27 Apr 2022
I couldn't see the meeting point after booking so I contacted the company via WhatsApp and they responded immediately to confirm (it is on Calle Zela beings the monastery, opposite Mirador del Monasterio Hotel) and also provided the seat number. The actual bus company is Tours Panorámico VIP (orange buses), our guide Linda was great, really friendly and knowledgeable. The upper deck is semi open and there were not too many people which made the journey more enjoyable. We left Arequipa around 12pm and headed to our first stop in Yanahuara where we had about 15 minutes to admire the view from the plaza and take pictures. Then we went to the Carmen Alto viewpoint, entrance is 5 soles and well worth it as not only is the view stunning but adorable baby alpacas are grazing nearby which made my day. Then we went to the Incalpaca shop and farm, it's really worth it when they have discounts and you get to see more alpacas! Next stop was at a restaurant on the way to La mansión del Fundador (about one hour break). After the mansion (ticket costs 10 soles) we headed to Sabandia where you have a choice of different activities: visit the windmill for 10 soles, or canopy, horseback riding and quad /ATV for 15 soles. Again there were cute baby alpacas there. On the way back to Arequipa we stopped briefly in Paucarpata to the Ménélik museum. We were back at Plaza de Armas around 6:30pm. It was a great day, lots of stops and things to see, well worth the money.