Arequipa City Tour in Panoramic Bus

The Arequipa City Tour in Panoramic Bus offers a captivating way to explore the city’s rich history and stunning architecture. Starting from a convenient location, the tour takes travelers on a journey through iconic sites like the Plaza de Armas and the Convent of Santa Catalina, providing elevated views from the comfort of a two-story bus. With a reasonable price tag that includes entrance fees and gratuities, this rundown of Arequipa’s charm seems like a must-try for visitors. However, a closer look at customer feedback reveals some areas that could be improved, hinting at a nuanced experience that may just pique your interest.

This experience made our list of the 11 Best City Tours In Arequipa.

About Your Stay

• The Arequipa City Tour in Panoramic Bus is a 4.5-star rated experience that provides a rundown of the city’s historic landmarks, including the Plaza de Armas and Convent of Santa Catalina.
• The tour is priced starting from $20, includes entrance fees and gratuities, and can accommodate up to 40 travelers, with infants under 4 required to sit on laps.
• The tour departs and returns to a central location at Calle Zela 301, next to the Convent of Santa Catalina, and the meeting time is communicated upon booking.
• The panoramic bus features two floors for elevated views, and the tour includes a guided experience, though some past participants have noted issues with itinerary adherence and meeting point accuracy.
• The tour covers key highlights of Arequipa, such as the historic city center, iconic whitewashed buildings, and towering volcanoes, providing a comprehensive and cost-effective option for exploring the city.

Tour Overview

The Arequipa City tour provides a panoramic bus experience, allowing visitors to explore the city’s highlights.

This tour offers a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews, with a price range starting from $20. The tour accommodates up to 40 travelers and includes entrance fees, as well as a gratuity.

However, food and drinks are excluded. Infants 4 and younger can join the tour, but must sit on laps. The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible.

While the tour order may change, most travelers can participate. Feedback highlights the engaging guide experience, but some locations are deemed less valuable, with suggestions to visit museums instead.

Meeting and Pickup

Typically, the Arequipa City tour meeting point is located at Calle Zela 301, next to the Convent of Santa Catalina (Hotel Mirador del Monasterio).

Confirmation of the meeting time is provided upon booking. The tour begins and ends at this central location. Customers can expect an exact meeting time to be communicated after booking.

While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, infants 4 and younger are welcome to join, though they must sit on laps.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The Arequipa City tour includes a panoramic bus with two floors, allowing visitors to take in the sights from an elevated vantage point.

The tour also includes ticket entrance fees, which cost 30 soles (around $8 USD) and must be paid in cash. Gratuities for the guide are covered in the tour price.

However, food and drinks aren’t included, so you will need to budget for any refreshments or meals they wish to purchase during the tour.

Infants under 4 years old can join the tour for free but must sit on a lap.

Unfortunately, the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible.

Tour Experience

According to the information provided, the order of visits during the Arequipa City tour may change. Most travelers can participate in the tour, though it’s not wheelchair accessible.

Feedback highlights a positive experience with the tour guide, but some locations were deemed less valuable, and it’s suggested to visit museums instead.

Concerns have been raised about the accuracy of the meeting point and the adherence to the itinerary. The tour host has acknowledged the feedback and aims to improve the service based on the customer comments.

Customer Feedback

The customer feedback for the Arequipa City tour is mixed. While some travelers praised the engaging guide and found the locations interesting, others expressed concerns.

Negative reviews cite inaccurate meeting point information and insufficient time spent at certain sites. Customers also mentioned missing out on activities, such as tasting queso helado.

The tour operator has acknowledged this feedback and aims to improve the service. The tour receives a 2.5/5 rating based on 4 reviews, highlighting the need for better adherence to the itinerary and clearer communication with participants.

Highlights of the Tour

Touring Arequipa’s panoramic highlights, the city tour takes visitors on a journey through the historic city center.

Travelers can admire the iconic whitewashed buildings, towering volcanoes, and the picturesque Plaza de Armas from the comfort of a panoramic bus.

The tour also includes a visit to the Convent of Santa Catalina, a 16th-century religious complex renowned for its vibrant architecture and rich history.

While feedback on the tour’s efficiency has been mixed, most visitors appreciate the engaging guide and the opportunity to see Arequipa’s key landmarks.

For those seeking a rundown of the city, this tour provides a convenient and cost-effective option.

Planning Your Visit

When planning your visit to Arequipa, travelers should consider the meeting point carefully, as some past participants have reported issues with its accuracy.

The tour departs from Calle Zela 301, next to the Convent of Santa Catalina, and returns to the same location. Confirmation of the exact meeting time is provided after booking.

While the tour includes panoramic bus transportation and admission fees, food and drinks aren’t provided.

Visitors should also note that the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible.

Considering the mixed reviews, it’s advisable to manage expectations and plan accordingly to ensure a satisfactory experience.

Questions About Your Stay

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

The tour has no age restrictions, but infants 4 and younger are complimentary and must sit on laps. Most travelers can participate, though the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks?

According to the tour overview, food and drinks are excluded from the tour. However, travelers are not explicitly prohibited from bringing their own food and drinks. It’s recommended to check with the tour provider for any specific policies on this.

Is There an Option for a Private Tour?

The tour information doesn’t mention a private tour option. However, many tour companies in Arequipa offer customized private tours for those who want a more personalized experience. Guests should inquire directly with the tour provider about availability and pricing for a private Arequipa city tour.

Can I Request a Different Language Guide?

Yes, guests can request a different language guide for the tour. The tour provider offers guides fluent in multiple languages, and they’ll do their best to accommodate any special requests made at the time of booking.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Students or Seniors?

The tour operator doesn’t currently offer student or senior discounts. However, they do provide a lowest price guarantee, so customers can check for any promotional offers at the time of booking to get the best available rate.

Final Verdict On This Stay

The Arequipa City Tour in Panoramic Bus offers an engaging way to explore the city’s rich history and stunning architecture. While some areas for improvement have been noted, the tour provides a rundown of Arequipa’s charm. With a starting price of $20 and inclusions like entrance fees and gratuities, it’s a convenient option for travelers seeking an elevated perspective of the city’s iconic sites.