Day 2

Arequipa and the Colca Canyon

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February 20th 2009
Arequipa is my first city in Peru at altitude. About 2200 meters above sea level is not too high but the difference is noticeable: it's much colder here (no more t-shirts and shorts) and the air is thinner, so that on the first day I had to catch my breathe a few times just sitting down. Arequipa is quite a pretty city with quite a pleasant Plaza de Armas (every Peruvian city seem to have one) ... read more

South America » Peru » Arequipa

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Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1... ... read more