Cirqa

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

Highlights? :The Vistadome train journey to Machu Picchu and visiting the ruins themselves.
ME, Maidstone
Highlight: Machu Picchu - truly breath taking.
PT, Swindon
Highlight?: The Ausangate trail. Loved it.
ID, Hereford
Highlights?: Maccu Picchu and the trains to and from the Sacred Valley, also the hotels in Cusco and the Sacred valley.
AJ, London
Most Memorable Moment?: One day hike to Sun Gate/Macchu Picchu
SF, Woking
Most Memorable Moment?: Every step of the way was amazing... But Machu Picchu was undeniably the crown jewel of the trip
JB,

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Our expert's view

Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

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Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert
Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.
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.
Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert
Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.
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.
Sophie Barber - Travel Expert
Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.
Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert
Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.