constructed in the 1800s, from where one can appreciate views of El Misti Volcano and the Chili River.
The circuit will end where it began, at Fundo el Fierro.
Arequipa's regional government has announced a 10 million sol investment in a new touristic circuit through the city center, which aims to promote occasionally overlooked sights such as the Fundo el Fierro, La Recoleta Convent, and Puente Grau. The project will involve underground cabling, signage, a new visitor's center, and newly pedestrian-only streets.
Published on 30-07-2013, por Inca World
Arequipa's architectural beauty and singularity, as well as its proximity to geological wonders such as the Valley of Volcanoes and the world's deepest canyons (Colca Canyon and Cotahuasi Canyon) have caused its popularity to rise among travelers. Regardless, the city has not invested as much in their tourism-related infrastructure as other destination cities such as Cusco and Lima.
Yesterday, Arequipa's regional government took steps to remedy this, announcing the creation of a new touristic circuit in the historic center of Arequipa. Plan Copesco, a national institution charged with developing touristic infrastructure in Peru, will provide 9 out of the 10 million Peruvian soles necessary to undertake the public works projects envisioned for the new circuit. According to Foreign Trade and Tourism official Alfredo Venero La Torre, these include underground cabling, signage, a new visitor's center, and the conversion of some streets into pedestrian-only thoroughfares.
Attractions Included in the New Circuit
The new circuit will begin in the Fundo el Fierro, historically a women's prison but today more often seen housing artisan's booths. As part of the new plan, the site will receive a new visitor's center and museum.
The route will then continue on to Arequipa's Plaza de Armas, famed for its buildings of volcanic sillar (used in the area since pre-Incan times) from the colonial period, with intricately carved facades often described as mestizo-baroque.
The Plaza contains some of the city's most popular attractions, including the enormous neoclassical Cathedral, which cover's an entire side of the plaza, and the 16th century palace known as the Founder's Mansion.
However, as the goal of the new touristic circuit is to highlight overlooked areas around the Historic Center which deserve to be visited thanks to their architectural and natural beauty and their cultural and historic significance, it will then continue along to less-visited attractions along the scenic streets of Puente Bolognesi, Beaterio, and La Recoleta.
One of those attractions is La Recoleta Convent, about a 10 minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. Founded in the 1600s as a Franciscan Convent, it was only recently opened to the public in 1978, when it began to function as a museum. It boasts various cloisters, pre-Columbian, Amazonian, and religious collections of art and other artifacts.
Continuing on, one arrives at Grau Bridge, constructed in the 1800s, from where one can appreciate views of El Misti Volcano and the Chili River.
The circuit will end where it began, at Fundo el Fierro.
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Lima's greatest devotion also walks through Cusco, departing from San Francisco Square. October dyes Peruvian streets purple with robes, incense, and fervor. We tell you how to follow the official 2026 processions in Lima and experience the Cusco replica from the Andes with practical details.
tags: lord of miracles, cusco, lima, peru processions, religious tourism, purple month
Just 11 kilometers from the Plaza de Armas, the historic district of San Jerónimo celebrates its patron saint every late September: 5 days of processions, 26+ dance troupes, a food fair, and a 16th-century church built on an Inca huaca. In 2016, it was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Most tourists don't know it exists; many young locals don't either. This year it starts on Monday, September 28, with the main day on Wednesday 30.
Third Sunday of September. 9 a.m. The pututos sound and 1,500 students from the National School of Sciences of Cusco set off in procession from their school to the Sacsayhuamán esplanade. They are going to compete — for real — in speed, strength, and endurance tests that replicate those the Tahuantinsuyo used to determine who was ready for adulthood. It is not a choreography. It is the Warachicuy, and in 2025 it was declared a Cultural Interest.
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Machu Picchu in 2026?
We would like to inform our travelers that availability for Circuit 1 and 2 for the months of November, December and January is at 85% of capacity. We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance.
New Circuits and Routes
The Ministry of Culture has consolidated the three main tours. As of 2026, Tour 2 (The Royal Route) remains the only one that allows visitors to take the classic photo from the Guardian’s House. We have adapted all our packages to ensure this access.
Digital Check-In and Biometric Verification
Say goodbye to long check-in lines! Starting this season, entry is faster thanks to the new digital check-in system. Our packages include full management of your personalized tickets to prevent errors on the state platform.
| Circuit | Ideal for... | Clasic photo | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit 1 (Panoramic) | High views and photo posts | Yes | Low |
| Circuit 2 (Andean) | Complete circuit through the ruins | Yes | Medium |
| Circuit 3 (Reality) | Persons or reduced movement | No | Very low |
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