Southern Highlands

Ayacucho, better known as the "City of the Churches", due to thirty three churches of different styles and architecture that adorn the city. As most of the highlands in Peru, the weather is warm and sunny during the day and cold in the evenings. The rainy season is from November to March. Before the Inca invasion, the Huari formed a confederation of ethnic groups, which spread through most of Peru and represented a constant threat to the Inca Empire.

Arequipa, located 1,010 Km south of Lima in the beautiful Chili River Valley and surrounded by three majestic volcanoes, Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu. Arequipa is popularly known as the "White City" since many buildings and churches are built of "sillar", a white volcanic stone. The Incas conquered this region in the 14th century, and colonial Arequipa was founded in 1,540 by an emissary of Pizarro. Dry weather, with sunny days and cool nights. The rainy season is from December to April. The spectacular Colca Canyon is at least twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. About 150 Km NW of Arequipa (4 hours), crossing the Salinas and Aguada Blanca reserve is the town of Chivay, starting point to explore the canyon.

Puno, located on the high plateau of Collao, at 4,000 mt (13,150 ft) above sea level, on the North west shore of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. The Collao plateau was the territory of Quechuas, Aymaras, Uros and one of the most important Pre-Hispanic cultures in the Andes, Tiwanacu (AD 100-750). The territory was conquered in the fifteenth century by the Incas, naming it the Collasuyo region (Land of the Collas).

The weather is of extremes. Sunshine and mild during the day and very cold during the night, reaching temperatures of -10 C to -20 C. in the high areas of the Department.