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Colca Canyon
Enjoy the views from the Cruz del Condor gazer
Casa Mama Yachi
Casa Mama Yachi
Casa Mama Yachi
Casa Mama Yachi
Casa Mama Yachi
Colca Lodge
Colca Lodge
Colca Lodge
Colca Lodge
Coporaque experiential accommodation
Coporaque experiential accommodation
Coporaque experiential accommodation
Coporaque experiential accommodation
Colca Canyon tour information
Starts
7:30 AM at your accommodation in Arequipa
Ends
4:30 PM at your accommodation in Arequipa
bookmark_borderBriefing
The Colca Canyon is a must for all travelers visiting Arequipa. During these two days, you will be able to observe an authentic Andean landscape surrounded by volcanoes, alpacas, small towns where its inhabitants wear colorful traditional costumes and, of course, the immense Colca Canyon, famous for this point view "Mirador Cruz del Condor", from where we can appreciate this amazing bird. You will also have the opportunity to visit other interesting places such as Pata Wasi, Coporaque and Chivay among others, thus discovering the Andean culture.
Tour itinerary
todayDAY 1 Arequipa - Pata Wasi - Coporaque
Hiking distance: ½ km
Initial elevation: 3575 masl
Highest elevation: 3595 masl
Difficulty: challenging
access_time7 : 30 AM
We leave Arequipa by minibus and head towards Chivay, which is roughly 160 km away. Along the way, you can enjoy the views of the imposing volcanoes Misti, Chachani and Pichu Pichu along with the fascinating landscapes of Andes. We will arrive at the National Reserve of “Salinas and Aguada Blanca” where you will have the chance to see vicuñas, one of the most emblematic animals of Peru.
access_time10 : 30 AM
We continue the trip to the area of Tocra, where you have time to take a walk before ascending up to 4.500 meters. There, you will see the different altiplanic lagoons and observe all the migratory birds that inhabit them. The highest point we will reach is located 4.910 meters above sea level, where you stop at a particular viewpoint with spectacular views of the Ampato, Sabancaya and Hualca Hualca volcanoes, among others.
access_time1 : 00 PM
At this point, we will begin the descent passing by Coporaque, where we will have lunch and the possibility of making a walk of one hour accompanied by the guide. During the afternoon, we will visit the hot springs, where we will be able to take a bath, relax and finally, we will be accommodated in the selected lodging, all located in Chivay or surroundings, where we will spend the night.
todayDAY 2 Cruz del Condor Lookout - Arequipa
Hiking distance: ½ km
Initial elevation: 3800 masl
Highest elevation: 3800 masl
Difficulty: challenging
access_time5:00 am
We will have an early breakfast and head to the Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint. From this vantage point, you are able to see the mighty condors leaving their nests in the morning to take advantage of the hot air currents that help them ascend. The condor is one of the largest birds in the world, and when they deploy their wings they can reach 3 meters in span, in full flight they are a truly fascinating sight to behold. We will make a brief visit to the town of Maca and a church in Yanque, being the most beautiful in the valley.
access_time9 : 00 AM
Afterwards, we will go on a trek of one hour at the slope of the canyon to appreciate the large dimensions of this place. During the trek, we are going to visit places like Pinchollo and the viewpoint of Antahuilque, from where you can see several beautiful terraces, which are more than 1500 years old.
access_time1 : 00 PM
Around 1:00 PM, we will start our way back to Arequipa, stopping in Chivay, where you have time to eat lunch. At this point the group is presented with two options again: boarding a transport that takes us to Puno (available as an extra, arriving around six o’clock in the afternoon) or continuing along the road that will take us to Arequipa, where we will safely arrive around 4:30 PM.
Tour details
Included
- Transportation
- Professional bilingual guide (Spanish / English)
- Hotel accommodation
- Breakfast
Not included
- Tourist ticket to the Colca Valley (foreigners: adults $21 USD and children $6.50 USD; Peruvians: adults: $6.50 USD and children: $1.50 USD)
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Access to the hot springs La Calera ($4.50 USD)
error_outlineImportant information
The order of the visits could be altered, but it will not affect the content of the program. The schedules of the tickets and transports could be subject to modifications.
SAFE ADVENTURE – Covid 19
This activity includes the appropriate protection measures to ensure your safety. In addition, our excursions are outdoor and in small groups to reduce the risk of contagion. Remember to follow the instructions of the staff during the development of the excursion.
restoreCancellation policy
Free cancellation! You can cancel this tour and you'll receive 100% refund of the amount paid if you cancel more than 15 days in advance. After this time, or in case you do not show up, no refunds will be given.
What to bring to Colca Canyon
As it is a trip at high altitudes the climate is usually cool to cold and the sun affects the skin stronger than normal, so we recommend to bring:
- Passport
- Warm clothing
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Comfortable shoes (if possible hiking shoes)
- Refillable water bottle
- Raincoat
- Medication to avoid altitude sickness (in case you consider it necessary)
- Cap or hat
- Sandals / flip flops
- Bathing suit and towel for hot springs
Where does the tour Colca Canyon start
If your starting point is Lima, you can fly to Arequipa with the full-service airlines Avianca or Latam or with the low cost Peruvian Airlines and LCP, among others. If you decide to travel by bus - note that it is a 16 hour trip - you can travel with Cruz del Sur, Oltursa or Civa (especially comfortable in its “exclusive” category). If you arrive from Puno, you can travel by bus, it is a six hour trip that is offered by Civa and Cruz del Sur. Alternatively, you can take a plane from Juliaca, which is the nearest airport. However, we recommend you to arrive by bus. If you arrive from Cusco, the bus ride lasts 10 hours, and you can book with various providers such as Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Excluciva and others. Alternatively, you can also choose to take a flight. This particular route is operated by Latam, Avianca, LCP or Peruvian Airlines.
Colca Canyon tour reviews with Howlanders
Henry · February 9, 2020
Beautiful tour. Excellent guide (Jorge).
Questions & Answers
Do I have to carry all my luggage to the tour? Can you keep it for me?
We do not recommend bringing all the luggage to the tour. In our opinion, it is better to carry only a backpack or small suitcase with what is necessary for those days.
To keep the rest of the luggage, we recommend you contact your accommodation in Arequipa to be able to leave it there. It is a very common service offered by almost all accommodations.
What is the extra: transfer to Puno?
Many travelers visit Lake Titicaca after Arequipa. (if you're thinking about it too, don't hesitate and, book it now!)To make this trip more comfortable we offer the possibility to go in a minibus with a guide from Chivay to Puno. Along with saving time on the trip, you will be more comfortable and it will take you directly to your hotel in Puno if it's located in the city center or in the centric square.
If I select the extra: transfer to Puno, can I take all my luggage to the tour?
Yes! :D If your reservation includes the extra: transfer to Puno, you will not return to Arequipa at the end of the tour, so you can take all your luggage with you. We recommend that you also take a small backpack with the necessary items to spend the day (documentation, water, snacks...). The rest of your bags will be stored in the back of the minibus.
What is the extra transport to Puno?
Many travelers visit Lake Titicaca after Arequipa. To make this trip more comfortable we offer the possibility to go in a minibus with a guide from Chivay to Puno. Along with saving time on the trip, you will be more comfortable and it will take you directly to your hotel in Puno.
Book Colca Canyon
2 days from
$66
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