Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city. It earned its name as the White City from its building material: sillar blocks are made from compacted and petrified volcanic ash. Almost every historic building, including the cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, gleams white in the sun.

This is a desert, so it’s almost always hot and dry in Arequipa, especially between May and September. However, if the rain from October to April in Cusco is getting you down, take a few days in Arequipa to see the sun.

If you’re into volcanos, this is your place. Here are a few of the volcanos near Arequipa: Coropuna is Peru’s highest volcano at 6,425 m (21,079 ft), Solimana, Ampato (where Juanita was found), Hualca-Hualca, Sabancaya, Ubinas, Pichu-Pichu, Mismi, Chachani & Misti (the last two you can see from Hotel Katari).