Day 7
1st June 2013

Those with an interest in history, culture and architecture will enjoy our visit to the Convent of Santa Catalina during our city tour, offering a brief respite from the outside world and a unique view into a by-gone way of life. Spectacular mountains surround Arequipa, the most famous of which is El Misti Volcano, at 5822 m (19096 ft) and with a beautiful snow-capped peak.

Wake in the morning and head down for breakfast. Our city tour is not due to start until 09:30, so after breakfast Jenny, Richard and myself head down to Starbucks for a proper cup of coffee as its been almost a week now. We arrive back and board the bus for our tour and the first stop is a view point outside the town. We pull up and the breath taking sight of the snow capped volcanos in front of us and the lush green valley below them. Time for a few photos and a bit of info from our local guide then back on the bus for our next stop. We stop at an old church and again from her are some outstanding views of the mountains and some very good photo opportunities. Time to board the bus once more to be dropped off at the city square for the rest of our tour on foot.

First stop is a church followed by oh another church and then a monastery. In the monastery we are shown round by a local guide and Paco stays at the back of the group to make sure we don't loose anyone. This isn't that easy and either Jenny or myself keeps disappearing into different parts of the complex. After about an hour tour of the monastery we head off to a restaurant for lunch. I have the local stuffed pepper which is supposed to be very hot but to be honest iv had worst. After lunch we head back to the hotel for some free time and I decide its time for a little siesta.

Dinner tonight is at a roof top restaurant which over looks the town square. It is a stunning view although by the end of the evening a little bit chilly. This is my chance to try the deep fried guinea pig which I have been waiting for for ages. It has a crispy skin but very little meat and tastes a little like a rich pork. We finish dinner and the plan was for Myself, Paco and the girls to go clubbing but we are all to knack wand head back to the hotel for an early night.