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Hiring a campervan in Arequipa starts your road trip at the foot of Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu, the three volcanoes watching over the "White City", built from sillar, a pale volcanic stone. A few hours' drive away lie the Colca Canyon and its condors, the vicuña highlands of the Salinas y Aguada Blanca reserve, then the desert and the Pacific coast. Our partner company Intorno hands over its vehicles at its Arequipa depot.
Its fleet is built for rough terrain: Toyota Hilux and Great Wall pick-ups with a camper cabin or rooftop tent, and Peugeot Boxer campervans for four people.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle in Arequipa?
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Arequipa
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €257/day median €325/day | from €230/day median €290/day | from €234/day median €296/day | from €233/day median €294/day |
Daily prices observed on October 26, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 0% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,341.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Arequipa
1 The Colca Canyon via the vicuña reserve
- Arequipa
- Pampa Cañahuas
- Patapampa
- Chivay
- Yanque
- Cruz del Cóndor
- Cabanaconde
- Arequipa
North of Arequipa, the road slips between Chachani and Misti towards the Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve, where vicuñas and alpacas graze at Pampa Cañahuas. After the Patapampa volcano viewpoint, it drops down to Chivay and its hot springs, then follows the farming terraces of Yanque, Maca and Pinchollo to the Cruz del Cóndor and Cabanaconde. Return by the same road.
- Distance
- about 450 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of vehicles
2 The Pacific coast and the Majes valley
- Arequipa
- Mollendo
- Mejía Lagoons
- Camaná
- Aplao
- Arequipa
Heading south-west, the road drops off the plateau to the Pacific and Mollendo, a small seaside town that comes alive in the southern summer, then to the Mejía lagoons, a national sanctuary where migratory birds stop over. Along the Pan-American Highway you reach the beaches of Camaná before heading up the green Majes valley, known for its vineyards, freshwater shrimp and rafting, to Aplao.
- Distance
- about 650 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of vehicles
3 Toro Muerto and the Cotahuasi Canyon
- Arequipa
- Corire
- Toro Muerto
- Chuquibamba
- Cotahuasi
- Arequipa
For seasoned travellers, the north-western road passes Corire and the Toro Muerto petroglyph field, thousands of carved rocks in the desert, then climbs to Chuquibamba, at the foot of Coropuna, Peru's highest volcano. It then drops into the Cotahuasi Canyon, one of the deepest in the world, with its remote villages and the Sipia waterfall. A long road, partly unpaved: allow a full day each way.
- Distance
- about 750 km
- Recommended vehicle
- 4x4 camper pick-up
Weather and seasons
When to go in Arequipa?
Best time
April to June and September to November
April to June, September to November
highs 22 to 24 °C, lows 9 to 10 °C
The dry season gives Arequipa an almost always blue sky and mild days, ideal for the Colca and the volcanoes, without the peak-season crowds. In April and May the canyon terraces are still green after the rains; from September to November sunshine is at its peak and the mountain roads are at their best.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 22 to 23 °C, lows 8 °C
The heart of the southern winter is the busiest period: mid-year holidays in Peru, Fiestas Patrias at the end of July and crowded Colca viewpoints. It hardly ever rains and afternoons stay mild in the city, but it freezes at night on the high plateaus: pack warm clothes and book early.
Rainy season, December to March
December to March
highs 20 to 22 °C, lows 11 °C
The southern summer brings the rains, especially in February: afternoon storms over the city, and roads to the Colca and the altiplano sometimes cut by mudslides or snowed over on the passes. The landscapes turn green and the sites empty; keep spare days and check road conditions before each stage.
Climate in Arequipa, month by month
Most pleasant months: March to December.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 21 °C | 11 °C | 102 mm | 10 h/day |
| Feb | 20 °C | 11 °C | 169 mm | 9 h/day |
| Mar | 20 °C | 11 °C | 87 mm | 10 h/day |
| Apr | 22 °C | 10 °C | 13 mm | 11 h/day |
| May | 23 °C | 10 °C | 1 mm | 11 h/day |
| Jun | 22 °C | 9 °C | 1 mm | 11 h/day |
| Jul | 22 °C | 8 °C | 1 mm | 11 h/day |
| Aug | 23 °C | 8 °C | 0 mm | 11 h/day |
| Sep | 24 °C | 9 °C | 1 mm | 12 h/day |
| Oct | 23 °C | 10 °C | 1 mm | 12 h/day |
| Nov | 23 °C | 10 °C | 3 mm | 12 h/day |
| Dec | 22 °C | 11 °C | 21 mm | 12 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Park outside the historic centre
Arequipa's listed centre, around the Plaza de Armas and the Santa Catalina Monastery, is a maze of narrow streets, often one-way and jammed with combis and taxis. Choose accommodation with a cochera, a guarded garage, then explore on foot: a truck camper struggles to manoeuvre there.
Fuel and cash before heading up to the Colca
Fill up in Arequipa before starting the climb to Chivay: service stations are scarce on the high plateaus. Also withdraw soles in cash, as ATMs are lacking beyond Chivay, and the Colca entrance ticket, checked on the road, as well as small village shops are often paid in cash.
Lorries and black ice on the road to Puno
The road linking Arequipa to Juliaca and Puno, like the Colca road, carries many mining lorries, slow on the climbs and fast on the descents. Drive by day, keep your distance and wait for a straight stretch to overtake; early-morning black ice in July and crossing vicuñas also call for attention.
Sleep in the canyon to see the condors
Condors soar above the Cruz del Cóndor mostly in mid-morning, when the warm air currents rise. Spend the night in Chivay, Yanque or Cabanaconde rather than attempting a day trip from Arequipa: the road is long, climbs very high, and you would reach the viewpoint too late.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Arequipa
Where can I pick up a campervan in Arequipa?
Intorno, our partner company, hands over its converted vehicles at its Arequipa depot. The exact handover location is confirmed when you book: keep that message to hand and plan a taxi from the airport or the Terminal Terrestre, the city's bus station, to reach the meeting point.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Arequipa?
The price depends on the season, the length of hire and the vehicle: a Toyota Hilux with rooftop tent is not hired at the same rate as a truck camper or a Peugeot Boxer campervan. Run a search with your dates to see the real offers from Arequipa, mandatory fees included and bookable straight away.
Can I do a one-way trip from Arequipa to Puno or Cusco?
Puno, Cusco, Tacna and Lima are also departure cities of our partners, which makes a one-way trip possible, for example Arequipa, the Colca and then Puno across the altiplano. Options vary with the dates; any one-way fee is included in the displayed price as soon as you enter the return city when searching.
Do I need a 4x4 for the Colca Canyon?
Not for the main route: the road from Arequipa to Chivay, then on to Cabanaconde via the Cruz del Cóndor, is paved. A Peugeot Boxer campervan gets through without difficulty, driving slowly on the hairpins. A 4x4 comes into its own on the tracks of the canyon's north bank, towards the Andagua Valley of the Volcanoes or in Cotahuasi.
Which vehicle should I choose for four people?
Several Intorno models sleep four: the Peugeot Boxer Mora and Höseg campervans, the Great Wall 4x4 truck camper and the Toyota Hilux with two rooftop tents. For two, the Hilux with one tent is enough. Against the freezing nights of the Colca, a camper cabin or an enclosed van remains more comfortable than a tent.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Arequipa with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
First rental of this type of vehicle in a professional context where the rental must take place from France to Canada. Many questions and Cooldrive (Marlène) has been a valuable support in guiding my choices. Efficiency and responsiveness beforehand, and on-site a vehicle and service that met our expectations. No complaints. Great!
Alain L.
Canada · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Too rigid computer system
Eric L.
Portugal · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Very good customer experience with Cooldrive. I highly recommend it! Thanks to the team who were attentive and available for organizing my trip to Canada.
B.
Canada · Oct 2025
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Arequipa
What licence do I need to drive in Peru?
Peru drives on the right. To hire and drive, bring your national licence and an international driving permit, to be obtained before departure in the country that issued your licence. The minimum age and years of driving required are shown in each offer; the contract and identity documents must stay on board.
How do I deal with altitude when starting from Arequipa?
Lying at more than 2,000 m, Arequipa is a good acclimatisation stop before the Colca, where the road nears 5,000 m at the Patapampa volcano viewpoint. Spend two or three nights in the city, drink plenty, climb gradually and do not sleep on the passes: headaches and breathlessness are common in the first days.
Where can I stay overnight with a campervan around Arequipa?
Campsites are rare in the region. In the city, travellers in converted vehicles mostly stop at guesthouses or hotels with a closed car park; in the Colca, some accommodation in Chivay, Yanque or Cabanaconde welcomes vans. In the wild, ask local communities for permission and avoid the outskirts of towns and the Pan-American Highway.
How do I fly to Arequipa?
Rodríguez Ballón International Airport, linked to Lima and Cusco among others, is in Cerro Colorado, north-west of the city, about twenty minutes from the centre outside rush hour. Take an official taxi at the terminal and, if possible, arrive the day before collecting the vehicle so you are rested for the handover.
When should I book a campervan in Arequipa?
For July, August, Holy Week and the Fiestas Patrias at the end of July, book several months ahead: the choice is limited to the models of our only partner company there. If you only drive automatics, aim early for the Great Wall Poer. In the rainy season, a few weeks are usually enough.
About us
Why start a campervan trip from Arequipa
Arequipa is the most gradual starting point for discovering southern Peru in a converted vehicle. Lower than Cusco or Puno, the city gives you time to adjust to the altitude while enjoying its white-stone colonial centre, its picanterías and the view of Misti. The Colca Canyon, the volcanoes and the vicuñas of the high plateaus are a day's drive away, the Pacific coast and the Majes valley only a little further.
Puno and Lake Titicaca, Tacna near the Chilean border, Cusco and Lima are other departure cities of our partners: enough to plan a loop or a one-way trip. With Intorno, our local partner, you choose between 4x4 pick-ups with camper cabin or rooftop tent and campervans, and the long dry season leaves March to December to set off.