Usually known for its elegant and sober colonial architecture in ashlar stone, and for the incomparable agricultural terraces in the Colca canyon, the world’s second deepest, Arequipa has more recently caught the world’s attention as its volcano- dominated geography has emerged as a scenery for amazing archeological sites. The city of Arequipa (2 350 masl) can be reached by plane from Lima (1 021 km away) in 60 minutes, Cusco (516 km) or Juliaca, in Puno (281 km). Visits to Arequipa will be most enjoyable between April and October when temperature fluctuates between 8°C and 16°C.

Named “Juanita”, out of affection, this mummy of an Inca young girl about 14 years of age was found in perfect state of conservation on the summit of the Ampato mountain (6 310 masl). The study of her remains will provide us a better understanding of the habits and diet of ancient Inca empire populations.

Juanita lived 500 years ago, when she was sacrificed on the Ampato glacier (patron god of the region), probably to stop the anger of the Sabancaya volcano that was erupting at that time.

The sacrifice Qapac Cocha ceremony started at huacaypata (Cusco’s main square) and was dedicated to a number of sacred mountains, islands and other magic places around the Tawantisuyo or Inca Empire. Healthy and beautiful children between 5 and 15 years of age chosen from different villages in the four suyus or regions of the empires were sacrificed as the close to the rite.

The victims were buried together with human figurines, miniature animals, pottery and jewelry to ask the huacas for good health for the Inca and stronger relations between Cusco and the provinces. Archeological evidence of this ritual has been found in numerous high altitude Inca sanctuaries, some as distant as the Aconcagua glacier in Chile.