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Cirqa

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An exquisite boutique hotel in a restored former monastery right in the heart of Arequipa’s historical centre.

Dating back to 1540 – the year in which Arequipa was founded – Cirqa pays homage to the dedicated way monks would receive travellers. Listed in the prestigious Relais & Chateaux portfolio and located just a block from Arequipa’s main square, the hotel is a superb place for discovering the city on foot, and to relax and unwind after a day’s exploring.

There are just eleven guest rooms centred around the main terrace, each one stylish and intimate with discreet modern amenities. Cirqa embodies Arequipa’s traditional architecture by flaunting its original sillar volcanic rock walls and many original features have been preserved, including ornate arches and vaulted roofs.

The hotel also offers its own restaurant, inspired by the rural Arequipenean picanterías, and its rooftop bar is a wonderful spot for sundowners under the watchful gaze of Misti volcano.

What our clients say

Highlight?: Walking and running on the cliffs of Lima. Food tour in Lima.
CC, Settle Feb 2018
Highlights: That's hard.., so many... for Alex: inca trail, for us: condors, lake titicaca, huchuy qosqo, ruins around cusco, colca canyon riding, chinchero market, moray & maras, macchu Picchu /…
CB, Sandwich Jun 2017
Highlight?: Machu Picchu
RN, London Nov 2016
Highlight?: The train journey to M Picchu and seeing M Picchu - absolutely awesome and I got a seat on the left of the train (for best views!). The tour…
MP, Amersham Jun 2017
Most Memorable Moment?: Getting to the top of Huayna Picchu.
PR, Edinburgh Oct 2017
For me, I think that it was the Lords of Sipan and Royal Tombs Museum, and the Temple of the Moon at Trujillo. For Angela, it was Tucume and the…
PS, Reading Jul 2017

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Our Expert's Opinion

Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

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Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
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A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
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After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!
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Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.
Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.